Why Hitting Dogs is Unacceptable
68Battered Dogs do not Bloom rather they Grow Insecure and Fearful
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The main reason why a dog should not be hit is because it is unjust. Dogs are loyal companions and unlike humans, they are not of a vindicative nature. When dogs upset owners it is very likely not because he or she is being unruly or straight forward naughty, rather dogs simply act as nature intended them to, and they will not stop engaging in a behavior simply because they do not understand our standards and rules.
It is up to the owner, therefore, to provide guidance and leadership, which can be accomplished effectively through positive reinforcement training. This type of training basically focuses on praising for good behaviors and ignoring the bad behaviors. Owners that are unable to teach their dogs through effective training methods and resort to hitting dogs must be educated about the negative effects hitting has on the dog and the over all, dog owner relationship.
Why a Dog Should Not Be Hit
1) It hurts
There is unfortunately still a myth that dogs, in particular, ''bully dogs'' do not feel pain and that they should be hit to get 'tough'and learn manners. Dogs are equipped by a nervous system just as humans and as such, they feel pain in the same manner. Some dogs may not show their pain by yelping but they may suffer without showing it. Hitting a dog may also cause serious injuries and emotional scars.
2) It Induces Fear Biting
When dogs are hit they develop fear towards their owner. The hitting may ultimately back fire the owner once the dog becomes fearful and resorts to biting back in order to defend himself. At this point, congratulations for having created a fearful biter: this a major behavioral issue that may be difficult to eradicate (hundreds of dogs are put down by shelters each year because of being fearful biters).
3) It Causes Behavior Changes
Dogs that are hit will become insecure. They may cower, engage in submissive urination and have a low self esteem. They may no longer walk with their heads high, they will rather walk with their tail between their legs and their head carried low. They may become particularly apprehensive, nervous, excessively submissive and live their life in fear.
4) It Hurts the Bond
Dogs that are hit will not trust their owners. Owners should be the ultimate source of trust and guidance. Battered dogs instead may cower upon being pet and may get scared of sudden movements. They will not grow to their full potential because too much energy will be spent living in fear of their owners.
5) It is Misunderstood
If owners think that they are confirming their ''alpha status'' by hitting their dogs they are totally wrong. Rather, they are losing it. In nature, alpha dogs are calm assertive beings that do not need to resort to force in order to demonstrate being higher in rank. On the contrary, force is used mostly by the middle rank members which engage in physical fights to climb up the ladder. By hitting your dog, you are showing him/her that you are a middle rank member that is resorting to force to become higher in rank than him. Again alpha dogs are so powerful, they do not need to fight but rather just show calm and assertive energy.
Hitting a dog is basically telling him/her "I am dog training illiterate, I am hitting you because I do not have the necessary skills to teach you in a positive more acceptable manner''. Hitting a dog is also basically putting a dog to fail, dogs do not understand what is wanted from them and will grow in a fearful, unjust and often misunderstood world.
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Comments
Well, I have trained dogs effectively without ever having to resort to nothing more than voice and body language. I have seen dogs interact all my life, but real alpha leaders, if you know what I mean, do not need to resort to physical punishment because every one in the pack knows the rules.
Use your assertiveness and your head and you get a well balanced dog, hit your dog and you will get a fearful dog and you will have lost your leadership.
Mothers will only grab their pups by the scruff which is the equivalent of what we do as owners when we give a good leash correction. This is a far cry from actually hitting. There is a large gap between correcting a dog and hitting a dog.
The aggressive behaviors you see in most dogs amongst each other is because they are trying to establish dominance over each other. They however, will not resort to such aggression towards the alpha leader because they know it is a lost battle.
Sorry but this is how it goes.. and any good trainer out there will tell you that there is no place in dog training for hitting. If you need to resort to hitting your dog to teach him, there is something seriously wrong in your leadership status. Corrections ok, but hitting? no way!
BTY, I worked at a shelter and have seen too many dogs that were euthanized because they become fearful biters because of their owner's ignorance in training.
I totally agree. Dogs should not be hit. It is up to the owner to learn how to correct their dog and let them know who is in control. I took training lesson with my dog. People are always asking me why my dog doesn't get out of the yard. (we don't have a fence) Simple I trained her not to by a technique I learned. It was not by hitting her.
I posted this on a pool-dog specific page, but I think it's applicable here, so I'll share:
My girlfriend has two dogs. One of them is perfectly agreeable, but the other is this pain in the butt that is always jumping into water, whether it be pools, ponds, or even knocking over car washing buckets. I can’t stand her.
