As more are joining the call to ban electric collars for dog training, David Tomlinson argues that they have their uses
If you want to provoke debate among dog owners, just whisper the words electric collar. Its a subject on which most of us have a strong view, and we were reminded of this when the Welsh Assembly celebrated the banning of electric collars in the Principality five years ago.
None of the other countries that make up the UK have followed suit, but MSP Kevin Stewart recently called for the devices to be banned in Scotland, arguing: It would be wrong for the government to take any stance apart from banning these shock collars, as we should be clearly stating that these are unacceptable. The issuing of government guidelines would only legitimise the use of shock collars we must be going much further than that and ban the use and sale within Scotland.
There have been moves in Wales for the legislation to be amended and even overturned, but what the RSPCA calls a powerful coalition the RSPCA Cymru, the Blue Cross, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and the Kennel Club recently wrote to the Welsh government and all assembly members to highlight the importance of retaining the ban.
The Kennel Club has long been an advocate of a ban throughout the UK, following the example of several other European countries, including Sweden, Denmark and Germany. according to Caroline Kisko, the clubs secretary: The Welsh assemblys landmark decision to ban the sale and use of electronic training devices was welcomed wholeheartedly by the Kennel Club and the other animal welfare organisations. Research conducted before and since the ban has concluded that the welfare of dogs is compromised by the use of such equipment. With an array of positive training devices on the market, it is our view that electronic devices are completely unnecessary. We hope that any kind of review of a measure put in place to protect the welfare of dogs concludes that the current regulations should remain in place.
Labours election manifesto promises to build on our strong record on animal welfare, starting with an end to this governments ineffective and cruel badger cull. We will improve the protection of dogs and cats, ban wild animals in circuses, defend the hunting ban and deal with wildlife crime associated with shooting.
The Welsh Assemblys decision to ban electric dog collars has attracted strong opposition from dog owners despite Kennel Club support.
Electric shock collars: Research by the Kennel Club suggests that there is overwhelming opposition to the use of electric shock
Theres no specific mention of electric collars, but it seems likely that any moves to introduce a ban would come under the loose phrase improving the protection of dogs and cats.
Not to be confused with an electric collar, a locating collar enables the handler to find the dog if it is out of sight
You may well think that a ban would be a good thing and there are several prominent figures in the world of gundogs who would agree with you. I corresponded recently on the subject with Graham Cox, a long-standing member of the Kennel Clubs field trial sub-committee. He told me how he had borrowed a state-of-the-art collar, which he tried on himself.
At setting one, it didnt amount to more than being pinged with a rubber band, he said. I then strapped it around my knee and turned the dial up to three. The effect was to make my leg jolt involuntarily and I was aware of an unpleasant tingle for the next 20 minutes or so. I didnt try it on five, but you can be sure that frustrated handlers will. Bear in mind that people strap these things on dogs when they are wet and even working in water. My understanding of electricity is less than rudimentary, but I know enough to be aware that it is surely dangerous.
I suspect that far more gundog handlers own and use electric collars than do any other group of dog owners. I remember my surprise when I first saw an electric collar in use on a dog on a shoot day. That was many years ago and since then Ive encountered them numerous times, most often on beaters dogs. Ive also noticed that falconers favour using them on their dogs, no doubt because handling a hawk or falcon takes a great deal of concentration, and the last thing you want is a dog running out of control.
A last-resort training aid
I thoroughly dislike seeing electric dog training collars used as handling tools, but I am convinced they have a place as a last-resort training aid. Last season I spent a day hawking with a friend who is passionate about his dogs. He was running a young German shorthaired pointer bitch he had rescued. She had been rehomed because she was dangerous around livestock and was hours away from being destroyed. Thanks to sensitive use of an electric collar, her life was saved and she is now a valued member of his team. Banning anything seldom works: foxhunting is probably stronger now than it was before the ban.
Banning electric collars wouldnt stop their use, but simply ensure that it took place out of the public eye. My feeling is that attention should be focused on the collars themselves and, rather than banning them, the maximum shock should be reduced. Most dogs respond instantly to a buzz and a tingle.
Perhaps an acceptable device would be one that gave the same shock to the handler as to the dog?
Sales Page: http://ouo.io/CF5S8u
Download: http://ouo.io/AplwQR (100% OFF)
Electric collars can be a last resort, for example to stop a dog chasing sheep Credit: D Tomlinson
Electric Collars - Shooting UK
Electric Collars news, features videos from Shooting UK. overwhelming opposition to the use of electric shock collars when training dogs and that the majority
Electric Dog Collars and Electric Dog Training Collars
PAC Collars are leading UK suppliers of safe high quality PAC Collars are specialist UK suppliers of electric dog training collars and electronic dog
Electric Dog Collars - British Dog
Electric Dog Collars If you Whether it is simply FREE training advice from our training advisors or a dog training collar. British Dog are the UK's leading
Electric Shock Collars The Kennel Club
Electric shock collars train dogs through a fear of Electric training collars are already Animal Welfare Electric Shock Collar Electric Shock Collars.
Amazon.co.uk: Shock Collars: Pet Supplies
Online shopping for Shock Collars from a great selection at Pet Eligible for FREE UK Delivery. Yuanj® Remote Electric Dog Training Collar and Harnesses Yellow.
Dog training collars - The Field
Dog training collars. The Field; Club would like to see outlawed in the rest of the UK. companies sell electric training collars, including Pac Dog;
Shock Collars - The Shocking Truth | Association of Pet ...
Shock Collars - The Shocking Despite advances in our understanding of dog behaviour and training, Placing a shock collar on such a dog to stop it being
The use of shock collars and their impact ... - rspca.org.uk
required for success in competitive dog training, however assistance dogs in the UK use of electric training collars on dogs (Canis Familiaris)
Dog Training Collars for Hunting Dogs, Gun Dogs ... - SportDog
Sporting dog training, SportDOG Brand. About. Training Collars & Check Cords Tracking TEK. TEK 1.0; TEK 2.0; Beepers & Beacons Bark Control