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BBC'S THE ONE SHOW
Dog owners beware of ‘Dog Fixers’ offering inappropriate and antiquated aversive training methods
BBC’s popular programme, The One Show, has caused outrage amongst dog folk this week. The show introduced a ‘Dog Fixer’ who – according to hundreds of people posting on Facebook and dog forums - used inappropriate and outdated training advice to ‘cure’ a food guarding problem in a small terrier. The alarming and erroneous solution was to push the dog away from the food bowl using a foot. Inevitably the dog bit the man’s shoe several times. It took 45 minutes of this repeated onslaught to suppress the behaviour. All the while Jack Russell Terrier, Roxy, was showing many different signs of stress which apparently went unnoticed by Jordan Shelley. Eventually Roxy hid under the table.
A spokesperson for the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, UK said ‘This demonstration would no doubt have resulted in people around the country trying this on their own dogs. It could result in not only a bitten shoe but rather a bitten leg, hand or face of the person pushing the dog away. Guarding food bowls is a serious problem for many dog owners, but there are much safer ways of dealing with the problem. Owners should not try this method on their own dogs’.
Knowledge regarding dog training and behaviour has come a long way since it was thought appropriate to frighten a dog into complying with an instruction. It is unnecessary and dangerous (to the owner and to the dog’s mental health) to use fear-based training methods. For many years, members of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, UK as well as other forward thinking instructors, trainers and behaviourists have striven to educate owners regarding the way dogs learn, the best way to train them, how to recognise the signs of stress/fear and how to avoid common problems.
Using aversives and punitive methods (such as choke chains, water sprays, electric shock collars) induce fear. Many dogs will comply in order to avoid the punishment that is meted out if they don’t. Some people feel the (apparent) end justifies the means, but it is important to understand that many dogs suffer stress each time they hear a choke chain rattle, or the beep of an electric shock collar, or as in the case of little Roxy, a person approaching their food bowl. Some dogs will continue to comply for many years, but imagine how it must feel to be in fear every time you went for a walk, or ate a meal. Many dogs get to the point where they either ’shut down’ to avoid the situation or actively resist.
So called ‘Quick-Fix’ training may be exciting to watch (if you are unable to read the signs of stress and fear in the dog) and appears to work miracles, but these methods are only suppressing the behaviour and not curing it. A spokesperson for the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, UK said ‘Often dogs will reach the point where ‘enough is enough’. Unfortunately, they have learned that growling and baring teeth (dog language for ‘keep away’) no longer work and so they bite the person who they perceive as the threat’.
The ‘Dog Fixer’ used dominance based training (showing the dog who is boss). This type of outdated training was abandoned long ago by many instructors / trainers/ behaviourists who have kept up to date with learning, and now use much kinder and more effective reward based methods based on learning theory. It was therefore sad to see such a young man deciding to use these antiquated, flawed methods on national TV.
For details on how to find a kind, fair and effective trainer in your area: http://www.apdt.co.uk/local_dog_trainers.asp
SEASONAL CANINE ILLNESS (SCI) website
If you’re reading this it’s likely that you’ve read about SCI in the media, or your dog has suffered from it or you know someone whose dog has suffered from it. SCI, the mystery dog illness, has claimed the lives of several dogs in 2009 and 2010.
http://www.aht.org.uk/seasonal_illness.html
Dogs’ Homes Launch ‘Ultimate Bull Terrier’ Competition
to Dispel Bull Terrier Myths
Manchester and Cheshire Dogs’ Homes have launched a nationwide competition aimed at combating prejudices around the misunderstood ‘staffie type’ and promoting responsible dog ownership.
The Ultimate Bull Terrier Award, organised by the Dogs’ Homes and supported by James Wellbeloved, is open to anyone who thinks their bull terrier, whether pedigree or a cross-breed, has star quality.
Categories include Bull Terrier Hero of the Year, Best Family Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier Survivor of the Year, Best Bull Terrier in Service and the overall ‘Ultimate Bull Terrier’ selected by the public, who will vote via www.dogshome.net from 1st to 31st October.
“Bull terriers and ‘staffie types’ have been much-maligned in the media, and we wanted to highlight the qualities of these dogs, as well as how responsible dog ownership results in really harmonious relationships between owners and dogs,” says Lisa Graham, Home Manager at Manchester Dogs’ Home.
“In recent times we’ve seen a huge influx of bull terriers and bull terrier crosses coming into our Dogs’ Homes, which is a result of the breed having been so popular in the last few years combined with negative publicity about bull terriers. We’re really keen to show that bull terriers are not inherently ‘bad’, and that with good dog ownership they can make truly wonderful companions. We know that there are so many great stories out there of bull terriers being great dogs, and this competition aims to highlight that. We’d love to hear from anyone who thinks their bull terrier or ‘staffie type’ is a hero.”
Category winners will receive deluxe doggy hampers and the Ultimate Bull Terrier will win a two-night stay for two adults and their dog(s) at Hay House Farm in Staffordshire along with a doggy photo shoot and a year’s supply of James Wellbeloved dog food. To enter their dog, owners should send a photo and up to 500 words about their dog. The competition deadline is 31st August, and category winners will then be notified within 14 days. More information is available from www.dogshome.net.
The awards will be presented in Manchester on 13th November at MyPetStop in Denton, Manchester, as part of the Hyde & District Canine Association Open Show.
Thousands of dogs of all types pass through the doors every year, of whom an amazing 94% are reunited with their owners or re-homed. Anyone interested in adopting or fostering a dog from the Home should call 0844 504 1212 or visit www.dogshome.net.
ABTC
ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR AND TRAINING COUNCIL
Click here for www.abtcouncil.org.uk
Regulation and standards for animal trainers and behaviourists
The date of the formal launch of the Animal Behaviour and Training Council is to be 24th September 2010.
