Electric No Bark Collars

[Kavik]

A man was prosecuted by RSPCA after found he used electric no bark collars on his dogs. The collars were recommended by the council ranger? He will face 3 charges each $6000 fine.

Any more information

[tommy15]

apparently they are illegal in nsw i didnt realise this ... i know a couple of people in nsw who use them.

personally i dont like the bloody things. i dont really think they hurt the dog .. although they definitely "shock" and theres no way that they only deliver 1/6 of the shock you get from static like that fat bozo on tv suggested .. i zapped myself with one at jacks place and i tell you what it made me jump ok.

no my problem with them is i dont believe in training a dog by force, by shock, by smacking, or by correction ... so thats my personal issue with it. I think training that way causes the dog to not do certain behaviour for fear of consequences and kills its spirit. I believe a dog should work for you because he wants to please you, or he wants to achieve an end (satisfaction from the goal itself, or praise\food from the handler)

Edited May 6, 2005 by tommy15

[MaxSpots]

I thought they were restricted in NSW like the electronic containment systems, guess not.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FACTS SHEET

K-9 Collars (6/5/2005)

A New South Wales man faces fines of almost $20 thousand dollars for using prohibited shock collars on his dogs.

The collars are banned south of the boarder but not in Queensland were he bough them.

Animal lover Gavin Price admits his dogs can get a little rowdy...

So when a Tweed Heads council ranger suggested he buy special collars to stop them barking by administering an electric shock he followed orders.

It wasn't until an RSPCA officer knocked on Mr Price's door that he realised he'd been breaking the law.

Greg Price (Dog Owner):

“I couldn't say much.

I said I can't believe you're doing this.”

The officer issued him with a notice to appear in court for using the shock collars, which are prohibited in New South Wales, but not in Queensland where he bought them.

But the pensioner says it's not hard to misunderstand the law because the collars are advertised in New South Wales papers.

Greg Price (Dog Owner):

“I feel like I'm being made an example of.”

The New South Wales RSPCA says they're banned for good reason.

K9-Collars sell about a hundred a week and claim the product is harmless.

Barry Meikle (K – 9 Collars)

“It gets a little static correction like when you touch a car or TV – it’s one sixth of that.”

While the collars aren't banned in Queensland, the RSPCA can prosecute if there are visible signs of trauma around the animal’s neck.

But the organisation says that's not good enough and the State Government should prohibit their use altogether.

Mr Price will face court in a fortnight on three charges which each carry a $6,000 fine.

(Ends)

For more information, contact your local RSPCA

[Guest GlendaME]

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Edited May 13, 2005 by GlendaME

[tianakaesha]

If I remember correctly the RSPCA forced through a ban on them last year. It was in the news. It was also in the City Weekly news and Nine to Five.... (which is where I read about it)

The thing however was they did not widely advertise this new ban, and I believe are trying to catch people on the sly.

[jemappelle]

I understood that it was legal in NSW to use no-bark collars on dogs only if you had a vet's prescription.

[V.A.H.]

Well. you know how busy the RSPCA must be now

--what with attending dog shows and searching for docked tails to prosecute owner/breeders- :D

-and now the electric collar law they brought about via their public persona and media influence

--guess we will next see them hunting the Pit bulls everywhere and claiming they know how to id crossbreds??

When WILL they find time to do the work that give them their title and enjoyment of tax breaks and grants as a welfare org?????????????

[dogbesotted]

I confess that I used one for the first time this year..in absolute deperation with a dog that would not shut up. 24/7

Used it for two days. stopped the cycle and she has never returned to the constant barking roputine. She barks when she feels her flock is threatened but now realises that she does have control over her own stop bark button.

[EddyAnne]

G'day, Eddy here.

