What is a shock collar?

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Since the 1970’s, ES collars have been available. The devices reportedly used to be fairly “primitive,” and this may be the origin of the term “shock” in reference to their purpose—even though the currents delivered by the collar were still not The term has never been appropriately applied in the context of ES pet collars. The term has evolved as has the development of newer systems, and our understanding of animal’s learning abilities and behaviors related to correction.

A term commonly and incorrectly used in reference to electric containment systems for pets is . This term is decreasing in its use due to underlying references to abuse and trauma to pets as inferred by the word Therefore, use of other terms such as and are increasingly in use. Some terms in continued use today which all refer to and will be referred to in this paper as the include short for electronic stimulation collar), and

Websites tend to use the term “shock collar” when promoting the welfare of animals, and when discouraging the use of ES collars. This position is enhanced with strong terms such as “will absolutely” to the terrible (yet false) effects of ES collars, like the case that they will cause burns, distress, convulsions, and that overall, these devices are ineffective and used only by those lacking compassion. These statements are proven as scientifically erroneous. A well-known animal welfare association, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), states its opposing stance on the use of ES collars due to misuse. The website’s use of the term “shock,” and the association’s stance in general on the use of ES collars does not a balance of legal evidence concerning the device, of which is a federal court ruling in Australia against the RSPCA. The case considered the lawful ability to manufacture ES collar products, and the lawful use of them.

Modern dog collars used for behavior correction have responded to the population that militantly avoids electronic stimulation, and has created a collar known as the that includes features such as vibration and blinking lights or noises as well as electronic stimulation.

Electronic stimulation is used in combination with three different types of dog training devices; one type is manually operated using a transmitter controlled remotely and includes corrective options other than electronic stimulation, and is known as an , (inappropriately) or more professionally or as it will be known here. Another type of ES device operates automatically as a response to a dog’s bark. These devices are known as and , as they will be known here. The third type is activated when near and crossing a pre-set boundary line or , and is known as an or (inappropriately) or as it will be known here, Stimulation—or —Each of these systems include a dog collar with a box attached to it encasing a battery and circuitry through which electronic stimulus is sent via two electrodes on the collar that rest against the dog’s neck. The electrical stimulus is different in different brands of collar, and depending on the system (ES collars versus ES fence collars since ES collars are run via a remote and ES fence collars by being near or at a programmed boundary line), the stimulus might be delivered at different pulse rates. Some collars beep as a warning before the electronic stimulus is delivered. In all, the stimulus generally lasts from one-one thousandth of a second to thirty seconds long, and of up to many thousand volts of potential difference.

An ES collar finely sends electronic signals from the collar nodes to nerve pathways in the dog’s neck skin that then carefully translate the sensation along the nociceptors and to the brain as a tingling or pulsing sensation rather than direct pain. At the low and medium settings, an electronic stimulation is sent to the dog’s skin receptors and the dog translates this sensation as a prick or tingle similar to a bug bite. At higher levels, the dog may interpret the sensation as pain though there is no damage caused to the nerves, skin, or brain. It does take practice and skill to use an ES collar properly, and directions for use should always be included in the manual of every product. ES collars do not deliver stimulations that burn the skin nor translate as in the brain.

Electronic stimulus training device use is a controversial subject, and the two sides contend over whether these devices cause suffering to dogs or not. Wales and some other European countries currently ban their use, though other United Kingdom countries accept their use.

Proponents of dog training with the use of an electronic stimulation device report that they have noticed their use to, above alternative training methods, change aggressive, problematic dogs into dogs that are confident, problem-free, and obedient.

The use of an electronic stimulation collar is based first on teaching your dog to follow your commands, and second, on teaching your dog to avoid anti-social and unruly behaviors like inappropriate barking, growling, nipping, chewing on things, or jumping on people.

All training methods, whether or not an electronic stimulation collar is used, involve reinforcements and punishments. Here is a breakdown of these two definitions:

Positive punishment is the application of an active consequence when the dog behaves badly, so that the likelihood of him behaving this way in the future is decreased.

