Today is first day of the Never Shock a Puppy campaign! I’m so excited and honored to be a part of this effort. I want to tell you all about it and how you too can become involved. Let’s get started!
What is Never Shock a Puppy (NSAP)?
Never Shock a Puppy is an eight-week campaign–beginning today–to get shock collars—and choke and pinch collars—off the necks of dogs, and replace them with humane training tools such as halters, flat buckle collars, and harnesses.
Where did the idea of Never Shock a Puppy come from?
NSAP was inspired by the galvanizing experience of the first ever BlogPaws conference last April which inspired many of us to BE THE CHANGE for animals. The energy unleashed at that conference on behalf of the welfare of animals was positively pawsome!
Who are the people behind NSAP?
Roxanne Hawn of Champion of My Heart founded NSAP with the support of a cadre of pet bloggers, now the NSAP Coalition. See the tab at the top of this page titled “Never Shock a Puppy Blogs”? Click on that and you’ll find all the blogs and bloggers in the NSAP Coalition.
So there’s going to be blogging?
You betcha! Every Wednesday starting today through October 20, there will be a new post on the NSAP blog about a specific topic related to the dangers of shock, prong, and choke collars, and positive alternatives to them. For example, one of the reasons people turn to shock collars is to stop their dogs from jumping up. On one Wednesday there will be a post at the NSAP site about how to teach your dog not to jump up by using humane methods rather than aversive ones, like shock collars. Coalition blogs also will post on the same or a related topic as will other supporting blogs.
The NSAP blog will link to all the blogs in the coalition and any other blog that writes a post about NSAP on that Wednesday. What does this means for you? Well, when you visit the NSAP site on Wednesdays you’ll be able to easily hop to all the other participating blogs. How cool is that?
Are you thinking you might want to participate? See “How can I be involved with NSAP?” below.
Why are you supporting this effort?
Simply speaking, I am opposed to methods of dog training that rely on inducing discomfort, pain or fear to teach a dog what to do or not to do. Shock, prong, and choke collars require inducing discomfort and fear, at a minimum, and often pain, in order to be effective. There are alternative training tools and methods that rely primarily on positively reinforcing a dog for doing what you want her to do. I not only want a well-mannered dog, I want a happy, thinking dog. Those things are not incompatible.
“But what about when you want your dog NOT to bark. Don’t you have to say ‘No’? Somehow?” Hmm. I’m glad you asked. I’ll be posting about that in the future.
In the meantime, you can read the NSAP Manifesto to learn more about our philosophy.
Where can I find Never Shock a Puppy?
NSAP has it’s very own website and blog. If you click on the NSAP badge above it will take you right there.
But, wait, there’s more! NSAP also has a Never Shock a Puppy Facebook page. Click here and become a fan, or, I guess now it’s ‘like.’ Become a ‘liker.’ Join the growing number of people who ‘like’ Never Shock a Puppy!
Will there be giveaways?
YES! Five out of the eight weeks of the NSAP Campaign you will be able to enter contests to win swanky swag! Want to see some of the cool stuff we already have to give away? Click here to check out NSAP donors and sponsors. And, get a head start on how the giveaways will work by reading the Prize Entry rules here.
Is NSAP doing any fundraising?
Yes! Just as great minds think alike, big hearts beat together. Never Shock a Puppy is teaming up with the Humane Society of Boulder Valley (no connection to the HSUS) to help them raise money for their No Choke Challenge. Although their campaign kicks off November 1, we are going to help them jump-start it. Never Shock a Puppy is committed to raising $2500 for the No Choke Challenge during our 8 week campaign that begins today.
See the “First Giving” badge just to the right, in my sidebar? You can make a donation to the No Choke Challenge if you like.
Or, click here to learn more.
How can I be involved with NSAP?
There are lots of ways for you to get involved with NSAP!
1. Become a Supporter!
Blog about NSAP and/or post the NSAP badge (see #2) on your blog or website and you’ll be listed in the NSAP Supporters Blogroll. To take a look at the current supporters, go to the NSAP site and scroll down. In the right sidebar you’ll find the heading ‘Supporters’.
2. Post the ‘Never Shock a Puppy badge’ (That’s the green and blue one at the top of this post) on your site . Click here to get the code for the widget.
3. Post the “First Giving” donation widget for the ‘No Choke Challenge’ on your blog. Click here, and scroll down for the widget code.
4. Share links to the Never Shock a Puppy website/blog and Facebook page on your Twitter, Facebook page, and blog.
5. Join the conversation via comments on Never Shock a Puppy blog and participating blogs.
6. Buy cool stuff in the Never Shock a Puppy department of Cafe Press!
When can I get involved?
Now!
3 – 2 – 1 L I FT – OFF!!!!!!
Congratulations!! I’m so excited for you guys. You’re doing GREAT work here.
Thank you! It is exciting, just doing the campaign. But, I’m sure there will be push back. Call be crazy, but I’m looking forward to that. I think it will provide a great opportunity to deal with questions on the minds of many people.
Thanks you so much, Deborah, for being a part of our awesome Never Shock a Puppy Coalition.
I just realized that we’ll conclude the campaign on Oct 20, which just happens to be the anniversary of the day we adopted Lilly from Humane Society of Boulder Valley. How neat is that?
THAT is very cool, indeed!
Deborah this is another great post & cause that I’m definitely supporting.
It’s LIFT OFF for sure…because as I mention in my post, my mother’s style of dog training is definitely in favor of slip collars.
Thanks Sharon. I’ve been cruising the net a little today. Shock, and choke and prong collars are being peddled everywhere as quick “humane” fixes by merchandizers and people who call themselves dog trainers and behaviorists. We have our work cut out for us. But, we can do it 🙂