Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) was not the first scientist to test on animals, now was he the last. But he is perhaps the most famous. And he has somehow escaped mainstream scrutiny in how he and his lab treated dogs.
In college, when I learned about Pavlov and classical conditioning, I never considered how Pavlov tested on dogs. It felt natural (or naive) to assume that he passively observed dogs as they were presented with various stimuli, with an eye on their saliva output. Perhaps he opened their jaws to look inside.
The truth is more complex and, sadly, much darker.
Pavlov and the Kingdom of Dogs began as an onsite exhibit created by Matt Adams and Jim Wilson. And is now available virtually for all to see. I recommend taking a tour; I can promise you’ll learn something new.
What I didn’t realize until seeing the exhibit was just how industrial Pavlov’s operation was, encompassing multiple buildings, scores of dogs and an imposing, soundproof building known as the Towers of Silence. Towers of Torture is more accurate in light of what occurred inside.
Pavlov wanted the world to believe dogs were treated well and did not suffer. But here’s an actual photograph of dogs roped in place with surgically made openings in their stomachs from which juices were drained.
The argument that this was done purely for science is purely fabrication. As Pavlov had created a wildly successful side business selling canine gastric juices to aid in human indigestion. Yes, you read that correctly. Here is an imagining of what these bottles may have looked like.
Much like the tragic snow bears of China (imprisoned for their bile because many people believe it aids in health), Pavlov’s dogs were turned into just another animal industry, and one that did not benefit humans one bit.
Like all industries, efficiency was paramount. Which partly explains the track and trolley system, envisioned here, for transporting dogs between buildings.
Fortunately, the emerging anti-vivisectionist moment challenged Pavlov both at home and abroad. This movement had begun in London and was spreading around the world — and apparently frustrated Pavlov greatly whenever he visited London. To read more about the origins of the animal rights movement check out Our Kindred Creatures.
At the end of my journey through this exhibit I just couldn’t help asking one question: Did we really need dogs to be roped into place for hours on end to understand classical conditioning? Would we have figured this one out pretty much on our own if we were only a bit more self aware? After all, it works on us just as well as dogs.
Pavlov’s name will probably never be forgotten. Which is why this exhibit is so important — not to remember Pavlov but to remember the dogs.
Visit https://kingdomofdogs.org.uk.
John is co-author, with Midge Raymond, of the eco-mystery Devils Island, forthcoming in 2024. He is also author of the novels The Tourist Trail and Where Oceans Hide Their Dead. Co-founder of Ashland Creek Press and editor of Writing for Animals (also now a writing program).
