Viclis: Adiestrador y Educador Canino Profesional

23/09/2024

¿Lo entenderías si te dijeran que una persona necesita varios meses, o incluso años, en terapia para superar un trauma profundo, una fobia, o similar?

¿Y si ponemos perro donde pone persona?

16/09/2024

Over the last few days, it feels like a firestorm has been unleashed. It’s clear that outdated dog training practices will no longer go unchallenged.

The release of a study using shock collars (cited below) has sparked unprecedented backlash and even made national headlines, and triggered a major reckoning within the dog training community. The study, seen by many as politically motivated, appears to have put dogs in harm's way to prove a point.

Professionals across the field agree that it should never have been approved by the ethics committee - and their fears were substantiated, given that every single dog in the shock collar group is documented to have yelped in pain while receiving shock collar “corrections”.

The outcry continues to build as more people in our field demand accountability and transparency. Reputations are being hit hard, institutions are facing scrutiny, and balanced trainers like Ivan Balabanov have been fully unmasked, revealing the harmful and outdated methods still being promoted under the guise of expertise.

This glaring evidence underlines what we’ve known all along: pain and fear have no place in professional dog training.

Let this serve as a stark reminder to those in our field who continue to promote outdated methods and deny the overwhelming scientific consensus. The community will no longer remain silent. The evidence is clear and we are moving beyond these harmful practices. Trainers who continue to use pain, fear, and intimidation in their methods do not deserve legitimacy in this field.

Ivan Balabanov, once considered a leader among "balanced" trainers, now faces intense scrutiny following his involvement in this study. It is now scientifically verified that 25% of the dogs he and his mentee worked with in the shock collar group could not be trained effectively, and 100% of those dogs yelped in pain.

This once again undermines the narrative propagated by many trainers who use shock collars and falsely claim that their methods "don’t hurt."

The reality is, the tools they promote rely on pain as a teaching mechanism, and better alternatives exist that teach dogs to comply enthusiastically without the need for fear or discomfort, and without the risks associated with using pain and fear to change an individual’s behavior.

For too long, the welfare of dog trainers has been placed above the welfare of dogs and the public. This has got to stop.

The campaign to expose outdated training methods, like those Ivan Balabanov will likely promote in his upcoming UK workshop, is gaining momentum. Even members of his own community are stunned by the facts that have come to light in this study.

This is not an effort to embarrass an individual but to stand up for the public and make it clear that the propaganda surrounding shock collars is just that — propaganda.

Below is a newly published article from Psychology Today that lays out the facts on the recent shock collar study. For those who think this is about social media “clout” or personal opinions, this article should clarify that our advocacy is rooted in concern for public and canine welfare.

I’ve always said, don’t take my word for it—look at the evidence. This article does just that: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/animal-emotions/202409/is-balanced-training-fair-to-dogs-or-is-it-a-cop-out

And here is a link to the study in question: Johnson, A.C., & Wynne, C.D.L. (2024). “Comparison of the Efficacy and Welfare of Different Training Methods in Stopping Chasing Behavior in Dogs.” Animals, 14(18), 2632. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14182632

Based on the reaction to this study, another major domino has fallen in support of aversive dog training methods. This so-called "landmark study" will likely be remembered not for the efficacy of shock collars, but for exposing the unnecessary use of pain in dog training as a legitimate strategy.

We are prepared to provide support and education to those willing to update their methods in the interest of public health and safety. But make no mistake—those who refuse to be unequivocal in rejecting pain-based methods will face increasing scrutiny.

The livelihood of trainers promoting harmful practices is not our concern when it comes at the expense of dog welfare and public trust.

The time to end the misrepresentation of science-based training and to uphold welfare and ethics in dog training is long overdue. We are standing together for a better future for our industry, our dogs, and their guardians.

14/08/2024

Traduzco.
¿Valen la pena las herramientas? Aquí en Mutts of Merit, LLC., las recolectamos y, a menudo, las intercambiamos por arneses para brindarle al perro una existencia más saludable y humana. Si desea realizar un intercambio, envíe un mensaje de texto al 724-717-3007.
Estas son las consecuencias:
1) Cadenas de estrangulamiento/cordones
Posibles daños:
--- Moretones
--- Latigazo cervical
--- Dolores de cabeza
--- Aplastamiento de tráquea
--- Daño laríngeo
--- Fractura de vértebras
2) Collares de púas
Posibles daños
--- Inflamación de la piel y los músculos
--- Lesión de la glándula tiroides
--- Daño ocular
--- Lesiones cervicales/vertebrales
--- Daño laríngeo
--- Daño en el esófago
--- Aplastamiento de tráquea
--- Tos o colapso de la tráquea
3) Collar de descarga eléctrica
Posibles daños
*** Físico***
-------- Quemaduras dolorosas/irritación de la piel
-------- Espasmos musculares
-------- Fibrilación cardíaca
-------- Presión Llagas/moretones
***Fisiológicos***
-------- Angustia (que provoca fobias, ansiedad, miedo y agresión.
-------- Asociaciones negativas con cosas de su entorno.
------- Miedo/desconfianza en el adiestrador
4) Collares antiladridos (citronela)
Posibles daños
--- Irritan la nariz, la boca y la garganta y provocan problemas gastrointestinales si se inhalan o ingieren
--- Irritación/inflamación de la piel
--- Sacudida de la cabeza
--- Estornudos
--- Náuseas
********La educación es poder********
Aviso de servicio público: si su entrenador, peluquero, trabajador del refugio, cuidador de la perrera, nutricionista canino, paseador de perros o personal del consultorio del veterinario recomienda, usa o hace referencia a personas que usan estas herramientas, pregúntese: "¿REALMENTE" les gustan los perros? "¿Realmente quiero que mi perro esté fuera de mi vista cuando está cerca de ellos?"
Independientemente de lo que alguien intente decirte, NO HAY UNA FORMA CORRECTA de usar estas herramientas. ¡Punto!
Nunca lo olvides: el uso de herramientas aversivas muestra dónde termina la habilidad de alguien. Un profesional de mascotas verdaderamente ético y humano conocerá todos los posibles riesgos para la salud y estará en contra de su uso. A veces, solo tienes que abrir los ojos, ver a quién le gusta qué, a quién le gusta qué, a quién le gusta qué y a quién apoya algo. ¡La prueba siempre está en el pudín!
🐾❤️🐾

