Is getting a shock collar for your dog cruel? i think it is but my boyfriend thinks its normal...?

Question

Were trying to get our dogs to stop barking so much they are pomeranians and they bark at EVERYTHING especially when someone knocks at the door they go crazy and its hard to control them.

Answer 1

There are diffferent levels of techniques.

Electronic collars are standard in training field dogs since they are working loose and hundreds of feet away.

For behavior problems, they are a last ditch resort.

These people who whine and moan "Oh pain is cruel" just dont have a clue having read too many faddish books based on psycho-babble and having too little experience - the catch is the dog didn't read the book. No one does things or obeys rules solely because of positive rewards - would you obey speed limits always if there wasn't the risk of getting a ticket? YOu have to weigh the risk/benefit. For example, if a dog persists in bolting and refusing to come, I would rather put a long line on him so when he ignores me, I can stop him in his tracks and haul him backwards and if he goes on his backside when I haul him up short, a bruise is better than dead from a car. In a pack, the Alpha dog will slam into a miscreant, knock them down, gab them by the side of the neck or face and PINCH them. If they behave to the the satisfaction of the ALoha dog, the Alpha will make nice and cuddle with them. THAT is the behavior book that dogs understand.

Now, Poms bark - that is what they do best. Of course they will bark when someone is at the door. They are doing their job and alerting you. They tend to alert at everything being nervous little beasties.

Until you have tried other techniques, I wouldn't go to the electric collar unless you have the animal officer at the door with complaints or you are getting evicted. It is an absolutely last ditch method before the dog loses their home (or would you bleeding hearts prefer the dog go to the pound?) If you go straight ot he collar,you have nothing left if it doesn;t work or they get used to it.

They do make them for dogs 10 lbs or less but the same collar is made to fit dogs up through the large breeds. Smae controller, same shock but way too much for a Pom if it would get the attention of a 100 lb dog.

In 43 years of training, I have only be forced to go to the electronic collar twice (very large, very pig-headed dogs who had figured out that when working at a distance I couldn't reach them if they didn't obey a 'down" or "go" or "hold" command.)

Try this first.

When they bark, go and pick them up. Put your hand over and around their muzzle and, in a clam reassuring voice, tell them "Okay, thank you, now hush." If they try to keepbarking, tell them "NO" in a hash stern voice and squeeze their muzzle. If they still keep trying, squeeze the side of the muzzle - the skin- into the side of their mouth against their teeth and repeat NO. (Use a deep voice - don't let your voice go up, make it go down.) You don't quit until they do. The minute they quit, lots and lots of praise in happy voice with hugs and pets and tummy rubs.

Do this EVERY SINGLE TIME they bark when you want them to stop. Keep doing it until they associate "Okay, thank you" with the concept they are to stop barking. (After all, you would want them to bark if someone was trying to break in the house, yes?)

Also, take them to some obedience classes no matter what their age if they are over 6 months. Poms adore obedience work and are brillant at it, you get a nicer pet, they are more comfortable with the world and less fearful and inclined to bark at everything and they get the haabit of obeying.

Answer 2

I do not believe in shock collars. I have trained many dogs and never with anything like that. I broke dogs of barking when someone knocks by going outside numerous times and knocking on the door and repeatedly telling NO/SIT when the dog barked. After doing this 3-4 times daily it took about a week to a week and a half and the dog was broke of this. Now when someone knocks at my door my dog goes near the door and sits waiting.Don't forget to reward with a treat,walk,etc, for good behavior while training

Answer 3

I used to raise Rottweilers for AKC shows. They, too, can be a handful to train. I have used shock collars and have had pretty good results with them. Do not skimp on the price for one! I bought a cheap one and it malfunctioned and continually shocked the dog. The quality one I finally found had an adjustable setting. A medium setting worked best for my dogs. The problem I was trying to cure was excessive barking. The collar I had, used a sensor that activated the collar when he started barking. I did not have to be there to push a button. Your problem, excessive digging, would require you to be there to activate the collar. That may not be practical. However, if you are as consistent as you can be, the collar will probably work. I never noticed any negative effect from using it on the dog. The shock is mild and will not burn the dog. Even when the cheap collar malfunctioned, the dog suffered no injury. The continuous shock simply scared and confused him until I got the collar off. Of course, he was a little leery of any collar after that for some time. You should only use the collar when you are there to monitor the dog. I suspect you will have your hands full with the Chow. They are a particularly head strong and stubborn breed. Good luck.

