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BVA and BSAVA policy position on the use of aversive training devices in dogs and cats Introduction BVA and BSAVA support and recommend positive training methods as the most effective training intervention for companion animals in terms of health, welfare and behavioral outcomes.

Under the UK Animal Welfare Acts humans responsible for animals must ensure that the animals under their care are protected from unnecessary pain, suffering, injury and disease. This includes unnecessary pain or suffering inflicted with inappropriate and aversive training methods or containment systems. We have concerns about the use of aversive training devices to control, train or punish dogs and cats. Aversive training devices include electric collars which are used as a means of punishing or controlling behavior of companion animals is open to potential abuse and incorrect use of such training aids has the potential to cause welfare and training problems.

BVA and BSAVA position on electric pulse training collars used to deliver an electric shock in dogs and cats.

BVA and BSAVA are calling for a complete ban on the sale and use of electric pulse training collars used to deliver an electric shock in dogs and cats in order to help protect animal welfare. Instead, we support and recommends positive training methods. Electric pulse devices are sometimes used in dog and cat training as a form of punishment to prevent a dog or cat from repeating bad behaviour. Evidence demonstrates that positive training methods are the most effective training intervention for companion animals in terms of health, welfare and behavioral outcomes. Research has shown that the application of electric stimulus, even at a low level, can cause physiological and behavioral responses associated with stress, pain and fear. In light of the evidence, we have concluded that electric pulse collars raise a number of welfare issues, such as the difficulty in accurately judging the level of electric pulse to apply to a dog or cat without causing unnecessary suffering. The Animal Welfare (Electronic Collars) (Wales) Regulations 2010 have made it an offense for a device capable of emitting an electric shock to be attached to a dog or cat in Wales. In addition, in 2018 Defra announced a ban on the use of electric shock collars for cats and dogs and the Scottish Government issued guidance making it clear that training that the use of aversive training devices, including electric collars, may constitute the offense of causing unnecessary suffering under the Animal Welfare Act (2006). Defra’s Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs also advises that good training can enhance a dog’s quality of life, but punishing a dog can cause it pain and suffering … All dogs should be trained to behave well, ideally from a very young age. Only use positive reward-based training. Avoid harsh, potentially painful or frightening training methods’. Recommendation 1: The UK Governments should bring into force a complete ban on the sale and use of electric pulse training collars for dogs and cats to protect animal welfare. Recommendation 2: BVA and BSAVA support and recommend positive training methods as the most effective training intervention for cats and dogs in terms of health, welfare and behavioral outcomes. BVA and BSAVA position on the use of electric containment systems for dogs and cats We note a paucity of evidence examining the effectiveness and welfare impacts of the use of electric containment systems for dogs and cats in comparison to the evidence available regarding the use of electric shock collars. 

Guidance BVA policy position on the use of aversive training devices in dogs and cats. We would strongly support the undertaking of further independent peer-reviewed research, including a comprehensive literature of existing evidence, to robustly assess the effectiveness of electric containment systems and their impact on animal welfare. UNTIL further research is conducted however, we DO NOT SUPPORT the use of buried or hidden electric containment fences for dogs and cats that require animals to learn where the boundary is positioned through successive shocks in the absence of any physical or geographical demarcation.

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https://www.bva.co.uk/media/1156/full-bva-policy-position-on-the-use-of-aversive-training-devices-in-dogs-and-cats.pdf?_gl=1*136kdmo*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTg4ODI5NTc1Mi4xNzc3NDA2MDU0*_ga_NSMQW035YF*czE3Nzc0MDYwNTMkbzEkZzAkdDE3Nzc0MDYwNTMkajYwJGwwJGgw*_ga_KE98G6XZ3X*czE3Nzc0MDYwNTMkbzEkZzAkdDE3Nzc0MDYwNTMkajYwJGwwJGgw