Electric Collar for Dogs. Everything you need to know
When it comes to training for dogs there are many options that are presented to us to train our puppies. One of the elements that is used is the electric collar for dogs . This element is very used, especially in the United States to help with different elements of canine training, that is why we will tell you what it is and how it is used.
What is an electric collar for dogs?
This device has the typical shape of a collar with the difference that it is prepared to produce different types of sound discharges or small vibrations whose main objective is to show our dog that it is having an unacceptable behavior.
This device is controlled through remote control which allows the sanction to be possible even being far from the reach of our pet. The electric collar for dogs sometimes also includes a tracking system via GPS which is great to track your whereabouts in case of loss.
The use of this type of necklaces dates back to the decade of the 6 0 where they began to be used mainly in the training of hunting dogs and at that time the amount of electric discharge they could use was considerably higher than now. Currently, this type of necklaces is well known and have much lower shock levels.
What are the most common uses of an electric collar for dogs?
This type of necklaces is used primarily to work these four areas of training:
1.- Keep the dog inside the property:
The idea is that the dog is corrected when it tries to go beyond the limit of our property for what is known as the electric collar for dogs as "the invisible fence" . The idea is to produce the small discharge when the dog is approaching the edge of the house.
2. Stop the excessive barking:
This correction is made, many times automatically, when the dog begins to bark and the collar can be programmed so that the intensity and duration of the automatic correction is increasingly longer and more intense if the dog does not stop barking.
3.- Behavior training and improvement of behavior problems:
This electric collar for dogs is used to perform canine training without the use of a leash and even to improve behavior problems such as aggression.
4.- Teach our dog to stay away from dangerous places and objects:
If we want to teach our dog to stay away from dangerous things or animals, especially if we live in a rural area with the possibility of reptiles, we can use the electric collar for dogs to teach him to dislike certain animals that could be found and that you find dangerous.
Controversies about the electric collar for dogs
Since this method of training began to be used has unleashed much controversy, especially in regard to issues such as animal abuse .
The system has changed greatly since the beginning and has degraded considerably, so much so, that many specialists in canine training, among which stands out the well-known César Millán, uses this type of training for certain corrections or training work .
Currently this electric collar for dogs does not do much more than emit certain sounds and vibrate at different intensities, being proven by many specialists as a system not harmful to the health of the dog if one of these types of articles is used although there are called Shock collars that do cause electric shocks; However, it is best to be assisted by a specialist before using this type of device.
Types of electric collar for dogs
Not all electronic collars work in the same way, but in general they have three modes: Beep, Vibrate and what is known as Shock which is the most aggressive mode of correction. Most electronic collars work primarily as shock collars but the vibrate and beep options may be optional.
1.- Beep Mode:
When the electric dog collar is in this mode, a whistling sound is emitted each time the control is activated . The use of this system is very similar to the training system that uses a clicker as a persistent sound to train the dog.
The use of this way of the electric collar for dogs needs, in order to work properly, a previous training in which the dog already knows how to associate the sound with a positive or negative action. If the dog is trained to receive a prize after the sound, activating the beep will most likely stop and wait for its prize; On the contrary, if the dog is trained to be punished after the sound, he will surely wait in a submissive position.
Another function of this beep mode is to distract our dog or get his attention . With this use of the beep mode we must be very careful because in the absence of reward or punishment, our dog can simply get used to the sound.
2.- Vibrate Mode:
When we use this mode, what happens with the electric collar for dogs is that it emits a vibration very similar to what our cell phone would produce . As in the previous mode, this system can be used to draw attention or to mark a particular behavior.
It is important to emphasize that neither of these two modes of use, neither the beep nor the vibration, send any kind of electric shock or shock to our dog.
3.- Shock Mode:
In this mode of the electric collar for dogs, there will be an electric shock that will go directly to the skin of our dog through two points of contact . The purpose of this type of mode is to cause some kind of pain in the animal to ensure the effectiveness of the correction.
