A leading dog behaviourist and obedience trainer has come to the defence of pet owners blamed for a decline in animal welfare standards, and suggested that vets were partly at fault
Stan Rawlinson (above) was reponding to comments made in last week's Pet Trade Xtra by PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon Elaine Pendlebury. She claimed great strides were being made to improve pet welfare following alarming findings in the organisation's PAW Report published in November.
"The story made my blood boil," said Stan. "Praising the PDSA for releasing a self-serving report is looking through binoculars from the wrong end.
"I doubt that there is a decent behaviourist that would agree to the findings in that report. Once again the blame falls on the owners, instead of the actions of the vets and rescue centres themselves."
The PAW Report claimed that millions of pets were more aggressive, overweight and misunderstood than ever due to fundamental gaps in pet owners’ animal knowledge.
"I am not convinced that this report is not tainted and biased towards the enormous controls of the pet industry by the vets themselves," said Stan.
"I am not sure that this report hits the areas where our pets, and especially dogs, are being let down.
"It is my strong belief, backed up by research, that the very profession that was involved in the creation of this report, has been culpable in creating some of the medical problems they speak about.
"What it fails to achieve is point the blame from some of these major problems in the right direction.
"Let's take vaccinations. The majority of our pets and especially dogs are being over-vaccinated. This fact becomes more apparent when you look at the vaccination manufacturers' guidelines. These state that vaccines should be administered every three years - not yearly as most vets are doing.
"There is a massive ground swell and knowledge base, that suggest over-vaccination is causing major health problems with our dogs' immune systems. Dogs are becoming very ill and in some cases dying as their immune system breaks down."
Stan added that neutering was another issue that needed careful consideration.
"The PAW Report is also recommending neutering, but it does not say when this should be done. Yet the authors of this report state dogs are getting behavioural problems," he said. "Is there any wonder this is happening, when vets and welfare organisations are neutering puppies as young as six weeks of age?
"Not only does early neutering cause behavioural problems it also causes physical problems because of the reduction and removal of important hormones. Do these organisations imagine that nature gave these hormones as additional extras?
"All mammals are born with various hormones. Three of the most important ones are Oestrogen, Progesterone, and Testosterone. All dogs male and female have these hormones – by what degree each hormone is present determines the sex of the animal.
"These are commonly called sex hormones, and are related to reproduction. However, they also play a very important role in other aspects of the animal’s well being. They allow and create physical, social, and behavioural maturity.
"Without these hormones the dogs, if immature when the operation is carried out, may not behaviourally and physically reach full maturity. Both physiological and psychological problems may occur because of these early invasive operations.
"Obesity is a major problem. Yet it is a known fact that neutering slows down the dogs metabolism that causes obesity.
"I am not against neutering. However, I am against it at the wrong time and for the wrong reasons.
"Some of what the PDSA has said hits the mark, but they need to look closer at the reasons for some of the problems that are arising. Instead of blaming the owner all the time look a little closer at the person that's pointing the finger."
You can read more from Stan Rawlinson by visiting his website www.doglistener.co.uk
