It’s official: New South Wales has taken a major leap forward in animal protection. Following years of advocacy from the Pet Professional Guild Australia (PPGA) and passionate dog lovers across the state, the NSW Government has announced a total ban on the use and possession of prong collars.
This isn't just a minor rule change—it’s part of the most significant overhaul of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act in decades.
The Ban on Prong Collars
Prong collars (also known as pinch collars) are metal devices with inward-facing spikes designed to pinch a dog's neck to "correct" behaviour.[1] While they have been illegal to import into Australia for years, NSW is now joining states like Victoria and Queensland in making their use and possession a crime.
Why the change?
- Pain is not a teacher: Contemporary science shows that prong collars work by inflicting physical pain and fear.[2]
- Physical Risks: These collars can cause deep puncture wounds and long-term damage to a dog’s thyroid, oesophagus, and trachea.
- Emotional Damage: The PPGA has long maintained that "aversive" training tools increase anxiety and can lead to redirected aggression, making dogs less safe in the community.[3]
"This ban acknowledges what the evidence has shown for years: our dogs deserve to feel safe while they learn."
For years, the PPGA has called for an overhaul of the unregulated dog training industry. Many owners are often misled by "quick fix" training seen on TV programs or social media.
Unlike other professions, dog training in Australia has no government-mandated standards. The PPGA encourages owners to look for trainers with at least a Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services and a commitment to force-free, reward-based methods.
"Effective training is built on skill, education, and trust, not pain and intimidation," says Sarah Campbell, President of the PPGA.
The 2026 reforms also introduce much tougher consequences for owners who put their pets at risk. [4]
- Hot Cars: It is now a specific offense to leave a dog unattended in a vehicle on a hot day.[5] In the last six years, the RSPCA has received over 500 reports of dogs locked in cars—incidents that can turn fatal in just minutes. [6]
- The Stakes: Offenders can now face fines of up to $44,000 and a one-year prison sentence.[7]
- Increased Powers: The law now makes it easier for inspectors to provide immediate pain relief to animals in distress and for authorised personnel to intervene in emergencies.[8]
Training for a Better Future
The end of the prong collar is a victory for the human-animal bond. By moving away from tools of "compulsion," NSW owners are being encouraged to embrace Positive Reinforcement.
When we reward a dog for doing the "right" thing rather than punishing them for the "wrong" thing, we create a pet that wants to listen because they trust us—not because they are afraid.
Fast Facts: Staying Compliant
How to find a Force-Free Trainer:
Ensure your trainer is a member of a professional body like the PPGA, which requires members to abide by a strict Code of Conduct that excludes the use of shock, pain, or fear.
RSPCA Knowledgebase: What is a pronged collar? — Official definition and description of how these metal devices function.Pet Professional Guild Australia (PPGA): Position Statement on the Use of Choke and Prong Collars — Scientific evidence detailing why pain-based "correction" is counterproductive to learning.Australian Veterinary Association (AVA): Position on Behavior Modifying Collars — Professional analysis of the emotional damage and risk of redirected aggression caused by aversive tools.NSW Government (Ministerial Release): Delivering on community demand for better animal welfare laws — The January 18, 2026, announcement of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act overhaul.NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI): Animal Welfare Reform 2026 — Official breakdown of the new distinct offences for prong collar possession and hot car neglect.RSPCA NSW: Reports of Dogs in Hot Cars (Data Summary) — Specific 2026 data identifying more than 500 reports of pets locked in vehicles over the last six years.NSW DPI: Increasing Penalties and Improving Court Orders — Current 2026 penalty schedule showing maximum fines of $44,000 and jail terms for individuals.Mirage News: NSW Meets Demand for Improved Animal Welfare Laws — Detailed report on the new powers granted to inspectors to provide immediate pain relief and intervene in emergencies.