The type of pain that can occur with the use of this type of mode will depend on several factors , depending on the coach or the device is the duration of the current, the voltage of the device and the number of times is used. It will also depend on certain dog conditions such as skin type, size and type of coat.
We must be very attentive to the use of this mode of the electric collar for dogs because the use of electric currents can bring certain consequences in the behavior of our pet that may go directly against what we want to achieve.
These types of downloads are very annoying for our dog and in fact, that is the idea behind his invention. Therefore, we invite you to read everything you can about the opinions of experts and especially, contact a specialist before deciding to use it unsupervised as some dogs may show very aggressive behavior when receiving this type of download that It causes a lot of discomfort.
Learn about the Pros of using an electric collar for dogs
1.- It allows the owner to control the mode that is used and make remote correction:
One of the great problems of choosing a training method that is based on applying force or producing pain is the amount of sensation that is implemented; if we use a lot of force, this can cause our dog to develop fear or aggression problems and the use of very little force will make it get used to the correction and not work at all.
The difference with the electric collar for dogs is that we can easily adjust the mode and intensity of the correction that our pet will receive in training, which will help us to prevent our dog from becoming fearful.
2.- A correction can be obtained even when the owners are not present
One of the important things so that canine training is effective is to be consistent in the corrections we make and in this, the electric collar for dogs can be an excellent help, especially if we want to treat behaviors such as barking or attempts to escape from the property.
The electric collar for dogs can be programmed to react automatically to a certain action so it is an excellent option to be consistent without the need to always be next to our dog.
3.- The source of the stimulus is not very clear
Some people who use other types of training that are based on punishment suffer the consequences that your pet knows perfectly well that the pain comes from us which can cause serious problems in establishing our relationships with our dog.
For example, if we use the correction with the leash, it will be evident that the action is associated with us which can cause our dog to decide to fight with the leash and therefore with us. That is why the use of the electric collar for dogs prevents our pet from knowing exactly that the correction comes from us so there is no one to fight with.
Cons of the use of the electric collar for dogs
1.- Can increase the aggression of the dog
According to some studies, it has been determined that many dogs that are trained with the use of shock may present an increase in levels of aggression towards humans . Another result that was seen in the study, is that the use of automatic collars and the inability to control actions may produce corrections at inopportune times which can produce incorrect associations.
What can happen is that the dog associates the correction with elements of its environment like the humans with whom it coexists instead of doing it with excessive barking or wanting to escape from the house.
2.- It can increase the levels of stress and decrease the quality of life of the dog
Several studies have been done to determine the levels of stress that occur in dogs that have undergone training with shock. During a specific test, dogs that were treated with random discharges without any defined behavior showed high levels of stress by not knowing the causes of the discharges.
Similar to the previous study, this showed that the dogs that were used as samples associated the environment in which shocks were discharged with high levels of stress, which may reaffirm the idea that associations are not always adequate.
3.- Our bond with the dog can weaken
Both of the studies cited above concluded that, in fact, the pets that use the electric collar for dogs associate the pain with the environment in which they develop and with the people with whom they share them, as well as with objects or other animals that are nearby . Even when the shock system is no longer applied, dogs continue to associate space with pain and being.
This means that using a shock collar, especially those that cause electric shocks, can cause the dog to associate things like your yard with pain and stress or worse, even you or a family member or another animal.
Dog training with shock collar
Dog training is made easier with the products mentioned below. Shock collars for dogs that come with tracking devices also help in containing pets.
Dog training collars are also known as electronic collars or simply e-collars. These electronic collars work on the principle of producing static pulse stimulation to control the behavior of the dog. Some of the dog collars come with a tracking device (GPS), which helps in the containment of the pet. In terms of behavioral modification, the training of dogs with collars can be carried out through positive and negative reinforcement. Positive punishment is used to reduce the frequency of unwanted behavior. Negative reinforcement includes the process of providing continuous stimulation in order to carry out the desired behavior in dogs.
Dog training with shock collar
Shock collars help dogs in their training. Some of the dog training collars also come with tracking devices. Let's take a look at the products and information on training the dog with the collars in the following paragraphs.
