Advantages & Disadvantages of Training With an Electronic Collar

An electronic collar has a sensory device and a remote control administers a small amount of electricity or vibration. Pet owners use this device to train puppies to exhibit certain behaviors at home and in public. Many owners utilize this devise to control unruly pets. Pets eventually conform to the desired behavior for fear of receiving a shock. While training a pet makes life easier, you must consider the advantages and disadvantages of using this modification tool.

  1. Fast and Easy

    • Electronic collars cuts down on the time it takes to train your dog using traditional training methods. If you are a working pet owner, you may not have the time to take a class as a K-9 school or stay at home until your pet learns to stay off the furniture, stop going to the bathroom on the floor, limit barking and not run away in public. The devices are also easy to use. Basically, you have to follow the instructions on the package, which usually consists of putting the collar on your pet, putting in batteries and turning it on. Because it is operated by remote, you can train your dog from a distance.

    Inexpensive

    • Electronic collars are cheaper than enrolling your dog in obedience schools, which last as long as six to eight weeks to complete. CostHelper.com says that, as of 2011, training courses offered at community centers, doggie day cares or pet stores cost between $40 and $125 per course. It costs even more to get a private trainer who comes to your home, between $240 and $600 for six-week at-home sessions. Sending your dog to a boarding school costs as much as a person's semester at a community college or four-year university, approximately $950 to $2,500 for two to four weeks. The cost of professional training does not include learning materials. Dog collars currently cost between $50 to $500, depending on the model you choose.

    Over Dependance

    • Electronic collars should only be used as a training tool; however, over-dependance on them teaches animals to fear you. "Understanding Dog Training Equipment" by Dr. Suzanne Hetts cites a 2006 study conducted by German researchers, which states that high levels of electrical stimulation causes pets to have more symptoms of stress. The author recommends only using electronic collars in specific situations that require disciplinary action. Pet owners must remember the fine line between using collars as a tool instead of cruel torture device to make your pet listen to you.

    Dog Size and Collar Malfunctions

    • Pet owners have a hard time finding electronic collars that fit smaller dogs. The Collar Clinic says most collar straps ares between 24 and 25 inches long and fit dogs 10 lbs. and up. They are too heavy for smaller dogs. The strap also irritates some dogs, making the collars more of a nuisance than a tool. Not all collars are waterproof, meaning they will malfunction if your dog jumps in the pool. You have to read the label to make sure they can get wet. Remote-control reception is based on flat open terrain, so the device proves ineffective in areas with a lot of trees, tall grass and high-rise buildings. The Collar Clinic says weather also affects reception.