The Kennel Club
in calling upon the Government and Scottish Parliament to introduce an outright
ban on the use of electric shock collars as devices to train a dog. Subjected to an electric shock, a dog will respond
out of fear of further punishment, rather than from a natural willingness to
obey. In order for the devices to serve effectively as a training tool, the dog
has to perceive the shock as painful - moreover if the dog does not respond,
the punishment has to escalate, creating further potential for abuse.
A number of
research studies have found electric shock collars to be unnecessary in the
training of dogs. These collars can
cause negative behavioural and physiological changes in dogs and are open to
misuse by users of them. Often owners may not even know how to use one of these
collars. When a dog gets shocked, it has
no idea what has caused the pain and reacts fearfully. It is likely to associate the pain with
something in its immediate environment rather than with its own behaviour at
the time, which is why it is common for dogs to attack other dogs, their owner
or another animal or person close-by at the time of the shock.
Dogs with
behavioural issues are a problem. But we
have to ask ourselves why some dogs problems. Not properly trained in puppyhood, lack of
leadership, abuse, disrespect, selfishness, congeniality. Dogs want to please. Dogs love unconditionally so why should pain
be inflicted on them?
1 comment:
Maybe the owner should try it first?
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