Behavior Consulting, Training, Pet Sitting

I cried this morning when the sweet rottie I have been walking for a year and have been help with training wouldn’t play with me because of the toys in my hand. Her parents put in an electric fence and when her ball and tug toy got too close she was shocked. This beautiful, fun-loving, silly pup was terrified by the things she loves the most. I cried and I cried when I saw the terror and confusion in the dog when I would ask her to “go find,” or “go get.” She sat in confusion as if asking me, “Why are you doing that? That’s mean, and it hurts.” I am going back to the house soon to play/walk the dog. I want the family to see what they did. They broke this dog’s spirit. They broke my heart. Shock/electric collars are inhumane, revolting devises. I hate them. I hate what they did to this dog who is afraid to play. I hate the trainer who installed the fence and then trained the dog to stay away by zapping her. Bastards. I even told the family about coyote rollers, but they didn’t listen.

I was unable to talk to the parents today, they were out. The rottie did play with some toys while I was away, but when it came to playing she was avoiding it. We went for a walk and I brought some new toys for her that were exposed without the collar on so she could enjoy something. It did help, but she is wary. It’s as if I did the shock, the last person she could trust and I failed her. To take away a dog’s joy is something no one should ever have to endure. Sadly, the parents just don’t really know what they got themselves into. Many dog owners just don’t really get it. And when you try to show them, and they don’t listen, it’s hard to continue. But this story can save the soul of future dogs.

From Brae Peel Raphael of Urbane Mutt in Portland, OR.