Moobli
Well-Known Member
This post recently seen on FB. Whatever one’s views on ecollars to say “dogs are not predators” and “there is no such thing as prey drive” had me flabbergasted and discredited the rest of what the author had to say.
***
DO YOU NEED SHOCK FOR A RELIABLE RECALL?
Short answer: NO
Longer answer: I met a woman in the park recently with two large dogs who had been trained to recall on shock. She said they had a strong "prey drive," so the shock worked pretty well except when they were focused on wildlife. I observed her repeatedly command her dogs to lie down. They finally obeyed, first one, then the other.
Let's unpack this just a little. First of all, there is no such thing as "prey drive" in dogs. Dogs are NOT predators, they are opportunists and scavengers.
Further, a "drive," another word for instinct, is complex, and is not properly referred to by the object of the "drive." For example, thirst could be said to be a "drive," but we don't say an animal or a person has a "water drive," do we?
"Drive" varies by circumstances. The thirstier an animal is, the less picky it is about what it will drink. I have observed my own dogs drink from muddy tire tracks on a walk, yet only drink from their clean water bowl at home after I add fresh water.
Getting back to "prey drive." Dogs again, are not predators, and they don't chase cats because they are hungry. A trained police dog doesn't attack the arm of a criminal because he is hungry, nor does a Golden Retriever chase and retrieve a ball because it is hungry.
My late dog, Opal, flew over jumps and retrieved dumbbells, not because of "prey drive," but because she was FULL of enthusiasm!
Now, about those shock collars, referred to euphemistically as "e-collars."
Here is another myth: shock is required for a better, more reliable recall.
It is not.
On this page I have repeatedly discussed the problems with punishment, aka as "correction," including shock. As anyone who has seen my dogs in action, or has been in my classes or private lessons knows, positive reinforcement training is powerful!
Unlike the woman who explained to me that shock ("e-collars training") was necessary to train her high "prey drive" dogs to come when called, I can teach a dog to come when called without this, and so have my clients.
I have had clients who have completed training with me tell me they have been able to call their dogs away from other dogs and wildlife using what they learned from me, and I have reliably been able to call my own dogs away from wildlife and from long distances without the use of any shock.
The use of pain or the threat of pain or uncomfortable consequences is not necessary in dog training. In many cases is is counterproductive. This is borne out by the scientific literature, not just my personal experience.
© 2022 Cindy Ludwig, M.A., B.S., R.N.
Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA, CCPDT)
Graduate, Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behavior,
Professional Dog Trainer Program
Owner, Canine Connection LLC
Willard, Missouri
***
DO YOU NEED SHOCK FOR A RELIABLE RECALL?
Short answer: NO
Longer answer: I met a woman in the park recently with two large dogs who had been trained to recall on shock. She said they had a strong "prey drive," so the shock worked pretty well except when they were focused on wildlife. I observed her repeatedly command her dogs to lie down. They finally obeyed, first one, then the other.
Let's unpack this just a little. First of all, there is no such thing as "prey drive" in dogs. Dogs are NOT predators, they are opportunists and scavengers.
Further, a "drive," another word for instinct, is complex, and is not properly referred to by the object of the "drive." For example, thirst could be said to be a "drive," but we don't say an animal or a person has a "water drive," do we?
"Drive" varies by circumstances. The thirstier an animal is, the less picky it is about what it will drink. I have observed my own dogs drink from muddy tire tracks on a walk, yet only drink from their clean water bowl at home after I add fresh water.
Getting back to "prey drive." Dogs again, are not predators, and they don't chase cats because they are hungry. A trained police dog doesn't attack the arm of a criminal because he is hungry, nor does a Golden Retriever chase and retrieve a ball because it is hungry.
My late dog, Opal, flew over jumps and retrieved dumbbells, not because of "prey drive," but because she was FULL of enthusiasm!
Now, about those shock collars, referred to euphemistically as "e-collars."
Here is another myth: shock is required for a better, more reliable recall.
It is not.
On this page I have repeatedly discussed the problems with punishment, aka as "correction," including shock. As anyone who has seen my dogs in action, or has been in my classes or private lessons knows, positive reinforcement training is powerful!
Unlike the woman who explained to me that shock ("e-collars training") was necessary to train her high "prey drive" dogs to come when called, I can teach a dog to come when called without this, and so have my clients.
I have had clients who have completed training with me tell me they have been able to call their dogs away from other dogs and wildlife using what they learned from me, and I have reliably been able to call my own dogs away from wildlife and from long distances without the use of any shock.
The use of pain or the threat of pain or uncomfortable consequences is not necessary in dog training. In many cases is is counterproductive. This is borne out by the scientific literature, not just my personal experience.
© 2022 Cindy Ludwig, M.A., B.S., R.N.
Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA, CCPDT)
Graduate, Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behavior,
Professional Dog Trainer Program
Owner, Canine Connection LLC
Willard, Missouri