For example, if you want to teach your dog to walk beside your heel, the pressure you apply on her collar with the leash is a positive punishment that checks her pulling behavior. Then when she stops pulling, you stop applying collar pressure and this negatively reinforces her behavior of walking beside your heel. Similarly, when you give your dog rewarding attention when he sits to greet people, this positively reinforces his sitting and the lack of attention when he does not sit to greet negatively punishes him for not sitting to greet.

Both aversive- and reward-based training techniques are used by trainers. The use of electronic stimulation and pulse collars for training fit under the aversive-based training technique category.

Some of the most effective lessons a dog can learn with an ES collar are to sit and to stay. The collar is used when the dog does not follow your command. If you say “stay,” if your dog gets back up, you can use your ES collar remote to deliver a corrective electronic stimulus, or pulse. When she does stay and does not get up, praise her with your voice and pet her and maybe give her a treat.

It is important to use your body to teach your dog. Do not let an electronic device do all of the correcting for you. By using your body, you reinforce your relationship with your pet. When he does well, give him affection by speaking kindly and petting him. For example, if you want to teach your dog to sit, say “sit” and place your hand on her back, just above her tail, and push her rump down until she sits. Congratulate her once she gets into the sitting position. Do this a few more times, each time lessening the amount of pressure you place on her back until eventually you don’t have to touch her back at all—you only use your voice to ask her to sit. If she does not follow your command to sit, use the collar to correct her and try again with more pressure from your hand on her back. This lesson uses both the negative and positive behavioral reinforcement techniques, since the stimulus from the collar sends the message when she disobeyed that disobeying is uncomfortable, and your congratulations when she does obey sends the message the obedience is comfortable. Eventually she will get it!

For any other commands you teach, only when your dog does not obey does the correction from the collar come. This is where your inner moral compass will guide you. A question to ask yourself here might be “when am I okay with allowing my dog to experience an uncomfortable consequence? And is there ever a time when I can justify his not following my direction?”

Some professionals at doggy daycares choose to use an alternative methods rather than electronic stimulation devices to train dogs. A top alternative device is the , which is used to create a sound that the dog learns to associate with an incoming reward. Daycare and training professionals cite research in psychological operant conditioning as their credible source in support of the device’s use. Some behavior modification methods work the same for dogs as they do for people.

The dog begins to understand that the clicker is like a trigger. Initially, the clicker is simply a sound she hears after a certain behavior, and it sounds pleasing. Soon she learns that after the this clicker trigger comes praise or a treat, and so she is ever willing to repeat this behavior in response to commands.

The opposite of operant conditioning is a strategy known as behavior-modification, and this is seen in the use of electronic stimulation devices such as the ES collars and fence collars. Instead of receiving a reward after a positive behavior (like walking to heel), the opposite of that behavior (like pulling at the leash) is negatively reinforced with an annoying sensation from the collar.

ES collars emit an electrical current that the dog finds annoying to their skin. In the case of an ES collar, the electronic stimulation was delivered by the dog’s owner, who was nearby with a remote to see that the dog misbehaved and so initiated the stimulus. In cases using an ES fence collar, the owner or trainer may be out of sight when the electronic stimulus correction occurs. This is a passive training strategy that does not require interaction with the dog from it’s trainers. For this reason some countries ban the use of electronic stimulation dog training devices, especially for the possible misuse in which the dog receives the stimulus without reprieve.

As with any training method used, consistency is key to learning. Because they are unfailingly consistent, electronic stimulation fence collars are used by some trainers. If an alternative method is used, it is up to the active presence of the trainer to ensure that behaviors receive consistent responses. If even one correction is missed, the training hight be compromised. It is best to involve all family members in training, and for each member involved in the training to use the alternative device the same way, just as it is important for everyone to use the same command terms for each different behavior.

