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<DIV>My experience has been that if you take time to reinforce the behaviors you
want, such as recall, urinating outdoors, playing nicely and being
quiet frequently, then you will have no need to use painful and scary
aversive devices. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Of course it is important to have clear criteria for what you want your
desired behavior to be and to set up your environment so that the dog doesn't
have the opportunity to make additional errors in behavior, but that you are all
focused on rewarding the behaviors you want timely and frequently. Does it
help to have a doggie daycare or a trainer to help with this?
Absolutely! And you should check into pricing and deals available before
you assume it to be too much money. But if you can't afford that, then you can
enlist the help of family, friends and neighbors.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Plus, it is very difficult sometimes to determine if behaviors like barking
or digging are fear based. If they are and you use an aversive device such
as a shock collar, you will end up with a dog who is a basket case,
literally. I don't know if you have ever seen a fearful dog that lives
with a bark/shock collar where someone goes to work and leaves the dog home
alone with this device on to prevent barking. They become superstitious
about their behaviors and frequently develop medical problems and nervous
ticks. Sometimes it brings on aggressive behaviors. Over time, these
devices end up being turned up as high as they will go because the dog builds up
a tolerance. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>In order to use an aversive effectively, the initial experience must be
extremely strong to be effective and should then no longer be needed or the
organism slowly develops tolerance and resistance. We see evidence of this
even with microorganisms. It is a scientific fact. Trainers today
who study classical and operant conditioning only use aversive punishment in
very rare cases that most pet owners would not encounter. Especially
basset owners.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Devices such as citronella collars stop working after a fairly short period
due to the dog learning it isn't so bad and that they find ways to tolerate
it. Even prong collars become ineffective if worn every day and you will
see a callus that is built up around the dog's neck. If you have this, you
may want to try a Sensation or Sporn harness instead. They work
scientifically to just stop the forward movement from beyond the tightening of
the leash. Most SPCA's will help you find a good no-pull device to help
you until the dog gets reinforced enough for walking nicely next to you.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>In general,watch your dog and reward the good behaviors, the dog will give
you these behaviors much more frequently and will learn this is what you
want. Then you won't need to look for ways to punish.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Sara Watson</DIV>
<DIV>Bluefence Bassets</DIV>
<DIV>SFSPCA Behavior & Training Intern</DIV></FONT><BR><BR><BR><DIV><FONT style="color: black; font: normal 10pt ARIAL, SAN-SERIF;"><HR style="MARGIN-TOP: 10px">Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient <A title="http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007" href="http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007" target="_blank">used cars</A>.</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>