04/06/2024
Forced compliance, leveraging control and coercion, overriding the animal’s autonomy, needs and communication, in favour of compliance impacts an individuals well being.
The detriment is often mistakenly defined by how we are achieving this, often overshadowing the fact that achieving it at all is detrimental. The argument isI often that the end does not justify the means. The means don’t justify the outcome either.
I recently came across the video in a Facebook group and the theme of the video is one that I have encountered countless times before.
The video was a dog being walked by a dog trainer.
The dog had on a harness attached to a long leash.
The person was using food.
The dog was given time to sniff.
What the public saw in this video is a dog who was highly responsive, focused on the handler, responding promptly to every cue when it was given.
Cues like when to sniff, when to turn and when to walk in heel.
The comments gave nothing but praise.
You may think that the video would fill me with joy, but what I saw in this video was different.
I saw a dog under complete control.
A dog fixated on food.
I saw a dog who wasn't performing natural behaviors - even when they were given the opportunity to.
A topic that is left out of the conversation when discussing how we teach our dogs is how positive reinforcement can suppress behavior.
The positive reinforcement can be controlling.
Understandably highlighting how damaging and coercive positive reinforcement has the potential to be is not a popular topic.
But it's one that I think about often.
It's also a topic that I guide clients through shifting their mindset around.
When a client asks me how to teach their dog something I will often ask "Why do you want to teach your dog _______?"
Asking why allows me to understand what outcome they are looking for so I can guide them to the most dog-centered approach.
When we have all of the power and control over a vulnerable species like our dogs it's important for us to be intentional on what we teach.
Questions you can ask yourself to assess if something is important to teach:
❓Why am I teaching this? (ie Is it necessary?)
❓What is the least invasive way to teach this?
❓Am I suppressing a natural behavior?
Follow on Q: Am I routinely providing an alternative outlet for this behavior?
We want to believe that if we are using treats, toys and kindness to teach our dogs that this is enough, but there is more nuance that needs to be explored in the conversation so we are safeguarding our dog's mental health.
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