YouTuber Brooke Houts claims she wasn't abusing her dog in her posted YouTube video? Does anyone actually believe that?

[Anonymous]

***WARNING TO ANIMAL LOVERS AND DECENT HUMAN BEINGS: the video below is rough"

So apparently some youtuber by the name of Brooke Houts did a video in which she attempts to prank her dog by having him run to find her except there was supposed to be plastic wrap in the dogs way. Yeah. This person apparently uploaded the unedited version of the video which in my opinion SHOWS CLEAR ABUSE TO AN ANIMAL. She can't say this was edited wrong, or that wasn't her......she uploaded it! What makes the whole situation worse is her "apology" if you can even call it that.

She said, “I am NOT a dog abuser or animal abuser in any way, shape, or form,” part of Brooke’s long message read. “Anyone who has witnessed or heard true animal abuse will be able to clearly see that. My dog, in no way, shape, or form was hurt by any action that I displayed in this video.” She also denied spitting on her dog and says her family had been trying to find a trainer for it.

LAPD Animal Cruelty division is investigating the case.

[lumos]

I think her view of what animal abuse is, is very narrow. Animal abuse doesn't have to be super gruesome or tragic for it to be abuse. Like, you don't have to skin an animal while it's still alive for it to be abuse. The things she did: slapping, spitting, kicking, yelling, can all also fall into the category of animal abuse. Especially if it's not an isolated incident, but something that happens multiple times over a longer period of time. And I have a hard time believing this was the first time she's done something like this, considering that a) she kept doing it without seemingly even thinking twice about it, b) her dog was sort of flinching/reacting every time she raised a hand/finger, which can especially be seen around the 30 second mark. A dog usually doesn't do that unless it's used to being slapped/punched/shoved, because otherwise it wouldn't know what to expect.

The dog might not have any physical wounds because she didn't use enough force to cause any, but that doesn't mean it isn't mentally affecting the dog in a negative way or that it's ok to treat your dog like that. Dobermanns are very high energy dogs who need a lot of physical and mental stimulation, and as you can see in the video, the dog was just a little hyper and wanted someone to play with. If that frustrates her, she shouldn't have gotten such a high maintenance breed. Or better yet, she shouldn't have gotten a dog at all. Your dog is supposed to be your companion, and you don't treat your companion like that just because you're having a bad day.

So that's such a non-apology from her. Yes, there are worse forms of animal abuse, but that doesn't mean her actions weren't abusive.

[angelgirl7]

If someone hit her multiple times, shoved her to the ground, and spit on her, would she consider it abuse? Sure, maybe there are more severe ways that a dog can be abused, but that doesn't excuse the way she mistreated her dog. There was no excuse for her behavior, even if this was a one time thing because she was "having a bad day."
I'd never heard of her before this scandal, so part of me wonders if it was a publicity stunt. I truly can't believe that she thought it would be a good idea to upload this video.
I hope that LAPD finds her guilty and her dog is put into a loving home.

[MrHopper]

Dogs respond well to positive reinforcement training, it can take longer than beating the thing, but at the end you get a well rounded animal that won't piss its self if you look at it funny and wants to be with you and do things out of love rather than fear

I have had multiple rescue dogs, and helped rescue some from owners who think just doing what they want to the animal is acceptable, i seen poor dogs who cower every time the owner calls them, they are conflicted and you can see it... its sad the owners dont

The techniques STILL used by so many of hitting or punishing dogs is sadly so widespread and in the public pysche its not going away any time soon, its an antiquated method of dog training that is not used by all reputable rescue centres around the world. Its been proven to be incorrect and not work.

A classic example of its failure is people who hit or shout at dogs who bark or growl... dogs bark to give warning, if this dog is barking or growling and you force it to stop doing this behaviour, its still going to feel the same reason it wants to bark or growl... and whats the next thing a dog does after barking and growling? biting.. its warning signs and your punishing it for giving warning signs, so next time it won't bark or growl... it will want too, but will be too scared too.. so once it hits that threshold it will just bite, and you created a silent weapon.

