If You Have MS, Why Aren't You Against Using Aversives In Dog Training?
Do you love having MS?
A lot of the aversive devices used in the name of dog training operate through physical mechanisms mimicking MS (multiple sclerosis) symptoms.
Do you love getting the MS hug?
Then why are you using a prong collar or slip lead on your dog?
Both of those devices cause compression of your dog’s sensitive neck area.
Just like what the MS hug does to you.
If you’ve never had the MS hug, consider yourself fortunate.
What is the MS Hug?
The MS hug is not the happy one you enjoy. You know, it’s not the one your best friend gives you after not seeing you for a while.
MS hug refers to the sensation of tightness or squeezing around the chest or abdomen, often described as a "band-like" feeling.
Some people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) describe this as painful.
I’ve had it, and I don’t ever want it to happen. And I have a high threshold for pain.
You might never get it as a PwMS, or this might be your first MS symptom.
Like other MS symptoms, it’s unpredictable. You never know when you might get an MS hug. But when you do, you hope it doesn’t last long.
MS hug is experienced by 1 in 4 PwMS.
You think of doing whatever you can to prevent it from happening again.
The MS hug can last for a few seconds. Sometimes longer.
How do you think your dog on a slip lead or prong collar feels about the sensation when you use the device to correct one of his behaviors that you want to stop?
The only reason those compressive tools work is that they cause discomfort to your dog.
Your dog either learns to tolerate the discomfort, just like PwMS do.
But none of us has learned what to do.
If you’ve ever gotten the MS hug unexpectedly, what did you think in the moment?
More importantly, did you actually learn anything?
Do you enjoy getting Lhermitte’s sign?
Then why are you using an electronic collar on your dog?
If you’ve never had this before, count your blessings.
What is Lhermitte’s Sign?
Lhermitte’s sign is a sudden, electric shock at your neck. This shock is painful and can radiate down your spine and through your limbs.
The sensation lasts a few seconds, but can happen multiple times throughout a day.
If you’ve ever had Lhermitte’s Sign, what did you learn?
You learned not to bend your neck. Lhermitte’s sign can also happen if you move your head the “wrong” way, like when your chin hits your chest.
The very first time you had Lhermitte’s, how did you feel?
Electronic collars aren’t necessarily set for shock.
Some have a function known as STIM, which is sold as less severe than shock.
Using an e-collar set to STIM induces muscle twitching.
Sounds like spasticity.
You must love getting spasticity, right?
It's nowhere as bad as Lhermitte's Sign, right?
Keep telling yourself that.
Sometimes, spasticity can happen only at your eyelids.
You know, when your eyelid twitches because you are dehydrated or stressed.
That isn’t necessarily painful. Maybe a bit annoying.
But if you are a PwMS, don’t you start wondering if you're on the threshold of a flare?
How distressed might you feel from that?
Maybe an eyelid twitch was the reason you decided to call your doctor. Then you were diagnosed with MS.
So, how do you think your dog might feel after getting a STIM?
The dog isn’t going to chase a diagnosis of a neurological condition.
But what were you trying to teach the dog?