The Association of Pet Dog Trainers, (APDT) has joined calls from the Kennel Club, (KC), the Blue Cross, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, (RSPCA), Dogs Trust and others for bans on the sale and use of electric shock collars to be included as part of the Animal Welfare Bill, (AWB) because, they say, they compromise animal welfare.

Electric shock collars can be controlled by anybody with no experience in training dogs to abuse and punish via a remote control. By pressing a button a painful shock is transmitted to the dog's neck via two large electric prongs - the settings on the control of one particular collar range from 0-100.

Human Tests

The KC says that having tested the collar on the back of human volunteer's hands many concluded that setting 20 was painful and that 35 was practically unbearable. They also described the collars as "vicious", "barbaric" and even "sadist".

According to the APDT there is no behaviour or training problem in dogs that is best dealt with by delivering an electric shock into a dog's neck. The APDT says it addresses all problems by using up-to-date reward-based training methods and responsible dog ownership - following its motto of "kind, fair and effective". Such methods of training include basic recall and clicker training.

The APDT and the KC claim that not only are such collars inhumane, but that teaching a dog to respond out of fear and pain rather than a natural willingness to obey fails to address underlying behavioural problems and can give rise to far more serious problems.

Carolyn Menteith, APDT spokesperson said:

"We are totally committed to having these barbaric pieces of equipment consigned to dog training history. It is our professional opinion that it is totally unacceptable to train dogs using such inhumane devices, and a complete ban should be implemented as soon as possible. Dogs are meant to be man's best friend - and you don't cause your best friend pain and fear in the name of training."

The Electronic Collar Manufacturers Association claims however that because its action is almost immediate, electronic 'training' aids the correction of behavioural problems.

The Kennel Club is issuing postcards for members of the public to sign and send to their MPs. These are available to download at: www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/pressoffice/documents/KC-ElectricPostcard-060223.pdf

Readers in Scotland will also find a version of the card to send to their local MSP at www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/pressoffice/documents/Scottishpcard.pdf

Submitted by: Steve O'Malley      

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