title: Efficacy of Dog Training With and Without Remote Electronic Collars vs. a Focus on Positive Reinforcement by China, L., Mills, D. S., and Cooper, J. J. [Book Review]

authors: Sargisson, Rebecca J.

abstract: In an experimental analysis of the effectiveness of e-collars, China et al. (1) concluded that “there is no evidence to indicate that E-collar training is necessary” (p. 1). The paper contributes to a wider body of research on the use of e-collars for dog training, much of which is referenced in the paper. In this commentary, we focus on whether the methods and analysis support the findings, point to methodological inconsistencies between this and a companion paper (2), describe concerns with the statistical analysis, and suggest that the conclusions go well beyond the results.

E-collars are commonly used to reduce or prevent canine predation or aggression. With reference to welfare concerns, the justification is that predation behavior is life-threatening for both dog and attacked animal. An example is e-collar training to prevent hunting dogs from attacking kiwi [in New Zealand; (3)]. An intense electric shock is paired with a target stimulus (a stuffed kiwi) to produce a classically conditioned aversive response. The shock is delivered only once or twice, establishing a response that produces reliable avoidance of the target stimulus for up to 3 years (4).

China et al.'s (1) stated aim is to assess “the efficacy of the use of electronic collars to improve recall … and general obedience in dogs compared to training without E-collars” (p. 2). China et al. (1) do not claim to assess the efficacy of e-collars for the prevention of canine attacks. However, the paper may be used by governments to support a ban of e-collars for all training purposes, including the prevention of aggression (5).

text: Efficacy of Dog Training With and Without Remote Electronic Collars vs. a Focus on Positive Reinforcement by China, L., Mills, D. S., and Cooper, J. J. [Book Review] In an experimental analysis of the effectiveness of e-collars, China et al. (1) concluded that “there is no evidence to indicate that E-collar training is necessary” (p. 1). The paper contributes to a wider body of research on the use of e-collars for dog training, much of which is referenced in the paper. In this commentary, we focus on whether the methods and analysis support the findings, point to methodological inconsistencies between this and a companion paper (2), describe concerns with the statistical analysis, and suggest that the conclusions go well beyond the results.

E-collars are commonly used to reduce or prevent canine predation or aggression. With reference to welfare concerns, the justification is that predation behavior is life-threatening for both dog and attacked animal. An example is e-collar training to prevent hunting dogs from attacking kiwi [in New Zealand; (3)]. An intense electric shock is paired with a target stimulus (a stuffed kiwi) to produce a classically conditioned aversive response. The shock is delivered only once or twice, establishing a response that produces reliable avoidance of the target stimulus for up to 3 years (4).

China et al.'s (1) stated aim is to assess “the efficacy of the use of electronic collars to improve recall … and general obedience in dogs compared to training without E-collars” (p. 2). China et al. (1) do not claim to assess the efficacy of e-collars for the prevention of canine attacks. However, the paper may be used by governments to support a ban of e-collars for all training purposes, including the prevention of aggression (5).

year: 2021

title: Historicising the Feminist: A Study of Mary Wollstonecraft's Political and Discursive Contexts

authors: McDougall, Charlotte

subjects: Wollstonecraft

abstract: This thesis has investigated the life and publications of Mary Wollstonecraft. The
thesis is divided in to three chapters the first chapter explores the political and social
context of late Eighteenth century England in which Wollstonecraft lived the majority of
her life. It then moves on to discuss the 'Revolution Controversy' and Wollstonecraft's
contribution to that debate. Giving specific attention to A Vindication of the Rights of
Man as it is Wollstonecraft's first political publication, and was the first published
response to Edmund Burke's Reflections on the Revolution in France. Without first
publishing A Vindication of the Rights of Man, Wollstonecraft could not have published
her most famous work.
Next the second chapter investigates Eighteenth century education, and how
Wollstonecraft ideas on changing the nature of education would help reform society in
her eyes. Education was recognized as having special significance by many
Enlightenment philosophers, this thesis looks at the contribution of John Locke and Jean
Jacques Rousseau to educational theory, and they ways in which Wollstonecraft
responded to their ideas. In the final chapter the inclusive nature of Wollstonecraft's
gender theory is considered. Wollstonecraft is widely recognised as publishing what
became for many the founding document of modern western feminism. What is given
less recognition is that Wollstonecraft was in fact interested in broad social reform,
similar to many other Enlightenment philosophers, Wollstonecraft's social theory
included changing education and socialisation for both women and men. Society could
not be reformed without changing social and educational practices with regard to both
II
men and women. Wollstonecraft furthered the contemporary debate on the rights of man
to include the rights of woman. Wollstonecraft criticised the unnatural distinctions of
gender and class, setting out in both Vindications the negative consequences for the
character of both men and women. Another less recognised aspect of Wollstonecraft's
philosophy which this thesis has highlighted is the vital role that religion played, and its
implications for her ideas. This aspect of Wollstonecraft's thought has tended to be over
looked by many Wollstonecraft scholars, who try to place Wollstonecraft in some kind of
political and social continuum which I think misses the revolutionary and far sighted
nature of Wollstonecraft's philosophy. In taking a historicist approach or understanding
to Wollstonecraft, by reading Wollstonecraft in the terms of the political and social
environment of the late eighteenth century, it becomes easier to understand the radical
nature of Wollstonecraft's ideas, and the personal hardships she faced as both a woman
and a member of the lower middle class.

