Linen jerk

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The leash jerk , also known as the leash jerk method when used frequently and systematically in dog education and training , is a forceful means of enforcing the upbringing and training of dogs. Its use as a training method can violate the principles of animal welfare .

Application and mode of action

If a dog on a leash shows undesirable behavior, or if there is no desired behavior, an unexpected strong pull on the leash will trigger a painful stimulus . One makes use of the fact that in dogs the throat as well as the cervical spine is particularly sensitive to pain. In this way, the dog should combine the undesirable behavior with the unpleasant pain and therefore no longer show it in the future. The leash jerk becomes an aversive stimulus ( Latin aversio = to turn away, see instrumental and operant conditioning ). In the same way, the dog should be prevented from not executing a given command and thus not showing a desired behavior.

Health risks

A strong jolt can lead to a number of significant health disorders in dogs in addition to the immediate painful effects.

Spine

First and foremost, back problems should be mentioned. One study found that 91 percent of all dogs with cervical vertebrae damage had been trained with leash jerks or were notorious "leash pullers". The damage was most severe when using choke chains in combination with the use of the line jerk. Symptoms such as neck and back pain, headaches and dizziness result from diseases of the spine. Nerve damage in the neck area can occur. In addition, herniated discs , arthritic deformation of the lateral vertebral joints and spondylosis can occur as long-term consequences even years after the abuse has ended.

respiratory tract

The larynx is also at risk of injury: this can lead to chronic laryngitis, larynx bleeding, nerve damage and breakage of the cartilage. When using the leash jerk in combination with choke or spiked collars , the pressure on the neck can injure the trachea, and the blocking of breathing can lead to pulmonary edema .

eyes

The compression of the neck area can lead to a significant increase in intraocular pressure , with possible consequences ranging to the development of glaucoma or an exacerbation of an existing glaucoma.

aggression

Repeatedly jerking the leash in unsuitable situations can result in the affected dog developing aggressive behavior in relation to these situations. A dog that jumps on a person (in a non-threatening manner) or approaches another dog with friendly intent and is unexpectedly confronted with the pain of the leash jerk can link this pain stimulus with the situation or the person or the other dog and itself behave aggressively in the future.

In addition, it has been found that the pain caused by the damage caused by the jerk on the leash - back pain in particular - can lead to an increased willingness to be aggressive in dogs.

Animal welfare relevance

In Germany, its use can be punished as an administrative offense under the Animal Welfare Act . If injuries occur with persistent severe pain, prosecution may also be considered. In Austria, according to Section 5, Paragraph 2, Item 3 b) of the Federal Animal Welfare Act, animal cruelty is to be used, aids aimed at influencing the behavior of an animal through hardship or punitive stimuli. Cruelty to animals is a criminal offense in Austria.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Sabine Neumann: TierHEIM - Fate or Chance ?! Animal-Learn, Bernau 2006, ISBN 3-936188-28-9 .
  2. ↑ a b c Anders Hallgren: Back problems in dogs. Investigation report. Animal-Learn, Grassau 2003, ISBN 3-936188-05-X .
  3. ↑ Kenneth J. Drobatz, H. Mark Saunders, Charles R. Pugh, Joan C. Hendricks: Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema in dogs and cats: 26 cases (1987-1993). In: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Vol. 206, No. 11, 1995, ISSN  0003-1488 , pp. 1732-1736.
  4. ^ Amy M. Pauli, Ellison Bentley, Kathryn A. Diehl, Paul E. Miller: Effects of the application of neck pressure by a collar or harness on intraocular pressure in dogs. In: Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association. Vol. 42, No. 3, 2006, ISSN  1062-8266 , pp. 207-211, doi : 10.5326 / 0420207 .
  5. ^ Almuth Hirt, Christoph Maisack, Johanna Moritz: Tierschutzgesetz. Comment. 2nd Edition. Vahlen, Munich 2007, ISBN 978-3-80063230-5 .