Kennel Club research has shown there is overwhelming support for a government ban on electric shock collars.

The Kennel Club commissioned an independent survey into the public’s opinion of these controversial dog devices. The research found that:

• 72% of the English public disapprove of the use of electric shock collars on dogs
• 79% agree that positive reinforcement training methods can address behavioural issues in dogs without the need for negative training methods
• 74% of the public would support the government introducing a ban on electric shock collars

The Kennel Club is urging the government to take action after research found that a significant majority of the general public in England are against the use of electric shock collars for dogs and would support the government in introducing a ban on these devices.

The Kennel Club is against the use of negative training methods or devices, and believes that they are both irresponsible and ineffective. There a large number of positive training tools and methods that can produce well-trained dogs with absolutely no fear, pain or potential damage to the relationship between dog and handler.

Furthermore, some of the most highly trained dogs in the world, including police dogs, armed forces dogs and assistance dogs are trained without the use of electric shock collars.

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) published two research studies last year which demonstrated negative behavioural and physiological changes in dogs which were trained with electric shock collars.

The research also showed that even when electric shock collars were used on dogs by professional trainers following an industry standard, there were still long term negative welfare effects.  Despite this, Westminster has still to take action and follow in Wales’ footsteps in banning electric shock collars, and the Kennel Club hopes that the findings of its new research will let the government know that the public would be behind them on a ban.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary said: “The results are absolutely clear. A large majority of the public are against the use of electric shock collars and would support the government in banning these cruel devices.

“The government’s current proposal and response to its own funded research is to work on creating guidance with the electric shock collar manufacturers regarding how to best use these tools without compromising the dog’s welfare. This does not reflect what the public wants and the Kennel Club and other major welfare organisations and parliamentarians believe this would fail in protecting dog welfare, as the Defra research itself has shown.

“It is time for the government to stop delaying what the evidence has highlighted is needed, and what the public has clearly said it wants – a ban on the use of electric shock collars.”

Electric shock collars are already outlawed in a number of countries worldwide, including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia, and in most states in Australia.

The survey follows the introduction of Matthew Offord MP’s Ten Minute Rule Bill last month calling for a ban on the sale and use of electric shock collars, which will have its Second Reading in the House of Commons tomorrow (Friday).

More information on the Kennel Club’s campaign to ban electric shock collars can be found at www.thekennelclub.org.uk/banshockcollars.