English Springer Rescue America


HELP FOR OWNERS OF ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIELS THAT MAY HAVE "ISSUES"
	Do you feel you need to give up your English Springer? What problems are you having? We may have answers that will allow you to keep your English Springer Spaniel. ESRA's job is to rescue English Springer Spaniels from bad situations. If you have a Springer family member who has a behavior issue which causes you to consider re-homing him or her, our job is to help you find the right resources for getting help for your family so that you can resolve the issue and keep your dog. We believe the right resources are those which provide current, well-documented information on training and behavior, provided by respected experts in the science-based behavioral community. The links below will take you to the websites of a variety of respected sources to help you choose training techniques that are most likely to result in a better relationship between you and your dog. We want you to be able to keep your English Springer Spaniel, and your dog to keep his or her home. What if you have an English Springer Spaniel or any other dog that you'd simply like to improve your relationship with, train to do some tricks, or have the opportunity to participate in dog sports with? What if you just need your dog to have better behavior so he can go more places with you? These same resources will get you started on the road to humane, scientific training techniques that work. We wish you well in your pursuit of training and improving your relationship with your dog
First, please see these discussions and position statements on dominance theory: American Society of Veterinary Animal Behavior Position Statement on the Use of Dominance Theory in Behavior Modification of Animals http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonline/images/stories/Position_Statements/dominance%20statement.pdf Association of Pet Dog Trainers Position Statement on Dominance and Dog Training http://www.apdt.com/about/ps/dominance.aspx UC Davis Clinical Animal Behavior Service http://behavior.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/topics.cfm At one of the foremost veterinary medical schools in the U.S., "The UC Davis Clinical Animal Behavior Service has adopted the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior's position on the use and misuse of punishment for animals. The position is that punishment (e.g. choke chains, pinch collars, and electronic collars) should not be used as a first-line or early-use treatment for behavior problems. This is due to the potential adverse effects which include but are not limited to: inhibition of learning, increased fear-related and aggressive behaviors, and injury to animals and people interacting with animals." Contemporary science-based information on the topics of adoption, behavior, and general care of dogs can be found at the following websites: The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) Pet Behavior Articles http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonline/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=139&Itemid=375 "AVSAB is a group of veterinarians and research professionals who share an interest in understanding behavior in animals. Founded in 1976, AVSAB is committed to improving the quality of life of all animals and strengthening the bond between animals and their owners." American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Pet Care http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/ San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Dog Owner Resources Library http://www.sfspca.org/resources/library/for-dog-owners Dr. Ian Dunbar's DogStarDaily.com http://www.dogstardaily.com/ "This is a free website for dog lovers - a daily magazine with news, blogs and articles about dog behavior. It's a comprehensive digital dog training textbook, with everything you need to know about raising or training your puppy or dog and especially, how to prevent or fix most common problem behavior issues; plus a place to share photos and videos of your favorite canine companions. We so strongly believe that puppy husbandry and training information is so important that it should be freely available to all, with the hope that dogs (and their humans) will be happier and healthier because of it. DogStarDaily.com is growing everyday, with new content and features added on a regular basis." Open Paw http://www.openpaw.org/index.html "Your definitive animal training resource. Open Paw is here to give you and your pet the tools you need to build a lasting and successful relationship with one another and with your community. Here you'll find expert information to help you BEFORE you choose a new pet, AFTER you bring your new dog or cat home, and DURING your ongoing relationship with your companion animal." Veterinarian and Animal Behaviorist Dr. Sophia Yin http://drsophiayin.com/resources "Her mission in life is to improve our understanding of animals and their behavior so that we can care for, appreciate and enjoy our time with them better." Association of Pet Dog Trainers Information for Pet Owners http://www.apdt.com/petowners/default.aspx Shirley Chong's Leading The Dance - *Building A Better Relationship* http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/dance.html "Shirley Chong has been training dogs since 1982, and started using clicker training in 1992. Clicker training is based on the principles of operant conditioning, and uses positive reinforcement to help the dog learn behaviors. She has rescued and re-homed over 60 dogs of many breeds." Shirley has continued her dog behavior education by studying with some of the most respected researchers and trainers in the field. DogPACT / Terry Long http://www.dogpact.com "DogPACT ( People and Animals Communicating Together ) is committed to the highest standards of professional training practices and methodologies. Thus, you can be assured that our programs are based on solid science, the input of veterinary and applied animal behaviorists, and hundreds of hours of continuing education."
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First, please see these discussions and position statements on dominance theory:

American Society of Veterinary Animal Behavior Position Statement on the Use of Dominance Theory in Behavior Modification of Animals
http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonline/images/stories/Position_Statements/dominance%20statement.pdf

Association of Pet Dog Trainers Position Statement on Dominance and Dog Training
http://www.apdt.com/about/ps/dominance.aspx

UC Davis Clinical Animal Behavior Service
http://behavior.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/topics.cfm
At one of the foremost veterinary medical schools in the U.S., "The UC Davis Clinical Animal Behavior Service has adopted the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior's position on the use and misuse of punishment for animals. The position is that punishment (e.g. choke chains, pinch collars, and electronic collars) should not be used as a first-line or early-use treatment for behavior problems. This is due to the potential adverse effects which include but are not limited to: inhibition of learning, increased fear-related and aggressive behaviors, and injury to animals and people interacting with animals."

Contemporary science-based information on the topics of adoption, behavior, and general care of dogs can be found at the following websites:

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) Pet Behavior Articles
http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonline/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=139&Itemid=375
"AVSAB is a group of veterinarians and research professionals who share an interest in understanding behavior in animals. Founded in 1976, AVSAB is committed to improving the quality of life of all animals and strengthening the bond between animals and their owners."

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Pet Care
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/

San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Dog Owner Resources Library
http://www.sfspca.org/resources/library/for-dog-owners

Dr. Ian Dunbar's DogStarDaily.com
http://www.dogstardaily.com/
"This is a free website for dog lovers - a daily magazine with news, blogs and articles about dog behavior. It's a comprehensive digital dog training textbook, with everything you need to know about raising or training your puppy or dog and especially, how to prevent or fix most common problem behavior issues; plus a place to share photos and videos of your favorite canine companions. We so strongly believe that puppy husbandry and training information is so important that it should be freely available to all, with the hope that dogs (and their humans) will be happier and healthier because of it. DogStarDaily.com is growing everyday, with new content and features added on a regular basis."

Open Paw
http://www.openpaw.org/index.html
"Your definitive animal training resource. Open Paw is here to give you and your pet the tools you need to build a lasting and successful relationship with one another and with your community. Here you'll find expert information to help you BEFORE you choose a new pet, AFTER you bring your new dog or cat home, and DURING your ongoing relationship with your companion animal."

Veterinarian and Animal Behaviorist Dr. Sophia Yin
http://drsophiayin.com/resources
"Her mission in life is to improve our understanding of animals and their behavior so that we can care for, appreciate and enjoy our time with them better."

Association of Pet Dog Trainers Information for Pet Owners
http://www.apdt.com/petowners/default.aspx

Shirley Chong's Leading The Dance - Building A Better Relationship
http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/dance.html
"Shirley Chong has been training dogs since 1982, and started using clicker training in 1992. Clicker training is based on the principles of operant conditioning, and uses positive reinforcement to help the dog learn behaviors. She has rescued and re-homed over 60 dogs of many breeds." Shirley has continued her dog behavior education by studying with some of the most respected researchers and trainers in the field.

DogPACT / Terry Long
http://www.dogpact.com
"DogPACT ( People and Animals Communicating Together ) is committed to the highest standards of professional training practices and methodologies. Thus, you can be assured that our programs are based on solid science, the input of veterinary and applied animal behaviorists, and hundreds of hours of continuing education."