SportDog SD 1225 Remote training unit
The specialty of this unit is distance training, up to 16 levels of momentary stimuli are offered in the product. It comes with shades and vibration options that help in communication with the dog up to ¾ of a mile. The design of this collar is ergonomic and has a thin profile. The collar is expandable for 3 dogs and is water resistant. The accessories that come with this product are a remote transmitter, charging stand, collar receiver, belt clip, test light, adapter, long touch points, strap, basic manual consisting of DVD and operation guide.
2 level remote control dog shock training collar
The specialty of this dog collar is that the static impulse is strong enough to penetrate a 6mm thick fabric. Thus, one does not have to worry about keeping the point of discharge near the dog's skin. This collar produces vibrations together with the static impulse; the pet can thus associate both the impulse and the vibrations with each other. One of the important features of the dog collar is that it is water resistant. The static impulse and vibrations stop automatically and the dog is prevented from being irritated.
Puppy training with shock collar
The process of training dogs with shock collars will be easy with the help of the following products.
Garmin Astro 220 DC-30 for dogs tracking GPS Combo
This product comes with a GPS handheld device, it has a bright screen. Information about the dog's position is transmitted every five seconds. The location of the dog can be seen on the map page of the handheld device. It helps you in the search for dogs, even in densely covered areas. Astro collars can track up to 10 dogs simultaneously in a range of 7 miles. The Garmin Astro 220 DC-30 Dog GPS Tracking Combo comes with accessories such as Astro 220 portable, AC adapter for DC-30, carrying case, DC-30 wireless transmitter collar, MapSource Trip & Waypoint Manager CD, power cord Vehicle for DC -30, USB cable, belt clip, wrist strap and user manual.
Innotek IUC-5100 Deluxe Contain and Capacite System
The 'UltraSmart' neck of this product is their specialty, which facilitates distance training and also helps in the containment of dogs. An audible click produced by the patented Readytest advanced security system ensures that the collar fits correctly. The maximum range of these dog collars is 150 m. The lithium-ion batteries that come with this product can be recharged quickly and are durable. There are cables included in the kit, these are 100 feet of pre-stretched wire and 500 feet of cable limits. Expansion of up to 25 acres is possible with optional wire sets. The necklace is water resistant and even tough use does not damage it.
There are many products available in the market that facilitate the training of dogs with shock collars. One should choose the dog collars that fit the needs and fall into the budget.
The electric collar in dogs and its consequences
Electric collar VS Positive reinforcement
The electric collar is common in some areas such as hunting, and also relatively frequent in training (commercial or sports). However, there are many countries where electric collars are prohibited (in Spain their sale is free and there is no requirement for their use).
The electric collar, under examination
In the circles related to training, the same discussion about electric collars always occurs: at one extreme people who would never use the electric collar as an unjustifiable punishment, and at the other end supporters of the electric collar as a tool that - well used in expert hands - is very useful for both sports training and behavior modification. But, in the end, we have to resort to scientific literature, such as the one we reproduce below 63 dogs, in groups of 21.
This study investigated the consequences on the well-being of dogs during field training with hand-operated devices (electric collars). After a preliminary study in 9 dogs, 63 companion dogs were recruited to record the possible problems related to the use of the electric collar, thus they were assigned to one of these three groups:
Group A , 21 dogs that were trained by experienced trainers and certified in the use of electric collars.
Group B , formed by 21 dogs trained by the same trainers, but without using electric collars.
Group C , formed by members of the Association of Dog Trainers of the United Kingdom with the last 21 dogs, of course without using electric collars (only positive reinforcement).
How was the study done
The dogs received two 15-minute training sessions for 4-5 days. The training sessions were recorded on video for a later analysis of the behavior. Saliva and urine were collected to analyze cortisol during the training period.
During preliminary studies (9 dogs) there were already negative changes in the behavior of dogs during the application of electrical stimuli, and high levels of cortisol after stimulation. These dogs had generally experienced high stimuli in terms of the intensity of their electric collars without warning signs during training.
