Electric Collar Tested

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31906, 6 February 1969, Page 1

Electric Collar Tested

(N.Z. Press Association! WHANGAREI, February 5. Mr R. Gilberd, of Okaihau, today underwent a test with an electric dog collar, in support of his claim that it is a valuable training aid. Mr Gilberd wore the collar on his own neck. Only by a sudden jerk did he indicate when the power was turned on. Reporters who tried the collar knew that it hurt, but Mr Gilberd said he was

braced for it and expected it to be much worse than it was. His own dog, Trixie, he said, would not be a good subject because she was too old. But he would con-

sider buying the collar if he had a younger dog. It would still be only a reminder, and not a training aid. A dog had to be taught first what it was doing wrong he said, and then the collar could be used to remind it when it went wrong. The unit consists of a 17oz collar with inside contacts, which will deliver a continuous shock. The shock is less than that delivered by a electric

fence, and a spokesman for the manufacturing company said the amperage was about one-fiftieth of that in a fence unit. The shock is effective up to one mile.

Mr G. C. Randall, an S.P.C.A. inspector, who pressed the button for the test, tried the collar himself and said that it had some advantages, which were outweighed by its disadvantages. Mr Randall said he was giving his own opinion, not that of the society. One of the disadvantages he mentioned was that the device delivered a continuous shock which, he thought, would be open to abuse. There was heavy rain during the test on Mr Gilberd. He was therefore wet and formed the best possible contact.