Also known as ‘remote-shock collars’, electronic collars or e-collars’ remote dog collars is a tool used for distance training. The collar is linked to a hand-held remote control that permits the trainer to send an electronic alert to the collar whenever the dog behaves in a way that is not acceptable or refuses to comply with a specific training instruction.
Because the collar administers painful, emotionally traumatic electronically-generated shocks to dogs, most dog owners consider it an inhumane punishment tool rather than a useful training tool. However, some do see it as an effective training tool.
We’ve assembled the different pros and cons of dog collars for training remotely for you to evaluate the arguments against them and make an educated decision for yourself.
Pros
With a remote dog training collar, you can correct the behavior of your dog from a distance ease. Dogs quickly learn commands to stay on the leash, but away from the instructor’s direct commands This is particularly helpful for dogs who are unresponsive to commands via sound or voice. The collar can be used to correct a variety behavior, such as jumping, digging, and barking and can also be utilized in elementary obedience lessons.
A dog remote collar can provide dogs with immediate notification that the behavior is undesired by the dog’s trainer. They could be a more secure method to manage aggression and lower the risk of weakening the connection between the dog and her handler, provided that the dog doesn’t connect the discomfort to any human influence.
Certain electronic collars for dogs have the option of a tone or vibration feature which warns the dog that an electronic impulse will be sent if she fails to correct her behavior. It can also be used by dogs that have difficulty hearing. In such cases it’s not essential to utilize the shock function of the collar.
Cons
If the remote dog collar is utilized with aggressive dogs this can trigger undesirable behavior or cause anxiety which is the most common cause of aggression. If the dog associates the problem with another source, she may become fearful. For this reason, remote collars are not recommended on puppies less than the age of six months — which is the age at which dogs are most in the need of getting their training in — or on dogs that are already very nervous because the collar will only intensify their anxiety.
Barking collars can also be problematic as they are not always 100% precise. Sometimes, they don’t pick up on barking. On other occasions, they may confuse the dog, causing her to punish her for an unrelated sound.
A trainer using an electronic dog collar must be able to adjust the collar to avoid causing discomfort for the dog. When the collar is utilized for a long period of time or isn’t properly fitted and adjusted, it can cause irritation. It is for this reason that it’s dangerous for non-trained owners to use these collars.
Similarly, while many of those in favor claim that the shocks will not harm dogs but electrical impulses that are not strong enough to trigger pain just ineffective. While you can draw a conclusion based on the fur and size of the dog, certain dogs are naturally more sensitive to pain than others and it is difficult to determine the way a dog feels. Shudders that are too heavy could cause anxiety or stress for dogs, whereas an injury that is too light may be not noticed.
The dog’s training shock collar is not designed to be a replacement for obedience commands. It should only be used to get rid of certain behaviors, as the excessive use of it can lead to fear, anxiety, and weaken the bond between the pet and you.
If you’re planning to purchase an electronic dog collar, we highly recommend you purchase one with a vibration or tone feature which warns the pet that an electronic impulse is likely to follow if she does not alter her behavior. This type of remote barking collar can even disable the shock feature of the collar, ensuring that harmful shocks are removed.