You may have heard that E-Collars can hurt dogs. Is it true? The answer is no. At Bark Avenue Daycamp we instill similar techniques as police and military working dogs. This style of dog training encompasses consistency, fairness, and clear communication between the dog and the owner.
Myth 1: An e-collar will hurt my dog
No, an e-collar will not hurt your dog. During our first meeting with a new client, we put the e-collar on the owner’s arm to feel how mild the stimulation was. One common misconception is the e-collar will burn their skin. This is false. Other people think that it is like being shocked with a Taser, this is also false. We LOVE dogs and we would never do anything to harm them in any way!
Myth 2: An e-collar is a punishment tool
An “e-collar” is a collar with a stimulation mechanism (the same technology as a mobile TENS unit used for physical therapy). The collar is controlled by a remote that the handler holds. The remote allows you to maintain full control of your dog for up to 400 yards! Therefore, it gives your dog a lot of freedom and it saves you from worrying about your dog running off. It is not used as a punishment or a “shock” as many people assume, it is simply used as a dog training device for communicating with your dog.
Myth 3: E-collars shock the dog into submission
In the old days, this type of collar was used as a “shock collar” and many inexperienced dog owners tried to use this device to scare their dog into submission. In the proven training method we teach, the dog is never “shocked into submission” or abused. Unlike a shocking device or electric fence collar, the e-collar is used to get the dog’s attention and keep it focused on listening to the handler. It is the equivalent of someone tapping your shoulder to get your attention, or setting your phone on vibrate so it will get your attention when someone is calling you. We teach the dog to listen to those “taps” and that the “taps” mean, “I am trying to get your attention.”
Myth 4: Dog will fear to wear the e-collar
No! Almost everyone is very surprised that they receive quite the opposite reaction from their dog. When you present the collar, most dogs will come running and sit down in front of you and wait for you to put it on them. Why? Because the dog knows the e-collar means that they are going outside (to run, play ball, be free, etc) AND they know they are going to do training! A bored dog is a destructive dog; a trained/exercised dog is a HAPPY dog. They look forward to their dog training sessions because it stimulates them and gives them something to do.
Myth 5: E-collar training is a quick fix to behavior or obedience issues
Training your dog is not a one-time-and-done task. It’s something dogs require throughout their lives, not only does it provide mental stimulation and maintain basic obedience skills but also strengthens the bond between dog and owner. While we often find that dogs respond quickly to the clear communication that an e-collar provides, it takes many hours to perfect obedience skills. It takes countless hours of consistent practice to obtain flawless obedience skills.
Myth 6: It’s cheaper to buy an e-collar at a pet store and do it yourself
It cannot be stressed enough how important it is for the dog owner to learn the proper e-collar training methods. Unfortunately, some owners buy an e-collar without any education. If not used properly, the dog can indeed become confused or scared. It is important to work with a dog professional who has proven experience and can teach both dog and owner how to use the e-collar as a training and communications tool.
For more dog training myths visit our other Paw Blog, 11 Dog Training Myths Debunked.
Dog training should be based on reinforcement, patience, and consistency. Seek guidance from professional dog trainers or behaviorists if you’re unsure about how to train your dog effectively and kindly. If you are looking for dog care near me or dog trainers near me, contact us at Bark Avenue Daycamp today.