Are tools worth it? Here at Mutts of Merit, LLC., they are collected and often exchanged for harnesses to give the dog a more healthy and humane existence. If you want to make a swap, text 724-717-3007.

Here are the Consequences:

1) Slip Leads/Choke Chains (aka Noose)
Potential Damage:
--- Bruising
--- Whiplash
--- Headaches
--- Crushed Trachea
--- Laryngeal Damage
--- Fractured Vertebrae

2) Prong Collars
Potental Damage
--- Skin & Muscle Inflammation
--- Thyroid Gland Injury
--- Eye Damage
--- Cervical/Spinal Injuries
--- Laryngeal Damage
--- Esophagus Damage
--- Crushed Trachea
--- Cough or Collapsed Windpipe

3) Shock (e - electric) Collar
Potential Damage

*** Physical***
-------- Painful Burns/Skin Irritation
-------- Muscles Spasms
-------- Cardiac Fibrillation
-------- Pressure Sores/Bruising

***Physiological***
-------- Distress (leading to phobias, anxiety, fear, and aggression.
-------- Negative Associations to things in their environment.
------- Fear/Distrust in handler

4) Anti Bark Collars (Citronella)
Potential Damage
--- Irritate nose, mouth, and throat and lead to gastrointestinal issues if inhaled or ingested
--- Skin Irritation/Inflammation
--- Head Shaking
--- Sneezing
--- Nausea

********Education is Power********

PSA: If your trainer, groomer, shelter worker, kennel attendant, dog dietician, dog walker, or veterinarian's office staff recommends, uses, or refers to people using these tools, ask yourself, "Do they REALLY" like dogs? "Do I really want my dog out of my sight around them?"

Regardless of what someone tries to tell you, there is NO RIGHT WAY to use these tools. Period!

Never ever forget - using aversive tools shows where someone's skill ends. A truly ethical and human pet professional will know all the potential health risks and be against their use. Sometimes you just have to open your eyes, see who likes what, comments where, and supports thing - the proof is always in the pudding!
🐾❤️🐾

10/08/2024

https://youtu.be/bLy8lycikQI?si=o3X1fdKVTxDxCuHg

Las personas necesitamos normas para tontos, y los perros a personas que los entiendan.Nos equivocamos cuando pretendemos que las normas las aprendan y acate...

09/08/2024

A mi siempre me dio igual la raza del perro. Aporta información, pero lo que te asegura la verdad es ver al perro no su raza.

Optar por un determinado compañero de cuatro patas porque los de esa “marca” son nobles, cariñosos o buenos, puede llevar a error en la selección de nuestra mascota.

25/07/2024

Un perro no puede ser vegetariano

12/04/2024

En ocasiones se acude al educador canino cuando la ansiedad por separación está en niveles extremos. No esperes tanto. Tu paciencia estará agotada y estarás esperando un milagro, cuando precisamente será el momento en que más paciencia necesitarás.

11/04/2024

A veces se confunden con ansiedad por separación conductas provocadas por la carencia o exceso de estimulación.

11/04/2024

Un lugar donde el perro se sienta tranquilo y seguro puede ayudar a que lleve mejor la soledad.

09/04/2024

Es crucial saber ver que niveles de estrés tiene el perro para tener claro por dónde hay que empezar a trabajar.

09/04/2024

De repente puede que tengas dos problemas en vez de uno.

05/04/2024

Lo de dejar al perro solo gradualmente está muy bien, pero hay que hacerlo con cabeza. Contacta con un buen profesional.

04/04/2024

Las rutinas pueden ser un arma de doble filo, tanto las tuyas como las de tu perro, por eso es esencial ponerse en manos de un buen profesional.

03/04/2024

La ansiedad por separación, por norma general, no se arregla en 40 minutos. Suele ser un trabajo continuo de varios meses con la colaboración necesaria de la familia. Un trabajo paciente y consistente.

02/04/2024

La ansiedad por separación es un problema que se puede ver influenciado por varios factores, genéticos, ambientales y de aprendizaje. Entender la complejidad de esta situación es vital para su solución.

28/03/2024

No todos los ladridos quieren decir lo mismo ni son iguales, y dan muchas pistas de qué puede estar pasando.

27/03/2024

¿Cuántos mordiscos se podrían haber evitado sólo haciendo caso al aviso? Muchos. Y no metáis bronca por gruñir!

26/03/2024

El pelo erizado en la espalda es una señal de estrés de tal importancia que no se debería ignorar, . Aunque, como siempre, cada perro es un mundo.