Vibrating Collars for Hearing Impaired Dog Many trainers teach the “ vibrate ” feature of the collar as a physical “ recall ” cue by pairing the cue with the behavior , ( Sd ( vibration ) - > B ( recall ) - > ( reward ). When this is done in small enough approximations that the dog has a positive emotional response to the vibration from the start of training , the dog learns that vibration is a physical cue to return to the owner in anticipation of reinforcement . The vibration over time becomes not only an Sd but also a Secondary Reinforcer as it predicts reinforcement . When trained in this way a recall does not function to punish behavior , it only serves as a way to prevent rehearsal of an unwanted behavior . If a recall trained in this way was used in a behavior modification plan it would simply be used to prevent unwanted behavior while the main goal would be to focus on training the dog the desired target behavior . If a vibration collar is conditioned to be used to startle a dog or as a punisher to reduce a specific behavior , then it ’ s not LIMA compliant .
Prong / pinch collars are similar to a mother dog ’ s bite - why can ’ t we teach our dogs the way they teach each other ? We are not dogs . We know better , so we do better . Dogs do not have extensive worldwide networks of competent trainers to collaborate with and discover better methods .
Is LIMA effective for behavior modification ? Does it change behavior in all breeds of dogs ? ( death before discomfort , evidence of EU compared methodology used ). In short , yes , learning theory is not breed or species specific . However , the learner might need an individualized training plan . If you don ’ t know how to approach a specific behavior or a specific dog without resorting to aversive techniques , you should seek out advice and expertise from those who can . The APDT community is a good resource for seeking out knowledge and expertise beyond your current ability .
I don ’ t know a way to teach < behavior > without using aversive tools , what should I do ? As a LIMA trainer , one should always be willing to consider that there are better , less invasive , less aversive methods to teach a behavior to their clients . If you feel that something cannot be taught without the use of aversive methods , the humane hierarchy calls on you to consult with other professionals who may know something you don ’ t . The APDT encourages all members to participate in member forums and use available online seminars and educational material to learn techniques that do not rely on pain , fear , or startle . Despite claims that some behaviors simply cannot be taught without aversive techniques , there is someone training it routinely somewhere without them , in all fields such as dog sports , obedience , hunting , protection and advanced behavior modification cases including fear , reactivity and aggression .
But life is not stress free , so why are we teaching dogs without pressure or adding a bit of stress ? Yes , we agree , life is full of stressors . Many of these are unavoidable as you live and train dogs . Research has shown us that learning does not occur when a learner is under a state of distress , therefore the very best learning outcomes occur when a learner is in a supportive environment . Supporting a dog ’ s capacity to learn means that we are not actively adding distress to the context . Distress is stress that has a negative impact and may have profound effects on the ability to take in information . This can range from flooding an animal where they may shut down , to also seeing more subtle avoidance body language from our dogs . Eustress , on the other hand , is a stressor that may feel challenging to the learner , but also allows for that learner to problem solve and continue to stay engaged in the learning process . APDT encourages learning environments where our learners are given the very best chance at being a confident problem solver . Once a learner understands a skill , applying that skill in environments with slow building levels of peripheral stressors in a supportive way is important . The key is not adding intentional distress or in other words undue stress when there are alternatives methods to achieve the target behavior .
LIMA is not entirely about tool usage , it ' s about constantly monitoring the dogs we work with for undue stress , anxiety and fear , and using the tools and techniques that minimize them . We called out specific tools and techniques that are commonly used that are well-established as intentionally causing pain , fear or startle responses , but a LIMA trainer should always be monitoring the dogs they work with , at all times .
The APDT Chronicle of the Dog | Winter 2022 43