Pros and Cons of Electronic Collars for Dogs

A good deal of controversy surrounds the use of electronic collars when training a dog, and there are both positives and negatives associated with these devices. Electronic collars do have the potential to cause injury to the dog, but they have also facilitated the training of dogs that might otherwise have ended up in a shelter.

The best time to start training your dog is when he or she is still a puppy. At this time, the puppy's personality is still malleable and behavior patterns have not become set. Ideally, basic obedience training at an early stage in the dog's life will remove any need for training collars in the future.

However, not everyone trains their puppy correctly, and many people acquire an older dog that may already have some negative behaviors. If obedience training fails or the owner simply does not have enough time to devote to intensive training, then electronic collars could be a way to train your pet.

Dogs that aggressively pull at the leash while walking, or show aggression to other animals while on a walk can often be trained quickly by the use of these collars. Electronic collars work by delivering an electric stimulation to the throat. These collars are generally designed to allow the owner to choose a level of stimulation and the lowest possible stimulation is recommended. When placing the collar on your pet, the prongs have to be in contact with the dog's skin on their throat, but extra care must be taken that the prongs are not pressing into the flesh.

The lowest level of most collars will only deliver a beep that is designed to get the dog's attention. In many cases, this is enough to break the dog's concentration on the negative behavior and is the option recommended to prevent harm to your best buddy.

When the beep has proven to be ineffective in diverting the dog from the undesired behavior, the collar can be set to vibrate. The throat is a sensitive area, and even a tickling sensation can be uncomfortable and can often be successful in training.

If all else fails, the electronic collar can be set to deliver a shock. Most electronic collars will allow the owner to select a level of shock to be given, and it is generally advisable to begin with the lowest setting. The shock is painful, and upper levels can deliver a significant jolt. Every owner who uses an electronic collar should be aware that some dogs will be able to ignore even the highest level of stimulation and that repeated use of the collar can cause physical damage to the dog.

An electronic collar delivers negative reinforcement and is useful in breaking the dog's attention as well as delivering a correction. However, the best results will be attained if electronic collar use is combined with positive reinforcement. After a correction has been given, and the dog is exhibiting the desired behavior (walking quietly on the leash, for example) be sure to praise the dog and give it a treat. Your pooch wants to please you and will respond better to your attention and praise as it will to the collar.

Although electronic collars have undoubtedly kept many dogs in their home and out of shelters, they can be abused. The problem generally arises when the dog continues in the negative behavior even after receiving repeated shocks. If there is no improvement in the dog's behavior after several corrections, the owner should face that the collar isn't working and look for another solution to the dog's problem.

Overuse of shock collars can cause a dog to become stressed and fearful and can cause damage its throat. Electronic collars should always be looked upon as a temporary solution and should be combined with other training methods. Any owner who uses an electronic collar should use it only when the dog is being trained and for the shortest period of time possible. Any injury to the dog's throat should call for removal of the collar.

If the negative behavior persists, speak to your veterinarian or a dog behavioral specialist.
It is necessary to consider all of the pros and cons of electronic collars before using one. Utmost care should be used if you decide to use an electronic collar with your dog.