< Last Updated 28MAR19 >
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This article is a work in progress. It is a list, with links, where available, to information that supports the position that the use of electric shock in the training, care, management, and containment of pets is both unnecessary and abusive. It is categorized into sections for Scientific Articles, Laws and Regulations, Mass Media Articles, Blog Posts and Articles on Websites, Podcasts, Position Statements, and Website and Social Media Pages.
Scientific Articles
Blackwell et al., The use of electronic collars for training domestic dogs: estimated prevalence, reasons and risk factors for use, and owner perceived success as compared to other training methods, BMC Veterinary Research 2012, 8:93, http://www.biomedcentral.com/1746-6148/8/93
Blackwell, Emily J., Twells, Caroline Anne, Seawright, Rachel A. Casey. 2008. The relationship between training methods and the occurrence of behavior problems, as reported by owners, in a population of domestic dogs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, September/October 2008, pp 207-217. http://www.journalvetbehavior.com/article/S1558-7878%2807%2900276-6/abstract
Bradshaw J.W.S., Blackwell E.J., Casey R.A. 2009. Dominance in domestic dogs – useful construct or bad habit? Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, May/June 2009, pp 135-144. http://www.journalvetbehavior.com/article/S1558-7878(08)00115-9/abstract
Defra AW1402 (2013) Studies to assess the effect of pet training aids, specifically remote static pulse systems, on the welfare of domestic dogs. University of Lincoln / University of Bristol / Food and Environment Research Agency. Final report prepared by Prof. Jonathan Cooper, Dr. Hannah Wright, Prof. Daniel Mills (University of Lincoln); Dr. Rachel Casey, Dr. Emily Blackwell (University of Bristol); Katja van Driel (Food and Environment Research Agency); Dr. Jeff Lines (Silsoe Livestock System). http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Default.aspx?Module=More&Location=None&ProjectID=15332
Defra AW1402a (2013) Studies to assess the effect of pet training aids, specifically remote static pulse systems, on the welfare of domestic dogs; field study of dogs in training. Final report prepared by Prof. Jonathan Cooper, Dr. Nina Cracknell, Jessica Hardiman and Prof. Daniel Mills (University of Lincoln). http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Default.aspx?Menu=Menu&Module=More&Location=None&Completed=0&ProjectID=17568#Description
Herron M.E., Shofer F.S., Reisner I.R. 2009. Survey of the use and outcome of confrontational and non-confrontational training methods in client-owned dogs showing undesired behaviors. Applied Animal Behavior Science, 117, pp. 47-54. http://vet.osu.edu/assets/pdf/hospital/behavior/trainingArticle.pdf
Hiby, E.F., Rooney, N.J., Bradshaw, J.W.S., 2004. Dog training methods—their use, effectiveness and interaction with behaviour and welfare. Anim. Welfare 13, 63–69. http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ufaw/aw/2004/00000013/00000001/art00010
Polsky, Richard, (2000), Can Aggression in Dogs Be Elicited Through the Use of Electronic Pet Containment Systems?, Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 3(4), 345-357, http://www.dogexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Electronic-fences.pdf
Schalke, E., Stichnoth, J. and Jones-Baade, R., Stress Symptoms Caused by the Use of Electric Training Collars on Dogs (Canis familiaris) in Everyday Life Situations, Current Issues and Research in Veterinary Behavioral Medicine, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159106003820
Schilder, Matthijs B.H. and van der Borg, Joanne A.M., (2004), Training dogs with help of the shock collar: short and long term behavioural effects, Applied Animal Behavior Science 85 (2004) 319-334, http://eldri.ust.is/media/ljosmyndir/dyralif/Trainingdogswithshockcollar.pdf
Scientific Books
Overall, MA VMD PhD DACVB CAAB, Karen, Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats, Mosby 2013, location 4757
