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Why electric shock is not behavior modification
... At the time of writing, no commercially available collar systems ideally suited to wildlife management situations are available (but see Hawley et al. 2013 in regard to custom modifying a domestic dog shock collar in an effort to make it more suited to such applications). Polsky (2000) and Overall (2007aOverall ( , 2007b raised concerns about shock-induced aggression and other undesirable behavioural changes arising from the use of shock collars on domestic dogs, discussed later. ...
... However, the use of shock collars as a means of attempting to modify the behaviour of domestic dogs remains ardently opposed by some professionals and affiliated organisations, including the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA 2014, p. 118), who released a policy against the use of shock collars: 'unless it can be scientifically shown that their use does not cause long-term physical or psychological harm to dogs'. Overall (2007aOverall ( , 2007b gave a comprehensive summary of concerns about the use of shock collars and provided compelling arguments for how and why other approaches are usually far more appropriate for treating behavioural concerns in domestic dogs. Overall's (2007aOverall's ( , 2007b arguments were bolstered, for example, by a report mentioned previously from Polsky (2000), which found that five cases of aggression directed towards humans by domestic dogs may have been prompted by shocks experienced as part of a boundary containment system. ...
... Overall (2007aOverall ( , 2007b gave a comprehensive summary of concerns about the use of shock collars and provided compelling arguments for how and why other approaches are usually far more appropriate for treating behavioural concerns in domestic dogs. Overall's (2007aOverall's ( , 2007b arguments were bolstered, for example, by a report mentioned previously from Polsky (2000), which found that five cases of aggression directed towards humans by domestic dogs may have been prompted by shocks experienced as part of a boundary containment system. Redirected or other forms of aggression were not observed by Appleby (2015) or in other reports of shock collar usage involving wild canids, but this remains a notable concern necessary of consideration. ...
K’gari (Fraser Island) offers a rare opportunity for people to observe and encounter wild dingoes. Occasionally, however, such encounters can entail dingoes acting in a threatening or aggressive manner towards people, resulting in human injury and, in one tragic case, death. A suite of approaches aimed at minimising the risk to human safety posed by dingoes have been implemented on the island, including fencing, island-wide warning signage, and regulations against feeding. Despite such measures, negative encounters continue, and in cases where dingoes are deemed to pose an unacceptable risk, they are usually destroyed. In searching for non-lethal management alternatives, attempts have been made to modify undesirable dingo behaviour through aversive conditioning, but results to date have either been mixed or largely disappointing. Here we review a wide array of research that has utilised aversive stimuli in an effort to modify and manage the behaviour of wild animals, with a particular focus on related predators such as coyotes and wolves. We identified eight major categories of experimental research: conditioned taste aversion/avoidance (CTA), electric fencing, fladry, chemical repellents, fear-evoking stimuli, physical repellents, aversive collars/devices and hard release procedures. We then outline each of these categories in more detail, complete with pertinent examples of successes and failures as well as advantages and disadvantages. We conclude that some approaches offer promise within three main areas of incident mitigation experimentation: dingo exclusion (e.g. electric fencing), personal protection (mild chemical irritant sprays, sturdy umbrellas) and remedial aversive conditioning (e.g. shock collars). Other approaches, such as CTA and sublethal projectiles are not recommended. Like any approach, aversive conditioning is not a panacea, but it does offer promise in filling gaps in current management and as an alternative to lethal control.
... Wyrwicka, 2000), a close relative to wolves, and could help us design methods less incline to habituation or failure than the one tested so far. For example, shock collars have been tested on dogs and their behavioural stress response monitored (Beerda et al., 1998;Overall, 2007;Schilder and van der Borg, 2004). A research team in the Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology also works with both captive wolves and dogs in parallel and compares the two species (e.g. ...
PhD Project draft, principles of the methods I intend to use, remaining uncertainties, background literature review...
... The debate among trainers who tend to use positive punishment and negative reinforcement and those who prefer methods that rely on positive reinforcement is ongoing. For example, in 1 editorial, Overall (2007) explained why electronic collars (which deliver electronic shocks to the dogs and are usually used as positive punishers or negative reinforcers) are not and should not be used for behavior modification in dogs, because of their aversive nature and due to the lack of scientific data on their effectiveness. However, others suggest that such collars can be an effective training tool (e.g., Christiansen et al., 2001). ...
