How Do You Use a Shock Collar? Is it Abusive?
I’ve witnessed conversations by professional trainers regarding the average pet owner, that they don’t understand how do you use a shock collar for training a dog and therefore they should not be allowed to purchase one.
There is concern that without a high level of expertise and perfect timing JQ Public will use the tool abusively and thus harm dogs through application of *pain and fear*. Some trainers and behaviorists support the idea of banning e-collars because of these ‘abuse possibilities’. The thought process stems from the idea that dog owners purchase the remote collar, strap it on their dog and go about randomly zapping the dog every single time Fido does something wrong.
If that scenario were the prevalent case, I’d support limitations on remote collar use as well. However, I don’t believe it is the case. I’m not suggesting their isn’t the occasional circumstance where someone might use the tool abusively but it is certainly not the norm. An abusive person is going to take out frustration with the dog one way or another. Some people do cruel things. They do them with their hands, feet, a broom, a stick, rope, leashes, rocks, or a whole host of other things. If we are going to start banning stuff based on the “possibility of abuse” we have a whole lot of banning to do.
However, my main argument to the concept that the average Joe abuses this tool is based on my experience meeting so many people that have purchased a remote collar, took it home and then barely to never used it. Shortly after purchasing these folks realized that they didn’t know the answer to “How do you use a shock collar?” so they didn’t get much farther than charging it up or putting it on. Actually pushing the button was too far outside their comfort zone so the remote collar is gathering dust in a cupboard somewhere.
I clarified this point at a recent speaking engagement at the Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers. During opening comments I invited the trainers to use a collar on me. Since this is a frequent snide comment made about my work (“Someone should put a collar on your neck and see how you like it!) I thought it only fair to demonstrate my commitment to the belief that the remote collar can be used as an interruption, a way to gain attention.
So to test my theory that limited knowledge of “how do you use a shock collar?” doesn’t automatically lead to abuse, I placed a live collar on my neck and had my assistant, Kelly make sure anyone who wanted to ask me a question push the remote collar transmitter button a few times in order to get my attention. This was the rule for my lecture, rather than the traditional raising of their hand. If someone wanted my attention they had to tap me to get it.
From my perspective it was a really cool experience. I got the dog’s eye view of how the remote collar can interrupt focus and redirect to alternative behavior. I’d be chatting away, focused on doing my presentation and would then become aware of the tap, tap, tap sensation on my neck at which point I’d stop presenting and say “ does someone have a question?” I’d scan the room trying to find the source of the interruption, and the controller of the transmitter would identify themselves and ask what ever it was they wanted clarification on.
From the audience perspective it was another story. The audience was more stressed about it than I was….can you guess how much my assistant had to convince these folks to just push the button?
She had to WORK at it and some people flat out refused. They wanted to ask a question but were “afraid to hurt me”. (of course it didn’t hurt at all because we use the Just Right level….) Near the end of the presentation I asked how many people had questions that didn’t get asked because they didn’t want to tap me or how many had to be convinced by Kelly to push the button….. a lot of hands shot up.
So the food for thought was… “if it took that much convincing to tap me, even when I willing agreed to the entire process, how hard is it to tap the button with a dog, the animal that you have a bond with, the pet that is part of your family?”
In reality most people don’t want to push the button, they are afraid too because they don’t really understand what does and doesn’t happen when they tap (and of course we need to fix that gap in knowledge about this tool)
The bottom line is when people don’t know the answer to “how do I use a shock collar?” they aren’t that slap happy to just strap a remote collar on their dog and start *zapping them*. The perceived rampant cases of abuse don’t exist. If they did, chew on this fact: In 2010 there were over 3 Million receivers sold in North America alone. That is JUST in 2010 and that only counts the collars sold by the three manufacturers who shared their numbers with me (Dogtra, Radio Systems & Tri-tronics). If we say that electronic collar use has been fairly prevalent for the last 10 – 12 years in North America and you do some extrapolating about how many units have probably been sold……where is the evidence of all these dogs living in fear and pain? Where are all the abuse cases?
People that purchase a remote collar actually care enough to try to train their dog or attempt to solve the problems they are having with their dog. They do so because they LOVE their dog. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t bother spending the money or waste their time trying to improve things.
I suggest we professionals devote our time and attention to creating more effective education and stop assuming that the average pet owner is not capable of using a remote collar or any tool for that matter.
I have a question – I contacted a trainer today in Dallas that uses the Dogtra IQ in his sessions. He would charge me $600 for the e-collar and 2 two hour sessions at my home or the location of my choice and unlimited refresher courses at the facility in Dallas. My question is…can I just purchase the collar for $200 and buy a dvd from Leerburg and save me a couple hundred? My pup is a one year old GSD, great puppy but need some help on leash walking and also her recall while off leash at the park on our early morning fetch sessions. I was hoping the collar would help me with those things. Thoughts?
