How Fear-Based Training Can Scar a Dog for Life

Cesar Millan and Leo the shar-pei, 2013. Video still by: NatGeoWild

Leo the Shar-Pei had killed a small dog but the “training” nearly destroyed Leo.

He appears in an episode of The Dog Whisperer called “The Gladiator,” where Millan is seen repeatedly letting Leo build up frustration and anger around another small dog. Millan’s method is to repeatedly jerk the shar-pei (and trigger a shock collar) at any sign of activity to try to “bring him to zero.”

Millan continued to work with Leo but the dog was so damaged by the constant punishment that he became uncontrollable. Leo will never be safe around other dogs because their presence reminds him of the suffering he has endured in their presence. This is just cruel and bad training practice.

Don’t be fooled by celebrity claims that have no basis in science.  Learn the facts and be very suspicious of any training technique that causes your dog to suffer!

Time and again it has been shown that training with pain, fear and corrections can damage your dog. What’s more, it has lasting repercussions that in many cases are dangerous to others around your dog.

We also must work hard to promote better, non-damaging ways to train our pets. A lot of dog trainers have worked to lead their clients and colleagues down a much kinder, gentler path.

For more information see these resources: International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), Pet Professional Guild and the Association of Professional Dog Trainers.

Source: Petful.com