The purpose of this paper is to review a series of studies (N= 17) regarding the effects of using various methods when training dogs. The reviewed studies examined the differences between training methods (e.g., methods based on positive reinforcement, positive punishment, escape/avoidance, etc.) on a dog’s physiology, welfare, and behavior towards humans and other dogs. The reviewed studies included surveys, observational studies, and interventions. The results show that using aversive training methods (e.g., positive punishment and negative reinforcement) can jeopardize both the physical and mental health of dogs. In addition, while positive punishment can be effective, there is no evidence that it is more effective than positive reinforcement-based training. In fact, there is some evidence that the opposite is true. A few methodological concerns arose from the reviewed studies. Among them are small sample sizes, missing data on effect size, possible bias when coding behavior in observational studies, and the need to publish case reports of bodily damage caused by aversive training methods. In conclusion, those working with or handling dogs should rely on positive reinforcement methods, and avoid using positive punishment and negative reinforcement as much as possible.
... For these highly motivated dogs, the training schedule has probably been too short to learn the release of the decoy's sleeve. It is interesting to note that once working dogs are behaviorally and physiologically engaged in attack behaviors, they are likely to be further stimulated by pain, which explains that shock collars cannot be used as method for stopping trained patrol dogs from overly enthusiastic biting (Overall, 2007). ...
... Training techniques involving choke chains, prong collars and even flat collars are capable of mechanical or ischaemic damage to the larynx, oesophagus, thyroid, trachea, brain and increased intraocular pressure (Grohmann et al., 2013;Brammeier et al., 2006;Pauli et al., 2006). Meanwhile, the use of shock (electric) collars remains highly contentious (Ogburn et al., 1998;Haug et al., 2002;Schilder and van der Borg, 2004;Overall, 2007Overall, , 2007bSchalke et al., 2007;Steiss et al., 2007). ...
... Schilder and van der Borg (2004) found that the use of shock collars resulted in dogs with behavioral changes, including lowered body postures, that distinguished them from other dogs that had been trained using other aversive techniques (including pinch collars, check chains, and beatings). Overall (2007) reviewed the literature on shock collars and judged that although they were associated with the cessation of a behavior, this outcome was a result of learned helplessness and not obedience. She also commented that the welfare of dogs exposed to shocks was severely impaired. ...
This study examined 60 juvenile Labrador (LR) and golden retrievers (GR) and their puppy raisers (PR) to determine the effect of training (n = 20) and socialization (n = 20) compared with a control group (n = 20). These potential guide dogs were randomly allocated into 3 groups of 20 (2 treatment groups and 1 control). Training sessions ran for 6 weeks (only 5 of which were attended by the dogs), and socialization groups ran for 5 weeks (all of which were attended by the dogs). Training involved teaching a bridge (clicker); basic obedience behaviors including sit, drop, loose-leash walking, and recalls; as well as desensitization to handling, discussions about anxiety and environmental enrichment, and play time. Socialization classes covered the same discursive material, but without the training and bridge components. The control group comprised other pups and their PRs within the guide dog puppy-raising program but who were not given access to these additional classes. Like the dogs in both the treatments, these control dogs also underwent the Guide Dog NSW/ACT program but received no direct intervention through the current study.The authors hypothesized that training and socialization would improve the success rates of dogs in the guide dog program. However, the treatments did not influence the rate of success nor the likelihood of PRs raising a subsequent pup. The interaction between color and sex had some effect on success rates; yellow female LRs had the greatest chance of success, and female GRs had the lowest chance of success. This difference may warrant further investigation in a broader study to assist in decisions as to which breeds and sexes are most successful in guide dog organizations.
... For these highly motivated dogs, the training schedule has probably been too short to learn the release of the decoy's sleeve. It is interesting to note that once working dogs are behaviorally and physiologically engaged in attack behaviors, they are likely to be further stimulated by pain, which explains that shock collars cannot be used as method for stopping trained patrol dogs from overly enthusiastic biting (Overall, 2007). ...
