Dog abuser

[ScottG]

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.

[ScottG]

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]

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]

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]

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

[gbopp]

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]

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.