Woof Weekly: The Dog Blog – Experts' advice on cruel electric shock collars should be heeded by government

By Rachel Heyes

Electric shock collars for pooches are on sale – mostly online – and readily available to the general public of the UK, but they should be banished immediately.

Many trainers I've encountered advocate and even dispense shock collars to their clients.

It seems businesses are cashing in on dog owners frustration, and perhaps laziness, as well as their lack of knowledge and understanding by claiming that the collars are a viable form of dog training, without which more dogs would end up being tossed out onto the streets.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has spent £469,000 on a Companion Welfare Animal Council (CAWC) research project into the use and effects of electronic shock collars (EPTAs), it was revealed this week.

The report has yet to be published but it should make for an interesting, if not unsatisfying, read in the near future.

I doubt that it will be anymore enlightening than the research that has already taken place.

The RSPCA, Dogs Trust and Kennel Club have all issued statements and research in relation to the irresponsible and ineffective nature of this fear based punishment which causes intense, sharp and sudden pain to a dog which doesn't have the capacity to understand what is happening to them.

All they would get from the experience is pain, suffering and fear.

Wales banned the use of electric shock collars two years ago and fines of up to £20,000 can be issued to anyone being found using one.

Most reputable dog trainers are very much against them. I once saw Victoria Stillwell demonstrate the pain and power of one on an owner who proudly used it on their terrified, nervous, and now somewhat aggressive pet.

When will the government stop playing politics and start listening to the real experts or even common sense?

Would they advocate a human equivalent?

Perhaps we could have electric shocks trickled out by a government issued chip each time we behaved irregularly.

I think that we could all agree that such an approach wouldn't cure anyone's behavioural issues and yet it would increase feelings of nervousness, anxiety, stress, fear and aggression.

Think about it.

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