Following a number years of discussions, meetings and consultations the animal behaviour and training community now has a regulatory council to set the standards of education and training of people who are professionally engaged in the behaviour modification of animals. The Animal Behaviour and Training Council is to be launched on the 24th September 2010.
The Council’s chairman, David Montgomery said: ‘The regulation of this sector is long overdue on animal welfare grounds and the formation of the Council has been met with widespread enthusiasm and support from the majority of professional organisations in the UK and even abroad. Several European countries have expressed interest in the work of the Council and we are even receiving emails from as far afield as Australia and Brazil’.
The Council has followed the Companion Animal Welfare Council’s lead and has initially focused on animal behaviour therapists and trainers working with dogs, as dog trainers form the largest group of animal trainers in the UK. However those involved with other species are to be included and organisations representing their interests are currently joining the Council.
The Council is made up of major professional organisations from the veterinary, re-homing, behaviour therapy, and animal training sectors of the industry and they are currently finalising standards for the knowledge and skills required for those wishing to be recognised as professional animal trainers and animal behaviour therapists.
Colleges, universities and accredited private providers of courses that cater for the training of students have contributed to this process and a dialogue with these learning providers is already under way. The agreed skills competencies are also being used to develop National Occupational Standards with Lantra for the assessment of fitness to practice.
The agreed standards will form the benchmark for membership organisations to assess the competence of practitioners seeking entry onto the Council’s national registers of animal trainers and behaviour therapists. This initiative is seen as the beginning of the end of bad practice brought about by poorly trained individuals and will ultimately have a direct affect on improving animal welfare.
Individuals seeking recognition will need to belong to a professional body that has been approved by ABTC. They will have the procedures in place for assessing training and education or offering guidance and support to those working towards achieving the required standard. For those current practitioners who are unable to fulfil the requirements that are currently under consultation a ‘grandfather scheme’ is being devised whereby knowledge can be evidenced by a more flexible approach than production of formal certification.
Dr Rachel Casey, Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare at the University of Bristol and RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine said: "The ABTC is a very important step forward in raising standards in animal training and behaviour. There is currently a plethora of organisations and individuals with different experience, qualifications and post-nominals, which makes it difficult for animal owners to differentiate individuals with the right skills for the needs of their animals. The distinct practitioner types recognised by the ABTC will enable the public to identify a suitable person for their needs, but also guide those interested in a career in animal training or behaviour to seek courses and training at a suitable level. By defining the level of course accreditation and ensuring that content is up-to-date and welfare compatible, the standards of practice in training and behaviour will continue to rise.
This is also great news for the veterinary profession. The recognition of particular organisations as working to suitable standards will make it easier for vets to identify suitable practitioners for referral of animals with behaviour problems, and give them peace of mind as to their level of expertise."
For more information on this topic please visit: http://www.abtcouncil.org.uk/
Click here for Position Statement on the Dominance Theory by ASVAB (American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviour)
Electric Shock Collars
Plaid Minister bans cruel shock collars
"The APDT applaud the decision of the Welsh Assembly to ban the use of electric shock collars. This abusive device has no place in the welfare and training of dogs and we hope that the stance of the Welsh Assembly heralds the ultimate ban of electric shock collars throughout the UK in the near future".
Statement:
Association of Pet Dog Trainers’ position on Breed Specific Legislation and the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
The APDT (The Association of Pet Dog Trainers) upholds the view that legislation written to prevent dog attacks on people should target those that in most cases are the cause of dog behaviour problems, irresponsible owners.
It is unfair and misguided to legislate on the basis of breed when established scientific research proves that environmental factors are as influential to behaviour as is genetic inheritance.
The APDT believes that an amnesty, giving owners the opportunity to surrender their dogs to be euthanised, is likely to result in the needless execution of many well adjusted pet dogs rather than achieve its aim of preventing further dog attacks or eliminating dangerous dogs.
Educating the public in the responsibilities of dog ownership is vital to prevent dog related incidents from happening and we believe that legislation which targets those who do not take their responsibility seriously would be the course of action necessary to reduce the number of dog attacks in the future.
February 2007
Electric Shock Collars
The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), the UK’s largest professional pet dog training body, is joining the fight to have the use of electric shock collars banned under the new Animal Welfare Bill.
The APDT has a very strict code of conduct for its members, ensuring that dogs are trained only in a positive and humane way. Electric shock collars are totally at odds with this code, training dogs using pain and fear.
The Kennel Club has been heading the anti-shock collar campaign in the UK, and the APDT is proud to support them in their goal – along with an ever-growing number of professionals and members of the dog-owning public who agree that there is no place in a humane society for such aversive and painful methods of training.
Modern dog training has thankfully progressed far from the days when punishment was the most common method of teaching dogs – in the same way as education has progressed from caning children in schools. The APDT acknowledges that there is no behaviour or training problem in dogs that is best dealt with by delivering an electric shock into a dog’s neck. All problems are best solved using up-to-date reward-based training methods and responsible dog ownership – following the APDT’s motto of “kind, fair and effective”. The APDT further recognises that not only are these collars inhumane, but their use can give rise to far more serious problems than the ones originally being treated – often causing serious aggression or debilitatingly fearful behaviours, as they tap directly into a dog’s natural ‘flight or fight’ response.
A spokesperson for the APDT said “We are totally committed to having these barbaric pieces of equipment consigned to dog training history. It is ur professional opinion that it is totally unacceptable to train dogs using such inhumane devices, and a complete ban should be implemented as soon as possible. Dogs are meant to be man’s best friend – and you don’t cause your best friend pain and fear in the name of education.”