On the contrary, in the subsequent study (63 dogs), the coaches used the lowest settings of the electric collars, and always with the warning function , and the responses in the behavior were less pronounced.
Signs, cortisol, conclusions
- - However, group A dogs spent significantly more time tense, yawned more often and became less involved in the interaction of the environment than Group C dogs.
- - There was no difference in corticosteroids (urine) between the groups.
- - Salivary cortisol in Group A dogs was not significantly different from that in Group B or Group C, although dogs in Group C showed higher measures than Group B throughout the sampling.
- - After training, 92% of owners reported improvements in their dog's behavior , and there were no significant differences in reported efficacy between the groups. The owners of dogs trained with electric collars were less safe in the practical application of the training received. These findings suggest that there is no consistent benefit from training with electric collars, but there are indications to worry about the welfare of dogs compared to training based on positive reward.
How to use the training collar?
The training collar, remote educational collar, or electronic collar for dogs is most commonly used in specific areas of canine education to solve problems of unwanted behavior and dog training for hunting.
The training collars serve to educate our dog in different negative behaviors that develop throughout life as leaks , food from the soil or garbage, belt pulls when walking , jumping over people, excessive barking, climbing the bed or sofa, running after a bicycle or car, ignoring our call, hunting dog training, collecting parts, ultimately help us train our pet and stop problematic behaviors that could be the cause of a serious problem or a difficult coexistence with our dog.
VERY IMPORTANT : The use of the training collar is always indicated for dogs over 6 months of age and with the sole purpose of educating, as we have repeated throughout our blog we will always begin the training with the lowest stimulus and we will go Increasing progressively watching the reactions of our dog to find out what level reacts correctly, never begin an education in the highest levels of the electronic collar.
1 - First step for the use of the training collar
- - For our dog to get used to it we must put the training collar for some time without connecting or using it, in this way our dog will become familiar with it.
- - We must constantly check the neck of our pet to verify that it is not suffering any kind of friction or irritation.
- - The positioning of the training collar must be correct, the strap must remain fully adjusted so that the electrodes always remain in contact with the skin, of course without adjusting it too much so that the dog breathes normally.
- - Depending on the hair of our pet we will choose the type of electrodes to be placed on the electronic collar, we have short spikes for dogs with little hair and long spines for long-haired dogs.
- - The place where we start the training should not be chosen at random, we will begin the training in a place that is known by our dog, it is very important that it is a safe place where the dog can not suffer any kind of danger or leakage.
2 - Stimulus level for the training collar
We do much incapie on this issue because each dog needs a different level of correction to react correctly, the electric educational collars have several levels to adjust the weight or character of our pet.
It is evident that a 15kg cocker will not react equal to a level 5 stimulus that a 30kg German shepherd, the educational collars have a scale of levels to manually select according to these needs.
We will select the appropriate stimulus depending on the reactions of our dog, if the level is too low the dog will practically not have any reaction or just call your attention a little
A medium level of stimulation should be noticed in our dog attracting their attention and modifying their gestures and postures, this level can already become a basis for education.
A higher level will cause our dog to react incorrectly by scaring, jumping or even running scared, of the importance of finding a safe place for the first training sessions.
Ultimately the main thing is not to be in a hurry and start step by step from the lowest level
3- We always use the training collar accompanied by our voice
For our dog to understand why the corrections of the educational collar always the stimulus must be accompanied by our order, in this way the animal associates our voice and order with the corrective stimulus.
The purpose is that the dog reacts to our order without the need to apply a stimulus, the dog will try to avoid the corrective by reacting immediately to our voice.
The intonation of our voice must be correct, strong but without shouting, our pet will quickly understand the type of intonation we use to give orders
4- The use of the training collar must be quick
The speed with which we make the correction is crucial for the dog to understand the training, if our dog has a negative behavior and we punished him late, he will never understand why that punishment.
