Shock, Reward & the Ethics of Chase Training: Part 2

09/07/2025 16 min

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Episode Synopsis

Angelique de Kock and Chantal Karyta dive into the heated ethics of using e-collars to stop dogs from chasing. This episode unpacks a controversial 2024 study that claimed shock collars were more effective than treat-based methods and the fierce critique it triggered.You’ll Learn:Why critics say the study wasn’t a fair comparisonWhat actually counts as “positive reinforcement”How welfare needs to be meaningfully measured and not assumedWhat better recall training looks like in real lifeWhy your values and long-term goals matter more than speedTopics:00:00 – Introduction to the E-Collar Debate02:36 – Understanding the Study's Findings05:32 – Critiques of the Study's Methodology08:29 – Welfare Considerations in Dog Training11:00 – How the Training Could’ve Been Done Better14:03 – Long-Term Goals and Ethical ReflectionsResources & Mentions:Johnson & Wynne (2024) study on chase behaviourRebuttal 1 from positive reinforcement advocatesRebuttal 2 from positive reinforcement advocatesResponse to the rebuttalsBarkology Episode 1 (for study context)Don't forget to rate and review if you learned something new or felt inspired by this episode. We really appreciate your support!