Tell people to use shock collars!?!? Positive & Constructive Criticism
Service being reviewed:
Northern Star Mills
Reviews: 25 |
Posted: 10 months ago |
Avg Rating: 4.4
Supporting Shelter: BUTTE HUMANE SOCIETY
Supporting Rescue: Belleglen Sanctuary
Pros: Best local price on Canidae dog food and pet products from A-Z for all animals
Cons: DO NOT take dog training advice from anyone there
I have been going to Northern Star Mills since I was a young boy. (Pardon the back story but there's an important issue here)
They've always had a friendly dog to greet you and reasonable prices.
Recently I asked them if I could leave some business cards with them for dog training and pet sitting. They took the cards but said they usually refer some guy on W. Sac. When I asked who, because I know who all the other trainers in town are, the employees didn't even know the guy's name and wouldn't give me his business card or contact information. It was a little odd.
I shook it off but I still continue to shop there because they are good business people and have been local for a long, long time.
I have spent hours in their store over the years but recently I heard something really disturbing. Two of the men told an older lady to put a shock collar on her dog, turn it up, and shock her dog when it tries to leave the yard or bark at other dogs.
I immediately interjected and told them all that the dog could be severely abused with that kind of advice and that she should consult a professional trainer before ever attempting anything like that so she will know all the effects it could have on her dog. I concluded by telling the now crowd of customers that if the dog received a shock as it happened to be looking at children or other dogs, a new set of problems and issues has been forced onto that dog.
GRRR anyway that gets me really going as you see. Always consult a trainer before using any type of shock collar, choke collar, citronella collar, prong collar, etc.
Review Helpfulness
9 out of 9 users found this review helpful. Did you find this review helpful?
Reply
by novia123
8 months ago - Flag this
I really appreciate Josh's comments re:the shock collar information/training that Northern Star Mills gave to a customer. I have been frustrated by my inability to get my basset hound/lab mix dog to come to me consistently when off leash. Josh boarded my dog for three nights in February. My dog learned and behaved so well for him that I asked him to demonstrate a few training techniques so I learned how to train her to come, heel, etc. He is so knowledgeable and patient that in 1/2 an hour my dog was responding consistently to me. The shock collars are so expensive but the knowledge I gained from talking to Josh helps me feel more patient and appreciative of my dog's efforts. A shock collar will not do the same thing, and it will not increase the bond you should want to have with your dog that comes from spending time talking to him, and working with him so that your voice and praise make him want to come to you and enjoy responding to you. I feel more love and affection toward my dog the more time I spend praising him and seeing his improvements toward my commands. Yes, I get frustrated and impatient sometimes, but I've learned that it's my job to improve my training skills by using a friendlier tone of voice, more praise, better treats and shorter sessions several times a day. As I am learning how to teach him, he is learning better and we get along better, just like my parent and kid relationship.
Reply
by Josh P. (PittsPackLeading)
7 months ago - Flag this
May I quote you on that? : )