Shock collars?

Question

Okay, I have seen a lot of posts about shock collars and I just want to add my two cents. I have been a dog trainer for many years and I am neither very for nor against them. I think they serve a purpose in some cases and are not necessary in other cases. My problem here is I wish that people knew the facts before they freak out about them.
First of all, dogs have extremely strong necks with very few nerve endings in them. Example: could you put on a choke collar and still pull a 150 pound human? What may feel awful to a person feels like a slight irritation to a dog. Now the trick is to start on the lowest setting, and move up from there.
Also, they should be used for a SHORT amount of time as to not cause damage to the dog. Now to end my tirade, the use of a shock collar with a responsible, knowledgeable person can be a great training tool with a stubborn dog where all other training methods have failed. I would rather get shocked by a collar than hit by a car, wouldn't you?

Answer 1

You are absolutely correct they are just training tools but you will never convince the humaniacs that frequent these boards of this. You know the ones that treat their dogs like fur-babies and then ask question like how do I stop my dog from peeing on my bed or my dog has started growling at me what should I do. I give up trying to explain this to those kind of people because they will not listen.

Answer 2

Shock collars are a good tool, when they are used by a professional trainer or a well informed owner and only used in the right way.

I am currently using a prong collar on one of my dogs. It works great. I will possibly use a shock collar on her later as I need better distance control. I have done long line training with her. She will be a competition dog and is leash wise already. She is mostly obedient, but has very strong hunting instincts.

If I buy a collar I will get pro advise before using it.

A shock collar is not a quick fix for an untrained dog. It is a great way to reach a well trained, overly intelligent dog.

Answer 3

I have had several dogs over the years, my lab just passed 2 years ago. Never have I had to use the shock collar. Not a great thing. Put it on your neck or wrist and shock yourself. You can train your dog w/time, effort and consistency. My sister's dog wore a collar that was charged when it past the fence line, which it did all the time. No matter what the strength of charge. It is constantly running away.

Answer 4

Yes, but I'd rather invest in one of those invisible fences.Those work, if you have a yard. I really wouldn't want to use a shock collar unless I had a large dog, like a pit or dobe, or an akita, something like that, who may have some social issues with other dogs or people. I believe in positive reinforcement while training, not anything negative. All praise works better instead of shocks or yelling or whippings.

Answer 5

Everyone has there own opinion on things, as you do you and as I do. I don't believe in using shock collars, nor bark collars nor cages, but that is my opinion. I have Shih Tzu's now, but I use to have two Shepard's that were the best dogs I ever had. They know were my property line was and never cross it..I have never used an under the ground fence. I taught them to whisper when they bark. When they started barking all I had to do was say whisper. I never use any forms on my dogs to teach them..All I used was my time. It is easy for people to use shock collars and cages because they think it is the fastest way to teach them. People don't only do this with dogs they do this with kids too..Easier to give them meds to calm them down. Easy fix. I have had dogs all my life, all different kinds at one time or another, I have never had one get hit by a car they all lived to be a right full age. All I gave them was my time.

Everyone has their own views on things this just happens to be mind. I don't fault you for your opinions nor you should fault mind.

Answer 6

I absolutely agree with you! I have a German Shepard and planned to use a shock collar on him..I tried it on my leg beforhand to test the levels.. I couldn't even feel 1,2,or three..So I assumed it was broken..Bumped it up to 8 and it shocked the heck out of me! I think pet owners planning to se them sould test them first..I ended up not using it on my dog b/c he showed no reaction to 1-5 and I didn't want to go up any higher!!! lol
I'm not, however a fan of choke collars..I perfer prong collars.. Though they look rather scarey, when used correctly, ( Placed slightly lower than ears..not where normal collar is placed..and the loop you attach the leach to is on the right side of the neck) they are not at all harmful.. I believe choke collars sould be a last resort.

Answer 7

I have to agree with you. Shock collars & invisible fences are about the same to me. If used correctly, they work good. But, as you'll agree, there are the few that abuse them. I've seen it both ways & when I see someone using them abusively, like having the voltage so high the dog flies backward, I want to put the collar on them so they can see how it feels. I've used a prong collar (with the rubber tips) on my chow mix because if she wanted to go, I wasn't strong enough to stop her. I only use it when I walk her on a leash then it's removed. I know some people think they are cruel & they can be if not used properly.

Answer 8

I believe in positive reinforcement training.
Besides with shock collars etc you may change the behaviour while the device in on the dog, when it is off, the dog goes back to doing what it did before. Dogs are smart!!

Everyone believes in something different and there is nothing wrong with that...people are asking for help on here and can choose to use what advice they want to try.

Answer 9

my dog was 17 years old when he died i would never use a shock collar on him. we trained him not to go a near the street. listen alot of dogs are being burned and ulcered by shock collars .they say its like a static shock. well just remember lightning is a static shock too. no way i would put that on a dog. pain is pain theres other ways to train a dog. it just takes time people act like they dont wanna take the time .so they just use anyway to get the dog too do what they want it too do!

Answer 10

Well I guess they dont sound so bad but still, cant people just train their dogs properly? Anyway, you have made them sound a lot better so thanks.