"Give up your electric shock collars"

Monday 14 October 2019

A new animal welfare campaign has been launched in Guernsey, in an attempt to warn pet owners of the dangers of using certain training products.

The 'Autumn Aversives Amnesty', which has been launched by Canine Behaviour Guernsey and is supported by the GSPCA, is encouraging owners to "give up their aversives and swap them for ethical training methods".

Aversive items are used to suppress emotions and diminish an unwanted behaviour. They use a number of different techniques including electric shocks, unpleasant sounds, choking and physical correction.

Pictured: Electric Shock collars suppress dogs into "a state of learned helplessness and depression".

"We are using the term 'amnesty' lightly because, while you might think they should be, these products are not actually illegal," said Canine Behaviour Guernsey Founder and Owner, Anna Jane Brehaut.

"Whether they should be made illegal is a political argument that has been rumbling on for some time and I expect it will continue to rumble on as long as other priorities continue to take to the fore. However, in the interests of animal welfare we can’t just sit back and wait for the debate to play out for another five, 10 years or so. We want to do something now."

Having been a practicing behaviourist for two years, Miss Brehaut said she has seen a number of owners reach for aversive devices as an 'overnight cure'.

"These devices can be used for all sorts of different things but the most common behaviours I see them being used for are excessive barking, pulling on the lead and other impulse control related behaviours and recall," she explained. "The reality is that if the items are perceived as working, it is only because the dog has been bullied and suppressed into a state of learned helplessness and depression – a sorry state for any living being.

"The devices can also actually make the behaviour much worse due to association."

Pictured: The GSPCA are supporting the campaign.

An amnesty box will be placed at the GSPCA reception desk, where people can hand in any aversive item anonymously.

"We do not aim to criticise or judge anyone who may have used or who are using these products. Many people will not have even realised that the product they are using is aversive and we totally understand that. 

"We have also included anti-pull headcollars and anti-pull harnesses, which aim to stop a dog from pulling through tightening around the snout or body, on our amnesty list because they are also of an aversive nature and there are some great alternative products out there that are more effective and can be used instead in association with training."

Anyone who would like more information or advice on ethical training tools can contact Miss Brehaut at caninebehaviourguernsey@gmail.com.

Pictured top: File image.