We fully support a complete ban on the use and sale of electric shock collars. We believe that these devices cause unnecessary pain and suffering for dogs, and a total ban on their use is well overdue.
What are electric shock collars?
Electric shock collars are devices that are sometimes used as a training method to control behaviour or punish a dog for unwanted behaviour. The device delivers an electric or static shock to the dog’s neck via a remote control or an automatic trigger.
Legislation
England
The use and sale of electric shock collars is currently not prohibited in England, despite the UK Government previously announcing their intention to bring forward a legislative ban.
Wales
Electric shock collars have been banned in Wales since 2010 under The Animal Welfare (Electronic Collars) (Wales) Regulations 2010. Under the Regulations, anyone found guilty of using electronic shock collars on a dog or cat is liable to up to a year in prison and/or a fine.
Scotland
Electric shock collars are currently legal in Scotland. However, in 2018, the Scottish Government published guidance advising against the use of these devices and other aversive training methods. Unfortunately, evidence suggests that this guidance has not been effective in stopping the use of these devices across the nation.
Northern Ireland
There are currently no legal restrictions on the use or sale of shock collars in Northern Ireland.
The problem
Research funded by DEFRA in 2014 demonstrated that shock collars can have a detrimental effect on the welfare of dogs by causing them unnecessary harm and suffering. More recent studies have reached similar conclusions, highlighting that usage of the device poses a risk to dog welfare and causes unnecessary suffering, as well as indicating that there is little evidence of improved behavioural outcomes. Research has shown that 25% of dogs trained with electric shock collars showed signs of stress in comparison to less than 5% of dogs trained without the device.
It is often claimed that electric shock collars are effective in preventing dogs from chasing livestock. However, research demonstrates that use of an electronic collar does not create a greater deterrent for disobedience, nor does it result in better learning outcomes.
Concerns have also been raised about the potential for owners and electric shock collar users to misuse or abuse the devices. A review of evidence commissioned by the Welsh Government demonstrated that owners do not typically read the manufacturers’ instructions prior to use and that advice on correct usage is not consistently followed. We believe that this raises serious concerns about inconsistent use and potential misuse of the devices.
The Kennel Club’s view
We fully support a total ban on the use and sale of electric shock collars. As such, we have extensively lobbied – and continue to lobby – the relevant authorities to prohibit shock collars from being used to train dogs.
We are firmly against the use of any aversive training devices. Instead, we recommend that pet owners and trainers use positive, rewards-based tools and methods when training their dog. Rewards-based training methods are proven to be effective and also do not compromise animal health or welfare. We recommend that dog owners find out more about The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme and/or find a Kennel Club accredited instructor before embarking on their training journey.
Get involved
If you live in ENGLAND
Email your local MP - find yours over on the UK parliament website.
If emailing in please include your name and postal address at the end of your email.
You can also tweet: @DefraGovUK when will you #BanShockCollars
Here is a template letter you can use:
Dear (your MP),
Re: Electric shock collars
As a dog owner I am deeply saddened to learn that it is still legal to use electric shock collars to train pet dogs. In the last Parliamentary session, there was a Bill introduced which would have banned them, but which did not pass (owing to Parliamentary time running out), entitled The Animal Welfare (electronic collars) (England) Regulations 2023.
I very much hope that this Government will re-table this important Bill
Electric shock collars work by giving electric shocks to dogs via metal conductors that contact the neck, with up to 6,000 volts emitted for up to 11 seconds at a time and with a range of up to two miles, meaning dogs could be completely out of sight when receiving the stimulus. This is tantamount to animal cruelty and would deeply damage the important connection that owners have with their pets.
Evidence shows that dogs respond well to reward-based training, which helps to build the human-animal bond between dog and owner and helps build confidence. Owners that train using positive rewards report fewer behavioural problems. Please see the research paper China, L, Mills, DS Cooper, JJ (July 2020) ‘Efficacy of Dog Training With and Without Remote Electronic Collars vs. a Focus on Positive Reinforcement Frontiers in Veterinary Science’.
As a constituent, I would be grateful if you could raise this matter with the responsible Minister, Baroness Sue Hayman.
Yours sincerely,
If you live in SCOTLAND, email your local MSP
Dear (your MSP)
I wanted to write to you to express my disappointment that the Scottish Government has said it will undertake a consultation regarding the use of electric shock collars, used to train dogs in Scotland, as part of the review of the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020 to consider provisions and requirements for additional animal welfare offences.
There has been no date set for the consultation to launch, and this consultation follows a consultation ran previously by the Scottish Government which resulted in minimal action. More recently in 2023, the independent Scottish Animal Welfare Commission gave a clear recommendation that electronic training collars should be banned. This followed extensive evidence gathering and used valuable time and resources.
Electric shock collars are outdated and unnecessary training devices. They work by giving electric shocks to dogs via metal conductors that contact the neck, with up to 6,000 volts emitted for up to 11 seconds at a time and with a range of up to two miles, meaning dogs could be completely out of sight when receiving the stimulus. This is tantamount to animal cruelty and would deeply damage the important connection that owners have with their pets.
Evidence shows that dogs respond well to reward-based training, which helps to build the human-animal bond between dog and owner and helps build confidence. Owners that train using positive rewards report fewer behavioural problems. Please see the research paper China, L, Mills, DS Cooper, JJ (July 2020) ‘Efficacy of Dog Training With and Without Remote Electronic Collars vs. a Focus on Positive Reinforcement Frontiers in Veterinary Science’.
As it has been deemed a further consultation is necessary, I would urge you to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Mairi Gougeon, to ensure that this is now issued without delay and prior to an election so that an incoming Government is able to swiftly take action to ban these devices in the new Parliamentary session.
Yours sincerely