The educational command must always remain ready in our hand, the moment we detect the behavior to be corrected we must react immediately and apply the corrective, in this way the dog will associate its negative behavior with the stimulus that it so little likes.
5 - How does a training collar work?
The electrostatic collar modifies the behavior of our dog by means of a conditioned reflex, this means that our pet associates the corrective to the action that has just been done and will try to modify it so as not to receive the impulse.
The behavior of dogs is of two types instinctive and product of conditioning, our pets have, to a varying degree, intelligence and capacity for rationing, a clear example is that if our dog approaches the octopus to a stove and burns it will never get closer to that device.
6- Different ways of correction to use the collar of training
The vast majority of educational collars use three training modes, 1. Beep mode or sound training, 2. vibration and 3. electrostatic discharges.
All electronic educational collars have the option of downloads but the functions of bipp or vibration can be optional.
1. Sound mode
In this option, an annoying beep is emitted every time we press our educator command. This Beep can be used as a marker, in the same way that we use conventional clikers.
For training with beeps we must educate our dog beforehand so that they associate the emitted sound with a positive or negative consequence.
We give you an example, if after each beep the dog receives a prize then our dog can stop and wait because he knows he will receive a prize for his behavior.
In the same way the dog can react when he hears the sound, because he knows that the non-compliance of the order will be followed by an electrostatic discharge.
2. Vibration mode
In this mode the collar will vibrate in the neck of our dog calling his attention, just as in the sound mode can be used as a marker or as an interruption.
3. Electrostatic discharge mode
In this training mode the electronic collar will send a small electrical impulse through the contact points in the dog's neck.
The amount of stimulation received by the dog depends on three key elements, the selected level, the duration of the impulse and the frequency, it also depends on the physical characteristics of the dog, skin, hair, weight and its temperament.
7- It is important to read the instructions for use that come with the necklace
- We must know its technical characteristics before placing it on the neck of our dog, know how many levels it has, modes of education, distance, etc.
- We will place the batteries or charge the batteries depending on the acquired device, we must ensure its correct operation, many electronic collars carry a small compronante of operation
Advantages with the use of the training collar
The educational collar allows us to control the amount of impulses to the dog and administer it at a distance, in some hunting collars the distance reaches 2km.
The current training collars are able to deliver the right amount of impulses thanks to their selection levels, in this way the dog will not repeat its behavior, but at the same time, it will not receive any kind of pain
Unlike other modes of education electrostatic collars allows us to easily adjust the level of strength that our dog receives, and subsequently we can maintain the same level for future corrections.
The electrostatic collar allows us to give the correction at the right time, this helps us to correct the negative behavior at the time it is performed and stop correcting it when it is no longer acting negatively.
When we use another type of education based on pain our dog can come to associate people with physical suffering and lead them to fear and distrust between us.
No matter how we call the electric collars, educational collars, training collars, shock collars, e-collars, canine training collars, etc. these systems are designed exclusively for education and never for punishment
The concept is very basic, our dog has a behavior that we want to reduce or eliminate, should never be used incorrectly, should always be clearly related the negative impulse with the unwanted behavior
Methods to stop the barking of your dog - shock collar
Stop the barking of your dog
3 Skin shock necklace.
What it requires
The purchase of a specially designed necklace is required. There are two types of shock collars out there: those that work on the vibrations of the dog's voice, and those that work for the sound. The collision collar works by sending a small shock (often called stimulation, pulse, or vibration) to the contact points of the dog's neck. The dog receives the correction if it continues to bark, thus associating the clash with the barking.
Those necklaces that work strictly for the sound can be compensated for by another barking dog, so it is better to use only the necklaces that work strictly for the vibrations of the vocal cords. These are considered the least human by the Human Society.
When it is useful
Shock collars are often used as a way to stop a dog barking when the owner has not properly trained it. The use of these collars should be the last resort when all other types of training have failed and you are facing the loss of your dog.
Effectiveness.
Electronic collars can be effective, but they can have some very serious problems. First, dogs with thick hair can not receive enough correction because the hair provides a barrier. The owner must start with the least amount of encouragement or correction necessary to stop the barking.
