Written question WQ87529
- Asked by
- Natasha AsgharConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 8 days
Question
What assessment has the Minister made regarding any evidence that training dogs through positive reinforcement alone deters them from attacking sheep?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
I would like to draw your attention to the text in the Welsh Government’s Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs:
3.8 Good dog training classes will show you reward-based training techniques that teach your dog desirable behaviour and prevent or modify different types of unwanted behaviour. Negative punishment-based training can cause unnecessary suffering and confusion to dogs. The use of any collar capable of administering a shock to a dog is banned in Wales.
The text of the Code was drafted by a working group covering a wide range of stakeholders, including vets, welfare organisations and the Countryside Alliance. The text was then widely consulted on.