Before each episode it says the whole many ways to train but they all agree its the owners...so maybe the point is just to show many "schools of thought" all agreeing its the attitudes of owners...

Hi Az

I have read a few of the questions and I will try to respond. When we see a dog such as a large Mastiff which is out of control and a handler that needs control and a tool which promotes that, such as the prong collar, then I think it is a good thing to use it. As with all equipment, when it is used correctly it provides not only control but safety and a much better life for the dog, for the handler and for the public. The prong collar, when used correctly, is much safer and much more humane than any chain choker or halty, which pulls the dog's head to the side. I have never in thirty five years witnessed any damage caused by the proper use of the prong collar.

The dogs on our facility are highly capable or carrying out any and all duties required of them. Although during filming our equipment was visible, in the field these dogs wear no collars whatsover.

During the filming of this program Hunter had just turned 8 months of age. He is now in active duty doing what he was bred and trained to do.

I have not watched all of the episodes on the BBC program but I have seen out of control dogs on the street, in public and I must say that the UK is not alone in the number of rising dog bites and altercations. I am also very aware that in many cases there is more concern for the dog's appearance of comfort than for human safety. Often, ill-informed opinions are passed by those who know nothing of the reality of what is taking place as fact or truth. People often think a visibly happy dog must be jumping around and that a dog which is not jumping is sad or under stress. In the case of our dogs such thoughts are erroneous. Our dogs are at a high level of training but those handling them in the show were not. It was obvious in the way the dogs responded to those handlers. It was our task to help those people who travelled so far and sacrificed their time and comfort to learn from us. It was necessary to show them - honestly - not only what we do but what they could do. I must say that some of the comments regarding the dogs' feelings and thoughts are of no consequence to any of us. People will be people and will speak of what they do not know or cannot understand. However, comments against those individuals who trained with us I find offensive. I am a firm believer that the Internet is a tool for the wise and a toy for the fool. I have nothing but respect and a heartfelt desire for continued success to those people who I had the honour of meeting and training with. No one will understand what we touched together and what we achieved together in our week together and a one hour TV show cannot possible reflect the depth of that experience. I do hope though that after going home and coming under not only the negative comments but also the positive ones, that they will draw closer to the dogs for which they travelled. For it is in these creatures that we find a comfort and a truth that many of us have forgotten or perhaps never knew. They did not climb the wall for me. They did not cross the water for me. They did it with and for the dog that was at their side and the dog that awaited their safe arrival back home. This unique deep bond between them and us (dog and man) can both strengthen and weaken us when we let emotion dictate over reason. I have enjoyed my brief moment with those that trained with us. I trust that we all have one common ground and that is the dog. We do not have to agree on anything except that there should be no mistreatment of a dog at any time. We must, however, know what we are seeing before we can know what we are saying. As for the level of training or where the dogs go, I cannot freely discuss that. I can assure you, however, that they are well looked after and lead productive, healthy lives. I hope this answers some of your questions. I also hope that anyone who decides to use any lead, any collar, or any piece of equipment, learns how to use it correctly. Nothing is gained in life by banning, outlawing, or always seeking apology for that which we do not understand.

Regards,

Mike McConnery

I think what he is saying is that there are horses for courses. The thing that he respected was that although misguided the girl with the big dog loved the dog and wanted to do the best for the dog and did not know how.
The only thing I don't like about the program is it does not give enough time or information on the real training thst they did there and spent too much time with the fluffy stuff.
The dog back in the uk will not have been trained witha prong coller but loked like it had a 1/2 check collor on at the end of the program