Gadgets to control your dog's behaviour - yes or no?!

This blog is inspired by 2 conversations I have had in 2 different Facebook Groups this week.  

How do we help our dogs when they insist on pulling/lunging/reacting while they are out on a walk? One lady commented " she seems to want to choke herself" and another " I have tried every gadget and still they seem to want to pull, nothing is working"  

I can really see how a dog pulling/reacting/lunging on the lead can be really stressful and often physically painful. 

However, let's look at it from your dog's perspective, if you are deciding if the use of a gadget like a halti, choke collar, e-collar, this list is endless, is the best way then I would urge you to take a moment to really listen to what your dog is trying to tell you. It really looks true to me that no dog or any sentient being will intentionally hurt themselves so why do so many of our dogs seem so intent on choking themselves every time they  go for a walk?!

Seen from the dog's perspective it actually make sense.......

Our dog's naturally want to feel safe (don't we all) and if they do not feel that you are up for the job of keeping them safe, they will instinctively take on that role for you. It's just what they do.  I have seen this action so many times it's become very obvious to me. They are pulling/reacting/lunging so they can stay ahead of you and deal with any potential danger. Examples of these potential dangers could be a skate board, a buggy, a high viz jacket, a jogger, another dog,  a man in a cap, a bouncing ball (my Fudge has a particular thing about bonding balls!) some dogs will even pull/lunge/react to a moving leaf or a shadow. Whatever "the thing" is does not really matter, the important point is that in that moment your dog does not trust you to deal with any potential danger. It really is that simple. They are not doing it to be difficult, to embarrass you, to hurt you, to just drive you nuts! They are actually trying really hard to look out for you. See you already knew that they loved you, didn't you?! This is just another expression of love from a dog who is feeling very confused while living in a world they don't understand. 

Now that we know why, we have a choice:

1. Do we use a gadget to prevent our dogs from pulling/lunging/reacting?  

2. Do we help our dogs to trust us so they no longer have a need to pull/lunge/react in order to protect us from potential danger? 

Only you can make that choice for you and your dog. 

I can't help you with gadgets, but if you are interested in helping your dog to trust you then I can highly recommend "Dog Listening" This is an approach that will help you to hear and translate what you dog is trying to say to you. 

If you would like anymore information on this topic or specific help with a dog that is struggling, please drop me a line with a brief outline of the issue to [email protected] or check out my Dog Listening Boot Camp where we can work together to help you help your dog in a kind, gentle and effective way. No gadgets required. 

Peaceful paws always.

Julie x