How we raise children and how we raise our dogs, have so many parallels.
At one point in time, it was common practice to use physical punishment and correction to teach and educate our children.
‘Spare the rod, spoil the child…’ or ‘Children should be seen and not heard’, were phrases used to describe how children should be disciplined and how they should act.
We now know, that whilst this approach appeared ‘effective’, it was far from it.
The long term impact of the individual’s mental health, and confidence have now been proven to be linked to their early experiences and the use of physical punishment.
The same can be said of dogs.
Whilst comparisons between children and dogs can be emotive, the trajectory of our understanding and insight into creating confident, outgoing and well adjusted beings, has a similar path.
The choice to use an aversive tool and positive punishment, to engage with your dog, will have fall out that may not initially appear obvious, but will reflect in the relationship you have with your dog.
Our dogs, much like our children are a reflection of our ability to educate, communicate and create understanding.
As the late, great Maya Angelou said…’When we know better, we do better’.