Police Dog Training - cruelty?

[Exotica]

There is a man in this town, who does dog training. He is a police officer, who was in charge of training all the K9 units here.

I have seen examples of his training, since I work for PetsMart, and people come in with their dogs all the time. We're also talking people with Bully Breeds, who send their dog to his training.

One odd thing he has tought the people, is to use ONLY hotdog pieces as treats, and he has the owners spit the hot dog at the dog, because this "teaches the dog to always pay attention to your mouth."

The worst thing he uses is a Prong Color. This is a choker, with spikes on the inside for those who didn't know. I have seen people jerk their dogs off the ground with them, for doing something as simple as looking at another dog or person. Dogs are not ment to sit perfectly still while their dog owner shops.
Now... imagine the impact of doing this to a Staffie or a pitt. You're just asking for trouble.

[Pure14K]

Quote: Originally Posted by Exotica The worst thing he uses is a Prong Color. This is a choker, with spikes on the inside for those who didn't know. I have seen people jerk their dogs off the ground with them, for doing something as simple as looking at another dog or person. Dogs are not ment to sit perfectly still while their dog owner shops. Now... imagine the impact of doing this to a Staffie or a pitt. You're just asking for trouble.

I wonder what that does... My neighbors who breed APBT's ONLY use prong collars with their dogs...

[Exotica]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pure14K I wonder what that does... My neighbors who breed APBT's ONLY use prong collars with their dogs...

They're actually very cruel.....

I always try to talk people out of buying them if they don't know how to use them, or they're not part of a training program.

they're ONLY for use on breeds with thick fur..... and are supposed to be used lightly, not for jerking up off the floor...they could easily damage the dog's throat...

[Pure14K]

Quote: Originally Posted by Exotica they could easily damage the dog's throat...

Yea I bet... That's horrible that people use them & jerk their animals up...

[Exotica]

I had an old dog training book a long time ago, back when my dad had a Wire haired pointer. He trained her as his bird dog. One method of getting a dog's attention in there, was to slap the dog with the leash, on the nose.

I'll tell you what, I did that to our old Wire fox terror once......still have scars...

some methods are just ... horrible.

[DirtySouthChins]

Okay I can understand some form of this trainig, however the words Police Dog Training - cruelty? as a title is not right.... NOT all are this way, my dad was a K-9 trainer for the military for 24 years, and I can vouch that this training is NOT done. I have never heard of the hot dog spitting out technique before, and yes that is wrong IMO, however the spike collar is a necessary training tool in some techniques, although other's think this is cruel, and IMO I personally don't like it, but I do see the use behind it on some breeds for training purposes only. My husband who works security for the military is around K-9 handlers on a daily basis and this type of training is not used in the navy as well, here the dogs are on a strict diet and strict training methods, and I can't understand how he can be teaching them to spit hot dogs at their dogs to get attention towards your mouth when IMO this could only be a cause for danger (that is only teasing the dogs, sort of speaking).

[Exotica]

of course part of the problem is , half the people shouldn't even have dogs to begin with.

[RSbunny]

I'm with Kim on this one!

[EyesOfTXChins]

Well I personally do not agree with choke collars either. But they also can be ok if use properly. Have to keep in mind that these dogs are being trained to be highly skilled attack machines. I have not ever seen K-9 training as cruel. More and more positive reinforcement is being used every day to acheive behaviors instead of adversives. I believe that with positive reinforcement you can make huge leway in training almost any animal to do the things you want.

[Exotica]

the big thing is, that these dogs should NOT be trained as attack dogs.. they are PETS!
Neg. reinforcement should not be used.... this guy also tells people that if he can't break a behavior, then the dog needs to be put down.

I keep wondering how he is able to use his K9 unit training cert. to train people's pets.... doesn't seem right...something like moonlighting ya know.

[RSbunny]

sounds like that guy needs to be shot!!! Unfortunately he is giving police dog training a bad name! He should be reported!!!! It's just like when I was having my dog Nacho assessed by an airforce dog trainer. He told me that if he went to bite anyone I should hit him across the nose....this dog was fearful aggressive!!!! This guy was mental and I didn't take any of his adivce!! Everything he said was to punish the dog in some way or other which he was already getting more and more terrified every day and I was his only comfort.
I don't believe in any dogs having choke, or pinch collars, but especially not pitties!!! I don't even raise my voice at my girl! I might tell her a firm 'no' at times but she never gets yelled at! I work with people that are strong believers in positive, motivational training only and they have never yelled at their dogs and their dogs are angels!!! Just my 2 cents!

[Exotica]

Quote: Originally Posted by RSbunny I don't even raise my voice at my girl! I might tell her a firm 'no' at times but she never gets yelled at!

You think people are bad with thier kids....

when people bring their dogs into PetsMart, one of the first, and most common things that happens, is the dog messes on the floor.

One evening a man starts screaming at his dog "Bad Roy, I can't fing believe you did that, how disgusting." Then the guy slaps his dog on the butt and takes him back out to the car.... how tramatic!

[EyesOfTXChins]

Wow yeah this guy is definately giving K-9 Dogs a bad name. K-9 dogs can be great loving companions but also know when it is time to work and only attack on command. This guy does need some serious change in training and over all mind set.

[DirtySouthChins]

Quote: Originally Posted by RSbunny Unfortunately he is giving police dog training a bad name! He should be reported!!!!

I agree there...... He should be reported, because this type of training is NOT proper for pets, nor K-9!!!!!