text: Historicising the Feminist: A Study of Mary Wollstonecraft's Political and Discursive Contexts This thesis has investigated the life and publications of Mary Wollstonecraft. The
thesis is divided in to three chapters the first chapter explores the political and social
context of late Eighteenth century England in which Wollstonecraft lived the majority of
her life. It then moves on to discuss the 'Revolution Controversy' and Wollstonecraft's
contribution to that debate. Giving specific attention to A Vindication of the Rights of
Man as it is Wollstonecraft's first political publication, and was the first published
response to Edmund Burke's Reflections on the Revolution in France. Without first
publishing A Vindication of the Rights of Man, Wollstonecraft could not have published
her most famous work.
Next the second chapter investigates Eighteenth century education, and how
Wollstonecraft ideas on changing the nature of education would help reform society in
her eyes. Education was recognized as having special significance by many
Enlightenment philosophers, this thesis looks at the contribution of John Locke and Jean
Jacques Rousseau to educational theory, and they ways in which Wollstonecraft
responded to their ideas. In the final chapter the inclusive nature of Wollstonecraft's
gender theory is considered. Wollstonecraft is widely recognised as publishing what
became for many the founding document of modern western feminism. What is given
less recognition is that Wollstonecraft was in fact interested in broad social reform,
similar to many other Enlightenment philosophers, Wollstonecraft's social theory
included changing education and socialisation for both women and men. Society could
not be reformed without changing social and educational practices with regard to both
II
men and women. Wollstonecraft furthered the contemporary debate on the rights of man
to include the rights of woman. Wollstonecraft criticised the unnatural distinctions of
gender and class, setting out in both Vindications the negative consequences for the
character of both men and women. Another less recognised aspect of Wollstonecraft's
philosophy which this thesis has highlighted is the vital role that religion played, and its
implications for her ideas. This aspect of Wollstonecraft's thought has tended to be over
looked by many Wollstonecraft scholars, who try to place Wollstonecraft in some kind of
political and social continuum which I think misses the revolutionary and far sighted
nature of Wollstonecraft's philosophy. In taking a historicist approach or understanding
to Wollstonecraft, by reading Wollstonecraft in the terms of the political and social
environment of the late eighteenth century, it becomes easier to understand the radical
nature of Wollstonecraft's ideas, and the personal hardships she faced as both a woman
and a member of the lower middle class.

year: 2006

title: Street health: Practitioner service provision for Māori homeless people in Auckland

authors: Nikora, Linda Waimarie

abstract: Homelessness is more than a transient crisis. While access to housing might solve the needs of some, research has shown that the needs of homeless people are much more complex and more a symptom of systematic structural inequalities than an unanticipated emergency (Hopper, 1998). As in other countries, the homeless population in New Zealand is made up of a diverse population of men, women and intersex groups of various ages, sexualities and ethnic backgrounds. Māori are over-represented among this population due to ongoing processes of colonisation and socioeconomic exclusion (Groot et al., 2011). When compared with domiciled citizens, homeless people are more likely to experience a raft of illnesses and unmet health needs, violence, a sense of insecurity, exclusion and fear, and are more likely to commit sui- cide (Hodgetts et al., 2007). Homeless people often experience diverse ill- nesses including asthma, heart disease, diabetes, hepatitis, renal disease, dermatological conditions, malnutrition, oral disease, depression, schizo- phrenia, substance misuse and broken bones (Ellison-Loschmann & Pearce, 2006; Joly et al., 2011; Moore et al., 2007).

text: Street health: Practitioner service provision for Māori homeless people in Auckland Homelessness is more than a transient crisis. While access to housing might solve the needs of some, research has shown that the needs of homeless people are much more complex and more a symptom of systematic structural inequalities than an unanticipated emergency (Hopper, 1998). As in other countries, the homeless population in New Zealand is made up of a diverse population of men, women and intersex groups of various ages, sexualities and ethnic backgrounds. Māori are over-represented among this population due to ongoing processes of colonisation and socioeconomic exclusion (Groot et al., 2011). When compared with domiciled citizens, homeless people are more likely to experience a raft of illnesses and unmet health needs, violence, a sense of insecurity, exclusion and fear, and are more likely to commit sui- cide (Hodgetts et al., 2007). Homeless people often experience diverse ill- nesses including asthma, heart disease, diabetes, hepatitis, renal disease, dermatological conditions, malnutrition, oral disease, depression, schizo- phrenia, substance misuse and broken bones (Ellison-Loschmann & Pearce, 2006; Joly et al., 2011; Moore et al., 2007).

year: 2016