I do not allow any dogs in my care to wear shock collars (also called “e-collars”) or any other sort of punishment-based collar. I also discourage any dog owner from using these products. This includes any collar that pinches, vibrates, chokes, makes a noise, or sprays odors at the dog. They are called “aversive” because they work based on any animal’s natural aversion to pain, annoyance, and choking.
Studies have shown that aversive devices are not any more effective for training than “positive” fear-free methods. However studies have also shown that use of aversive tools can cause lasting fear, stress, and emotional problems. Dogs may respond more quickly and strongly to punishment type methods, just as any one of us will react when someone hits us or yells at us! That quick response makes us think the method worked. But the only thing we learn from getting slapped, or yelled at, is to avoid whoever did it, and to consider that person -and whatever they’re holding- a potential threat from that point on. It cannot teach us what else we could have done to avoid that threat.
- Shock, prong, and choke collars work by causing pain or annoyance.
- Pinch and prong collars are sold on the premise that mother dogs “train” their puppies by biting. In reality, moms only nip out of frustration, not to teach good behaviors.
- Even the lightest buzz or gentlest pinch is still punishment since it serves to remind the dog that you could hurt them worse.
- The resulting startle reaction neurochemically blocks the brain’s ability to learn.
- Repeated punishment causes frustration and helplessness. This leads to fear, distrust, and behavior problems like aggression or reactivity.
- Punishment only offers a dog one negative option: avoid getting punished. It doesn’t show them any choices we actually want them to make, so it sets them up to fail.
- When we reward specific behaviors, the dog will want to repeat those behaviors, giving them a way to succeed. Ask me for help!
Citations:
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
Journal of Veterinary Behavior
Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science
Florida Veterinary Behavior Service
American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
Association of Professional Dog Trainers
(1) PubMed – PLoS One – National Library of Medicine