On our walk this morning we came across a young man mid 20s with a Jack Russel type dog. He was playing fetch with a stick. Then i noticed him smacking his little dog and telling him to 'stay' I went up to him and asked him not to hit his dog to which he replied 'he's my dog, I know him' I told him that it would be better to use treats and to make yourself exciting so your fog wants to return to you. To which I got 'I don't use treats' Then I calmly explained how I have read a lot (mostly in here) about dog training and using punishment is now old school and disproved and modern methods are about positive rewards. He a city ally appeared to listen and take on board what I was saying. I was gentle with him and explained how training Homer was so different to how my dad trained our family dogs. I gave 'Total Recall' a little plug and suggested it as a good place to start and an easy title to remember. The young man nodded positively. So hopefully he'll look it up. I walked away, called H and he came to my side perfectly.
I think he simply just didn't know better and was doing what he'd seen been done before by parents or grandparents. He wasn't angry with his dog and the way he played fetch with him showed that he did enjoy his dog and wanted to do well by his little dog.
The more people stand up and say something the more chance there is of change. Good for you @Jes72 xx
What worries me is that a man as young as he was, mid 20s, respectful, quite posh, well spoken, in a Barbour jacket, 6'4"tall, played rugby, grew up in the country (apart from jacket and hight, my stereotype but you get the picture) could not have been exposed to or aware of positive training methods, how old school ways still persist through generations.
Yes, it's still pervasive, but is up to us, those who have seen the way forward, to spread the knowledge.
Well done, Jes. I hope if you meet him again you find that's made a difference and he's discovered positive training.