No one.. under no circumstances besides being attacked and acting in self defence, has any excuse to harm another animal or human... there are no excuses, you just dont do it

[lumos]

100% agree with everything. And the "silent weapon" thing is so true, and scary. It's awful when a dog is pushed to cross that line.

[MrHopper]

@lumos Thank you. Its nice to see some other people agreeing, i see a lot of "stick its face in shit" type responses on here and its sad to see... One of my dogs is a "silent weapon", he is a rescue and certain types of men (usually the big "i am an alpha" type men) he will just lunge at and has caught a few... so we no longer let men near him... women/kids totally wonderful, but because of that we are always careful with everyone

[lumos]

Yeah, that's the thing. People think that all dogs can be moulded into exactly what you want them to be, without taking personality, temper, past experiences, breed and mood into account. Your rescue has clearly reached a point of no return, which is sad, but you know his boundaries and you know what (or rather, who) to avoid to keep your dog from being triggered into a fit of rage. Clearly, slapping him or trying to push him into submission in a situation like that wouldn't just be stupid, but also dangerous. Redirecting a dog's attention and energy will always be the best solution.

[MrHopper]

We adapted to his needs, brought a house with a big garden... House needs lots of work but he has the space and freedom to be outside all day. Along with 4am walks to avoid people he is living a good life for the past 4 years! .. we often wonder if he still be around if we hadn't got him

[lumos]

I’m happy you’ve given him a second chance at life ❤️

[TonyBologna25]

Positive reinforcement doesn't always work by itself. Sometimes, especially with dogs that weren't properly trained as puppies... discipline is needed. I've had great dogs growing up and have a healthy well trained one today. Experience tells me my claim is true.

[ROCKS128]

If someone does something similar to her, she would either get all crying or contact local police.

That poor dog, living a bad life with her, it did not deserve. It does not understand,
Just coz she gives food water and shelter, the dog is attached to her.

[CoffeeWC]

How else would you train your dog? If you've ever had a dog before sweet words won't teach them anything. That may sound cruel but it's discipline. Discipline isn't what they want. It's something they need.

[naijagurl]

She wasn’t training it though. She was lashing out every time the dog did something that she didn’t like.

[fromp]

Yes, that's what training is

[naijagurl]

@fromp my main issue is she was doing it out of anger though.

[fromp]

@naijagurl yes because she wasn't following her orders

[naijagurl]

@fromp I don't know maybe we have a difference in opinion here but to me it’s very important to never discipline out of anger because you’re way more likely to get caught in your feelings and punish them way more than what’s necessary.

[lumos]

@fromp @CoffeeWC this is not what productive or healthy "discipline" or "training" is. Anyone who actually knows something about dogs, understands that reward-based training is the most effective form of training, and punishments rarely work unless absolutely necessary (and even then the punishment shouldn't be physical or you yelling, but more along the lines of putting your dog in its crate until it calms down). Most dog breeds crave acceptance and praise, and will do just about anything for treats and affection. If your dog does something you don't like, like jump at you the way her dog did, you should redirect its energy. Tell it to sit. When it sits, give it a treat. Repeat until it stops jumping. That way you're telling it that jumping is wrong, and if it wants treat/attention/affection, it should calmly sit, not jump at you. If you constantly tell a dog no or punish it, it won't understand what you're expecting it to do differently. You have to show it what kind of behavior you expect from it instead, like sitting down. It's the same way you should raise a kid. If a kid wants to play with knives, just telling them "no" without explaining why they can't play with knives probably isn't very effective. Instead, you should say "knives are dangerous and kids aren't allowed to play with them. Here, have a real toy to play with instead". Get it?

[naijagurl]

@lumos well said

[CoffeeWC]

I do admit that what she did in the video was excessive, but it still can be seen as an attempt at discipline.

[CoffeeWC]

One can use a combination of rewards and punishment.

[TonyBologna25]

People are sort of ridiculous. I have a Pomeranian that I bought for my fiancee, and every time I disciplined it as a puppy in an attempt to train it, she went and pet him and held him. Eventually it turned into a dynamic in which he started barking at me everywhere I went and wouldn't shut up even in the middle of the night waking my neighbors. He would grab my things and run under the bed. He would piss all over my carpet to try and assert dominance. He'd run out the door when I opened it and I'd have to get into work a half hour late because I couldn't catch him. I've now trained him well, but you can bet your ass that I've been so frustrated to the point in which I've yelled at him or pushed him roughly away. Not to the extent of this video above, but I'm considering my dog was 5lbs and this is a full grown doberman... I don't so that much wrong with it.

