Very soon we will finally be able to raise a glass to the end of an era: the use of prong, choke and electric collars in the Community of Madrid. It was about time we followed the example of countries such as Austria and Switzerland, where their use has been banned for years, or Germany, where the law explicitly prohibits electric shock collars, also known nowadays as impulse or ultrasonic collars.
The measure will come into force starting in February, and those who use them with their ARISTOPERROS are expected to face fines of up to 9,000 euros. The measure, applauded by pet lovers, veterinarians, trainers, ethologists… is specifically set out in section V (uve) of Article 7, concerning prohibitions, of LAW 4/2016 ON THE PROTECTION OF COMPANION ANIMALS OF THE COMMUNITY OF MADRID, last updated on August 10, 2016.
Under this law, starting in February, the use of choke, prong or electric collars that are harmful to the animal will be considered a serious offense. In this case, the fine ranges from 3,001 to 9,000 euros, as established in Article 30 of Chapter 2 of the same law.
The penalties established by the Law will be determined according to the social or health significance and the harm caused by the offense; the profit motive and the amount of financial benefit obtained from committing the offense; the seriousness of the harm caused to the animal; or repeated commission of offenses. You can read it in full here.
In case there is any doubt, the reason these terrible “accessories” are being banned is the physical and psychological harm they cause to ARISTOPERROS. Although, it should be said, most people use them because they are fashionable (which seems incredible, considering how ugly they are. Especially when you compare them with the collars, harnesses and leashes we have at ARISTOSHOP), not because they want to hurt their dogs. The problem is that, due to misinformation, they hurt them without realizing it.
And why are they harmful? Basically because all obedience methods based on punishment are. And they can all lead to serious aggression problems. Dogs subjected to this suffer from a repeated negative emotional state of anxiety. Day after day. Until that emotional state becomes chronic, causing aggression, triggering fears, phobias… and rejection.
Not to mention the physical problems they can cause. The neck is a sensitive part of any living being, and certainly of a dog. Even the most harmless collars can cause injuries to the cervical area, back or trachea.
For them, it is very painful.
Negative stimuli are old-school. Instilling terror to educate can only be counterproductive. In the past, teachers “hitting” students was not frowned upon. In fact, one of the most common responses from parents was, “You must have done something.” Fortunately, things have changed. We advance, grow and evolve as individuals and as a society. And education is not that. Education means asking questions, anticipating needs, motivating and trying to understand the causes.
The same applies to dogs. Does your dog misbehave? Does it go crazy when it goes outside? Does it pull you to the ground? Or is it simply uncontrollable? Ask yourself why. Look inward. Stimulate it positively. Make an effort to put yourself in its paws in different situations. Surely then you will understand that, for it to listen to you when you go out for a walk, you do not need to suffocate it with an awful collar or show it who is in charge. Love it and treat it well. You will see that everything is much easier.
