Learning Centre
A clear route through dog welfare, the research, professional standards and UK policy. Follow the original sources and their limits.
A welfare first route for dog owners
A training tool is never the starting point. Understand the dog, reduce immediate risk and choose support that fits the individual case.
Dogs and livestock
Understand your responsibilities and plan safer walks.
Read the Livestock Worrying guide →01 / SAFETYManage the immediate risk
Read guidance +
Use proportionate management while you work on the underlying behaviour. A lead, secure area and sensible distance from livestock, wildlife or other triggers may protect dogs and others in the meantime.
02 / ASSESSMENTLook at the whole dog
Read guidance +
Consider health, pain, fear, environment, learning history and what the dog is being asked to do. Seek veterinary advice when behaviour changes or welfare is in doubt.
03 / LEARNINGBuild reward based foundations
Read guidance +
Teach and reinforce useful behaviours in manageable settings. Defra’s dog welfare guidance describes reward based training as the preferred approach and advises professional help with behaviour problems.
04 / SPECIALIST HELPAsk careful questions
Read guidance +
For persistent or high risk problems, ask a professional how they assess welfare, set goals, handle setbacks and measure progress. If a specialist tool is discussed, ask why it is proposed, what alternatives were tried and what safeguards would apply.
Source: Defra Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs. This guide is general information, not a case specific training or veterinary plan.
What the evidence can and cannot tell us
Different studies test different behaviours. A result from recall training is not automatically a result for chasing livestock, and a moving lure is not a real field case.
Recall and general obedience
FindingThe positive reinforcement group achieved better responses on several recall and sit measures. No efficiency advantage was found for the e collar group.
Method and limits +
Method: 63 dogs with off lead problems, three training groups, up to 150 minutes across five days.
Limit: A short study focused on recall and sit. It does not test every training context.
Stopping a moving lure chase
FindingThe e collar group stopped chasing the lure sooner in this setup. In the final test in a new arena, 67% chased again.
Method and limits +
Method: Dogs were assigned to three approaches across six training sessions, followed by retention and generalisation tests.
Limit: A controlled lure task is not equivalent to all real world predation or livestock scenarios, and generalisation was incomplete.
Survey, not a clinical trial
91% reported the main problem resolved or much improved. 5% reported skin irritation or injury, and 1% said safe management became much worse. This self selected survey cannot show cause and effect.
See all results and limitations →Evidence note last reviewed 2 October 2026. These examples are a starting point, not a systematic review. NAPET’s interpretation should remain clearly separate from each study’s findings and limitations.
Related reading: How to read NAPET’s owner survey results without overstating them.
Check the process, not just the promise
NAPET publishes a Code of Conduct. A published code is useful, but it is not itself independent accreditation or evidence that a trainer has passed an assessment.
Related reading: Questions to ask about professional accountability in dog training.
01 / STANDARDPublished expectations
Read more +
The NAPET Code of Conduct has sections on ethical practice, learning and assessment integrity, complaints, breaches and review. Read the complete text before relying on a summary.
02 / STANDARDWho is accountable
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Meet the board to see who holds governance roles and read declared interests. Questions or professional concerns can be raised through Contact NAPET.
03 / STANDARDScheme status
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NAPET says a professional accreditation scheme is in development. The current trainer page is for registering interest only. Registration is free and does not confer membership, accreditation or approval to practise.
04 / STANDARDIndependent recognition
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No UKAS accreditation is claimed here. UKAS distinguishes accreditation of a competent assessment body from certification of a person or organisation. Any future claim should name the awarding body, exact scope and assessment method.
Separate law, proposals and opinion
Scotland entry updated 12 October 2026. Northern Ireland entry updated 6 October 2026. England and Wales entries last checked 2 October 2026. Policy can change. Follow the original government source before writing to an MP or advising an owner.
Consultation promised
Source dated 22 December 2025Defra’s Animal Welfare Strategy says the government will consult later in this Parliament on whether to ban the use of electric shock collars. This is a stated intention to consult, not a claim that a new ban is in force.
Prohibition in force
2010 regulationsWelsh regulations prohibit electronic collars capable of delivering an electric shock to cats or dogs. Rules differ across the UK.
Call for a ban agreed
Assembly vote: 5 October 2026The Assembly agreed a motion calling on DAERA to ban the sale, use and ownership of aversive training tools. The vote did not itself bring a ban into force. Ordinary slip leads are not explicitly named in the motion.
30 June 2026: consultation closed.
5 October 2026: amended motion agreed.
Consultation on a ban proposed
Updated 12 October 2026 · Ministerial answer dated 5 August 2026Scottish Government guidance warns that causing unnecessary suffering through training aids, including electronic collars, may constitute an offence under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. The circumstances of each case matter.
The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission recommended prohibiting electronic shock collars in its April 2023 report. That recommendation is advice to ministers, not legislation creating a ban.
On 5 August 2026, Jim Fairlie confirmed that the Scottish Government is committed to consulting on a proposal to ban remote controlled training collars. This confirms an intention to consult. The answer does not establish that a consultation is open or that a new ban is in force.
Owners and professionals should distinguish welfare law, government guidance, a consultation commitment and any future legislation.
Read ministerial answer S7W-02010, 5 August 2026 →
Keep learning, keep checking
Explore the resource library, the full Code of Conduct and the original sources above. If a claim cannot be traced to a source and date, treat it as unverified.
New practical guides: independent owner use, UK e collar rules and proposals, and measuring training progress with a printable record.