For not every occasion is it appropriate to give a treat to the dog as a reward. As with using a licker to train, or even an electronic stimulation device, it is still important to use positive reinforcements, and these might include a variety of choices, such as praising the dog verbally, giving pats or belly rubs. In some cases it is appropriate to give a treat, but be sure to use treats only on occasion and only those that have a balance of nutrients, vitamins and minerals—in affect, they are healthy. The dog will learn that after a good behavior, she can anticipate a positive response from her trainer. Since the responses are varied, she will have rapt attention to the training because she is interested in finding out what reward is coming her way this time. This encourages her to stay tuned to the training and gives her confidence in learning the new behaviors you are teaching her.

Dogs can experience high levels of stress when their training is heavily negative-reinforcement-based, as is typical with ES device training. For example, some dogs might develop stress every time the ES collar is on his neck, and after feeling the electronic stimulation a few times, might stress out in anticipation of training time.

Stress can lead to chronic mental and physical problems with extended collar use. Professionals recommend the dog wear the collar only for short stints of training for this reason.

There are many ways to teach new behaviors and undo behaviors in dogs without the use of an ES collar, however if you choose to use an ES collar then remember that your goal is in training not causing pain to your dog. That said, the correction of a habit that might cause injury to your dog must be met with a correction that is as if not more bold. For example, if your dog has a habit of chewing on an electric cable, he might be shocked by that cable. Your ES collar correction when he chews must be a stimulus as strong if not stronger than the shock he would receive from the cable. This is so that the annoyance of the correction will overpower the joy of chewing to him. Similarly, if your dog has a problem of digging in the yard, your use of the collar must be relative to his passion for digging. Consistency too is important. For the first few days of your training, you must go outside with him when he goes outside, so that you can monitor when he starts to dig and correct him when he does. This consistency will reinforce the good behaviors (not digging) even when you are not around to correct him.

Even though electric stimulation collars can effectively modify your dog’s behavior, the improper use of them might make your dog scared, distrusting, or aggressive. The line between cruelty and training is blurred by misuse. Here are three tips to help you avoid misusing the ES collar:

Help your dog get used to wearing her collar for a couple of days before actually using it. Correction collars are not to be worn all the time, but only during training.

Use the low settings whenever you can.

Use the collar remote when your dog can’t see you doing so.

Even though electronic stimulation collars do not cause pain, a dog might interpret the sensation delivered as pain depending on their temperament and the level of the collar setting. This raises ethical concerns for some, and poses the question: “what pain is the right kind of pain to allow a dog for behavioral training?” “How much is too much?” ES collar users consider these questions to deal with the trainer’s moral compass, and that is different for everyone. Some trainers argue that simply positive behavioral reinforcements are as or more effective than using an ES collar to bring distress or pain. On the flip side, negative reinforcements have also been shown to compel a dog to avoid negative behaviors. It is up to the trainer to decide what method of training follows their morals and supports their dog’s wellbeing.

No matter what its use, every collar should be comfortable for you pup. If it fits too tightly, it can choke her, and too loose it may not work properly.

These collars are used to train the dog out of an uncontrolled behavior by emitting an electronic stimulation, vibration, light, or beep in response to a negative behavior. The intensity of these corrections is correlated with the dog’s weight, size, and personality, and is intended not as punishment, but to get the dog’s attention.

The collar effectively teaches your dog to behave in certain ways. Various methods can be used to teach with a collar, including:

Collars are sold with different training modes, and sometimes more than one. For example, some collars emit a beeping sound when the dog nears the wireless property boundary, and then an electronic pulse stimulation when the dog crosses that wireless boundary.

With the remote controller, the trainer can press a button that transmits a message to the dog’s collar indicating a beep emission. When the trainer applies this sound every time the dog begins to dig, then an electronic stimulation if he actually does dig, then he will be reminded of his bad behavior and the consequential corrective stimulus if he continues. With the reminder beep he will be less likely to follow through with the digging.

This mode is similar to the vibration of a cellphone or pager to get the dog’s attention. It can be used as a warning just like the beep.

This is an electronic current that delivers discomfort to the dog’s skin. The intensity of this discomfort depends on the duration of the stimulus, the power or strength of the current, and the frequency of the stimulus. Every dog interprets the same stimulus differently depending on her size, the thickness of her coat, and her temperament.

