Electronic Dog Collars

The RSPCA advise that you should never try to modify your dog’s behaviour by punishing them. Anti-barking collars constitute a form of punishment, and are unreliable – they do not address the underlying cause of the problem, and are easy to abuse. Your dog will be punished for every bark, some of which will be appropriate, and it will not learn an alternative, acceptable behaviour.

RSPCA Australia is opposed to the use of any electronically activated or other devices which deliver electric shocks, such as anti-barking collars and invisible boundaries. Such devices are inhumane as they inflict pain, involve punishment and can be used to abuse animals. RSPCA Australia is also opposed to the use of collars that deliver aversive stimuli such as sound or scent, including citronella collars and high-pitched sound-emitting devices.

For more information on electronic collars and your legal responsibilities, please visit Agriculture Victoria's Electronic Collars page.

If you believe an electronic collar is being used on an animal that is not in accordance with state legislation, please visit the Animal Welfare and Animal Cruelty page.