Today, I am going to be discussing why E-collars are a great tool (if used correctly!) and why they shouldn’t be banned in Wales.

To start with, E-collars are in no way, shape or form abusive. If one does the appropriate research on how to correctly use an E-collar as a corrective tool then there is no reason why they should be deemed as abuse. Electric collars are designed to get your dog's attention, not as a form of punishment. This happens via a vibration, a sound, or a very minimal electrical stimulation. THE STIMULATION DOES NOT HARM THE DOG IN ANY WAY! If you are using a good quality e collar, it is actually the same technology that is used in therapeutic TENS units for humans. The stim does not hurt the dog, but is used as a form of correction that tunes the dog back in with the owner!

.Next, E-collars are a really useful training tool to teach a dog to behave under even some of the most distracting environments. For example, a greyhound has the instinct to chase small, fluffy things that resemble prey. Their desire to chase it is so strong, many dog will completely ignore attempts to offer positive reinforcement, like treats. Therefore, it is not going to do much to protect your dog or wildlife! An E-collar will give the dog a small signal to let your them know that behaviour is not acceptable! Another great way to utilize an E-collar is to communicate with a deaf dog ! The E-collar will give a deaf dog so much freedom and necessary enrichment while being completely safe and protected. A small signal like a vibration and the dog knows to return to its owner.

Now, one of the most important points! BRANDS! Why is this so important? Because using a cheap brand from eBay will not provide a safe or effective way to correct your dog and MAY actually cause damage! There are 2 main brands of E-collars that are well known and trusted to be safe (still need to be used correctly) and those are Educator and Dogtra. Using a good brand is important in order for you to have a reliable piece of equipment that will last and provide the safety needed WITHOUT hurting the dog in any way. The worst that will happen is a bit of discomfort. Remember there is a difference between a shock collar (sends electric shocks to correct behaviour) and an E-collar (use either Tone, vibration or stim (a tapping sensation) to correct a behaviour).

If you disagree with the usage of E-collars DONT USE ONE! It’s that simple. Just because your dog has done well with positive reinforcement doesn’t mean every dog will! Lots of dogs don’t respond well to positive reinforcement and need that extra tool to not only give them freedom and safety, but give wildlife freedom and safety too!

finally, E-collars are used all over the world and have provided safety to so many dogs and so much wildlife! Prey drive is genetic and can be helped but not removed ! I think that cheap e-collars should not be sold but well known brands like Dogtra and Educator are perfectly safe to use and should not be banned in wales, let’s keep the dogs and wildlife of wales safe.