The study of human-dog interaction has increased over the past several years. It has been demonstrated that dogs can use a number of human social cues to successfully accomplish a task, and that they do so better than apes. Many authors agree that these abilities are a result of 10,000 years of domestication by humans. Domestication may have genetically predisposed dogs to accurately recognize human communication signals. However, only a few authors have studied the performance of working dogs, implying recognition of human communication signals. Haverbeke et al. (2008) found that military working dogs do not always perform as they are expected to. To investigate this finding, we studied the performance of obedience and protection work exercises between 2 groups of dog-handler teams: a control group (CG), trained using the current training method used by the Belgian Defense, and an experimental group (EG) that underwent a new human familiarization and training program. During obedience and protection work exercises, EG teams obtained better results than CG teams and EG dogs exhibited a higher body posture than CG dogs. The results suggest that even if dogs are genetically predisposed toward the recognition of human communication signals, this aptitude alone does not explain the dogs' performance and their interactions with humans in this study. Regular training combined with positive dog-handler interaction is also required to increase the dog-handler (DH) team's performances.
... For these highly motivated dogs, the training schedule has probably been too short to learn the release of the decoy's sleeve. It is interesting to note that once working dogs are behaviorally and physiologically engaged in attack behaviors, they are likely to be further stimulated by pain, which explains that shock collars cannot be used as method for stopping trained patrol dogs from overly enthusiastic biting (Overall, 2007). ...
Application of aversive stimuli in training, in particular via electronic training collars, is a highly controversial issue. The aim of the present study was to evaluate stress and learning effects of 3 different training methods, i.e. electronic training collar, pinch collar and a conditioned quitting signal in dog training organized in 3 sessions. In order to assess stress effects of the training methods, salivary cortisol concentrations and behavioural reactions of 42 police dogs of the breed Malinois were measured. The electronic training collar induced less stress and had stronger learning effect in comparison to the other methods in a training situation which required high motivation in case that proficiency of dog trainer is proved. It was also noted that quitting signal was markedly stressful in dogs. In the present study, however, theoretical and practical knowledge of each dog trainer could not be achieved during the assessment of pinch collar as well as quitting signal. Therefore, the findings of the study lead to the conclusion that debates over effectiveness of training methods should include not only the training aids but also the qualification of the trainer.
Behavioural effects of the use of a shock collar during guard dog training of German shepherd dogs were studied. Direct reactions of 32 dogs to 107 shocks showed reactions (lowering of body posture, high pitched yelps, barks and squeals, avoidance, redirection aggression, tongue flicking) that suggest stress or fear and pain. Most of these immediate reactions lasted only a fraction of a second. The behaviour of 16 dogs that had received shocks in the recent past (S-dogs) was compared with the behaviour of 15 control dogs that had received similar training but never had received shocks (C-dogs) in order to investigate possible effects of a longer duration. Only training sessions were used in which no shocks were delivered and the behaviour of the dogs (position of body, tail and ears, and stress-, pain- and aggression-related behaviours) was recorded in a way that enabled comparison between the groups. During free walking on the training grounds S-dogs showed a lower ear posture and more stress-related behaviours than C-dogs. During obedience training and during manwork (i.e. excercises with a would-be criminal) the same differences were found. Even a comparison between the behaviour of C-dogs with that of S-dogs during free walking and obedience exercises in a park showed similar differences. Differences between the two groups of dogs existed in spite of the fact that C-dogs also were trained in a fairly harsh way. A comparison between the behaviour during free walking with that during obedience exercises and manwork, showed that during training more stress signals were shown and ear positions were lower. The conclusions, therefore are, that being trained is stressful, that receiving shocks is a painful experience to dogs, and that the S-dogs evidently have learned that the presence of their owner (or his commands) announces reception of shocks, even outside of the normal training context. This suggests that the welfare of these shocked dogs is at stake, at least in the presence of their owner.
Five cases are described that involve severe attacks on humans by dogs who were being trained or maintained on an electronic pet containment system. The system is designed to boundary train a dog through the use of electric shock in an escape-avoidance conditioning paradigm. Data were collected from legal documents filed in personal injury lawsuits. Analysis of the findings show that all dogs lacked a marked history of aggressive responding, all were adult males, and most were reproductively intact. All attacks happened near the boundary of the property. In every case, the system was operational at the time of attack. Moreover, in most cases, the dog received shock. Findings lend themselves to possible interpretation in terms of unconditioned aggression as a result of a dog having received electronic shock and avoidance-motivated aggression mediated through fear reduction toward human stimuli.
