Let’s ditch the dish.
Ditch the cues.
Ditch the ball launcher.
Ditch the adrenaline.
There are so many “rules” floating about the internet right now. Every new rule seems to be ever more confusing and comes with ever more questions.
Ditch the *anything* is very in right now. A trainer or behaviourist may tell you to ditch a thing. In fact, if you have worked with me I may have told you to ditch a thing. Usually not permanently, and usually only after I have asked you so many boring and repetitive questions you may be rather sick of me.
Stopping doing certain things can be helpful…for certain dogs…in certain contexts. But I would only ever suggest ditching something if there was a very good chance it would very much benefit THAT individual dog.
I have a real problem with suggesting that something needs to be stopped, without knowing an awful lot about that dog, and being confident that stopping that thing won’t result in other problems for that dog.
I have seen a lot of harm done to dogs who have been advised by someone online that they shouldn’t walk their teenage dog, and along with that they shouldn’t give them a “free” meal.
Recipe for an agitated, frustrated and manic dog who cannot settle anyone? Imagine working for every bit of food, being hungry, having no outlet and getting food involves being performative or active in some way. Your not likely to have a settled dog in the real world.
Ball launchers are a current source of evil if my facebook feed is to believe. The repetitive motion of dogs running or even adrenaline being likely to cause harm allegedly. I can see reasons not to use one.
Overweight dogs who’s owners barely walk them but when they do, only throwing a ball constantly for an hour- not good on that dogs joints for sure. Or the only exercise outlet in an attempt to reduce excitement.
But using it a few times through a walk, or even at the start to get out excess energy? I can’t see an issue. As someone who lives with sighthounds I cannot perceive why my whippets doing stops or turns quickly now and then can be SO damaging. (granted arkle is the only one who likes to play this game!)
It seems more like we are being excessive in our advice to ditch the “something” and giving it out as STANDARD advice whenever an issue pops up.
There can be reasons to ditch something based on a dogs individual issues or needs, but these rules of what should or shouldn’t be done cannot apply to an individual without knowing them thoroughly.
So ditch the ditching advice online !