What assessment has the Minister made regarding any evidence that training dogs through positive reinforcement alone deters them from attacking sheep?
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.