Training equipment, what is still possible and allowed?

August 08 2023
3 min reading time

What is still allowed and possible? Discover effective training tools for dogs and stay informed about what is and is not allowed anymore.

As of January 1, 2022, it is prohibited in the Netherlands to use shock collars on dogs. Shock collars were used to train dogs, unlearn behavior (such as unwanted barking) and to keep a dog within a certain area (such as a yard). You can read more about this ban and what alternatives there are in this blog.

Why banned?

The use of shock collars and other equipment to administer electric shocks to a dog has been increasingly seen in recent years as an animal-unfriendly way of correcting. Research shows that correction by electric shocks leads to pain and an increased stress level in dogs. Correctly adjusting the electric shocks to a specific dog is very precise and can result in more unwanted behavior if used improperly. In order to protect dogs and humans from this, it has been decided to prohibit the use of electric shock equipment on dogs.

Who does the ban apply to?

The Dutch ban on shock collars for dogs legally applies to their use and not (yet) to their sale . Legally, it only applies to dogs, but it can reasonably be assumed that it also applies to other pets – such as cats. There are also some exceptions, such as training by government (such as police or military police) and electric fencing that is not connected to a collar (such as electric fencing). There is currently no ban in Belgium, but this is planned for 2027.

What are the alternatives?

Both the Journal of Veterinary Medicine and the Animal Protection Society indicate that training dogs through positive reinforcement is the most desirable, because this is best for the dog's well-being, can also give good results and leads to a better bond between dog and owner. However, there may also be situations in which there is a demand for a way to train correctively, without using electric shocks. Fortunately, there are a number of alternatives:

Reward	Spray	Vibration	Sound
The dog receives a reward for showing the desired behavior	Corrects unwanted barking with a safe spray that distracts the dog and interrupts barking	Corrects unwanted barking by sudden vibrations. The unexpected effect interrupts the barking	Corrects unwanted behavior by emitting ultrasonic sound that is audible to the dog but not to most people. The sudden sound distracts and interrupts the unwanted behavior.
View all reward training resources here!	View all spray training equipment here!	View all vibration training equipment here!	Check out all the sound training resources here!

Effectiveness

Inquiries with PetSafe, which has a wide range of correction collars and other corrective items, indicate that the more humane methods above can be effective in many cases. However, in more 'stubborn' cases or in dogs that are difficult to train, these methods may not be sufficient. In that case, it would be advisable to consult a specialized trainer or dog behavior therapist.