A Modern Dog's Life by Paul McGreevy

Author:Paul McGreevy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Experiment
Published: 2018-04-16T04:00:00+00:00

Does the convention of leading dogs on the left-hand side have any repercussions for dogs? Some handlers may be following a convention that compromises their handling ability. For example, some humans may be more dextrous with the right hand, while the left is traditionally used for correction and negative reinforcement. So some dogs may be at a disadvantage purely because their handlers are strongly right-handed. Maybe certain dogs cope with the constraints of being on the leash (including neck pain, if choke chains are used) better than others because they are innately left-handed or right-handed. If the left eye is dominant, then they may be more likely to be distracted by visual stimuli, since there is more to see on the left where the handler’s leg does not get in the way. This is considered further in chapter 14 on individual differences.

Harnesses are becoming more popular, especially those that direct the head. An abundance of such head collars is now available, each with its claims to superiority. The intrinsic cost of such devices is almost negligible—after all, we are only talking about a couple of strips of nylon webbing and the occasional metal loop and plastic fastener. In fitting head collars correctly (preferably a job for an experienced vet or behaviorist), the critical questions are whether the webbing will get too near the eyes (if it is safe) and does the collar stay put (if it works).

Other forms of harness are designed for the chest. They can be very useful for dogs that have breathing difficulties or delicate windpipes, such as Yorkshire terriers, which tend to have collapsible tracheas. Dogs that pull on the leash are not necessarily good candidates for these chest harnesses, because harnesses encourage pulling, as in the case of sled dogs. Surprisingly, a harness is thought to be useful in body-building and making a dog stronger. The more muscular breeds, including Staffordshire bull terriers, have attracted an unhelpful fan-base in a sector of the human community with a high tattoo-to-teeth ratio. Here the belief is that harnesses, with clips that allow an increasing number of weights to be carried, will give the dog a workout and beef it up in the process. The evidence for this having any strengthening or even cosmetic effect is slim, but the spirit of machismo that promotes this sort of behavior is alive and well. One wonders what other malpractices from human gymnasia are being perpetrated on these poor animals.

Pet dog trainers and behaviorists often recognize a suite of behaviors associated with the leash. Some call these responses leash frustration. A dog with leash frustration changes its behavior for the worse whenever restrained by the collar and leash. Many are aggressive to other dogs but only when on the leash. Many have acquired this response from being reefed to heel by anxious owners. Dogs with leash frustration often pull on the leash, which means that the owner is pleased to be able to get them off the leash, so they get the dog to an off-leash park as soon as possible.

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