Out of curiosity I had a look at that chaps Council website to see what the Ranger might have said according to their Council's Policy, and just maybe the Ranger might have even given that chap a pamphlet or maybe it's been in the local community news, anyway below I noticed "citronella spray collars which are available from Council" plus some other dog management advise, and these I feel might be mentioned in the court case. Meanwhile that chap appears to be the meat in the sandwich and after the court case we might hear more of what happened, and the below from this address:-

http://www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/linkweb/previo...tm?issue168.htm

A TWEED SHIRE COUNCIL PUBLICATION

ISSUE 168 APRIL 11, 2000 ISSN 1327 - 8630

When the bark is worse than the bite

HAVE you got a dog that’s driving the neighbours insane?

Nuisance barking is a major problem but there are many options open to dog owners to banish the bark.

There is a large difference between a good watch dog and a dog that barks at anything. Here are some tips to control your dog’s bark:

1. A young pup that barks at people or noises is a good indication that you have a budding nuisance barker developing.

2. A barking young pup is a sign the pup is nervous. A well adjusted pup will not usually start barking for between eight to 12 months of age.

3. If you have a pup that barks at everything that moves, discipline it by growling the word ‘Bad’ at the precise moment it starts. Praise it as soon as it responds.

4. Clapping hands or throwing an object near the pup such as a can of pebbles and at the same time reprimanding the dog should help stop premature barking.

5. Puppies that refuse to stop barking may need further socialising and should be enrolled in a puppy pre-school.

In more than 80 per cent of cases dog barking can be controlled by citronella spray collars which are available from Council.

Other dog management tips include:

* De-sex your dog at an early age.

* Register your dog with Council as soon as it becomes eligible.

* Never console a frightened, aggressive or barking dog. Reprimand for undesirable behaviour and praise for good behaviour.

* Do not allow your dog to bark at things that are not a threat to your security.

* Be a responsible dog owner and remember a good watch dog makes for a happy neighbourhood.

* Seek professional help if your dog is difficult to handle. Do not feel you have failed.

* Always walk your dog on a lead and pick up all droppings.

* Wherever possible confine your dog at night to reduce annoyance to neighbours.

By the way quite a number of VICTORIAN Local Councils have Citronella Spray Collars that they rent out to those wanting them, but then some people don't like to try them as they have heard others say the spray might cause things like medical eye problems, has anyone any medical proven cases that it really does.

It's difficult to follow what applies in each state, so I prefer to keep an eye on my state VIC and here is what applies to electronic dog training collar that can impart an electric shock on a dog, and from other regulations you'd still have to be carefull in their use, anyway the below from this address:-

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/con...997469/s7e.html

Victorian Consolidated Regulations

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS REGULATIONS 1997

- SECT 7E

7E. Use of certain electronic collars prohibited

(1) A person must not use an electronic dog training collar that can impart an electric shock on a dog or any other animal except in the circumstances in sub-regulation (2).

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(2) Sub-regulation (1) does not apply to a person who uses an electronic dog training collar on a dog-

(a) if a veterinary practitioner has examined the physical health and temperament of the dog and reasonably believes that the dog is suitable to have an electronic dog training collar used on it; and

(b) the person is-

(i) a veterinary practitioner; or

(ii) acting on the instructions of a veterinary practitioner; or

(iii) a qualified dog trainer (within the meaning of regulation 13(2) of the Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Regulations 19961); or

(iv) acting under the supervision of a qualified dog trainer (within the meaning of regulation 13(2) of the Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Regulations 1996).

As to what is a qualified dog trainer to the above read what's at this address:-

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/con...996403/s13.html

[raz]

So, excuse my ignorance and this is a genuine question - why would someone use one of these if they could ask a vet to debark a nuisance barker. What's the problem with debarking? Personally I'd rather go for debarking before I would use a shock collar if I had a nuisance barker.

[raz]

Other dog management tips include:

* De-sex your dog at an early age.

Hi Eddy. The only dog I have that does cause a bit of a problemo was desexed the day he turned 6 months. The entire dogs dont make much of a sound unless some poor sod delivers pizza on a friday night.

[EddyAnne]

Hi Eddy. The only dog I have that does cause a bit of a problemo was desexed the day he turned 6 months. The entire dogs dont make much of a sound unless some poor sod delivers pizza on a friday night.

G'day, Eddy here.

