-
Wow Malin!
You definitely are caught with some disadvantages. There is a big problem everywhere really with the lack of standards in dog training so laws like that are bound to happen. maybe it can possibly be a good thing if you look at it from another point of view.
For instance, the people who made the law probably dont know how to humanely use the banned training collars so they base their views and law on the actions of others who dont know how to use the equipment who end up being abusive.
Then, what happens is that an advanced trainer is stripped of certain tools that will help with the most difficult cases.
Perhaps if you are able to learn and demo how to use certain equipment to a humane standard you can start a movement to legalize professional equipment to certified trainers of a certain ethical and knowledgable standard.
It seems far fetched and i know what it is like to deal with very close minded people, but worth thinking about.
I mean what’s next? will harnesses be outlawed on horses? will you have to lead them with treats too? will parents not be able to discipline their children? where does it end – although I can understand the premise behind it – but totally banning them is not the answer.
Are you allowed to use halti-style collars? Because we can definitely get on the right track with one of those for some of your ‘weaker’ clients with big dogs. in conjunction with a hand held high pressure citronella spray like “direct stop” for some of the insane moments.
A big trick that I use with the clients and any dog is to make sure the dogs master all the exercises and learn disipline away from the bigger distractions first. Then get all your clients together with similar problems in support group classes to help eachother out with ‘trained’ dogs that just need work around the distractions. Support groups are an awesome thing to have! let me know what you think and we can discuss further..
