I had a run in with a real jerk this weekend at Birch Bay state CG in Washington state. He would walk his dog, a large full grown German Shepard mix, around the park and and jerk his narrow leather collar (not a harness), so hard the dog would be jerked off its feet and land on it's side or back. He did this by walking by the dog and then stopping while the dog continued on. Then he would brace himself and jerk backwards as hard as he could. The dog would let out a yelp like I've only heard when someone steps on their paw or hurts them in some similar way.I called him out on it and told him to knock it off or I'll call the cops. He said "go ahead" but then thought twice about it and tried to tell me he was a "trainer". I told him he was a liar and that no professional trainer would do such a thing. Every time he addressed the dog it would cower and put its ears back. The dog was terrified of him. The dog was also perfectly behaved.I'm not a violent person (haven't been in a fight since Jr high) but I wanted to knock this cowards head off. I think I got the message across though as I didn't hear him hurt the dog again.I did tell the Ranger but nothing became of it.So was I wrong somehow? I cant see how such abuse is ever acceptable but I'd like to hear your thoughts.PS, it still makes my blood boil to think about it.

That poor dog. How sad. I'm glad you said something. Some people have no business having a dog or any animal. I'm not sure I could have kept my cool.

You should have recorded his actions and then called the police.Thanks for standing up for an abused animal.The guy was a jerk (I'm being polite).You did the right thing.

Yes, you did the right thing. I admire you for standing up to him and saying something for the poor dog's sake.

There was a training method that was very popular back in the 60's that employed methods similar to what you describe. Most veterinary behaviorists believe that the methods employed with these techniques are not the best way to achieve a balanced, well socialized trained dog. Unfortunately, many trainers have not modified their methods and still employ these methods.Wikipedia wrote:Koehler methodStrictly following the model set out in the Koehler Method of Dog Training, some 50 years later, the Koehler method continues to be taught in both class and private training formats. The method is based in the philosophy that a dog acts on its right to choose its actions. Koehler explained that a dog's learned behavior is an act of choice based on its own learning experience. When those choices are influenced by the expectation of reward, the behavior will most likely be repeated, and when those choices are influenced by the anticipation of punishment, they will most likely cease. Once the dog has learned that its choices result in comfort or discomfort it can be taught to make the correct decisions. Action?Memory?Desire encapsulates the learning pattern used by the method; the dog acts, remembers the consequences, and forms the desire to repeat or avoid those consequences. Adherents believe that once the behavior has been correctly taught, it should be performed, thus making any correction, fair, reasonable, and expected.[57] While the model has been used consistently since 1962, some of the punishment procedures described in the book are now not considered necessary, humane, or appropriate by many trainers.[23]

We should always standup for those who can't for themselves. Good for you. I am afraid the second time he did that I would have tried to step.

Dog abuser | Good Sam Community

Pawz4me
Explorer
Jun 22, 2015
It is NOT a valid training technique. Never was. Never will be. It is used by bullies who have zero natural training ability.

Good for you for confronting the abuser.
Executive45
Explorer III
Jun 22, 2015
If he had a choke collar or one of those with the inward spikes, he wouldn't have had to pull on the leash so hard. That said, IMO, those collars do far more damage than simply pulling hard on a regular collar attached to a leash. Furthermore, proper training indicates one should be firm while correcting, using a calm but firm voice followed by a treat if the animal does what is expected. Not saying you're wrong, but my dog was trained using a sharp tug on the leash when she wasn't listening, and that was during her training as a service dog. That training still exists today. Yes, my dog listens, is well behaved and does not bark unless commanded to do so....Dennis
rvten
Explorer
Jun 22, 2015
I never had to train my dogs that way to walk on a leach.
That dog will hate the leach. Could even try to bite the person putting it on.

Poor method of dog training.
Ed_Gee
Explorer II
Jun 22, 2015
The technique you described is a still valid training method to teach the dog to pay attention to YOU when healing. If he pays attention and stops when you do, he won't get jerked. It generally works well and does not require many tries before the dog learns to watch and pay attention to his handler.

HOWEVER: This guy is obviously a heavy handed individual who does not understand excess in his actions and is clueless to what he is doing. Sad for the dog. Hopefully the dog will learn quickly and not be exposed to more of this. I have a feeling this guy will be mistreating his dog in other ways, too.
ScottG
Nomad
Jun 22, 2015
Thanks for the responses and the support.
I think my wife was ready to pop him. He had a fellow with him that never said a word, just looked uncomfortable. I suspect it was his dad.
The jerk was small in stature - probably man him feel tough to act that way.
I still feel bad about it all.
I once saw someone abuse a horse when I was a child. Almost 50 years later and I've still never forgot it.

Scott
bgum
Explorer
Jun 22, 2015
We should always standup for those who can't for themselves. Good for you. I am afraid the second time he did that I would have tried to step.
dturm
Moderator
Jun 22, 2015
There was a training method that was very popular back in the 60's that employed methods similar to what you describe. Most veterinary behaviorists believe that the methods employed with these techniques are not the best way to achieve a balanced, well socialized trained dog. Unfortunately, many trainers have not modified their methods and still employ these methods.

Wikipedia wrote:
Koehler method

Strictly following the model set out in the Koehler Method of Dog Training, some 50 years later, the Koehler method continues to be taught in both class and private training formats. The method is based in the philosophy that a dog acts on its right to choose its actions. Koehler explained that a dog's learned behavior is an act of choice based on its own learning experience. When those choices are influenced by the expectation of reward, the behavior will most likely be repeated, and when those choices are influenced by the anticipation of punishment, they will most likely cease. Once the dog has learned that its choices result in comfort or discomfort it can be taught to make the correct decisions. Action?Memory?Desire encapsulates the learning pattern used by the method; the dog acts, remembers the consequences, and forms the desire to repeat or avoid those consequences. Adherents believe that once the behavior has been correctly taught, it should be performed, thus making any correction, fair, reasonable, and expected.[57] While the model has been used consistently since 1962, some of the punishment procedures described in the book are now not considered necessary, humane, or appropriate by many trainers.[23]
ReneeG
Explorer
Jun 22, 2015
Yes, you did the right thing. I admire you for standing up to him and saying something for the poor dog's sake.
gbopp
Explorer
Jun 22, 2015
You should have recorded his actions and then called the police.
Thanks for standing up for an abused animal.
The guy was a jerk (I'm being polite).
You did the right thing.
KarenS144
Explorer
Jun 22, 2015
That poor dog. How sad. I'm glad you said something.

Some people have no business having a dog or any animal. I'm not sure I could have kept my cool.

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