Well I chose to do some additional training so that when the doggies hear someone coming to the door they go to their designated spots and sit there quietly then I open the door. A few minutes later after I have sat down I call the doggies to me so that they can join me in some pizza. I feel a better alternative than others like desexing and debarking.

[Koza]

Is there a law in NSW that your dog can bark 6 min in an hour and be PTS within 24 hrs if it doesn't obey? Poor dogs will soon have to pay for every breath... together with owners.

[tianakaesha]

For a vet to debark, it must have written complaints from people, behaviourists recommendation, council reccomendations and all other methods tried previous.... or something like that.

Jack is more up to date with that info...

[raz]

I thought that might be the case, TKS. I just dont know what the argument is that its cruel.

[dogbesotted]

re debarking:

Just this year I was asked to assist in the rehoming of a beautiful young maremma who was a barker. This poor dog was much loved by her family and had a great relationship with them. but she was a barker. The family tried behaviourists etc etc but she was a barker. Eventually after complaints to coincil and many failed attempts to keep her quieter debarking was suggested. So the lass was debarked. ! All was quieter for around 9 months..then she started barking again. Another debarking was carried out!!!!!!!! One year later I was contacted as she had again regained her bark.

The sweet girl is now living in a rural paradise( for the last 7 months) and has just been introduced to her new canine companion..a yound staffy who was dumped near my place.

She does not bark as much and her new owners have put in an enormous amount of work with her. She is a delight to be with.

ps. she still barks tho and impressively loud.

[raz]

Damn nuisance for the poor dog.

So what does the surgery involve?

[EddyAnne]

G'day, Eddy here.

There was a doggie that lived near a school and when the children walked to and from school the doggie looked out the front window or front screen door and barked persistently at all the children. Rather than debark or use some sort of collar as neighbours suggested the owner decided on an alternative suggestion, that during these barking times they would shut the front door and use Christmas Santa Snow Spray to cover up the lower part of the large front window, also during this time they had a cuddle on the lounge and listened to some music, and also had half of their meal in the morning and the other half in the afternoon. The persistent barking problem immediately disappeared where the neighbours were happy and so was the Council Ranger. Much later when the doggie heard the first children starting to go to and from school the doggie would run up to the lounge and wait for the cuddles and also look forward to their meal.

[dogbesotted]

raz wrote quote:

""Damn nuisance for the poor dog.

So what does the surgery involve? ""

I believe that in this case the vocal cords were cut and they regrew. She has huge scar tissue in the area and no further debarking was possible as it would have compromised her ability to breath. I have been told that a better method is to cauterise the vocal cords.

Not something I would be happy to do but I have not faced the prospect of having my dogs PTS due to a barking issue.

We are becoming more and more dog intolerant and less and less dog responsible. Most dogs bark for a reason and it is best to address that issue but if you do not spend enough time with your dog that is impossible to do.

[EddyAnne]

G'day, Eddy here.

There was a person who worked 40 hours away from home and were thinking of obtaining a Marama puppy. They thought long and hard especially after hearing some problems that some dogs had when owners worked. Doggie daycare was an option but far too expensive, then they came up with an idea. They went up the road to have some chats with some sheep farmers, they seemed not interested in what was proposed but one was, and after a long chat a deal was struck.

The person then went ahead and obtained their puppy. Later they went to the farmer and followed the farmer where he went to give his sheep some feed. The person with their puppy just sat down and watched the sheep as they grazed, the person even had a book to read, some drink and some yummies this even for the puppy, then at the end of the day they went home. This repeated a couple off times where later whilst the puppy was walking around with the sheep the person would go away for short periods, and the puppy just stayed with the sheep and followed them.

Later the person in the morning just dropped off the pup and the pup stayed with the sheep till the person came back to pick the puppy up at the end of the day. During this time the farmer whilst checking on his sheep would also check the pup who was growing fast. Well everyone was happy with the deal even the farmer who received a bonus now and then of a slab of beer plus his sheep were happy and content and well protected, and that person had a happy and content doggie to have at home whenever that person was at home, and when not at home well there was no dog at home to bark, dig holes, jump fences, etc.