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138 J Maher et al Punitive Training Developments in understanding dog behaviour through positive training methods are not widely understood in society and this is perhaps more acute within status dog ownership Without appropriate training, dog owners depend on unreliable advice from ‘old-timers’, their peers, or the internet In Hughes et al (2011) all youths indicated problems with basic behaviours such as toilet training and recall on command Problems with training include: • Training methods ordinarily involving physical and mental punishment (for example, hitting, kicking, starving, placing in solitary confinement for long periods) and the use of harsh paraphernalia (prong collars, electric collars) • Training to enhance aggression and frustration (for example, encouraging aggression towards objects, people and other animals, by hanging dogs from branches by the mouth, pulling heavy objects, and putting irritants in their eyes) • Physical punishment used in an attempt to stop the dog displaying natural behaviours (for example, not coming on command off-lead, chewing household items, urinating/defecating inside and fear of other dogs) • Using the dog in an offence (for example, training to be aggressive in a robbery) Dog Fighting Hughes et al (2011) found youths did not engage in traditional organised dog fighting, but rather ‘rolling’ dogs on chains, or releasing dogs in confinded public space as part of a bet, or fighting dogs as a way to resolve group conflict Youths widely believed their dogs wanted and needed to fight and that it forms a natural part of their behaviour When dog fighting resulted in injury veterinary treatment was unlikely to be provided Abandonment and Destruction With youths’ purchasing or acquiring dogs on a whim, it can place them in conflict with their parents or carers Frequently youths identified themselves as the sole owner of their dog, although they were seldom able to provide the