Speciesism

Dogs have been our loyal companions for thousands of years, and many of us consider them to be members of our families. However, the way we train dogs is often based on a belief in speciesism, which is the idea that certain species are superior to others and deserve different treatment.

Speciesism can be seen in the way we train dogs using punishment-based methods, such as choke chains and shock collars. These methods rely on the belief that dogs are inferior beings who must be controlled and forced to obey us. However, these methods can cause physical and psychological harm to dogs, and are not necessary for effective training.

Instead, positive reinforcement training is a more humane and effective method. This approach rewards dogs for good behavior and focuses on building trust and communication between the dog and owner. Positive reinforcement training is based on the belief that dogs are intelligent and capable beings who deserve to be treated with respect and kindness.

Another way speciesism can be seen in dog training is through breed specific legislation (BSL). BSL is a type of law that targets specific breeds of dogs, often those that are perceived as aggressive or dangerous. This is based on the belief that certain breeds of dogs are inherently dangerous and cannot be trained to be well-behaved. However, this is not true, as all dogs have the capacity to be well-behaved with proper training and socialization.

In conclusion, speciesism has a negative impact on the way we train dogs. By recognizing and rejecting speciesism, we can treat dogs with the respect and kindness they deserve, and build stronger, more positive relationships with them. By using positive reinforcement training and rejecting BSL, we can help ensure that dogs are treated as the intelligent, capable beings they are.