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Study highlights ineffectiveness of electronic collars
"These findings provide evidence that dogs can be more effectively trained without the use of electronic collars" - Holly Conway, Kennel Club.

Researchers assess the efficacy of dog training with and without e-collars.

A new study has quashed the suggestion that using an electronic collar to train dogs is more efficient or results in less disobedience, even in the hands of experienced trainers.

The research, published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science, assessed the efficacy of dog training with and without remote electronic collars compared to training with positive reinforcement.

Scientists found that training with positive reinforcement was more effective at addressing  behaviour as well as general obedience training. They also found that positive reinforcement poses fewer risks to dog welfare and quality of the human-dog relationship.

'Given these results, we suggest that there is no evidence to indicate that E-collar training is necessary, even for its most widely cited indication,' the researchers conclude.

The findings have been welcomed by The Kennel Club, which, together with other welfare organisations and veterinary bodies, has long campaigned for a ban on the use of electric shock collars.

“These findings provide evidence that dogs can be more effectively trained without the use of electronic collars and therefore there is no place for them in dog training today,” said Holly Conway, head of public affairs at the Kennel Club. “This study proves that positive reward training is all that dogs need.

"The findings are clear and should be reviewed by the government immediately to stop the unnecessary suffering of dogs.”

The study, Efficacy of Dog Training With and Without Remote Electronic Collars vs. a Focus on Positive Reinforcement, was carried out by the Animal Behaviour, Cognition and Welfare Research Group at the University of Lincoln.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.