How to Use a Shock Collar for Dog Training

An electric shock collar works by giving your dog a punishment during an undesired activity, otherwise called a positive punishment. When the dog stops the unwanted behavior and the stimulation is stopped, the dog is given reinforcement for correcting the behavior. Because the punishment is removed when the behavior changes, this is referred to in behavioral psychology as negative reinforcement. Using a shock collar is used by many handlers and trainers to help promote the right behavior in dogs.

Things You'll Need

  • Electric shock collar and remote
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Instructions

    • 1

      Test the shock collar on yourself. Place the two probes located behind the box on your wrist and administer a shock with the remote. Turn the intensity up to understand exactly what is happening when you shock your dog. The shock is similar to a static shock when you run socks along carpet then touch someone's shoulder. It gets your attention but doesn't hurt.

    • 2

      Place the collar on your dog and turn it on. The collar needs to be tight enough that the two probes behind the box are touching the skin on your dog's neck. Adjust the collar and tighten it in place. Keep the remote in your hand or pocket and out of your dog's sight.

    • 3

      Allow your dog to have play time. You don't want your dog to associate putting the collar on with shock training. Let it have fun and get used to the new collar.

    • 4

      Place your dog in a position where it may do an undesirable behavior. This could be barking when you leave the room or scratching at the patio door when you are in the house. Go about your business keeping an eye or ear out for the negative behavior.

    • 5

      Administer a shock to your dog when it begins the undesired behavior. Increase the intensity until the behavior stops. Depending on what you are training your dog, you may not even need to provide any type of reinforcement or command. For example, if you want to train your dog that digging your roses is a bad thing, you won't want to yell "no" while it is getting a shock. You want your dog to learn that digging roses means shock regardless of whether you are home or not. If you are trying to teach your dog to come, you will want to use commands and then correct misbehavior with a shock and "no."