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Good Morning Dog Lovers and welcome to this week’s issue of Mighty Mutts!
Today I want to discuss training, and more specifically, the CONS of using shock collars as a form of training. Now, you may wonder why I would even bother to talk about them if I have nothing good to say. Well, because I want to educate you, my dear readers, on the short-term, and long- term negative effects of using these training ‘devices’. Once you have the information in hand, you can decide for yourself whether or not they would be suitable for your dog.
Our curated article is from Dogs Queensland and talks about how to get your dog to obey your recall commands every, single, time. Recall training can be tricky but the tips in this article will help you and your dog have a stress-free experience no matter where you are - be it at a dog park; a walk on a nature trail or just in your backyard.
Our ‘Ask the expert’ section talks about the pros and cons of using a balanced approach when training your dog. Using both negative and positive reinforcement can be faster when it comes to training, but there are several things to consider before using this method. Of course, Pablo has a few things to say and he has some products he recommends as well.
Know someone who has a large breed dog or is thinking of getting one? Feel free to send this along.
They can subscribe here: mightymutts.beehiiv.com And of course, send me pics of you and your dog and I’ll feature it in an upcoming issue! Have a great week!
Enjoy…
Pablo’s “Paw”donerings
Hello again! Hope you're all having a wonderful week so far! I just woke up from a nap and I'm on our patio enjoying this sunshiny day! Mom and dad are out here too and dad and I played ball for a little while. He said it's good exercise for me, but I just love being able to spend time with him. He is gone a lot. He goes somewhere called 'work'. And my other human, Brandon, goes to 'work' too every day. I don't know where this 'work' is. Brandon says he has to go work so he can buy me food and treats! So I think work is a good thing. Maybe someday I'll be able to go there. Hey drop me a note and let me know if your humans go to this 'work' thing. On another note, I wanted to tell you about a collar I used to have – it was called a ‘prong’ collar. My original owners got it for me. When my leash was pulled, the prongs dug into my skin. It made me stop or slow down or do whatever my owners wanted me to do. It hurt my neck and my skin sometimes got red. When I came to live with Brandon, he got me a regular collar and now I’m much more comfortable! What kind of collars do you guys have?
3 Reasons Shock Collars are a Bad Idea
Also known as e-collars or remote collars, shock collars have become a popular method for some people who want their dog to obey and obey quickly. The collars are equipped with metal prongs that are typically placed around the neck (although they can be placed around the stomach or even the genitalia). Can you imagine? It makes me angry and sad just thinking about it. Here are just 3 reasons you should NEVER use a shock collar on your dog:
You’re a Responsible owner and love your dog: Shock collars hurt! That’s the simple truth. And you would never want to hurt your dog, would you? Of course not! You want to build trust between you and your dog, and once that trust is built, you should do everything you can to protect it.
Experts Advise Against Them: You’d be hard pressed to find a vet or a professional trainer that endorses shock collar training. Most will tell you that positive reinforcement training is much more effective and will create a lasting bond, not a fearful relationship.
They can make your dog more anxious or aggressive: Stress levels can increase, dogs can react aggressively and you may end up with a dog that is fearful, and full of anxiety disorders. There’s a better and more humane way to train your dog! Part of owning a dog is building a lasting friendship, and your dog needs to trust that you have his or her best interest in mind. Love, treats and attention will get you a lot farther than harsh words, shocks and finger wagging. Need help with training? Seek a professional for advice, or enrol your dog in obedience school. The best experts are those that include games/treats/positive reinforcement training. Did you Know? Shock collars are banned in parts of Quebec, and prong collars are banned in both Quebec and Ontario.
Total Recall - Train your dog to come every time you call
It’s the most important thing to teach a dog, but isn’t always the easiest. Kate Mornement demystifies recall training.
Of all the basic obedience commands people teach their dogs, the recall – the ability to have your dog come to you on command – is by far the most important and often the most difficult to train. A reliable recall, meaning your dog will come to you every time, has many benefits. It can be used in off-lead parks to avoid confrontations between dogs and can even be a life-saver in dangerous situations such as when your dog encounters traffic or snakes. So why is a reliable recall so difficult to train? Why won’t dogs just come when called? The key to understanding this is to look at the situation from the dog’s point of view. The most common situation where we expect our dogs to obey a recall is when the dog is off-lead during a walk or at the off-lead park.
From the dogs’ point of view, this is often the highlight of their day, or week, depending on how often they are exercised away from home. There are so many exciting things to see, like other people and dogs, not to mention enticing smells to explore!
Then we decide it’s time to go home and we call our dog: “Rover, Come!” We’re ignored, so we try a little louder “Rooooooooooover, COME!” Our command falls on ‘deaf’ ears as Rover continues to explore and play, oblivious to instruction. What happens next? The more obliging dogs eventually wander back to their owners and - clip - on goes the lead.
The more mischievous dogs, often with a case of selective hearing, continue on their way as their owners give chase. This usually turns into a game but eventually they are caught and – clip – the lead goes on.
A similar scenario plays out every time the dog is taken to the off-lead park and, over time, the dog learns that ‘come’ means ‘play time is over, we’re going home’. Is it any wonder that so many dogs ignore the recall command? As owners we often place unrealistic expectations on our dogs.
To read the full article, click here:
Ask the Expert - Should I use a Balanced Training Method on my Dog?
Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, founder of Ask a Vet, has this to say on balanced training: Training your dog involves more than commands—it’s about communication, trust, and long- term welfare. Two major approaches—balanced training (rewards & corrections) and positive- reinforcement-only—offer different paths. Understanding the Two Methods
Positive Reinforcement This method adds something the dog wants (treats, praise, play) to increase desired behaviors. Clicker training and markers are often used for precise reward timing. Balanced Training Combines rewards with corrections—such as leash pressure or verbal “no”—once the dog knows the behavior. It uses all four operant-conditioning quadrants.
Benefits and Scientific Support Positive Reinforcement builds trust, confidence, and strong bonds, supported by AAHA and APDT guidelines. Studies show fewer stress signals and better learning long-term versus aversives. Balanced Training may deliver fast results for working dogs or complex behavior issues, but it relies heavily on trainer skill.
Balanced Training Risks Poorly timed or severe corrections can cause fear, anxiety, and aggression. Critics argue there’s no evidence aversives improve learning beyond what positive methods accomplish.
What Expert & Science-Based Sources Say
Veterinary behaviorists and organizations like APDT, PPG, RSPCA, and AAHA strongly recommend force-free, reward-based training due to its welfare advantages. The use of aversives remains controversial, with ongoing debate about the necessity in some dog sports or tasks.
The “LIMA” Approach
LIMA—Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive—is often used by modern trainers: rely on positive reinforcement first; introduce low-level corrections only if necessary, and apply them skillfully.
Practical Recommendations for Dog Owners
�� Learn reward-based training fundamentals—positive is your cornerstone.
✏️ If issues persist (e.g., reactivity, theft), consult a certified trainer who practices LIMA.
��️ Use corrections sparingly, only after the dog understands the command.
�� Monitor your dog’s stress—avoid any methods that erode trust or cause fear.
�� Combine tools: o Ask A Vet App to review training videos and get professional feedback Source
Pablo’s Product Picks of the Week
The Complete Guide to Raising the Perfect Pet with Love Paperback – Deckle Edge, June 7 2016 by Zak George (Author), Dina Roth Port (Author)
Plutus Pet Tactical Dog Collar, Reflective, Adjustable Heavy Duty Dog Collar, Soft Padded and Comfortable, for Small Medium and Large Dogs (Red, L)
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