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For nearly 60 years, people have debated the ethics of using shock collars on dogs. Some people say shock collars do not emit enough electricity to injure or distress the dog. Other people say any amount of electric shock is inhumane.
A collar is one of the most important pieces of equipment for a dog, along with a No-Pull dog harness and a durable leash. The collar acts as a place to hang the dog’s license, rabies tag, and identification tag. But does an essential piece of dog equipment need to be painful? Does it need to instill fear in your dog? In this article, we will discuss the debate between pro-shock collars and anti-shock collars followed by expert words deciding if shock collars are acceptable training mechanisms.
The Debate Over Shock Collars for Dogs
People in favor of shock collars for dogs declare they do one of three things to train or protect a dog. First, shock collars work with invisible fences to prevent a dog from leaving the designated area. As the dog approaches the underground wire, he feels an electrical charge, which deters him from getting any closer.
Second, shock collars teach a dog to be quiet by producing an electrical shockwave every time the dog barks. The dog will realize that every time he barks, he gets shocked. Eventually, he will learn to stay quiet.
And third, shock collars work with a remote – operated by the handler – who can administer an electric shock when deemed necessary. Usually, shock collars are used in Positive Punishment training in which a physical force is utilized when the dog performs a behavior incorrectly. In this case, the dog feels an electrical shock when he does not correctly obey the command given.
Typically, people in favor of shock collars for dogs claim that the collar does not deliver enough electricity to harm the dog. The collar only delivers enough shock to get the dog’s attention. During an adrenaline-fueled chase, a dog may not listen to spoken commands from his handler. Other dogs, passing cars, and wild animals are often more exciting to chase as opposed to obeying a Sit or Come command. A shock collar, people say, grabs the dog’s attention and brings him back to reality.
People who disapprove of the shock collars argue that the electricity is ineffective against bad behavior. It does not reduce or remove the bad behavior, but does instill a sense of fear towards training and/or the dog’s handler. And when a dog begins to fear something or someone, they begin to show signs of aggression. Causing pain through the use of electricity does not properly train the dog.
Many anti-shock collar people also argue that the use of electricity on a dog is inhumane, no matter how many volts it may be. Additionally, some shock collars irritate the skin and cause inflammation of the neck if left on the dog for too long. If the dog has allergies or sensitive skin, inflammation is more likely to occur.
One alternative to electric shock collars is the much gentler yet effective vibrating collar. This type of collar has a vibrating mechanism that responds to remote control, quite similar to a shock collar but without the use of electricity. The vibrating movement gets the dog’s attention when needed but does not instill fear of training or his handler.
Articles Declare the Truth About Shock Collars
We sought after the knowledge of a few experts on the matter for further reference. The majority of our research on shock collars claimed they were inhumane and ineffective. The first article referenced is published by the Humane Society.
The Humane Society describes shock collars as “electric current passing through metal contact points on the collar to give your dog a signal. This electric signal can range from a mild tickling sensation to a painful shock.” Most commonly, shock collars are used for training, which is the least humane and most controversial use of the collar. The handler can administer the electrical current from a remote at a distance. The chances of abuse (administering shock as punishment) or misuse (administering shock at incorrect times) is infinitely higher in a training scenario. Henceforth, the dog may begin to associate the painful shock with people or training and thus develop aggressive behaviors.
The Green Acres Kennel Shop published a comprehensive article discussing the unintended consequences of shock collars. Essentially, shock collars cause pain, stress, and aggression. There are humane alternatives that deem shock collars unnecessary.
“We know from the science of operant conditioning that the aversive stimulus (electric shock) must be sufficiently aversive (i.e. painful) in order to cause a change in behavior,” writes The Green Acres Kennel Shop. Therefore, proponents might call it a mere “static charge” but we know better than to believe that claim.
A study on guard dogs, Green Acres reports, shows that shock collars cause undue stress on a dog which results in guard dogs associating their handlers as aversive even outside of training sessions. Dogs learn that their handler’s presence and commands announce the administration of electric shocks, regardless of context.
Dog owners with electric fences usually do not have ill will in utilizing such a containment system seeing as they want to give their dog freedom at less of a financial cost. However, dogs can see, hear, and smell what lies beyond the invisible “fence.” If they are attracted to something beyond the fence, they may run for it, endure the shock, and continue running. The shock only occurs when the dog is on top of the underground wire. They do not feel a shock beyond the wire. Once outside the fence, the dog is comfortable and free. Now there’s a new problem: the dog knows he must endure the electrical shock again to return to his home. If nothing inside the invisible fence is attractive enough, he will not return to his home by his own free will. Therefore, while electric invisible fences have good intentions, the unintended consequences can be detrimental.
