Dog Training in Singapore – Be Wary, Be Aware!
Dog training, to many in Singapore, simply involves finding a dog trainer, going under his instructions and hopefully getting a trained dog, rid of all behavior problems as a result. While that may be the ideal, unfortunately, many dog owners end up subjecting their dogs to unnecessary harsh treatment in the name of dog training. By that, we mean choke chain, throw chain, prong collars, ear pinches and the ultimate in cruelty – electronic collars.
Some Facts About Dog Training – Do You Know?
While you may know that dogs can be trained by compulsion and force, do you know that:
- They can be trained equally, if not more effectively using positive rewards based methods?
- Dog training is today a divided profession? There are positive trainers in one camp, the compulsion based trainers in the other and those sitting somewhere in between.
- Your choice of dog training method will have a deep rooted effect on how your dog interacts with you? For example, will it enjoy training, do things enthusiastically or will it be fearful and unenthusiastic whenever in training mode?
- There can be negative effects caused by compulsion based dog training especially if applied on fearful or aggressive dogs and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers has voiced concerns about the damaging effects on owner-dog relationship caused by Alpha based dog training methods?
Given the above, how then do you decide on the right dog training school to enroll in?
Well, it is often said that the test of the pudding is in the eating. If any compulsion based dog trainer in Singapore can produce dogs as enthusiastic and willing to work as those seen on our demo video above, then perhaps they warrant some attention. Else, wouldn’t it be wiser relying on us for affordable and yet reliable dog training services?
Dog Training – What You May Not Know
In the sport of obedience, precision and speed are very desirable attributes. Compulsion based training can sometimes produce obedient but unenthusiastic (slow) dogs. To counter this, some trainers resort to throw chains or electronic collars, just to speed up their dog’s performance.
What is a throw chain?
A chain designed for the purpose of throwing near the dog’s butt area.
Common use of throw chains:
- Get the dog to come to you quickly
- Get a dog to abandon all distractions and come to you
How? By throwing it near the dogs butt to startle it, thus producing a super-fast recall. As can be seen, such recalls, regardless of the speed, are not due to genuine enthusiasm, but rather fear and suspicion (of throw chains landing on their butt)
What are Electronic Collars?
Dog collars design to administer a mild electric charge whenever the handler presses a remote button.
Common Uses of e-Collars
- Zaps the dog for inappropriate behaviors. Some people still do this.
- Used to speed up recall. Eg to speed up a recall, the trainer zaps the dog continuously until the dog completes the recall. The dog is thus negatively reinforced for prompt recalls. Again, the promptness is triggered by fear and not enthusiasm.
Food for Thought – If You Love Your Dog, Why Subject Them to Such Cruelty?
Choose us, if you wish to learn dog friendly, humane ways to train your dogs. Remember, if you have a dog problem, there is probably a gentle, dog friendly solution. Say no to compulsion based dog training today!
