Is it acceptable to hit a pet to make them do something you want them to do?

Question

Jockeys do it all the time and the RSPCA does nothing about it.

I wish people would read the question properly

Answer 1

Well. I can suggest that you may read the famous book titled "Whaledone" - It is basically a book focusing on positive aspects in training. The book constructs the idea on training whales for game show. If we are to punish whales, you know what we will get back in return. Hence to get total support, cooperation and best of performance, we may need to focus on positive aspects, pat and reward good performance. That alone will take care of everything.............

Answer 2

NONO NO you should NEVER hit an animal to make them do something - when they misbehave a small smack yes, but dont wallop them when they dont act like a pushbutton pet!
As for jockeys - the are only allowed by rule to actually HIT the horse for 4 or 6 slaps - not sure which. After that they are SUPPOSED to either hit their boot or the saddle pad - granted they dont always do that and I do agree with you that they should be disciplined ALOT more by both the racing authorities AND the rspca, but unfortunately its obviously not high up on their agendas.

Answer 3

Jockeys aren't the only ones that use whips. Most disciplines rely on the whip to "fine tune" a response from the horse.

When a horse is tapped with the whip it is no more than an aid, and when you see jockeys waving their whips around you will notice that it rarely even touches them. The horse recognizes it as an aid (just like squeezing with the legs) and they obey.

If the jockeys (or any other rider for that matter) were to hurt the horse, we would be causing fear, which would make our life as a rider harder.

Trust me, horses have alot bigger tragedies to deal with- like starvation and illness without treatment, lack of training, incorrectly fitting gear, rough handed riders,and the most devastating, lack of understanding or compassion from their owners.

I suggest you speak with a horse trainer, they will tell you about the process of starting horses and getting them used to whips, spurs, bridles, saddles, and any other things they will be exposed to.

All the best

Answer 4

Racehorses do want to run, it's natural for them and it's all they've ever known. I know some people find it cruel but I love horses and have worked in racing for years. These horses are the most well loved, well cared for animals you'll ever see. They race perhaps once a fortnight and in between times are fed like kings, groomed, and pretty much spoiled rotten. You get on one of these animals backs on gallop morning and feel how excited and strong the get, just waiting for a chance to do what they love....gallop. The adrenaline going through them on race day, and their huge muscle covering means all they feel is a tap, most jockeys don't actually hit them and if they do go overboard they will more than likely be fined and suspended.
An unhappy racehorse or one that show he doesn't want to race will generally be retired but what horse wants to be out in the cold English fields when they could be stabled and rugged and get all the attention they'd ever want?

Answer 5

I'm assuming you're taking the piss, but just in case you're not:

It's easier to train pets by rewarding them when they do something right and ignoring them (or pretending to) when they do something wrong.

Horses are pretty tough and there are rules as to how hard and how many times a jockey can whip his horse. Don't forget: every once in a while, the horses get their own back. Have you ever noticed when a jockey falls of his horse, every single one of the other horses tries to trample over him? Ha ha ha.

Answer 6

Is it acceptable to you to be hit because you are not doing what someone else wants you to do.
The RSPCA does nothing much about anything, unfortunately, and if they do the courts don't do anything at all, and jockey's, well I could go on a bit about them.

Answer 7

No.It is not acceptable to hit a domesticated animal.
(Dogs,Cats,Llamas,Chameleons),anything.

All species are behaviorally very different.Physically

reprimanding in order to teach them is proven to be

an UNEFFECTIVE means to train your pet.

Plus,Hitting animals will make you a CREEP to everyone and nobody will ever want to go out with you
if you do it!


If you are racing the Belemont Stakes as a jockey,I'll

make an exception..

Only because I've got $ on the race! but seriously folks..

Owning a pet is not only a great responsibility,it's well being is a mirror of it's owner's character.


Steve Irwin R.I.P.

Answer 8

Using physical violence to punish a pet should never be an option, unless the safety of another human is in serious jeopardy. All it teaches a pet is to fear its owner, and to encourage potential fear aggression in the future. Also, an owner who uses physical means to discipline his or her pet,especially a dog, runs the risk of being severely hurt or even killed, if the dog in question has deep-seated aggressive tendencies.
Hitting only serves to scare and hurt, and prove that some humans are at best poor leaders, and at worst, sadistic. Don`t be one of them; get your pet trained, be consistent, and use effective behavior modification techniques instead of violence, which will only serve to frighten and incite.You are absolutely right about Jockey's whipping horses.Whipping race horses is pointless, as well as cruel. Whipping often causes physical and mental injury to the animals, and it produces no advantage to riders.Animal lovers should therefore call upon the Jockey Club to institute a complete and permanent ban on the whip.

Answer 9

I don't really think it is cceptable to hit anything or one. I suppose that if there is a situation which could put the animal or a baby in danger, then a tap may be effective, but I am sure raising a voice would work well for pets. I used to use a water spray on my cats when they got too close to my baby's cot. Only had to do it a couple of times

Answer 10

no!

When jockeys are tapping a horse on its flanks they are causing no pain to the horse if they are doing it correctly. That exact area on the horse is a sensitive spot and encourages the steed to speed up and actually excites the animal into a competitive mood.
Actually hitting any animal for training would do the opposite of what you intended and would cause hesitation and fear not cooperation.