Lastly, Green Acres notes a statement by veterinary behaviorist Dr. Karen Overall:
“To understand people’s willingness to shock their dogs and cats (and sometimes horses), one important association needs to be acknowledged: people reach for tools such as shock when they feel helpless to address their pet’s behavioral concerns and when they feel that this is the only way that they can keep their pet safe and alive. Unfortunately, companies that make and market shock collars prey on these concerns, claiming that their products keep pets safe and save lives. There is no published evidence to support these claims, but there is now considerable evidence published in the peer-reviewed literature that refutes them. Anyone considering the use of shock for behavioral problems— whether it is a remote/ bark activated shock collar, a remote-controlled collar, an invisible fence, or a device such as a Scat Mat that shocks anyone who touches it— should know:
- The use of shock is not a treatment for pets with behavioral concerns.
- The use of shock is not a way forward.
- The use of shock does not bring dogs back from the brink of euthanasia; instead, it may send them there.
- Such adversarial techniques have negative consequences that are dismissed/ ignored by those promoting these techniques.”
Plos One published an article titled “The Welfare Consequences and Efficacy of Training Pet Dogs with Remote Electronic Training Collars in Comparison to Reward Based Training” written by J. Cooper, N. Cracknell, J. Hardiman, H. Wright, and D. Mills. The group studied the welfare consequences of training dogs with manually operated electronic devices. The study consisted of three groups of dogs. Treatment Group A was trained with professional dog trainers who utilized shock collars. Treatment Group B was trained by the same trainers without shock collars. Treatment Group C was trained by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, UK without shock collars.
Dogs participated in 15-minute training sessions per day for four to five days. Scientists tested saliva to examine cortisol levels over the training period. The group found negative changes in dogs’ behavior upon application of electric stimulation and elevated cortisol post-stimulation. The dogs trained with shock collars received low electrocution levels with a warning function – a beep, perhaps.
Group A dogs spent pointedly more time in a tense state, yawned more (a dog’s attempt to reduce stress or anxiety), and engaged in less environmental interaction as compared to Group C dogs. After the training sessions, 92% of dog owners reported improved behavior but there was no significant difference between groups. Owners were not confident enough to utilize the shock collar in their own training sessions. Overall, these findings suggest that there is no reliable evidence of shock collars being beneficial. Positive reward-based training showed much greater results.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading our article on such a fragile topic. At K9deb.com, we do not promote or encourage the use of shock collars on dogs. We want our pups to be as comfortable with us as possible. We do encourage humane methods of training, such as a reward-based method where a dog is motivated by a treat, praise, or a toy.
Please remember, we are not veterinarians, so please consult a doctor or professional trainer for deeper information on training methods, or specifically shock collars. Feel free to leave a comment with any questions you may have and we will answer to the best of our knowledge!
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I have 3 dogs on 5 acres. The containment/training system used on it dogs is a GPS based system. As the dog approaches the perimeter, the system begins to beep. If the dog continues to cross the perimeter the system then begins to deliver the shock.
Once the dog had excited the perimeter the shock discontinues. All boundary conditions are adjustable as to the width. Even when the dog has crossed, it is still trackable on the handheld remote.
Since purchasing this system (Dogexpeditionsystems.com TC1) we have only 2 incidents where the dog crossed the perimeter and didn’t immediately (porcupine 1x) return. The collars didn’t turn on in both cases. A simple vibration from the unit and the dogs immediately return home.
Hello Tim, I’m glad to hear you’ve had such success with a vibrating collar! 5 aces and 3 dogs is a lot to patrol and protect so the GPS system sounds like the perfect device. Thanks for reading!
I have working stock dogs. All positive reinforcement trained on long and short lines. I use a shock collar for off leash long distance training to keep a young dog from being over zealous and putting cattle through fences or to stop them from getting in a place where the cattle can kill them. I always use the beep button first, rarely have I had to use the shock button. Used correctly under the right circumstance, a shock collar can save vet bills and lives. No animal should be abused ever.
Hello Tamara, I agree – no dog should ever be abused. I’m glad to hear you know how to properly utilize the collar system with your dogs. Too often people misuse the collar and end up creating fear or injury. Thanks for reading!
I use a shock vibrate collar on two great pyrenees works wonders. I have been using these for over a year all I use is vibrate
Hi Lanny, I’m glad to see the vibrate setting works well for you! Thanks for sharing.
You can not reward a dog out of a bad behavior. A remote collar, used properly with proper training can save a dogs life. How would you retrain a dog out of a agressive behavior such as bitting??? Not with a reward.
