D: There is great variation of opinion about whether the use of negative or punishment based training is necessary or effective in the training of dogs. Does the AVA believe that these training methods are effective?
DC: Training methods that use positive punishment and negative reinforcement have been linked with undesirable side effects for dogs and behavioural problems such as escape and avoidance behaviour (to avoid the punishment), aggressive behaviour (in self-defence), response suppression (habituation or learned helplessness), and fear of people or things in the environment where the aversive stimulus was present (fear conditioning and generalisation).
The use of positive reinforcement is the most humane and effective training method as it avoids undesirable behavioural side effects. It also makes training more enjoyable and helps to improve the bond with the pet.
D: If not what are some of the reasons why these methods are ineffective?
DC: In order for positive punishment methods to be effective they must meet the criteria of the ICE acronym. That is, it must be Immediate, Consistent and Effective. Lets use the example of teach a dog to walk nicely on a lead and not pull (a common reason for using such a collar). To meet the 'Immediate' criteria, the dog should receive pressure on the neck as soon as the dog pulls on the lead and then the pressure should stop as soon as the dog stops pulling. This requires very careful timing which is very difficult to meet. The second criteria is that it should be consistent, i.e. it needs to happen every time the dog pulls on the lead. This is also difficult to achieve. And finally the punishment needs to be Effective, that is, it should stop the undesirable (pulling) behaviour. If you don't apply enough pressure, the pulling on the lead continues, therefore you need to apply escalating levels of pressure and jerking on the neck to achieve the desired result. This may lead to significant pain to the dog and in the worst case scenario- asphyxiation.
The other concern with punishment is that it doesn't give dogs any direction about the behaviours we want them to perform. Imagine you were working on a project at work, and your boss gave you no direction about what you needed to do. They just told you 'no, that's not what I want' and then gave you a jerk on the neck with a prong collar, and then you had to figure it out based on that feedback. Imagine how confusing and and stressful it would be. Also consider how you would start to view your boss.
A much more humane method is to give the dogs direction about what you want and then reward them when they get it right. Using the above example, when the dog pulls on the lead, call him to you and reward him when the lead loosens. Then keep giving food treats to keep him on a loose lead. Initially, you will need to use lots of treats, however, as the dog gets the hang of things, less treats are needed. Until finally, no treats are needed at all.
Positive reinforcement methods also need good timing. However, if the timing is a bit off, the consequences are much less serious. Therefore, for most dog owners, this is the most humane and rewarding method of training. It will also foster a trusting relationship with you and your dog!
And, if dogs would talk, I have no doubt that they would all universally vote for being trained using positive reinforcement methods!
D: What other techniques can be employed to effectively train dogs?
DC: It’s much better to prevent behaviour problems than modify them. Behaviour is the result of the interweaving of genetics, learning and the environment.
Breeding from dogs with good temperaments is one way of reducing the likelihood of some behavioural problems, although “genetics influences the probability of a behaviour, rather than controlling it in an iron-clad way. Both genes and environment impact on the formation of temperament and the expression of behaviour.”
It is quite clear that puppies benefit from appropriate (meaning positive and harmless) socialisation. This has been shown to decrease inter-dog reactivity and fearfulness of people, places and situations. The first 16 weeks of life are a critical learning period for puppies. During this time, social and behavioural patterns are established. For optimum socialisation, it is essential that puppies have regular social contact with humans, with other dogs and with the mother and littermates.
If they are deprived of this contact (as in some kennels or refuges) during the critical period for socialisation, there can be severe long-term effects on the ability of the pet to live successfully in a family environment. These dogs are more likely to develop antisocial behaviour, and many will eventually be referred to animal behaviourists or contribute to the number of unwanted problem dogs.
D: What damage can these collars potentially do to dogs?
DC: These collars can cause physical damage to the neck and throat area, particularly if they are misused. However, I think the biggest concern is the emotional damage to the dog and the damage to the human-dog bond. Again, they give the dog no direction about the behaviours we want them to perform.
D: What makes prong collars so particularly dangerous - as compared to choke, zap collars?
DC: Actually, the same principles apply to choke and zap collars. These are also not effective or humane devices to train animals, for the same reasons outlined above.
D: Does the AVA believe that the average member of the public is equip to effectively and safely use one of these collars? Should they be made available to any untrained owner, without training over the internet or across the counter of pet stores?
DC: No. In fact, I think many members of the public truly do not want to use these devices. Most people do not like using methods that hurt their dog. However, they do not always know there are other training methods available. They also see people on TV and in the media using these devices.
D: Why do you think so many within the industry and in the public have so passionately oppose the banning of these collars?
DC: Dogs have no voice of their own. Mahatma Gandhi said "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated".
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Well as you have facebook pages advocating how good force and aversive methods are, it is not surprising that you think this. So you don't think getting the "correction" at the right time and doing it consistently is important? I thought it these, timing and consistency, were for any dog training. She is a vet, that doesn't make her a training expert but it also means she is definitely not stupid. Also she treats dogs with injuries, as do her colleagues, so has to understand pain, not easy as most dogs try to hide it, and she will also see the long term effects of stress, physical and mental.
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