I thought I'd update you on to what has been happening in regards of the lecture/debate I had to do in front of this panel of veterinarians, dog trainers/behaviorists, and a couple of other dog professionals. What I've found out about this panel is that none of them, not even the veterinarians on this panel, had seen what shock collars and other adversive devices do to dogs; therefore, were skeptic in these training methods. Each team, one for the use of these adversive training methods and devices, and the other one, the team I was on, of course, against, each had twelve people from the different fields, similar to what the panel was made up of: veterinarians, dog trainers, and animal/dog behaviorists. Needless to say, our team had to convince all of them how these aversive training methods and devices are harmful to dogs, based not only by scientific studies, but by our experiences too.
To make this short, from the links and other materials from members of this forum such as bendog, ClareMarsh, ReubensMom (I did see the episode and remembered that), and links and other materials from members of other forums, and friends, were definitely helpful in my research and these links and other materials also were linked to many other sources, including the ones I had and my teammates had as well, in addition to the other materials they brought with them for our presentation, we were able to persuade them to our way of thinking, training, and without the use of these aversive devices. The three veterinarians that were on my team, with the help from their colleagues, brought in material that really showed the extent to what these aversive devices can and will cause, even if used properly, to a dog. Needless to say, it took a lot composing ourselves when we saw those pictures of dogs injured by those devices alone.
As I have mentioned earlier, we were able to persuade them to our way of thinking, training, and without the use of these aversive devices, persuasion is one thing, but it must be copulated or joined with action to spread the word, to educate people, of what such aversive training and the use of these aversive devices can and will do dogs, and hopefully, have such devices banned in each state, the United States, and eventually, around the world.
Hopefully, those people on the panel and on the other team will help by sharing what they've learned from our presentation to their colleagues, clients, dog owners, and so on, as we will surely be doing the same thing we have always done, and that is to educate people. We still have a long way to go, but together we can do this task.
I want to thank all of you who have helped me in my research, because without your help, I know some of my work could have been lacking all the necessary evidence needed to point out the harm that has been done to dogs trained using aversive dog training methods and aversive devices. What links and other materials you have directed me to you thought may be insubstantial or inefficient turns out to be really substantial and efficient as they, too, lead to other links and materials, so never sell yourself short on that part when it comes to helping others in any way. You all have been a very, big help in this research and lecture/debate, because of what you've provided to me in this also helped persuaded others on the other side of this debate of this issue to cross to our side. Again, a very, very big thank you to you all!
Thanks!
but I am 'shocked' that professionals have not investigated these devices as part of their training - and to whom does the public go for advice?????
