An e-collar is an electronic collar used in dog training. An electronic collar administers a small electric shock to the neck of the dog who is wearing it. Electronic collars take several forms, each used for different functions. An electronic collar may be used as a bark deterrent, and have a sensor or microphone that shocks the dog when he barks. An e-collar also may be remote controlled and may be used to prevent a dog from doing unwanted behavior or pulling on walks. Depending on your reasons for using the e-collar, several alternatives may be available.
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Alternatives for Walking
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If you use the e-collar on walks to shock your dog when he pulls, there are several different alternatives you can use to help train your dog to walk properly. A pinch collar is one alternative. These collars have small teeth or prongs that, when the leash is pulled, feel to your dog like a mother dog's teeth would. When your dog pulls on a walk, instead of using an e-collar to shock him, you can use a pinch collar to administer this biting feeling. A choke collar works similarly to a pinch collar, except it creates the sensation of being choked when your dog pulls instead of being bitten. Finally, a gentle leader is a harness type tool that your dog wears over his chest and nose. This gives you greater control over the dog so he can't pull. All of these are alternative training collars that can be used on walks instead of the e-collar to deter unwanted behavior such as pulling or barking at other dogs on walks.
Alternatives for Barking
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E-collars are popular bark deterrents. They come with a microphone or other sensor that administers a shock when your dog barks. The best alternative to deter barking is a citronella collar. These do essentially the same thing as an e-collar; they sense and punish barking. However, instead of administering a small electric shock, a citronella collar administers a burst of citronella in your dog's snout. This strong scent is displeasing to dogs, and your dog will be deterred from barking by the citronella spray just as he would be deterred by the e-collar.
Alternatives for Bad Behavior
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Remote controlled e-collars are also available for bad behavior. Alternatives exist in this realm as well. First, a remote control citronella collar can be used in the same way as a remote control e-collar. Administer a burst of citronella when your dog does something bad by pressing the remote to help teach your dog the behavior is bad. You also can use a squirt gun full of very cold water. When your dog engages in unwanted behavior, squirt him with a blast of water. This works best if your dog can't see where the water is coming form and doesn't connect it with you. Finally, you can use sound as a behavior deterrent and as a negative stimulus alternative to an e-collar. Fill a water bottle with pennies or coins and shake it loudly and enthusiastically every time your dog exhibits bad behavior. Your dog will dislike the sound and stop doing the behavior, just as he would if he was shocked with an e-collar for doing the bad behavior.
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