Shock collars for dogs are very highly debated in the pet community. Most pet parents have considered this as an option while training, though. There are pros and cons to using a shock collar while training. Essentially, it is the pet owner’s decision whether or not they agree with the use of a shock collar.
Shock Collars
The shock collar is not designed to punish the dog but rather to be used to deter the dog from an undesired behavior. The shock the collar emits is designed for the dog to associate the behavior with the shock. After one or two times of being warned and shocked, the dog often discontinues the behavior before the shock even occurs. The dog will cease the behavior as soon as the warning bell prior to the shock is emitted.
The shock emitted from the shock collar is completely safe and will not harm the dog but rather be somewhat uncomfortable and gain her attention. There are also varied levels of intensity so if it seems as if your dog is hurt by the shock, you have the ability to turn the intensity of the shock down. On the other side, if the dog is not reacting to the current level, you also have the ability to increase the intensity.
Automatic bark collars are not often recommended by pet trainers as this is not controlled by you but rather by the dog’s vocal cords. The automatic bark collars may shock the dog unintentionally and will not be effective as this will confuse your dog since they may be shocked without reason. The fear is also a factor in shock collars.
Fear in dogs could be dangerous to your dog so prior to using a shock collar, you should carefully consider your dog’s personality and ensure the dog will not be frightened by the collar. If the dog already has a fearful personality this may result in the dog associating people, objects or situations negatively. Learn more about dog training collars and how they work here.
The use of a shock collar is not advised without discussing the option with a pet behaviorist prior to use. If you have any questions regarding dog shock collars, our in-house pet behaviorist is available to help you.
Amber Johnson, Animal Behaviorist
Miss Amber Johnson has many years of experience with pets and is a licensed cat and dog nutrition and behavior specialist. She currently collaborates with PetPremium where she counsels clients in pet behavior and nutrition. The statements made in this article are the personal opinions of Miss Amber Johnson and based on independent experiences and could be different from the opinions of PetPremium Pet health Insurance or any other pet health insurance provider.