Are we this sensitive? Do we realize how tough dobermans are and how dogs communicate with each other in packs? Omg this is nothing compared to their natural communication with other dogs. This dog has no boundaries and she clearly doesn't know how to train him and she's frustrated. She didn't strike her dog or hurt it. She got frustrated, attempted to get him to stop, and pushed him away when he didn't listen.

She's clearly not a good owner, but to claim this is just outright abuse is ridiculous in my opinion. Cesar Milan even says that dogs misbehave and become hostile when you try and treat them as if they are human. You're doing your dog absolutely no justice by treating it like a human. They simply don't respond to things like human do. You'll always be frustrated and they'll always be confused by your frustration. Bunch of snowflakes man.

[Justacatlady]

Her actions are shitty. She shouldn’t hit the dog. As for it being abuse, that video in itself only shows her propensity to simply hit and yell. She should be investigated. They would need more evidence to say it was abuse. She’s ignorant for posting that. Probably thought it was cute and it is not

[ericclayton]

She accidentally uploaded that outtake, but someone documented it before she deleted it. She later issued this long half-assed "apology" full of excuses, saying she "was in a bad place". Lol.

[Justacatlady]

@ericclayton I went and looked at her channel. You can tell she edits out a lot of content. She doesn’t seem like a good pet owner

[ericclayton]

Just another narcissistic YouTube personality. Also fake as hell.

[Justacatlady]

@ericclayton totally agree.

[BrittBratt2416]

She done tore her ass, in 2019 you can't be hitting dogs okay and have people see it, people be wanted to murder your ass okay. But yes, she screwed, her youtube career is most likely done before it even jumped, and home girl is just gonna have to pay a fine or go jail until she learn to stop hitting and spitting on dogs. This is the first time I've even heard of this girl and it's because of this, you don't want to be found when your going down cause it's never a good look.

[naijagurl]

Can’t wait for the dog to turn on her and watch her act like it’s a total shock. If that’s a Doberman like I think it is then she better thank her lucky stars that it still puts up with her behavior. People can call it whatever they want but this is clearly not her simply “training” her dog. She’s literally lashing out every single time it does something she doesn’t like and you can tell she’s doing it out of anger not out of necessity.

[NightFlirt]

From what I saw in the video I wouldn't call it abuse. She never beat the dog, yes she slapped it's nose, and shoved the dog to the ground, as well as pushed it away. Not once did I hear the dog whimper in any kind of pain. Now could she have handled her puppy's antics a little bit differently, by all means, but again I would not say she abused the dog.

[Lauren-green]

For anyone saying this isn't animal abuse, here's the definition for animal abuse:
Cruelty to animals, also called animal abuse, animal neglect or animal cruelty, is the infliction by omission (animal neglect) or by commission by humans of suffering or harm upon any non-human... Cruelty to animalssometimes encompasses inflicting harm or suffering as an end in itself, defined as zoosadism.

You can see her physically hit the dog which is considered animal abuse.

[Smegskull]

"Hit" and inflict suffering/harm are not synonymous.
I'd posit that the prank itself as described is more akin to abuse as the dog won't be able to understand what is going on and learn from it.

[emma_8525]

Honestly I have no idea who this girl is and this is the first time hearing about her and this topic. From what I saw I dont think that's training. I understand pushing the dog off when being jumped on if your trying to train it to not jump, but what she was doing was not gentle. It looks like she has anger issues and is lashing out at the dog just cause it wants to be loved. For me this whole video looks wrong. And if she truly believes that's how you train a dog that's not how you do it correctly

[Stoner710]

That’s not Animal abuse, That is a way of training a dog, When they jump like that it scares people it’s not like she beat the dog up she was establishing dominance over the dog that all.