Dogs are insistent, they can bark even with shocks because it is their nature to do so. Because these collars have such close contact with the skin, they can cause skin burns or irritation. Once the collar is off, the dog knows that it can bark again. It is not a good idea to leave the collar on a dog without supervision, as it may malfunction, especially in the rain. Most should not be used with rain, unless it is on the package.
The danger of electric dog collars
The electric collars to educate the dogs proliferate in Spain, but some nations have already banned them for the possible risks they imply for the animal
Electronic collars for dogs are used in Spain . This type of device serves to educate the dogs, with the help of electrical impulses transmitted to the neck of the animal and controlled by a remote control. However, these devices have defenders and firm detractors. Are electronic collars for dogs dangerous or harmful? A recent study, which is discussed below, warns that these devices not only may not be effective, but also generate stress and anxiety in the furry companions .
Electric dog collars: are they dangerous?
The electric collars for dogs are more and more frequent in Spain . Just walk around the parks and talk with other dog owners to see that these devices to educate these pets proliferate.
This type of canine collars work, explain their manufacturers, because they transmit "painless and gentle" electrical impulses to the neck of the animal , graduated through a remote control. The objective of these gadgets is to correct unwanted behaviors , such as the dog escaping , barking uncontrollably, showing aggressiveness or pulling the leash during walks .
Electronic collars want to help dog owners also when there are problems," explains the Electronic Collars Manufacturers Association. "Furthermore, not all of these animals need this type of device, and positive reinforcement should be chosen, whenever possible, as the first method of education for dogs," they point out.
Electric collars for dogs: do they have risks?
The electric collars have defenders, but also many detractors, and in places like Wales they have even banned them . So are these electric collars dangerous or damaging?
Laura Velilla is a canine educator and uses this type of necklaces in her sessions. "The electric collar is another tool for training the dog, not harmful for him, whose use must be responsible , because it is not always necessary, and must be accompanied by positive reinforcements, such as games and caresses," says Velilla.
Although this type of electric collars for dogs has defenders, it also has strong detractors , such as the ethologist Alba Benítez, author of the blog Si mi perro hablara . "The electric collar avoids behavior in the dog through punishment, but never favors cooperation, does not offer any alternative learning and undermines our relationship with him, " says Benítez. In addition, "I agree with Karen Overall, an ethologist and international reference, who is positioned against the electric necklaces because it does not promote the ability of the owner to reflect , that is, he no longer considers what he is doing wrong with his pet, if acting otherwise, it would achieve better results or if it is correctly covering the animal's needs ", adds Benítez.
Electric collars are stressful for dogs
A recent study confirms what many animal lovers already suspected: electric dog collars can be harmful and cause a significant increase in stress in dogs . The work, conducted with 63 dogs, has been conducted by experts from the University of Lincoln and funded by the Government of the United Kingdom, a country where the use of this type of canine training devices has also been extended.
Dogs that are trained with electric collars are much more anxious, suffer more stress and yawn more, are also less likely to interact with other dogs and humans, " explains Jonathan Cooper , research coordinator and university professor of behavior and animal welfare . The results of the study have been published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE .
In addition, the researchers found no significant differences between what was learned by dogs subjected to electronic collars and those trained with the help of professional positive reinforcement , that is, with edible prizes, caresses or clicker . "The findings suggest that the use of electronic collars in dogs not only does not have real benefits in canine education, but also poses a risk to animal welfare," Cooper adds.
Benitez agrees that the use of the electronic collar reduces the welfare of the furry companion . "And, finally, there are moral doubts: do we have the right to inflict pain on an animal to modify behaviors that, in most cases, are natural to their species, even if the owner considers them inappropriate? I do not think so" , concludes.
In other words: shortcuts do not work in canine education . And, moreover, as in the case of electric collars, they can even be dangerous for the furry companion. Therefore, the advice to teach the dog includes the following ingredients: patience, love, desire to learn with him and go to a trusted canine educator .
