Electric collar: it can torture the dog, but why is it used?

The very idea of e-collar training can be heartbreaking. It's also painful to imagine a mild electric shock suddenly interrupting the peaceful activity of a dog that doesn't understand why such effects accompany its instinctive behaviour.

While the electric collar, nicknamed e-collar is used by many of its adherents – without any problems and with success in their opinion. Other owners consider it an invention of the devil. There are undoubtedly short-term benefits, but in the long term it can tend to deform the personality of the dog and even cause injuries and other health problems.

Why some people swear by the e-collar

First, let’s be clear about what this term means! An electric collar can work in two ways: one is to control and trigger the dog, such as barking, and the other is to punish the crossing of a certain line. Ideally, its operation should not be thought of as a spectacular electric shock.

Those owners, who have tested the device on their own skin described the lowest setting as the crawl of a larger bug on the skin.

It is not painful, but can be used to distract from an activity and becomes annoying after a few seconds.

Users are unanimous in their opinion that an e-collar is useless without basic training of the dog. The tiny pulses are therefore used to reinforce commands in critical situations, not as a punishment. For example, if you are in dangerous terrain the animal is let off the leash it is essential that, despite any attractive and distracting experience obey the call because its life may depend on it.

This all sounds very convincing but, as has been proven many times, it is always the dog’s inner instinctive decision that determines its behaviour. It is therefore worth choosing training techniques based on positive reinforcement and rewards rather than the seemingly simpler, but sometimes flimsy, e-collar design.

This is why the electric collar is not recommended for laypersons

Let’s assume that the “gentle” e-collar design works and the dog wears it without any problems during walks.
You feel safe because, even if he doesn’t respond immediately to the call, you can reinforce the command with a mild impulse after one or two repetitions. But what happens if the device breaks down just when you need it most?

Mention should be made of the device the technical characteristics of the device of the device.

Many inexperienced owners buy such a product by simply skimming the instructions, but have little idea of the basics of dog training. Dogs learn by association and if by chance the owner does not produce the right intensity of “shock” at the right time, the dog will not understand why it has been punished.

It may not associate the painful or unpleasant experience with running away or jumping up, but with another factor present, such as a bicycle or you. Not to mention that if the dog proves to be extremely stubborn and, not knowing what is wanted of him, continues to engage in the behaviour that has been labelled inappropriate, what does the human do?
You turn up the intensity, which can cause injury, cardiac dysfunction or permanent mental blocks in the animal.

What do you use instead of this controversial prop?

The simplest answer is consistent education. In practice, there is hardly a dog that cannot be brought to his senses through reward-based training, attention, clear communication and patience. Although manufacturers have tried to introduce various ‘gentle’ alternative products, such as vibrating or citronella collars or ultrasonic bark suppressors, these are usually only a temporary solution and do not address the root of the problem.

If you are stuck with training, the best option is to use a a professional dog trainer for help. While you are unlikely to be advised, the use of an e-collar should only be considered if the qualified trainer believes that its use under professional supervision is warranted in your situation.