Overall, MA VMD PhD DACVB CAAB, Karen, Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats, Mosby 2013, location 4862
Laws & Regulations
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Compliance Policy GuideSec. 655.300 Barking Dog Collar, http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/ComplianceManuals/CompliancePolicyGuidanceManual/ucm074684.htm
Mass Media Articles & News Reports
Midstate (PA) woman says kennel used shock collar on her dog from ABC27 WHTM – March 27th, 2019 – http://bit.ly/ShockWHTM28MAR19
Why We Don’t Recommend Electric Fences from The Whole Dog Journal, Updated September 25, 2017 – https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/19_9/features/Why-We-Dont-Recommend-Shock-Collars_21518-1.html
Blog Posts and Articles on Websites
Are Electronic Shock Collars Painful – A New Study Reveals Some Answers by Sophia Yin, DVM, MS – https://www.shockfree.org/Education/Electronic-Shock-Collars
Electronic Fences – What You need to Know – by Eileen Anderson of eileenanddogs – https://www.shockfree.org/Education/Electronic-Fences
Is Your Dog Your Best Friend or a Family Member? – by Donald J. Hanson at Words, Woofs, and Meows – http://bit.ly/BestFriendsAndShock
Myths and Misconceptions – https://www.shockfree.org/Education/Myths-and-Misconceptions
The Unintended Consequences of Shock Collars – by Donald J. Hanson at Words, Woofs, and Meows – http://bit.ly/ShockCollars
Trade in Your Shock Collar – The Pet Professional Guild and Project Trade – https://www.shockfree.org/Education/Trade-Your-Shock
What Is Shock Training? Is It Really Just A Tap? Shock Collar Training Explained by Eileen Anderson of eileenanddogs – https://www.shockfree.org/Education/What-is-Shock-Training
What the Experts Say About Shock – https://www.shockfree.org/About/What-Experts-Say
Why Pet Owners Should Not Use Shock – https://www.shockfree.org/About/Pet-Owners-Shock-Has-No-Place
Why Professionals Should Not Use Shock – https://www.shockfree.org/About/Professionals-Shock-Has-No-Place
Podcasts
The Woof Meow Show: The Pet Professional Guild and the Shock-Free Coalition with Niki Tudge – http://bit.ly/PodCastShockFree-NikiTudge-2017
The Woof Meow Show: The Unintended Consequences of Shock Collars – http://bit.ly/ShockPodcast
Position Statements
American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) 2015 Canine and Feline Behavior Guidelines, https://www.aaha.org/professional/resources/behavior_management_guidelines.aspx
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, AVSAB Position Statement The Use of Punishment for Behavior Modification in Animals. https://avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Punishment_Position_Statement-download_-_10-6-14.pdf
British Small Animal Veterinary Association Position Statement on Aversive Training Methods, http://www.bsava.com/Resources/Positionstatements/Aversivetrainingmethods.aspx
British Veterinary Association Policy on Aversive Training Devices for Dog, https://www.bva.co.uk/uploadedFiles/Content/News,_campaigns_and_policies/Policies/Ethics_and_welfare/BVA%20position%20on%20Aversive%20training%20devices%20for%20dogs_PS20JUL2016.pdf
The Pet Professional Guild (PPG) Position on Shock Training – https://www.shockfree.org/About/Position-on-Shock-Training
Website and Social Media Pages
The Shock-Free Coalition – https://www.shockfree.org/
The Shock-Free Coalition on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/shockfreecoalition/
The Shock-Free Coalition/Maine Chapter – https://www.shockfree.org/Chapters/Maine
The Shock-Free Coalition/Maine Chapter on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ShockFreeCoalitionMaine/
©28MAR19, Donald J. Hanson, All Rights Reserved
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This article originally appeared in the September 2016 issue of The Whole Dog Journal and is regularly re-released because its message is so important. It discusses underground fence systems that use an electric shock to your dog’s neck to hopefully keep them in the yard without the common side effects of aggression and anxiety. Learn why you never want to use one of these systems. < Click to Read > 
