Harsh Animal Training

Training “Fido”: Harsh Training vs. Handfuls of Treats.
We as humans have a plethora of relationships in and throughout our lives. Harsh words or an aggressive experience in one of those relationships could have long term effects. Also, the establishment of a dominant role and a submissive role in a relationship can either benefit or hinder it. A person’s relationship with his canine is no different. Canine obedience trainers use different methods of training. Some methods of training and corrections are harsher than others. While some trainers focus more on the positive reinforcement of a desired behavior. The final obedience of the canine may be the same, however, the end result of the relationship may not be. Can harsh training methods have
If a dog is jumping and barking, the owner/trainer will use the hand-held device to radio the shock collar and the shock collar will deliver an electrical shock letting the dog become aware that it’s behavior is unacceptable. This will cause a negative association between the shock collar and the dog. Furthermore, the dog will learn threw the process of trial and error that the shock collar will deliver the shock and that the behavior it’s emitting is unwanted. “These in combination with other cues, such as verbal commands, offer the potential for avoidance learning by dogs. Which potentially allows the handler to train more desirable behaviors in a given situation” (Cooper et al.
The Department of Developmental and Comparative Psychology, experimented to see if there was a difference in relationship between dogs that were ignored over those whom were treated friendly. Their findings unanimous “The first experiment showed that dogs preferred to stay next to the experimenter who behaved in a friendly manner towards them rather than the experimenter who ignored them” (Kaminski et al. 8). This would further exemplify the deduction that there is a noticeable difference in relationships between dogs who are treated/trained harshly, and those whom are treated more positively. With the positive-based training encouraging a bond between pet and owner.
In conclusion, evidence points to the understanding that harsh training methods place a strain on relationships between canines and their human owners. The harsher training methods have been proven to create unwanted behaviors and increased distress and anxiety in the pet. Canines clearly relate to us based on the experiences they have shared with us. Training methods that encourage positive-based techniques should be preferred due to the lack of unwanted behavioral issues harsh training methods incur. Establishing dominant-submissive roles are no longer required if positive training methods are