There are three basic types of dog electronic stimulation collars that feature a stimulus mechanism with various intensities, used to control unwanted behavior.

These collars come with an attached receiver and then a transmitter for the trainer to hold. These systems are typically used in basic levels of training to modify common dog behaviors. These collars use electronic currents to send static stimulations in the form of a vibration, beep, or electronic current or shock. These stimuli help to control behaviors and work over 1,000 feet to approximately 500 yards of coverage.

These collars respond to a wireless boundary that is set up by a transmitter. When the dog nears the boundary, the receiver in the collar responds to the transmitter by delivering an electronic stimulation. This device can be used for training and then for ongoing use to keep the dog in a specified area.

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If not worn properly, the collar may cause irritation.

The product measures 6.7 inches in length, 5.9 inches in width, 3.4 inches in height, and weighs 12.8 pounds. The packaged product measures 6.5 inches long, 5.2 inches wide, 2.7 inches tall, and weighs 1.10 pounds.

This dog behavior product is manufactured by PATPET, and recommended for dog breeds weighing between 10 and 110 pounds. All components are black in color and made from poly resin material.

Amazon customers have rated this product 4.5 out of 5.

As a precaution against accidental command delivery, the training collar deactivates Vibration and Static Shock when either command is delivered for a continuous ten seconds.

Aggressive dogs and puppies younger than 6 months do not respond well to this system.

Extended collar use of up to 12 consecutive hours is unhealthy for any dog since the collar material may begin to rub and irritate the skin without rest and readjustments approximately every 1 or 2 hours. If your dog shows signs of skin irritation, remove collar sooner. Always check the fit of the collar to be sure it is the correct size for your dog according to the guidelines in the product manual included with the product. If not using the shock mode at all with this collar, remove the removable metal points of contact from the inside of the collar band to limit extra rub on your dog’s neck. If an irritation problem persists or worsens, call a veterinarian right away.

To insure the collar fits well, choose between long and short contact points. If your dog is on the low weight range allowable with this collar, she might be small enough to use the small contact prongs included with this product instead of the large ones—or, if your dog has long fur, use the long contact points versus if she has short fur then use the short ones.

When putting the collar around the dog’s neck, begin with her standing or laying down. Center each of the four contact points under the dog’s neck and adjust until they snuggle through the fur and come into contact with the dog’s skin. Move the fur out of the buckle before buckling it securely.

If the collar fits properly, you should be able to slip one finger between the collar strap and the dog’s neck.

The diameter of the collar is reportedly very large, so can accommodate a large range of dog sizes. If too big, reviewers report cutting the extra strap end off with scissors.

Some reviewers share that this system occasionally will not pair with the remote.

Training modes include 1 through 16 levels of Static Shock, standard Vibration, and standard Tone. These stimulations are variable so that you can tailor them to each of your dog’s unique temperaments.

One adjustable collar that is made to fit 9 to 25-circumference-inch necks. The system is capable of supporting two collar receivers at once.

Double protection is featured within the collar’s receiver unit limits skin irritation to your dog’s neck from the conduction prongs. Conductive silicone sleeves can be slid onto the two sets of metal prongs to further protect the dog’s skin. When using these sleeves, slide them over each prong until they come into contact with the anchored bases of the metal prongs. This contact keeps them attached without sliding off.

Remote features separate command buttons on the control that are designed with different surface textures and convex versus concave structure so that they can be differentiated by your finger textually. This enables you to keep your attention on your dog without looking down at the remote controller while sending remote training commands. The remote also has a leash attached to it that can be worn around your neck or fitted to your wrist for easier carrying.

Ranging up to 3,000 feet, the remote training collar with remote controller uses high-end RF433.925Mhz technology for long-distance trainings like in a park or a large backyard. The system comes with a UL certified power adapter.

Tested waterproof IPX7-rated collar receiver casing and rechargeable Lithium-Polymer type batteries (one charge lasts 7 to 25 days and recharges in 2 to 3 hours) allow training in inclement weather and in bodies of water. The remote and receiver can be charged at the same time.

