Bonking - Teaching Inhibitions : Safe, effective punishment revealed

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Interesting article on how to help stop negative behavior.  It is a long article, please keep an open mind while you read it.

http://www.clickandtreat.com/html/offleadinhibitions.HTM

[Camilla and Darwin]

This is fascinating. My only problem? Aiming for the pup's head from 10 feet away. I'd likely miss completely! :-) Thanks for the article, it was truly interesting.

[Meridith and Lola]

It is interesting and does seem to have some validity. When Lola is off leash (and only off-leash) she now chases and barks at bike riders, roller-bladers, skate borders and even joggers so her off-leash time in the NYC parks has been limited to say the least. I haven't been able to figure out a way to get her attention once she gets into the chase mindset. But I agree with Camilla - my aim would probably have a lot to be desired but it might be worth a try (start with when she goes after the jogger!).

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

My red flag was the correct aim - this would have to be a DH project...LOL.

[BG and Gavin]

Is this any different than using a shock collar to correct behaviour?

[Adina P]

Temple Grandin, in an interview (she's that woman with autism that has some cool insights into how animals think/feel) said she only believes in punishment via shock collar for prey drive problems. Her thoughts on that were interesting...she's all positive for everything else but thinks that in the case of predatory instinct, shock collars are ultimately most useful and also prevent some pretty bad things.

The thing with shock collars is that most people envision a dog just being constantly tortured by it..but used right...it isn't used MUCH or to a point where the dog is injured.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Ouch, Have you ever inadvertently shocked yourself with one of those? I have and threw it away immediately. It hurt.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Yes I have purposely shocked myself but never, as yet, the dogs. The lower levels of shock I couldn't feel but near the top end it was quite painful and caused an involuntary muscle contraction. So with that in mind I think shock collars can be used effectively if need be but care is needed. Luca seems to think an unknown force has caused the vibration on his neck when he doesn't come when called and he runs to me. I think this is a very good thing for his protection. It may frighten him momentarily but it doesn't harm him.

[Adina P]

Very different as it is a totally different experience.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Now that was a very interesting article. Actually, I think many of us have been taught variations on this theme. Luca's trainer taught the folks who had counter surfers, to throw stainless steel bowls or the like near but not at the dog. This startled them and for most dogs did not take many repetitions to inhibit the behavior.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Great big two thumbs up for Wilkes and his cogently presented argument for inhibition or positive punishment.

Shock collars - I learned to use one properly at "Beyond the Leash" . I succcessfully use one at a very low level to train Roo - my ultra high energy dog. The shock is use as a reenforcement for commands that have already been taught. Just a reminder, really, for a high energy dog that "sit" means "sit". I also took my mellow Tigger to Scott to help me train my mellow Tigger - no shock collar necessary. I was taught that a noticeable shock was tolerable for "staying out of the garbage" type activities, but should absolutely NEVER be used when a dog was in an agressive mode as in some dogs it will trigger more agression.

Since I have not worked with hundreds of dogs, I do not feel able to judge with 100% accuracy all the time between very excited behavior and agression. So he taught me to use "inhibition" techniques. I am the least accurate thrower you ever met. What works for me with Tigger - the mellow dog - is just slapping a book or magazine down hard with the "no". For Roo, Mr. Excitement, I do attempt to pelt him with a tied towel. The best tip for inhibition I ever got though was right here on DK - I wish I could give credit to the mom who suggested it. Bonking Roo on the head with a paper towel inside works like a charm for jumping up. All he wants is love from my guests and he absolutely gets that jumping is not going to accomplish that when he sees the "bonker" and sits wiggling all over with excitement, but sitting. Nothing else - ( I never used the shock collar - did not seem like a good idea to me), and I mean nothing else worked at all.