I once heard a report on radio 5 live about this : If the dog is loose and about to get run over the e/s collars could be a lifesaver but other than that I can't say I like the sound of them . What is your stance on them ? - I do'nt see how you could get into trouble for expressing that here , especially not if in an 'only for friends' post (?) - Hope you enjoyed Alice and Lemmy and Joan if you were able to get to it .

Personally, my Dad bought a very basic very low shock one for my first dog - he was a sheepdog & he had a huge amount of problems - he was kicked in the head by a cow when he was a pup and I think it damaged his brain somewhat - even the dog psychologist was baffled by his behaviour - he barked all the time and the shock collar did nothing to stop him so I saw it as torturing the poor dog and I wouldn't let them put it on him - I admit I am a total softy when it comes to animals - as Shep was brought up on a farm, he preferred being outdoors - I remember sitting outside under an umbrella with him in the rain several times, just so he had a bit of company!! Shep, incidentally, now lives in a small ex-mining community with my grandparents - it's a lot quieter and because they're both retired they can walk him a lot more and a lot further so he's a much happier dog!

I understand where people are coming from about it stopping dogs killing livestock, running into roads etc but if the dog has these tendencies then it should always be taken out on a lead - that's more to do with responsible ownership than for punishing the dog when it doesn't know any better.

The Consultation also covers scat mats, which, although I've never come across these devices, I believe they give the dog/cat a shock if they try to leave this mat (or step on it?) - that I think is unacceptable and very sadistic.

I can't imagine there's going to be a complete ban, but I hope there are some sort of regulations put in place - in the right hands i can understand that these collars may be beneficial and may give a problem dog a glimmering hope but to your average joe who has no idea what he's doing, I think it screams abuse.

Please note guys that's just my personal view & not my professional one ;-) Obviously I can't disclose how the results of the consultation are going, but they will be published after the closing date.

I wouldn't use these collars on my children, or grandchildren. I wouldn't use them on my dogs.

I might, however, be tempted to use them on politicians.

there was someone in our local park got one of them and to be honest I think it improved everybodys enjoyment of the park the dog was forever not going back when he called it and just in other dogs faces all the time. I felt it and they are nothing more than slight tingle, since then someone else got one and had the same results but there dog was not as bad ro start with. from what I felt of it if I knew nothing about electricity and felt it all I would say is its a slight tingle and his dogs now running round enjoying itself and goes back when he calls it.
to many do gooders around for my liking they know everything about everything, maybe if they come along with some proof these collars are causing harm I would listen untill then i am not interested in what they say, lets ban the car, the fumes are killing us all

I'm glad the ban is going to happen in wales and hopefully elsewhere too.

The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors has evidence of case histories in which the collars have done more harm than good. Their behaviourists should know as they work with pet dogs for a living.

They do hurt if turned up, obviously, and the very point of them is that they use a principle of removing a threat of hurt or discomfort so the dog does what is wanted, or else of giving pain when the dog chases something.

They work on aversion principles, the dog has to fear it for it to work. Otherwise one may as well use a word for the same thing!