I’ve know people who shot there dogs for not listening this is nothing

[Stoner710]

For those who just like this comment clearly you don’t know how to train a dog

[CarpetDenim]

Wow, who knew? Shoving and beating on your dog, slamming it on the ground, and spitting on it are all perfectly okay as long as you say it’s being used as a “training method.”

[BrittBratt2416]

And the best way to train your kids not to do drugs is buy helping them shoot up for very first time... logic.

[Stoner710]

@BrittBratt2416 not but ones they reached 21 I’d smoke a joint with my kids heroin and other drugs no thanks

[Stoner710]

@CarpetDenim I can’t tell if she spat on him but shoving any dog that jumps is a common reaction. Also she never beat him she smacked him when he jump and she shoved him down and god in his face and told the dog to stop mother dogs to that with the puppies at that age all the time. The shove at the end was unnecessary but that’s far form animal abuse. The dog is clearly healthy and isn’t in anyway in any danger.

Like I said I’ve known people who’ve shot there dogs because they didn’t listen shooting your dog is animal abuse. (Unless it has hydrophobia then there not much you can do shooting it in that case is the best thing you can do )

[BrittBratt2416]

... you just proved what i said, by smoking a join with your kids, you putting them on the road to drug use! That's how it starts, you smoke a little no big deal then they starting wanting the strong stuff

[Stoner710]

@BrittBratt2416 so would drinking a beer with your child when he reaches 21 is putting them on the road for alcohol abuse? Weed is far far less addicted then alcohol.

[BrittBratt2416]

No because they are age, c'mon now.. think.

[BrittBratt2416]

are of age..

[Stoner710]

@BrittBratt2416 ok an so when they are 21 then can legally smoke weed marijuana has far less addicting than alcohol. So when my kid turns 21 why not smoke a joint with him he will be of legal age to go into a weed store and by weed, why shouldn’t I smoke a joint with him if it’s the equivalent of drinking a beer with my kid at the age of 21

[BrittBratt2416]

Dude cause he's not a kid, at 21 i definitely not smoking weed my kid cause even i don't smoke weed.

[Stoner710]

@BrittBratt2416 right and we are talking smoking with my kid at when they turn 21 not before. Like what fathers do when there kid turn 21 they take then to a bar and get then a drink

We’re talking 21 for both weed and alcohol. At the age of 21 is when I will smoke with my kid

[Harmseygrace]

She obviously doesn't understand dogs that well. It looks like he just wanted to play, all she had to do was tell him to sit and stay or something to get him out of the way. She did have to do something when he jumped on her, but she didn't really do it the right way. He's a big dog though, he can take it. It's not that bad and it's not abusive, it's just dumb. 😂

[MoscowMitch]

Where's the prank? I think she's just training the dog, and doing a very poor job of it. She's lucky it doesn't bite her face off. But on a scale of animal abuse she's just playing with it. Abuse is when you lock it up in the shed for a week without food or water.

[Anonymous]

She got it all playful and riled up and then acted like the dog was doing something wrong when it wanted to play. Obviously it’s not the worst thing a person could do to a dog, but there was no reason for her to act that harshly with it. She really is in the wrong here.

[RolandCuthbert]

It will never cease to amaze me that people get much more upset over the abuse of dogs than the abuse of other people.

[Daniela1982]

She should not be allowed to own a pet. I would hate to see how she would treat kids who bugged her.

[MaelaKmr]

It may not be extreme but it absolutely is unacceptable animal abuse. Furthermore, she is the one who got him all excited (obviously for the mere sake of the video) and then gets mad at him when he clearly just wants to play.

[BattleKitten77]

She is an abusive cunt. Also abuse comes in many forms. Abusive people always justify their actions. If they could admit they were abusive they would not abuse

[dropkicknj13]

That's not animal abuse, I dont get why she spit and she seems to certainly not like the dog, but this is not the horror show you make it out to be.

[Celtero]

I mean... she's clearly hitting it, and I think one could make the case that hitting qualifies as animal abuse.

It's kind of in the same ring as saying spanking children is abusive...

[SydneySentinel]

I don't like it at all. I've never treated my dog that way.

[1truekhaleesi]

I saw this video a few days ago and it pissed me off. If a dog flinches when a person raises it’s hand to it, that person clearly abuses that animal.