Hi Cyd, thanks for the response! I’ve actually had success with rewarding a dog out of bad behavior. For example, I worked with a pitbull who was acting aggressively towards the lawn tractor. She hated the noise it made and barked at the windows. If she was outside while the tractor was running, she tried to bite it. Every time the tractor was running, I kept her inside the house with her favorite kong toy stuffed with treats. I only gave her that activity when the tractor was running. She learned to associate the tractor with those treats and that fun activity. Now she just plays with her toys and watches from the window. So, I understand that reward-based behavior alterations aren’t for every dog, but they can be successful! Thanks for reading!
Nothing helps a dogs hearing better than a beep, vibrate & or a TINGLING . PERHAPS IF YOU CALLED IT A TINGLING COLLAR INSTEAD OF THE INHUMANE SOUNDING SHOCK COLLAR IT WOULD BE MORE ACCEPTED. NEVER PUNISH YOUR DOG WITH VOLTAGE. I felt the levels of the sensation myself with a fully charged collar. #4 of the 7 is maximum amount I use.
Thank you for your input, MJ! I agree with you about never using voltage as punishment. I’ve seen too many dogs become aggressive towards loved ones due to association of painful shocks with a particular person. It’s truly sad. Thanks for reading!
I have begun using E collars for training my 2 dogs for the last 6 months and they have done wonders. One of my very loved and now very behaved dogs is a stubborn 6 year old pit bull about 60 pounds and there other is a 1 year old mixed bread about 30 pounds. Both my dogs have no problem putting the collars on multiple times every day. They actually seem to like the extra bling around their necks. I have positively changed a handful of unwanted behaviors already and have full confidence in verbal commands as a result. A list of problems I had prior to using the e collar were for door aggression, excessive barking, digging in the back yard, chewing children’s toys, jumping on counters for human food, keeping them out of unwanted areas, listening to commands when off leash, excessive pulling when on leash walking, jumping on and licking guests when they come over, and has been a great tool in all training for all reasons. In saying this, (in the past 6 months of owning the e collars) I have only had to administer a shock once on the older dog and about 5 times with the younger dog. There are beep and vibrate buttons which you never talk about in your article. These buttons are all I need to remind my pups that they need to listen without administering a shock. A simple beep is way more humane than constantly yelling at your dogs or having to drag them in their cages when caught being disobedient. Before the e collars, I tried positive reinforcement training for about 4 months which didn’t seem to work. It was allot of effort with not much success. It turns out, my dogs will listen for treats but when they know there’s no treats they stop listening. Also I don’t want to overfeed my dog with treats every time I want them to do listen to a command which is all the time. I could see how e collars can be misused and could definitely be used to abuse dogs if one so chooses to. However with a little common sense and a empathetic heart, using e collars could be the best thing you can do for you and your pup. I feel your article was very bias and lacked on knowledge of e collar training. There are right and wrong ways to use these training tools. But they are in no way inhumane if used properly.
I use a bark collar on my lily to stop her constance barking outside it warns a dog before it shocks them she stops barking when it warns her & it has reduce her barking all together . I take the collar off her when inside at least i’my not yelling at her to be quite it seems to be working
Hi Katrina, thank you for your comment! I am glad to hear you don’t need to use the electrical shock to reduce your dog’s barking.
As is this case more and more in recent times your title and article are very misleading. TRUTH behind shock collars is in fact OPINION.
Also I find the article to be biased. The TRUTH is Grey, not black or white. Positive reinforcement training should always be used first and many times that is all that is needed. However there are times when awareness of negative consequences is required. The fact is like all decisions in life common sense must be employed not emotional hysteria in order to come to a proper conclusion. Articles that prey on emotions for results are a cancer to all societies. Case in point. In the SE USA we grow pine trees for paper. Planted, harvested and replanted. Emotional hysteria damned the paper industry, a biodegradable, renewable and recyclable resource that has been replaced with the ecological devistation created by ignorance resulting in emotional hysteria known as plastic.
In the proper hands and used in conjunction with positive reinforcement training, e-collors are a very useful, humane training tool.
Hi Cat, thank you for sharing your opinion on e-collars. You seem very educated and thoughtful. I admire your tenacity.
My 8 month Rhodesian Rhidgback runs on 7 acres and now she stays In the fenced in area.
She use to jump our small fence.One shock on medium and now she knows this is an extension of her leash.I only warn her on vibration when she thinks about jumping the fence.If done correctly I think this is a great tool.
Unfortunately sometimes fear works.I really appreciate your love and compassion for animals.Putting the collar on her was not an easy decision.
Now we understand that this device will keep her from getting out to the road and being hit by a car.
