Post by RealPitBull on May 6, 2008 13:20:21 GMT -5
There's video, too, if anyone has the stomach to see it. This is about a police dog, but thought the story was relevent for the training board, as it demonstrates the abuse that gets heaped on dogs in the name of 'training'.
www.wral.com/news/local/story/2817019/
Scotland Neck, N.C. — A veteran K-9 trainer said Wednesday that positive reinforcement is the best way to train police dogs.
"There has to be a balance. Strictly negative reinforcement is not productive," said Tracy Bowling, who has trained police dogs for 40 years and is K-9 instructor for the Wake County Sheriff's Office. "There's a relationship you obviously form with the dog and a bond, if you will, with the dog."
Bowling said he was puzzled when he saw a video clip showing former Highway Patrol Sgt. Charles Jones kicking his K-9, Ricoh, during a training session last summer.
"Why is it occurring? Why is it going on?" he said he thought when he saw the video. "It's not something that's easily discerned when you're watching the video."
The video shows Ricoh suspended by his leash from a railing while Jones repeatedly kicks at the dog's hind legs. Jones has said he was trying to get Ricoh to release a chew toy.
Bowling said force should be used only when a dog threatens its handler.
"Typically when you're doing that, you have the leash in hand, and it's not secured and tied to something else," he said.
Jones was fired last September and has sued to regain his job, saying he was denied due process.
Some troopers have supported Jones, saying he did what was necessary to train an aggressive dog. Bowling said he believes there were other ways to train Ricoh.
"We can use a second toy to kind of the dog, entice the dog with, so that he releases the toy. We give the release command," he said.
Because of testimony during the hearing on Jones' lawsuit, state officials on Wednesday suspended all Highway Patrol K-9 operations so training practices could be reviewed.
Reporter: Beau Minnick
Photographer: Geof Levine
Web Editor: Matthew Burns
www.wral.com/news/local/story/2817019/
Scotland Neck, N.C. — A veteran K-9 trainer said Wednesday that positive reinforcement is the best way to train police dogs.
"There has to be a balance. Strictly negative reinforcement is not productive," said Tracy Bowling, who has trained police dogs for 40 years and is K-9 instructor for the Wake County Sheriff's Office. "There's a relationship you obviously form with the dog and a bond, if you will, with the dog."
Bowling said he was puzzled when he saw a video clip showing former Highway Patrol Sgt. Charles Jones kicking his K-9, Ricoh, during a training session last summer.
"Why is it occurring? Why is it going on?" he said he thought when he saw the video. "It's not something that's easily discerned when you're watching the video."
The video shows Ricoh suspended by his leash from a railing while Jones repeatedly kicks at the dog's hind legs. Jones has said he was trying to get Ricoh to release a chew toy.
Bowling said force should be used only when a dog threatens its handler.
"Typically when you're doing that, you have the leash in hand, and it's not secured and tied to something else," he said.
Jones was fired last September and has sued to regain his job, saying he was denied due process.
Some troopers have supported Jones, saying he did what was necessary to train an aggressive dog. Bowling said he believes there were other ways to train Ricoh.
"We can use a second toy to kind of the dog, entice the dog with, so that he releases the toy. We give the release command," he said.
Because of testimony during the hearing on Jones' lawsuit, state officials on Wednesday suspended all Highway Patrol K-9 operations so training practices could be reviewed.
Reporter: Beau Minnick
Photographer: Geof Levine
Web Editor: Matthew Burns