The truth is, there is nothing noble in being superior to another being. The only real nobility is in being superior to your former self. ~Whitney Young, Civil Rights Leader
Violence, dominance and submission are signs of an old and worn out model of “win and lose” that no longer serves a compassionate parent, a canine’s kindhearted companion, or an interconnected global community. Humankind is being invited to move along in our evolution from the hierarchy of domination and “power over” others, toward guiding, assisting, and empowering others in the interspecies dance of life.
Paul Owens and Sweet Pea. Photo: Brian Stemmler
The Path to Partnership, Peace and Feeling Good
If peace is our goal, then our means must be peaceful. – MLK
Owens says, "I believe nonviolence fosters nonviolence. Because of the link between dog and human behavior, it's possible that a holistic program of nonviolent dog training, coupled with self-health stress management methods, may play a role in helping build a world of peace for humans and dogs. When people, especially children, are successful using nonviolent methods with animals, they feel good about themselves and they are encouraged to have a kinder, more positive attitude with their friends, family and the environment."
And Owens is quick to add his canine Golden Rule: “Don't treat your dog any differently than you'd treat your child, your grandmother, your best friend, or yourself.”
For humankind, it comes down to choosing compassion rather than violence, partnership over domination, and peaceful responses instead of warlike reactions. Whether it’s the refrain from a favorite folk song or the greeting inside a Christmas card—peace, joy, and love are all you need.
Owens says his goal is to “promote peace in the world, one dog at a time.”
And that is a step forward for all beings.
Properly trained, a man can be dog's best friend. ~Corey Ford
RESOURCES:
Look for trainers that use only positive training methods at: The Association of Pet Dog Trainers www.APDT.com and The National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors www.nadoi.org. While most members of these organizations use only (or primarily) positive methods, membership in the organization is not a guarantee as some trainers mix force-free and force methods. Master trainers like Jean Donaldson and Paul Owens encourage interviewing prospective trainers to be sure that they use only positive, “pain-free” methods.
Paul Owens’ website offers his books, The Dog Whisperer: A Compassionate, Nonviolent Approach to Dog Training, and The Puppy Whisperer: A Compassionate, Nonviolent Guide to Early Training and Care, as well as his two nonviolent dog training DVDs, and personal consultations. (www.DogWhispererDVD.com ) In 1995, Owens founded “Raise with Praise,” a nonprofit educational organization. In his innovative program, Paws for Peace, inner-city kids learn his gentle methods as they train dogs from animal shelters. A program that is beneficial for all, the kids learn compassion, and the dogs are easier to place in adoptive homes.
For positive training on TV check out: “It's Me or the Dog” with Victoria Stillwell on the Animal Planet channel: http://animal.discovery.com/convergence/its-me-or-the-dog/its-me-or-the-dog.html
Jean Donaldson founded the Academy for Dog Trainers at The San Francisco SPCA in 1999. The Academy has gained a reputation as the Harvard for dog trainers and behavior counselors. She is the author of The Culture Clash, which has won numerous awards, including The Dog Writer’s Association of America’s coveted Maxwell Award for the best training and behavior book of the year. Since its publication in 1996, The Culture Clash has been the number one recommendation for dog trainers of The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) each year it has had a recommended reading list. The second edition was released in 2005. She is also the author of Dogs Are From Neptune, MINE! A Guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs and FIGHT! A Guide to Dog-Dog Aggression. Jean’s DVD, Perfect Paws in 5 Days was released in 2007. Jean has lectured to dog trainers in the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia and Japan and her books have been translated into six languages. (www.JeanDonaldson.com )
The American Humane Association was founded in 1877, and is the oldest national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. In a September 6, 2006 press release entitled, “Dog Whisperer' Training Approach More Harmful Than Helpful,” Bill Torgerson, DVM, MBA vice president of Animal Protection Services said, “As a forerunner in the movement towards humane dog training, we find the excessively rough handling of animals on [Millan’s Dog Whisperer] show and inhumane training methods to be potentially harmful for the animals and the people on the show. It also does a disservice to all the show’s viewers by espousing an inaccurate message about what constitutes effective training and appropriate treatment of animals’ … Several instances of cruel and dangerous treatment -- promoted by Millan as acceptable training methods -- were documented by American Humane, including one in which a dog was partially asphyxiated in an episode.”
Through a network of child and animal protection agencies and individuals, American Humane develops policies, legislation, curricula and training programs to protect children and animals from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The nonprofit membership organization, headquartered in Denver, raises awareness about The Link® between animal abuse and other forms of violence, as well as the benefits derived from the human-animal bond. American Humane’s regional office in Los Angeles is the authority behind the “No Animals Were Harmed”® End Credit Disclaimer on film and TV productions, and American Humane’s office in Washington is an advocate for child and animal protection at the federal and state levels. American Humane meets the strong, comprehensive standards of the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance and has been awarded the Independent Charities of America "Best In America" Seal of Approval. Visit www.AmericanHumane.org to learn more.
