Shock collars are used to train dogs to stay in or out of a certain
area, as in electric fencing; or to dissuade them from certain unwanted
behaviors. Shock training can be a very hot topic within the dog
community. Many swear by its efficacy, while others denounce it as cruel
and abusive.
Proponents of shock collars say that the jolt the
dog receives from a collar is not painful at all. It merely grabs their
attention so that a behavioral correction can be made. Those who oppose
their use feel that the shock can be
very painful, and is actually counterproductive to training because of the additional anxiety to the dog.
When
it comes to your dogs, the way you train them is your choice to make.
So to help you decide, here is the good, the bad, and the ugly on shock
collars.
The Good:
Speed of training
Because
the shock is something that your dog has never experienced before, he
will likely learn very quickly that a jolt means he should stop what
he’s doing and look to you for instruction. In theory, he will quickly
come to associate the warning beep or vibration that comes before a
shock with the unwanted behavior you are trying to correct.
The Intensity Can Be Controlled
Modern
shock collars have several settings for controlling the jolt that your
dog receives. In the early phases of training you should learn how
strong of a shock is required to get your dog to stop what he’s doing
and focus. After that, the intensity can be lowered or even turned off
in favor of a warning beep or vibration only.
You Don’t Have To Be Present For The Collar To Do Its Job
Shock
collars that work in association with electric fencing are designed to
function even when you aren’t around. If the dog gets too close to the
boundary in the yard, he will get the initial warning signal. A shock
will only be administered if he continues heading towards and past the
boundary. Remember, though, a shock collar may keep your dog from
leaving the yard, but it will not stop humans or other animals from
entering.
Shock Collars Are Relatively Inexpensive
Hiring
a dog trainer or behaviorist can be a large expense for some people. On
the other hand, shock collars can be as cheap as $25 depending on
features such as range of use, remote control, and levels of
adjustability. Electric fencing units can start as little as $200 if you
install them yourself.
The Bad:
You May Be Causing Your Dog Pain
For
many of us, the idea of purposely inflicting pain on our dogs is
outrageous when there are so many positive reinforcement training
techniques available. For others, a small shock to ensure their pet’s
safety is worth it. It all comes down to a personal choice.
You Are Not A Dog Trainer
While
it is perfectly acceptable for dog owners to take on the challenge of
training rather than hiring a professional, there can be danger in
inexperience. Professional trainers who use shock collars know the
apparatus inside and out. They know just how much jolt to use and when
for maximum efficacy. The average dog owner will likely misuse the
collar in one way or another due to lack of experience. This can mean
additional shocks and confusion for the dog.
Shock Collars Simply Aren’t The Answer For Every Dog
Some
dogs are more timid and fearful than others. Some may even have
pre-existing fears and anxieties that would make the use of a shock
collar counterproductive. The last thing you want to do is to
accidentally reinforce fear in your dog. Most dogs who bite do so out of
fear, not aggression. It is important to be able to recognize whether a
certain training method may do more harm than good.
The Ugly:
Your Dog May Associate The Shock With Something Besides His Behavior
A study conducted by
Richard Polsky
found that if the shock is poorly timed or inconsistent, your dog may
make an incorrect association with the correction. For example, he may
come to fear your presence since the shock has always come when you were
present. Or, he may refuse to go into the yard, associating it with the
shocks he was given when being trained to stay in a certain area.
Shock Collars May Actually Cause Aggressive Behavior
Polsky’s
major finding and greatest cause for concern was the tendency of some
dogs to react aggressively to shock training. The anxiety caused by the
collar can lead to misplaced aggression towards people, other dogs, etc.
Some dogs will attack any person or animal who comes close to the
barrier of the electric fence.
Dogs Who Are Bold Enough To Test The Boundary May Escape And Be Injured Or Lost
Some
hardheaded pups just refuse to fall in line with the whole electric
fence thing. Even turned up to full intensity, the shock only lasts for
the period of time it takes the dog to exit the boundary area. If your
dog learns that all it takes is a brief moment of pain to achieve sweet
freedom, the fence could be useless. Worse still, your dog could develop
negative associations with your yard, and frequently attempt to escape.
The Collars Can Malfunction
No
piece of technology is perfect. Although not common in modern collars,
cases of dogs being continuously shocked for up to 12 seconds before the
emergency override kicked in have been reported. A painful stimulus
being applied for 12 seconds to a dog who has
no idea what he’s being punished for can certainly be confusing and scary!
