I'd like to suggest a potential solution to the constant e-collar debates that seem to spring up with amazing frequency.

It is not unreasonable that those objecting to e-collar use, make their opinions known if that method is proposed as a solution.

By the same token, whilst the e-collar remains a legal alternative for a person wishing to train a dog in the UK, it is also not unreasonable that a person be allowed (on an open forum) to raise their use when discussing a training problem.

However, at the moment this is merely tieing up original posters questions with a debate which has very little to do with their question.

How about having a specific e-collar debate on the forum, then lock the thread and put it at the top of the 'behaviour' board (or FAQ). It may be the case that a previous existing thread could be used for this purpose.

Thereafter, if e-collar use is mentioned as a potential solution to a problem raised on the forum, a person objecting to that answer can then just refer to the objections (and counter arguements) on the specific e-collar thread, without both sides needing to reinvent the same arguements.

Hopefully that approach will allow all sides of the debate without constantly clogging up innocent posters threads with a debate that they may have very little interest in?????

Good idea, Havoc. There are several topics which always end up rehashing the same points of view (e-collars, vaccinations, e-collars etc) and they get very tedious. And as you say, they hijack threads and muddy the water when someone asks for help.

Good idea. I was reading about the dog barkin in the car and now its gone? All because, I assume, the debate about e collars took over

>I was reading about the dog barkin in the car and now its gone? All because, I assume, the debate about e collars took over

I think it was deleted because it turned personal.  One poster called another a liar and it went south from there.  But the moderators haven't given us any feedback, at least none that I know of.  I'd prefer that they'd remove the offending posts but I don't make those decisions. 

I don't think that there's anything wrong with the suggestion about a debate but the problem is that the people who oppose their use have invalid ideas about the tool and they consistently go to personal attacks and rudeness.  They rely on emotional attacks and don't follow logical thought patterns.  This is understandable since they have no experience with the tool used as I do.  But this Forum is called the Information Exchange and they constantly block the flow of information.  They talk about pain and fear and scared dogs.  If they'd seen the tools used properly they'd probably change their minds.  But most of them have their minds made up and won't be confused with the facts. 

I don't think that there's an Ecollar discussion that hasn't been locked.  Those opposed to the tool have stopped the flow of information every time.  In the most recent post, on Teaching the Recall I asked that the usual critiques of the tool not be made.  But those opposed to the tool wouldn't listen.  

But debate is just that Lou, allowing people to put their point of view against the idea as well as pro.

Lou - do you read any other posts on here - or is it that the bells ring when COLLARS are mentioned?

I just wondered whether you'd read the post about the newfie & his good citizen bronze award?

Margot

Yes, this is an Information Exchange.

You have been given the Information that most people here consider e-collars to be at best only for use as a last resort, when all other training methods have failed.

If you can't learn from that Information then you are guilty of exactly the same sin (that of ignorance and a closed mind) as you accuse those who don't agree with you.