Very soon we will be able to toast once and for all to the end of an era: the use of spike, choke, and electric collars in the Community of Madrid. It was about time we followed the example of countries like Austria or Switzerland, where their use has been banned for years, or Germany, where the law explicitly prohibits electric shock collars, also known today as impulse or ultrasonic collars.
The measure will come into effect from February and is expected to punish those who use them with their ARISTOPERROS with fines of up to 9,000 euros. The measure, applauded by pet lovers, veterinarians, trainers, ethologists, etc., is specifically included in section V of article 7, concerning prohibitions, of LAW 4/2016 ON THE PROTECTION OF COMPANION ANIMALS OF THE COMMUNITY OF MADRID, whose latest update dates back to August 10, 2016.
According to this, from February, the use of choke, spike, or electric collars that are harmful to the animal will be considered a serious offense. In this case, the penalty ranges from 3,001 euros to 9,000 euros, as stated in article 30 of chapter 2 of the same law.
The graduation of the penalties provided by the Law will be in accordance with the social or health significance and the harm caused by the infraction; the intent to profit and the amount of economic benefit obtained in the commission of the infraction; the importance of the harm caused to the animal, or the repetition in the commission of infractions. You can read it in full, here.
Just in case there's any doubt, the reason these terrible "accessories" are prohibited is because of the damage they cause, both physically and psychologically, to ARISTOPERROS. Although, it must be said, most people use them out of fashion (it seems incredible, given how ugly they are. And even more so when you compare them to the collars, harnesses, and leashes we have at ARISTOSHOP), not because they want to harm their dogs. What happens is that, due to misinformation, they harm them without knowing it.
And why are they harmful? Basically because all obedience methods based on punishment are harmful. And all of them can lead to serious aggression problems. Because dogs subjected to this suffer a negative emotional state of repeated anxiety. Day after day. Until that emotional state becomes chronic, causing aggression, awakening fears, phobias... and rejection.
Not to mention the physical problems it can cause. The neck is a sensitive part of any living being, and certainly in a dog. Even the most harmless collars can cause injuries to the cervical area, back, or trachea.
For them, it's very painful.
Negative stimuli are old-school. Spreading terror to educate can only be counterproductive. In the past, it wasn't frowned upon for teachers to "hit" students. In fact, one of the most common responses from parents was "you must have done something." Today, fortunately, methods have changed. We advance, grow, and evolve as people and as a society. And education is not that. Education involves asking questions, anticipating, motivating, trying to understand the causes.
It's the same with dogs. Does your dog misbehave? Does he go crazy when he goes outside? Does he pull you to the ground? Or is he simply untamable? Ask yourself why. Look within. Stimulate him positively. Make an effort to put yourself in his paws at different times. You'll surely understand that for him to pay attention to you when you go for a walk, you don't need to choke him with an infamous collar, to show him who's in charge. Love him and treat him well. You'll see that everything is much easier.
