U.K. vet groups warn against aversive dog training techniques

London, England

-- A tour of the United Kingdom by Cesar Millan next year has prompted several U.K. animal welfare, behavior and training organizations to band together for a campaign that warns of possible dangers associated with some of Millan's training techniques.

The organizations, including the British Veterinary Association and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, say that Millan, star of the TV show “Dog Whisperer,” has been seen to use aversive techniques that can cause pain and fear. These techniques involve applying an unpleasant stimulus to inhibit behavior by using prong collars or electric shock collars, restricting dogs’ air supply with nooses or leads and pinning the dogs to the ground.

The organizations state that aversive techniques pose welfare problems for the dogs and may even worsen the behavior problems the owners are trying to correct, resulting in a considerable risk to owners. Similar organizations around the world share these concerns and are a part of the campaign.

For more on this initiative, visit www.dogwelfarecampaign.org>.