Jennifer Arnold - Through a Dogs Eyes: Understanding Our Dogs by Understanding How They See the World

As the founder and executive director of Canine Assistants, a nonprofit service-dog school based just north of Atlanta, I have spent the past twenty years working with dogs and I have become convinced they are the most giving of all creatures. There is no question that dogs give their trust, strength, affection, and adoration to the people they love. I have witnessed many dog-made miracles in my work, and with each day I find more to love about these amazing animals.

Over time, I have learned a tremendous amount about how dogs perceive the world. I have also come to hold very strong convictions about how they should be treatedalways with kindness and respect. I am deeply concerned and disappointed with the dog-management methods that have recently gained popularity. Training methodologies, once headed in the direction of kindness and respect, have largely reversed course over the past several years. It is common now to hear people speak of the supposed need to dominate and become physically controlling alpha types when handling dogs. Also making a comeback, sadly, are certain types of collars that cause dogs pain and discomfort, such as shock collars and choke chains. What happened here? I may never fully understand what caused the shift, but there is one thing I do understand: This cruelty must be stopped.