Now she is collar free and I think this device taught her to stay.Before this she would not listen
Hi Bill, I’m glad to see you’ve had such success and that you share the same compassion for dogs. It sounds like you’ve done a great job of training your dog to be safe. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Jason, thank you for sharing your experiences. I’m happy to hear you’ve had so much success with an E-collar. I won’t disagree with you about my article lacking in training because I believe there is always more to learn. Perhaps a few years from now I’ll have more experience and maybe I’ll hold a different opinion. Thanks again for your leaving a comment!
I’ve personally experienced very good results with a shock collar for our golden doodle who- although smart and sweet- had a biting problem (until we got the shock collar, then it was fixed within 1 DAY.)
And I say this respectfully, but I feel like the people who are anti-shock-collar are extremely liberal, politically and socially biased, and basically anti-science. It’s like the people who support 52 genders and deny the obvious realities of dog breeds having different tendencies. They do it to score political brownie points and look trendy, but they just are pushing us back to the Middle Ages (metaphorically speaking) in terms of ignorance of science.
Within 1 DAY of us first using the shock collar on our pup, she stopped biting for good. She was licking our faces without nibbling within an hour of using it the first time. She only nibbled, less hard than usual, once the next day.. another small shock immediately when she did it… then no more biting.)
I would compare shock collars (being used RESPONSIBLY) to RESPONSIBLE and controlled, calm spanking of a child. It stings- it’s painful- but it leaves no lasting damage and it teaches them in a very evolutionary way that bad behavior has consequences. And of course, pair the shock collar punishment immediately after biting, by also rewarding the dogs good behavior when the dog is good… treats, petting, sweet voices, walks, etc when your dog behaves well.
If you only do “positive training”, then the dog is thinking “Haha, I can play nice to get lots of pets and treats, and whenever I feel like biting, I can rip the hell out of their hand and my p*ussy owner isn’t going to do anything about it, LOL.” I know dogs brains aren’t that developed, but instinctively, that’s how they think. They think they can do any bad behavior they want, and the worst that’ll happen is “time out” or time alone. They don’t care! That isn’t enough of a deterrent.
Also the articles you picked were cherry picked.
If you go onto any shock collar’s google reviews, you’ll see they always have a 4 star rating or above- hundreds of people like me, say how effectively they worked.
If shock collars made dogs fearful, angry, hostile, depressed and evasive of people, then these shock collars would have mostly bad reviews, not overwhelmingly great reviews.
I’m not saying there aren’t bad owners (and bad parents) who will shock a dog excessively or beat a kid black and blue, but I’m not talking about those dumbasses. I’m talking about 110 or above IQ, morally classy, responsible adults who want to help their dog and child be the best They can be growing up. And the last thing I want is for my dog or my child to get a lethal injection because they acted violently towards others. That’s why appropriate and controlled punishment for violent behavior is so necessary. If a parent will not do it, then the government WILL do it.
Hi Charles, Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I’m not sure I see the connection between politics and shock collars but I admire your broad thinking. I can agree with you that in many aspects of life there are usually only a few people who take something too far and evidently ruin it for everyone else who is doing it right. Perhaps shock collars are the same way. I’m glad to see you’ve been successful in training your golden doodle.
My Brother & his wife was killing there Dog with this shock collie. It’s like Lori why don’t you put a shock collier on your mother s neck too keep her with you. This was wrong you people are in saine.
Hi Cat, I’m sorry to hear that your brother and his wife are misusing a shock collar on their dog. Perhaps you could educate them on better ways to train their dog?
You state in summary that you are opposed to the use of electronic collars, or as you choose to describe them pejoratively, “shock collars” as a matter of choice coming into the article – and this bias shows. First, the use of the word “shock” is a common gimmick used to prejudice others up front. Forty years ago or so this adjective may have been accurate for the crude devices that were first marketed. The modern quality electronic training collar is not intended to be used to shock dogs. The intentional use of this technically misleading word is dishonest as it conveys to others something similar to the sort of shock one might experience from say 110 volt house current. Well, of course no one should be in favor of that. Second, grouping three different types of collars used for completely different purposes together is also dishonest. There is no comparison between containment system collars, barking collars and high-quality electronic training collars. So the truth behind “shock” collars is that for training dogs no true professional dog trainer or informed owner is subjecting dogs to painful shocks. The levels at which these collars are typically used for training based on negative reinforcement or positive correction are not detectable by humans. So asserting that dogs are being painfully shocked in common actual practice is false. A choice to employ positive reinforcement tools and methods only is just that – a choice. But conveying false or misleading information intentionally or based ignorance is unethical.
David, thank you for clarifying the different types of shock collars. You seem very educated on the matter. And I agree that shock collars are not intended for painful uses but there are, unfortunately, people who mistreat these collars – thus ruining their uses for other people. Thanks again for your comment.