New workgroup to review dog training standards, including use of shock collars

SINGAPORE: The Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) will lead a new workgroup to look at dog training standards.
Comprising dog trainers, veterinarians, animal welfare groups and representatives from working dog units, the workgroup will review the positions on the use of various training devices, including shock and prong collars.
It will also develop regulatory frameworks for the use of such devices, said AVS on Thursday (Aug 22).
“AVS is committed to approaching the regulation of shock collars with careful consideration and thorough preparation to ensure that there is a well-informed, effective, and feasible regulatory framework, backed by science, put in place,” it said.
Devices used in dog training range from rewards-based or neutral devices, such as whistles and clickers, to punishment-based or aversive devices like shock collars or prong collars.
Shock collars deliver electric shocks through contact points on the dog’s neck, while prong collars have teeth, or blunted open ends, turned towards the dog’s neck.
In April, Minister for National Development Desmond Lee said that new guidelines being developed by the National Parks Board (NParks) will not impose any restriction on the use of aversive animal training devices, including electric shock collars.
After the release of the guidelines, NParks will “continue to monitor the situation before deciding if further measures are needed”, he said in a written parliamentary answer.
“Notwithstanding this, NParks will continue to investigate and take enforcement action in cases where animal training devices cause unnecessary pain or suffering to animals, and to raise awareness on the least intrusive, minimally aversive approach to animal training.”
Mr Lee was responding to a question in parliament from MP Louis Ng (PAP-Nee Soon), who asked if a ban on remote electric shock collars was being considered in NParks’ new guidelines. Mr Ng is also the founder of the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES).
In March, Senior Minister of State for National Development Tan Kiat How said he had tested “a range of electric collars” on himself, describing them as “very painful”. 
In 2022, the Rehoming and Adoption Workgroup (RAWG) published guidelines for dog training and behaviour rehabilitation.
The guidelines said that aversive training devices and techniques – such as beating, kicking, or choking – which cause excessive pain, fear, anxiety, and distress should be avoided.
In April 2023, focus group discussions were held to better understand views on the use and regulation of dog training devices, including arguments for and against the use of shock or prong collars.
“Studies have provided evidence that rewards-based training methods may be just as effective or more effective in training the same behaviours without the associated risks and should always be considered first before moving onto more aversive training methods,” AVS said on Thursday.
Participants of the focus groups shared that public information was lacking on the risks of improper use of shock and prong collars, as well as alternative training methods.
AVS said there was a consensus on the need to educate and raise awareness on the risks of such collar use, and to promote less aversive training methods.
“Some trainers and pet owners also acknowledged that there were certain circumstances that could warrant the use of such devices and stressed the importance of their proper use to safeguard welfare,” said AVS, which is a cluster of NParks.
The new workgroup will study how to educate the public on the risks of using aversive training devices, so people can make “more informed choices about their training methods”.
It will also develop proposals and implementation plans to raise public awareness and adoption of less aversive training approaches first.
The workgroup will also come up with plans and approaches for training standards, codes of welfare and the regulation of the use of training devices.
As part of this, it will study and review international standards and positions on the use of various training devices, including shock and prong collars.
AVS said that it will be benchmarking its regulatory framework against the practices adopted in other countries.
“Most countries today do not have specific legislation regarding the use of such devices. For countries that do adopt regulatory regimes, these range from banning their use or permitting it under prescribed conditions,” said AVS.
“Regulatory regimes may even vary within countries, with states within a country adopting different regimes, such as in Australia.
“AVS continues to gather insights from counterparts overseas on the enforcement of the use of such devices.”
It added that it is reviewing scientific research to gain a deeper understanding of the technical aspects of using such training devices.
To highlight the risk of using such training devices to the general public, AVS has also started engaging pet shops and e-commerce platforms to discourage their sale and publish warnings through notices and advisories.