This PATPET e-collar is used to keep dogs’ disobedience in check.

As many electronic stimulation training collars reach only up to one half mile, The Educator collar is a top pick as it reaches as far as one mile, which is a strong benefit for someone looking for a tanning device for a hunting dog, or they live on large acreage where the dog may roam.

Since this collar comes in two different sizes, be sure to have measured your dog’s neck size and noted his general weight before purchasing this product.

This collar’s receiver has the capability of delivering either an electronic stimulation or an intense tap vibration. A stand-out feature of the Educator is a tracking light that allows the owner to more easily follow the dog in the dark.

The Educator’s signal range reaches up to one mile, is waterproof, the battery rechargeable, includes a one-year warranty, and the electronic stimulation levels include a static setting ranging from one to one-hundred, and a boost stimulation setting ranging from one to level sixty.

This collar can be bought in a smaller version, called the Micro Educator, which is great for dogs weighing as little as five pounds. Otherwise, the Educator is suited for dogs weighing twenty pounds or more. The Micro Educator collar transmissions can extend up to one-third of a mile, and weighs twenty percent lighter and stimulates twenty percent less than the Educator, and the contact points on this small version are closer than on the Educator, so as to accommodate smaller-necked breeds.

Color schemes available for this product include yellow, red, black, purple, and black/white yin/yang design for the remote controller. The collar and receiver are black.

The system transmits well within a 1/2 mile range.

The receiver measures 2 by 1.5 by 1 inch, and weighs 2.4 ounces, and is recommended for dogs weighing 5 pounds or more.

The transmitter is 2.64-diameter inches by 1.29-inches thick, reportedly the size of a stopwatch that fits ergonomically and discretely in small hands or pockets.

User-selectable stimulation allows for lots of flexibility. Stimulus strength levels range from 1 to 100 and up to 60 additional boost options.

Two sets of contact points are included in a 5/8-inch size for dogs with short hair, and 3/4-inch size for those with longer fur. The collar strap is also adjustable, delivered at 3/4 by 30 inches, weighing 1.46 ounces, and is ready to be cut to the correct size given the size of your dog.

Since this device delivers a light stimulation, it may not work well for heavy, large, or dogs with thick coats.

If the collar fits properly, you should be able to slip one finger between the collar strap and the dog’s neck.

A favorite feature of this system is the tracking light that can be activated in the night for easily tracking the dog.

Cons to the Educator include the absence of tone and vibration settings and instead a tapping sensation; usually more expensive than other brands.

This device comes with a feature called the Pavlovian Tone, which delivers a sound before the electronic stimulation as a warning to the dog.

This system is recommended for dogs who are well-trained but still have some behaviors that need changed.

This system is typically sold at a lower price than others like it, and is recommended as a great choice for smaller budgets.

This system can support more than one dog but these additional collars do not come with the package. The complete package includes one collar.

This product is made by Two to three dogs can be supported on this one system by using the micro-int additional collar units that are sold separate from the main package.

Each collar extends 900 yards from the transmitter, and is totally waterproof. It is great for small dogs since it is small and light-weight, and relies on a rechargeable system by using ni-mh batteries and an automatic shut-down system for safety.

Collar receiver vibration levels are adjustable from 1 to 16 levels, from a short “nick” sensation to a gentle continuous stimulation.

Transmitter console casing is waterproof, which allows placement in inclement weather.

This system is best for dogs weighing 10 pounds or less, and is marked as an extra-small. Its use is recommended as prime for behavioral training, chewing and biting training, digging and jumping training, and aggression training. In its entirety, the system weighs 1.60 pounds.

Since this system is best for dogs weighing 10 or less pounds, beware that large dogs may not respond well.

If the collar fits properly, you should be able to slip one finger between the collar strap and the dog’s neck.

This system is waterproof, so can be used in wet weather and generally wet climates, as well as while swimming.

Reviewers are disappointed that this system does not work well with dogs weighing more than 10 pounds.

This system includes various electronic stimulation levels.

As a system for light-weighing dogs, it works well and has a long battery life.

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