I’m not going to sugarcoat any of this. The only time you should think about using a shock collar to train your dog is when positive reinforcement has failed, and even then, only after consulting a professional trainer or veterinarian. However, if your dog exhibits a persistent behavior that prevents it from living a happy, fulfilling life, you may find that a shock collar can be helpful.
Teddy was adopted by my wife and I from a small rescue group in northeast Montana a year and a half ago. She had a difficult upbringing and was only five months old. The rescuer thought she was a Great Pyrenees-German shepherd mix. We had to be consistent, patient, and full of love for a full year before she felt at home with us. Teddy developed into the sweetest dog we’ve ever owned, making all that effort completely worthwhile.
Teddy is not a Great Pyrenees mix, it turns out. She’s a purebred Anatolian shepherd. Turkish-born Anatolians are a breed of livestock guardians known for their athleticism and fiercely protective, devoted nature. A famous photograph of a sheep licking the wounds of another sheep covered in blood after defending its flock from wolves is well-known among Anatolian enthusiasts. In a region of the world known for its large predators, Teddy is not the worst dog to end up owning. Before adopting an Anatolian, you should be aware of one thing, though: they are to running what an Arabian Stallion is to barking.
We probably became aware of a problem around the time the mayor of our small town threatened to call the police on us. When Teddy starts barking, we spend a lot of time attempting to divert her attention to other, more constructive things. This was about a year ago. And it worked; Teddy now barks less frequently and less persistently as a result. Compared to last year, it’s dropped probably 20 percent.
However, even though an owner may view a 20% reduction in an Anatolian shepherd’s barking as a huge accomplishment, the result is still a lot of barking. And that posed a threat to our ability to live with Teddy. We searched far and wide for a dog-friendly venue for our wedding and then organized a 5,000-mile drive there and back, staying in dog-friendly hotels and camping along the way so we could bring all three dogs. We’re obviously careful to never leave the dogs alone in hotel rooms, but we worried that Teddy would disturb other guests if we didn’t keep an eye on him. We needed to find a way to completely stop her barking, at least for a night or two at a time, in order to bring her along.
Our friend Ty flew in to stay with us for the weekend while we were trying to figure that out. I still wanted to take Ty to a new area of Montana despite the fact that many of the remote hiking trails were impassable due to the winter weather. We ultimately decided to take the dogs to a trail I had never hiked before. It was overcrowded, and it did not go well.
On hikes, Teddy used to ignore other dogs, but as her confidence has grown, she has also begun to understand that she can make friends outside of our immediate family. That happened gradually, beginning with human house guests and progressing to dogs we would run into at the dog park. Teddy hasn’t necessarily learned about dog politics, even though she’s learned about the possibility of friends. Not all dogs are amiable, not all dogs want to play, and not all dog owners are aware that a fierce-looking, intensely focused, 115-pound Anatolian shepherd bounding up to them at full speed is actually just excited to lick them on the face.
It HURTS!
Even though the majority of companies that sell shock collars emphasize how “safe” their products are and how it “doesn’t really hurt” your pet, we can assure you that it does. It is true that it won’t cause any lasting physical harm or leave any scars. That doesnt mean it doesnt hurt. Think back to all the times you hurt yourself. Do you have physical marks from every single injury?.
Do Shock Collars Work?
Many people use shock collars for dogs, which begs the question, “Do shock collars work?,” but there are some indications of their efficacy. Your pet may regress once the collar is removed because the behavior changes are regrettably based on fear rather than learning.
Review our list of the top 5 reasons why shock collars are bad for pets if you currently use or are considering using one on your dog to become aware of the drawbacks of using shock collars to train animals.
What are the Pros of Using Dog Training Collars?
There are a few reasons to use an e-collar despite its unfavorable reputation First off, it enables remote behavioral problem solving Other training techniques are only effective when you are right next to your dog, but there are other times when he might exhibit undesirable behavior.
With the aid of an electronic collar, you can call your dog even when he is far away. You’ve probably encountered the scenario where your dog spots something and runs erratically after it while barking nonstop. You might yell, but he’s not listening.
This is when a shock collar can come in handy. It will draw his attention and prompt him to cease the inappropriate behavior Additionally, it helps dogs that don’t respond to voice commands.
Another benefit of the way shock collars work is that you don’t have to be there. When you use a dog training collar in combination with an electric fence, you can shut down those aggressive behaviors, barking, and your dog’s tendency to run through the neighborhood when you’re not around.
You don’t want other people to deal with those kinds of behavioral issues, so if you don’t, they will. Furthermore, dogs that exhibit aggressive behavior on a regular basis can actually endanger other animals or people. That may imply that you must put your cherished pet to sleep by law.
But shock collars can be efficient at reducing undesirable behaviors, and they also provide your dog with immediate feedback. Another benefit is that shock collar training can be performed without even your presence. Your dog can receive a light shock from a remote control, which will prevent him from associating you with unfavorable comments.
Last but not least, e-collars are inexpensive training tools that are much less expensive than hiring a professional trainer. However, keep in mind that you really need to do more than just stop the behavior, so dog training may still be required.
You may need to use something more drastic if mild training techniques and positive reinforcement simply aren’t working. Negative reinforcement training techniques are typically not the best ways to train dogs. However, for some behaviors, you must use successful training methods, or you are harming your pet.
It’s crucial to understand, though, that while a shock collar may stop undesirable behavior, it doesn’t deal with the underlying issue.
For instance, improper or insufficient socialization leads to a number of aggressive behaviors in dogs. You would need to work with your dog to better socialize him in order to really address that issue. Additionally, your dog might become more hostile as a result of the shock, not less,
FAQ
Do vets recommend shock collars?
Shock collars are frequently misused and can make your dog fearful, anxious, and aggressive toward other people or animals. They may stop undesirable behavior, but they don’t teach a dog what you want them to do in its place, so they shouldn’t be used.
What are the side effects of using a shock collar on a dog?
Shock collars can harm dogs physically, psychologically, and physically (from burns to cardiac fibrillation), as well as cause extreme anxiety and displaced aggression. The temperaments and pain thresholds of individual animals vary; a shock that seems mild to one dog may be severe to another.
Are shock collars a good training tool?
The short answer to this question is that yes, depending on the trainer and how they are using this aversive training, shock collars can be an effective way to reduce a variety of stubborn behaviors in dogs, including excessive barking, unwanted aggression, pet containment, and general stubborn behavior.
Can a shock collar hurt a dog’s neck?
Neck sores can develop if a dog’s static shock collar is applied incorrectly.