Letter to Editor of the AKC Gazette Sent 7/24/03
Dear Editor:
The recent article by Kerrin Winter-Churchill in the Aug issue of the AKC Gazette was at best misleading regarding the rattlesnake aversion training by Patrick Callahan who uses “e” (which stands for electricity) collars, also known as “shock” collars. What I take exception to is the analogy of the degree of punishment or shock given to the dogs during a rattlesnake aversion clinic. Either the author of the article is extremely naive or has bought the myth that a small shock “similar to running you feet over a carpet and then touching someone” is what is used by this dog trainer. And that a mild level of shock or “static’ as the authors called it would be at all effective in producing an aversion to a snake! Those statements are just not accurate. I have assisted in the past at these fundraising clinics as a volunteer and we would tell the owners what they wanted to hear-after all, we didn’t want them to leave or we would not get our money. We would even have a shock collar set to the lowest level possible so folks could feel the shock on their skin.
But the level of stimulation that was used during the training was much higher, in fact it was high enough to make many of the dogs vocalize (cry out), jump in the air, twist and/or run from the shock. The timing of the shock if it matters, was delivered very accurately by Mr.Callahan at the instant that the dog reacted to the snake and then I would pull the dog away hopefully teaching them to get away from the pain and the snake. I too thought the training was beneficial until I did more research. There is absolutely no data to support or prove that shocking a dog around a snake produces a lasting or any aversion to the snake. E-collar training has been around for decades- I am not opposed to people using whatever method they choose, I am a Lab breeder and well aware of training with and without e-collars.
For me it was too high a price to pay as I felt my dogs did not learn anything while they were in full body fight or flight reactions. What I oppose with this letter is the inaccuracy of the information dealing with the use of electricity and dog training during these clinics and by folks promoting them. I am writing this mainly to chide the AKC Gazette, I have always relied on the AKC Gazette articles to be accurate and balanced. The article by Kerrin Winter-Churchill was neither.
Sincerely,
Liz Harward
Matilija Labradors