Answer 4

I've been told from past inquiries into this that shock collars have limited results for cessation of barking but do work somewhat for border training around yards. I would try a squirt bottle full of ice water. Every time the dog starts its barking fits just give them a blast in the face along with a firm "NO." I've used the squirt bottle technique on dogs and cats both and it seems to work rather well. Good luck!!

Answer 5

to me anything that causes pain if even for a second it cruel...if your ignorant bf thinks otherwise put the collar on his weiner and give him a shock...bet he would change his mind unless he is perverted and that is a whole other category..lol

try getting a water bottle that has a stream setting and every time the dog barks when you dont want them to give a couple of quick shots to the face while very firmly telling them no..this does not hurt them and since most dogs dont like this it can be very effective in training the areas of unwanted behavior...once the dog learns not to bark at certain times all you will have to do is show them the bottle and the barking should stop...also leave the bottle in their view at all times to remind them of what will happen if they bark after you tell them no...some dogs are more stubborn than others so just be patient but it wont take long to see results...it may also be necessary to have more than one bottle around the house..for the dogs to see and to make it easier to get to one when you really need it...also some dogs are more prone to barking at nothing than other dogs so patience and persistance will pay off

i use the water bottle method for our 3 dogs and 3 cats...this is especially helpful at christmas time when the tree is up for cats to leave the water bottle under the tree and they learn to leave the tree alone...lol...our cats dont climb on kitchen counters or the table...they know where they are allowed to lay so i very seldom get the bottle out any more that was until i took in a dropped kitten back in july and now she is almost housebroke to "our" rules...

i would always snap my fingers when telling them no while squirting them with water and now if any of the animals are doing something they are not supposed to i just snap my fingers and they all scatter all over the room and then go lay down and pout

training animals is not hard...just have to stay consistent and remind them as needed who the boss is when they get out of hand and you will find in time that your household is more peaceful as a result of "rules" set by the "alpha" person

good luck and tell your bf that shocking is NOT the way to go...water works wonders unless you have an animal that loves being shot in the face with water

Answer 6

Dogs barking when someone comes to the door is what they do, it is their job to protect you. My boyfriend thinks the shock collars aren't that bad either. They just put out a little shock and I think they are suppose to vibrate or somthing first. I am not a fan of them, I told him that if he wore it for a week or so and saw how it felt, then I would think about putting one on my babies. Good luck.

Answer 7

I thought it was cruel at first, But as always used properly it can be the best way to train your dog. I have three Labs and I use the "Dogtra" shock collar, it come with a remote so use can adjust the amount of shock. They usually come with a video tape to show you how to use it the right way. OH and they can be a little pricey, but well worth the money.... Good luck

Answer 8

I think it's very cruel. It sounds to me like you and your boyfriend disagree on something that is very imortant to you and I think that could interfere with your relationship.

I am obviously not so involved in your situation and am single. So, please keep this in mind when I say this. But I feel so strongly about this that when dating a guy, I would get to know things like this about the guy before we got seriously involved because I know that, at least in my situation, it definitely would cause problems in our relationship and I would en up leaving him.

By the way, I loved you comment question about the bombing of the world trade center being an inside job. I do have loads to say about this. I didn't know where else to put it in a comment to you. I have a link to my 360 page and you can email me. ;)

Answer 9

Yes it's cruel.
Why don't you try positive rewards for your dogs.
I'm not a genius on dog training,but you could try getting your boyfriend to go outside and knock on the front door.Whilst he is about to do this get your dogs attention with food rewards.Keep their attention while he knocks on the door.then reward them again when they don't bark.
I'm sure some dog trainers will have a good way for you to train them.

Answer 10

It is cruel, it is part of their nature, a pomeranian is a breed that tends to bark more than others.