I realise a decision has now been made, and I admit I have not read this entire thread but I had a suggestion.

How about simply having a disclaimer which must be attached to any blog about e-collars. Something like "Dogsy is against the use of ecollars under all circumstances and can by no means justify their use as a training tool." Perhaps with a link to some research or something. That way people can discuss their opinions, to which we are all entitled, but the official stance is still known for anyoneone who is unfamiliar with these devices

I think prong collars should be in there too with the e-collar?

And choke chains?

Azz, I'm just wondering if we could or do have a small info section on tools for training and a bit of a 'lo-down' on them?

perhaps first time dog owners would have a look at and realise the facts of e-collars, clicker, choke chains etc?

I think this is a good idea. Completely ignoring their existence won't do ANYONE any good. If someone is saying "XYZ is the best thing since sliced bread!" and no one is saying "well, here's the potential fallout of this tool" then there's no balance of information out there.

I think if you include choke chains, you`ll have to start including slip leads, haltis, muzzles, spray collars, etc etc.
Can we not just fight one battle at a time?

Then why prongs as well? Chokes and prongs are meant to inflict pain to train. Slip leads, haltis and muzzles aren't.

Spray collars, for me, fall into the first category with shock collars, choke chains and prong collars.

just a suggestion for future - slipleads would just come under same as choke chains just a basic info guide on all these 'tools'....on pros/cons, health of dog.....

then one on head collars, one on e-collars, spray collars and so on....not so much threads as a little info section...?

not suggesting an anti -this/that section but info/pros/cons of all common training stuff

perhaps if owners could simply be refered to the section on e-collars/training tools to see the cons vs pros they may not be so easily 'looped into' using them...especially when you compare that to say, the clicker or 'using play as a reward' section....

Think that's a great idea - perfect for the articles section. Perhaps post in the Community Initiatives forum to maybe get together with a few others and co-write an article?

That's why I don't like censorship - where do you stop.

I think shock collars can be an exception because they are already illegal in some countries, and as I said before part of the reason I am agreeing to do this is because the software we use doesn't have a proper block function.

Azz thats great, thanks, I will get a post over there soon!