Gary -Gaz- Jackson Dog Trainer, Author, Speaker

21/06/2025

More false information from the currupt idealist rspca.

Minutes from the meeting of the dog working group of SAWC on 19th Nov 2024 (see first comment) show that Paula Boyden, Veterinary Director at Dogs Trust, Dr Harvey Carruthers, veterinary surgeon, Dr Ellie Wigham, Lecturer in Veterinary Public Health, University of Glasgow, and Mike Flynn, by then former Chief Superintendent at the Scottish SPCA were present. They discussed whether there is any evidence on welfare issues associated with the use of prong collars. You might think vets would be able to give an indication of how often treatment is required for problems caused by prong collars (practically never) compared to tracheal and spinal injuries caused by the greater force required to control a dog using an ordinary flat collar. Instead they decide that Paula (remember veterinary director of Dogs Trust) should contact Dogs Trust and RSPCA (not SSPCA?) to see if there is any existing evidence regarding welfare issues around the use of prong collars. Now they have already established that Dogs Trust are opposed to use of tools including prong collars and RSPCA say on their website (see image) "Prong collars are painful and unethical training collars".They offer no supporting evidence and I suspect there is negligible case experience to suggest that. Does that sound like a balanced and objective approach to finding evidence? The RSPCA also have to throw in a comment about "shock" collars on a page that is supposed to be about prong collars - just cannot help themselves.

18/06/2025

Appeal to Authority Fallacy:
Dog training edition

If you didn’t know much about remote electronic collars, then saw articles like this, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to think these tools are harmful, that positive reinforcement training is more effective in all contexts and better for dogs welfare.

Why? Because the article was written by someone with lots of letters after their name and have refs to ‘support’ their opinion.
Pretty convincing right? Not necessarily.

Dog training is not a science (in-spite of what many may claim), but it does ‘use’ science to inform its practice.

It’s not possible to understand dog training by reading research articles. You can certainly learn about elements, like schedules of reinforcement, classical conditioning, instinctual motor patterns, what motivates behavior etc etc. But when it comes to actual training methods the research is in its infancy ‘at best’.

A PhD does not make someone an expert in training methods. A dog training practitioner in particular methods is.

Obviously there are trainers with limited education, who misuse tools or methods. But I’m not talking about them.

Believe it or not there are trainers with PhD’s in relevant fields who use tools like e-collars, who are ALSO practitioners.

Refs cited in articles like this are cherry picked and don’t go into alternative explanations for findings, which are usually provided in the studies themselves.
These opinion articles also conveniently omit research that contradicts their stance, as do position statements from ideological organisations against certain tools and methods.

Furthermore, if a trainer argues against the above points with: “well, I used to use these methods and now I’m against them because they cause harm”. All they are doing is admitting a lack of skill and now blame the tool/method for their incompetence.

If a PhD can’t break down a typical training program an experienced trainer would implement for a given context, with an understanding of the nuance certain variables may bring. Then they are not an expert on the topic. And to suggest they are is what’s known as an appeal to authority.

The end.

12/06/2025

I use e-collars because I love dogs, and I want them to have the freedom to safely explore their environment—not just be confined to a backyard. It’s a tool I use to prevent dangerous situations, like dogs attacking other dogs or being euthanized because of aggression. It’s about giving them more freedom safely.

12/06/2025

The force free way of stopping your dog getting through your fences to attack livestock. 😂

10/06/2025

A wonderful collar and great training tool.

EP 117. Pinch collar ban will injure many owners and increase dog attacks and euthanasia.
https://youtu.be/tgGvogg72tI

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