I was just at the park (actually not a dog park, but most people let their dogs run off leash there, myself included, except that privilege is not extended to
Gus.) There is a field next to the parking lot where people let their dogs run around and play. After walking the trail I put my dogs in the car because I
knew it would not be a good situation for Gus. I decided to go say hi to someone and check out the dogs playing.
What I came across was a couple of dogs owners showing off their e-collars. Now, I am not anti e-collar, but I think people need to be trained how to use equipment properly and most people are not. So, they are talking about the settings and this and that when one woman's dog runs over to a car that another dog is getting out of. This is the scene:
Owner: Dog, come!
(Dog ignores and starts pushing his way into the car the new dog is trying to get out of.)
Owner: Dog, COME!
(Dog ignores.)
Owner gives brief zap with e-collar.
Dog ignores.
Owner gives longer zap.
Dog walks slowly halfway to owner who is beaming to everyone else about how her dog is obeying. Dog stops at halfway point and turns around.
Owner: NO! Come ALL the way to me. (And gives dog another long zap.)
Dog reluctantly goes to owner.
As if this wasn't enough to annoy me, the woman next to me said, "Wow, how much did that cost and where can I get one?"
Really?! You found that impressive?!?! At that point I had to leave. So sad.
The upshot of all of this was that the dog I was watching is a dog that Gus reacts to quite...strongly. I think I can say he hates this dog (or he acts like he does.) It was useful for me to see that 1) the dog is actually quite pushy with other dogs and 2) is poorly trained.
What I came across was a couple of dogs owners showing off their e-collars. Now, I am not anti e-collar, but I think people need to be trained how to use equipment properly and most people are not. So, they are talking about the settings and this and that when one woman's dog runs over to a car that another dog is getting out of. This is the scene:
Owner: Dog, come!
(Dog ignores and starts pushing his way into the car the new dog is trying to get out of.)
Owner: Dog, COME!
(Dog ignores.)
Owner gives brief zap with e-collar.
Dog ignores.
Owner gives longer zap.
Dog walks slowly halfway to owner who is beaming to everyone else about how her dog is obeying. Dog stops at halfway point and turns around.
Owner: NO! Come ALL the way to me. (And gives dog another long zap.)
Dog reluctantly goes to owner.
As if this wasn't enough to annoy me, the woman next to me said, "Wow, how much did that cost and where can I get one?"
Really?! You found that impressive?!?! At that point I had to leave. So sad.
The upshot of all of this was that the dog I was watching is a dog that Gus reacts to quite...strongly. I think I can say he hates this dog (or he acts like he does.) It was useful for me to see that 1) the dog is actually quite pushy with other dogs and 2) is poorly trained.
