Federal Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) and animal rights activists are campaigning for the abolition of dog training and working dog sports in the private sector. The atmosphere in the Schutzhund scene is aggressive and tense. The veterinarian and dog expert from the Messerli Institute of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Karl Weißenbacher, says in a krone.tv conversation with Jürgen Winterleitner that it is “simply crazy for the dog’s health to practice this form of sport.”
The controversial protection dog training by private owners has been discussed in Austria for weeks. The reason for this was the fatal dog attack on a 60-year-old jogger in Upper Austria by an American Staffordshire Terrier dog. Shortly after the attack, suspicions arose that the owner had trained the four-legged friend as a protection dog and had ‘armed’ him with it.
Dog expert Weißenbacher explains the fatal impact this has on the four-legged friend: “The dog is under enormous stress. On the other hand, higher stress levels also mean poorer obedience. These dogs also bite more often. There’s no doubt about it.”
Huge burden on animals
Schutzhund training has been criticized for several reasons. “On the one hand, it excites people,” says Weißenbacher. On the other hand, it is important for animal welfare. It is a huge burden for dogs when they come into contact with this protective cover. “You have to imagine that the dog is running about 30 km/h on the long straight stretch and stops abruptly. This means that there is an enormous burden on the cervical vertebrae.”
Dog bites always depend on the situation, says dog trainer Andrea März. “That means you can practice a situation as often as you want. If a small spark is converted, it is a completely different situation for the dog and he can react very differently.” The goal is not to completely ban the training of protection dogs, but rather to not perform it on humans.
“Train with a rope or shoe instead of a human arm”
Her suggestion: “If it’s not about people, then it’s quite easy to replace people with something: with an object to which the protective arm is attached, with a rope that pulls the shoe around the area.”
But what motivates people to practice this sport? “In my opinion, this is an exercise of power,” Weißenbacher said. “It’s the thought: ‘I have power over my dog, I own the dog, I have control over the dog.’” For him, the discussion has already left the realm of reason: “The science is no longer listened to . This is a purely emotional discussion.”
You can see the entire interview with Andrea März and Karl Weißenbacher in the video above.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
