Letters from Readers:

Hello,
In issue three there was an article on the electronic collar and how it can help with border and behaviour control. Can you please advise where these systems can be purchased? I am in Auckland, New Zealand. - Catherine

THE company was called Innotek and was based in Auckland. I do not know if it is still there but I think it would be, unless it has grown larger and gone overseas - a look through your phone book or an internet search would soon tell you. The article was in issue 3, which was in 2000, so a lot of changes can happen in five years. One of the changes is that canine owners' homes are now usually inspected as part of the registration fee discount plan by local councils. An electronic collar would not qualify for a discount as it would not be regarded as a replacement for dog-proof fences.

A second change is that training methods have changed hugely over the last few years. It is now acknowledged that kind methods of training are the most effective and longer lasting, and they don't alienate you from your dog. I would recommend that you attend a clicker training course and most importantly - keep it up! Most dogs that get into mischief are bored dogs. All they need is plenty to do and plenty to learn. Other activities your dog may enjoy are obedience class, agility training, tracking club, breed club days, and many others. All dogs love to learn new things and play with new toys.

The only time I would say yes, try an electronic collar, would be as a last resort before euthanasia if a dog had acquired a really bad habit such as hunting neighbours' chickens or worrying farm sheep etc. In that case it could be a worthwhile alternative but only if training had failed. - Ed