Some inadequacies of the classical conditioning analysis of phobias are discussed: phobias are highly resistant to extinction, whereas laboratory fear conditioning, unlike avoidance conditioning, extinguishes rapidly; phobias comprise a nonarbitrary and limited set of objects, whereas fear conditioning is thought to occur to an unlimited range of conditioned stimuli. Furthermore, phobias, unlike laboratory fear conditioning, are often acquired in one trial and seem quite resistant to change by “cognitive” means. An analysis of phobias using a more contemporary model of fear conditioning is proposed. In this view, phobias are seen as instances of highly “prepared” learning (Seligman, 1970). Such prepared learning is selective, highly resistant to extinction, probably noncognitive and can be acquired in one trial. A reconstruction of the notion of symbolism is suggested.
Stress parameters that can be measured noninvasively may help to identify poor welfare in dogs that live in private homes and institutions. Behavioural parameters are potentially useful to identify stress, but require further investigation to establish which behaviours are appropriate. In the present study, behaviours were recorded and analysed for signs of acute stress in dogs. Simultaneously, saliva cortisol and heart rate were measured to support the interpretation of the behavioural data with regard to stress. Ten dogs of either sex, different ages and various breeds were each subjected to six different stimuli: sound blasts, short electric shocks, a falling bag, an opening umbrella and two forms of restraint. Each type of stimulus had been selected for its assumed aversive properties and was administered intermittently for 1 min. The stimuli that could not be anticipated by the dogs, sound blasts, shocks and a falling bag, tended to induce saliva cortisol responses and a very low posture. The remainder of the stimuli, which were administered by the experimenter visibly to the dog, did not change the cortisol levels but did induce restlessness, a moderate lowering of the posture, body shaking, oral behaviours, and to a lesser extent, yawning and open mouth. Pronounced increases in the heart rate were nonspecifically induced by each type of stimulus. Heart rate levels normalized within 8 min after stressor administration had stopped. Saliva cortisol levels decreased to normal within the hour. Correlations between behavioural and physiological stress parameters were not significant. From the present results, we conclude that in dogs a very low posture may indicate intense acute stress since dogs show a very low posture concomitant with saliva cortisol responses. Dogs may typically show increased restlessness, oral behaviours, yawning, open mouth and a moderate lowering of the posture when they experienced moderate stress in a social setting. The nonspecific character of canine heart rate responses complicates its interpretation with regard to acute stress.
A mature entire male red Stafordshire Terrier was rehomed for animal aggression with a neighbouring dog. The dog "Sargie" exhibited aggression towards the cats in the new home and was successfully treated with a static pulse remote training collar to suppress prey drive directed at the two resident cats. All animals were able to be safely housed together for a number of years with some other behaviour management strategies also in place.
Pavlovian fear conditioning has emerged as a leading behavioral paradigm for studying the neurobiological basis of learning and memory. Although considerable progress has been made in understanding the neural substrates of fear conditioning at the systems level, until recently little has been learned about the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. The success of systems-level work aimed at defining the neuroanatomical pathways underlying fear conditioning, combined with the knowledge accumulated by studies of long-term potentiation (LTP), has recently given way to new insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie acquisition and consolidation of fear memories. Collectively, these findings suggest that fear memory consolidation in the amygdala shares essential biochemical features with LTP, and hold promise for understanding the relationship between memory consolidation and synaptic plasticity in the mammalian brain.
The hippocampus plays a central role in memory consolidation, a process for converting short-term memory into cortically stored, long-lasting memory in the mammalian brain. Here, we review recent data and discuss the 'synaptic re-entry reinforcement' (SRR) hypothesis, which can account for the role of the hippocampus in memory consolidation at both the molecular and systems levels. The central idea of the SRR hypothesis is that reactivation of neural ensembles in the hippocampus during the consolidation period results in multiple rounds of NMDA-receptor-dependent synaptic reinforcement of the hippocampal memory traces created during initial learning. In addition, such reactivation and reinforcement processes permit the hippocampus to act as a 'coincidence regenerator', providing coordinated input that drives the coherent reactivation of cortical neurons, resulting in the progressive strengthening of cortical memory traces through reactivation of cortical NMDA receptors.
Letter to the editor on shock
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The ForceFree method
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The rehabilitation of " Grace Control and Therapy Series, Post-Grad
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What is remote collar training?
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n.d. 22 Myths about Ecollars
- L Castle
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Letter to the editor on shock
- Perkins
Memory conciliation of Pavlovian fear conditioning: a cellular and molecular perspective
- Schafe
The rehabilitation of “Grace”
- Courtney
The facts about modern electronic training devices
- N D Radiofence
Santa Ana officer files suit over police dog bite
- S Lin