The Exploitation of Pigs and Dogs by the Truffle Industry
Truffles are highly prized fungi used in gourmet cuisine, often referred to as “black gold” for their rarity and high market value. The most common truffles are fruiting bodies of subterranean…
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The reasons for not using dogs for finding truffles can be used for any training of animals. Including cats at home, if just for their company. No using animals for your own pleasure. If a cat purring on your lap gives you pleasure, you're a bad vegan.
Saying that it's unethical because other people may try and poison your dog can be easily dismissed as people around the world poison other people's dogs for less. It's a fault of the poisoner.
If you watch any of the border security shows and see the dogs working there, they all enjoy their work and are eager for the reward when they find something. Should vegans avoid border controls because of this?
Just to add to your point: My mom's friend trained service dogs and a big part of it is starting with the right dog. The point of the selection process isn't trying to find the most OBEDIENT dog....it's to find ones that LOVE to learn and work. A dog who doesn't like to "work" can't be forced to do it*. So yes if the dog has a job, it probably loves it.
Training a smart dog is the most compassionate thing you can do for them. They love to feel smart and they love the praise they get for it.