I’m thinking of getting a pool so that hopefully the dog will jump in and not be able to get out. I have some good hints here - I’ll make sure not to have a fence and not to have any steps in it, otherwise that moron could get out.
For the record, I don’t dislike dogs, I just can’t stand pampered dogs. I also like the brilliant people with the “never hit a dog” philosophy, because they notionally have such a short memory they’ll never remember why you’re hitting them. It’s comical, due to the fact these are the same people who will say they will always remember you hit them. If they can’t remember why you’re hitting them as you’re rubbing their nose in their urine on the carpet, then how would they forever remember you hitting them? How would they learn the words for sit and stay? People pamper them too much.
A pool will be a good compliment to the anti-barking device I already have, unbeknownest to her. I’m considering just turning it on all the time. Maybe she’ll have them put to sleep then. I sort of like the other one, but I’d get over it in about 30 seconds or so.
The above post was meant only sort of in jest. Only sort of. Hate to break it to you, but how do you think the pack leader ever asserts that dominance? There's a broad base of fear behind all leadership, and in the animal kingdom, that's a fear of physical dominance. They didn't earn that title by playing nice all the time. Dogs kill each other with frequency in the wild. And so what if they cower when you raise your hand? They should.
No training method is foolproof, and some dogs may show themselves to be more aggressive over time. You get rid of them after that, and try again. It really is just a dog. I know many like to elevate them to human status, but they all need to understand the difference.
The dog is there to serve you, and the relationship requires your dominance to have a successful end. When the dog doesn't serve you, it's gone. Some of you probably don't think having a pet is a service oriented relationship, but keep in mind that you've decided to take a wolf descendant out of the wild and have it live in your home for your enjoyment, all the while dressing it up in stupid costumes, and probably for some of you, feeding it vegan food (definitely not made for that). I'm comfortable with our dominant, service oriented relationship over dogs. I hope you all are as well.
I will disregard the pool issues, evidently if the dog does not listen to the rules, there is really no leadership in the household.
Leadership once again is not attained by physical force. This is incorrect. You can read many books about wolf pack structures, and the only times where wolves will fight in a serious manner is between other packs or when a weak leader will not give away its position. This is always done in extreme situations for the safety of the pack.
If the need of force was so important to teach dogs, then all obedience trainers and dog behavior specialists would resort to force to attain results. Instead, they know better and use what dogs understand best: body language, voice and guidance.
From http://thejaegerfund.com/2008/04/20/beating-the-al
quoted
''Dr. Ian Dunbar spent nine years working with Dr.Frank Beach (who spent 30 years on this study) researching dog on dog interactions, a subject that has surprisingly had little research in the past. He found the males to be more rigid, whereas the females were more variable. When together, the pack is variable as well, but the mid-ranking dogs were the most likely to squabble. Puppies are given a “puppy license” to do most anything outside of annoying until they reach a certain age at which their license is revoked. The dogs had many rituals to both harass and appease one another. The alpha dogs however do not use force, but remain benevolent and confident. If they become forceful in their leadership, the alphas are disposed of from the pack.''
By physically punishing dogs in a forceful matter therefore, you are simply telling the pack you do not have confidence and are giving up your leader role. As Ian Dunbar puts it ''you are disposed from the pack''.
So, beating up a dog leads to nowhere, other than giving up your leader role and showing weakness. If you must resort to being physical there is something really wrong in the way you are training dogs. Dogs need nothing less than guidance and leadership. It can be all easily attained with voice commands, body gestures and managing resources.
I am not one of those that will dress up their dogs, fuss over them or love them like babies. My furniture and beds are off limits and both my dogs were taught NILIF since they were 8 weeks old. I respect my dogs for being canines, and being both two 90 pounds Rottweilers they respect me and obey me with simply one look at my face of body gesture.
Beating up dogs leads ultimately to fearful aggression and insecurity. It is very unfortunate that every day dogs are euthanized simply because owners resorted to using their hands more than their head...
If you are comfortable with your dominant service relationship fine, but just so you know, in a real dog world, if you were in a pack, as Ian Dunbar puts it ''you would be the one to be disposed of''...
Excellent article.
straight says:
6 months ago
look, i know you are trying to be a do gooder, but dogs need physical repurcussions, and need to have both positive and negative actions....you think the history of dogs includes all kindness and sunshine? you ever watch dogs interact? they show each other what is okay and what isn't by varying degrees of aggresion, even mother dogs to pups....get your head out of the sand..