About Electronic Collars for Dogs

Electronic collars, also known as shock collars, are used to train and limit dogs and cats. People use electronic collars for training hunting dogs, military dogs, police dogs and domestic pets. Supporters of the electronic collars dispute claims about such collars hurting the animals. Animal activists claim these collars are just another way of acceptable animal torture, so the use of electronic collars is the subject of clashes and controversy.

  1. Obedience Training

    • If you decided you want to train your dog with the help of a shock collar, you should only do so after your dog has already mastered the basic commands, like "stay" and "come." Also, electronic collar training is only appropriate for dogs that are not naturally aggressive or frightened. Electronic collars will keep your dog from running too far away from you or misbehaving when it feels you can't reach it. Supporters of the electronic collar claim that this type of training helps you and your dog sustain your relationship, as the dog won't resent you for commanding because the punishment for disobedience won't come from you.

    Invisible Fences

    • Invisible fences help dog and cat owners to keep their pets from distancing themselves too far away from their homes and yards. They are specifically appropriate for pet owners who live in urban areas or in vicinity of busy roads. There are two types of invisible fencing, one which works over radio waves and one that requires an underground wire. In both cases, the animal needs to wear a special collar which comes with the system. As the dog or cat will approach the invisible line, they will receive a mild electronic shock, which will keep them from crossing the line.

    Barking Control

    • All dogs bark, but some dogs bark too much. If you are considering controlling your dog's barking with an electronic collar, you have two options. One type of electronic collar releases a mild shock whenever the dog barks, and with that distracts it and quiets it down. The second option, which doesn't use electronic shocks, is the collar that distracts the dog by spraying lemony liquid under your dog's snout. However, the dog might figure out that by barking non-stop, it will eventually empty the canister. Additionally, you need to keep full canisters on stock, so this option is more expensive than the first one.

    The Downside

    • Before you start using an electronic collar on your dog, you should consider all the negative effects such a collar can have on your dog. Opponents of the electronic collar claim that training with the help of electro shocks can cause dogs to develop anxiety issues. They also claim that they quickly turn into an easy way out for the owner, who doesn't feel like paying too much attention to the dog. Another thing you should consider is the fact that some countries, for example the UK, have banned the use of electronic collars.