Numerous dog owners love to take shortcuts when dealing with their pets. Dog trainer Victoria Stilwell handled people like that in one episode of her show. She worked with owners who had two dogs that were traumatized by a static doormat.
A static doormat delivers a shock to anyone who steps on it. In this case, the owner’s dogs endured mild electrocution. Victoria was shocked by this method and tried touching the doormat to check how painful the experience was. Needless to say, she was not in favor of having the object around.
The static doormat is extremely flawed. Aside from the obvious harm it causes, it doesn’t work all the time as a deterrent. The owners use it to prevent their dogs from running outside. However, sometimes the dogs would just jump over the doormat.
After scolding the owners, Victoria began the training. She showed the owners the body blocking technique to prevent the dogs from rushing to the front door. She also demonstrated how to command the dogs to wait in one place.
The owners took turns practicing the demonstrated techniques. The process was repeated until the owners were able to deliver the commands and use the techniques well. Their eyes were open to a more friendly and efficient way of disciplining dogs.
Victoria also wanted to address the dogs’ fear of entering the house through the front door. The owners thought it was impossible. However, Victoria successfully pulled it off by using treats and having the owners squat to make the dogs feel more at ease.
The owners took a while to master the techniques taught by Victoria. Fortunately, they persevered and practiced every day. Eventually, when the trainer came back, the owners could command their dogs to stay in place.
Victoria Stilwell is very vocal about her distaste for anything the electrocutes dogs. She knows it’s a lazy shortcut that doesn’t work. Time and time again, she had proved that her training methods are better and safer.
Video courtesy of It’s Me or The Dog via YouTube.
