Electric Shock Collars for Dogs

Usage

• Electric shock dog collars function by instilling a small shock to the neck of a dog, following bad behavior. Depending on the brand of collar, the level of shock can be controlled via a remote transmitter with variable ranges. Electric dog collars are intended to assist dog owners during training sessions, so the animal can distinguish between good and bad behavior. Collars that are designed to control only barking have a timing device programmed to deliver shock when a dog's barking becomes too loud. Electric dog collars also can be used to teach a dog basic training commands such as "come," "fetch" and "sit."

Benefits

• Electric shock collars are typically used to stop anti-social or disruptive behavior when traditional training methods, such as reward-based training, have failed. A key benefit of electric shock dog collars is that they give dog owners control over their animal's behavior, even when it is off its leash. Electric shock collars are beneficial for training purposes, as they allow dog owners to administer punishment immediately after a dog misbehaves. In some cases, this can make it easier for a dog to make the link between its bad behavior and the resulting punishment, than throgh traditional training methods. Supporters of electric collars say they give owners the chance to train their dogs more efficiently and without the need for complicated training procedures.

Ethical Debate

• Many dog owners and researchers have called for electric shock collars to be banned. Joan Lownds, writing on the Friends of Animals website, calls for a boycott of shock collars. Matthijs B.H. Schilder, from the Department of Clinical Sciences at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, states that the use of shock of collars can lead to enhanced levels of fear, confusion and aggression in dogs. These observers state the potential for abuse of electric dog collars is vast, as owners have the option to merely eradicate an irritating trait with the push of a button rather than using the collar as part of a training regimen. Some observers, however, including Fred Hassen of DogBiz magazine, have suggested that an electric dog collar is a safe and effective training tool.

Behavioral Issues

• There is a risk a dog may start to associate the electric shock with something in its surrounding environment rather than its own behavior, according to The Kennel Club. If a shock is administered at the same point during a daily walk, the dog may associate the shock with a car or another person rather than its own barking. This may result in it associating a harmless object or person with the pain, and in turn becoming aggressive toward it. The dog might not be able to link the shock to anything at all, which will in turn make your dog confused and anxious, while remaining unaware of what behaviors its owner wants to eradicate.