Hi Matt,
My preference is that people get personal help with e-collar training. I think you get a lot more out of it by working with a trainer who is skilled with e-collar techniques. And as for dvd’s I think mine are the best ones on the market for pet owners. 🙂
http://www.thatsmydogstore.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=72
Jackie said in part, “I think you made some very relevant points in regards to how many people just let the collars collect dust. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending how you look at it) these collars are not attached to the leash, unlike a traditional training collar, so many people will not go the further step to be consistent about putting the collar on. ”
I had a very pleasant opportunity to drop in on a client today. While I was driving to a new client’s house, I passed a former client who was walking her dog. She was using the remote collar and her dog was walking beautifully beside her. The dog used to be dog to dog aggressive and pull on a leash but the owner has done a wonderful job with her dog which included being able to walk her dog along side of my own. Now approximately 8 months later, she reports her dog continues to do well and it shows. And, it shows due to her commitment to training her dog. So I pulled up along side of her to tell her what a wonderfully trained dog she had. : )
This was one of the most interesting blog articles I have read in a very long time! I look forward to reading the “Just Right” link you gave after writing this comment, too.
I think you made some very relevant points in regards to how many people just let the collars collect dust. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending how you look at it) these collars are not attached to the leash, unlike a traditional training collar, so many people will not go the further step to be consistent about putting the collar on. I can definitely see people getting frustrated and ordering remote collars online.
Completely unfortunately for the dogs, the people often afraid of hurting their dogs leave the doors open for the dogs for so-called annoying behavior – letting these behaviors frustrate them until they snap at their dogs. “Snapping” can be “zapping” them with electric collars, but is more often seen as hitting, yelling, screaming, throwing household items (penny cans, anyone?), or yanking hard on leashes. In rare cases people will call a trainer, but the momentum for professional training often dies when the person has calmed down from the frustration level.
I also really like the idea you had with the presentation. How genius! And how real, too. I think it’s a darn shame people limit themselves to new ideas and concepts merely on the limitations of their previous perceptions.
Cool concept, using the collar to interrupt to ask a question! I think I’ll steal that. I am giving a presentation this month to a group of pet industry professionals here in Minneapolis (other trainers, groomers, pet supply store owners, chiropractors, veterinarians, etc.). The focus of my talk will be “Using e-collars in obedience training and behavior modification.” My goal isn’t necessarily to win anyone over, but to educate about modern e-collars and modern use of the tool so people can make an informed decision and have an informed conversation with their clients. And it’s a small thing, but I’m going to attempt to make it a goal to have everyone start referring to them as “e-collars” or “remote training collars” instead of SHOCK collars. I’m going to encourage everyone to feel the stim for themselves, and maybe enlisting your idea will go one step further in helping them understand that it’s truly not a SHOCK collar. I think if I can get 20 to 40 other pet professionals here in Minneapolis to start using different words when they refer to e-collars, that’s at least a step in the right direction! We have to change the way the tool is discussed before we can change minds!
Wow, what an awesome presentation Robin! So many learning points in just one workshop!
And, you do pose an excellent question to those who shut their eyes and inaccurately profess that it hurts dogs and has a potential for abuse (not anymore so than via other tools as you mentioned), where are the documented cases especially for the amount of collars that are sold? The stipulated fear for abuse is an unfounded fear. People love their dogs.
In fact, a remote collar removes the potential for abuse. I have had so many clients tell me that before they learned how to use a remote collar, they would get upset and so frustrated with their dog that they would yell and swat at their dog (such as for repeat jumping behavior). Now with using the remote collar “at just the right level”, there was no more anger on their part, just calmness and training. Now that’s an awesome revelation, remote collars prevent abuse.
Thanks Michael. You make a very valid point..I also see that same thing occur. Less frustration, due to easily replicated good results in reasonable time.
As for the presentation at CAPPDT, I can not say enough good things about the open-mindness of the group that was there. What ever side of the training spectrum we all fell on we openly and professionally exchanged information and ideas and it was lovely. (Plus, me, Diva and my daughter got to visit Niagara Falls which was way cool!!) 🙂
Sounds like a wonderful trip; spending time with open-minded trainers (which is reassuring in today’s world) and time with Maddie and Diva at a beautiful location. I’ve very happy for ya.
I’m a little shaking on the idea that people purchase these tools such as the e-collar or prong collar out of love…from what I’ve heard, its more born out of frustration, which is where the concern comes in. When you’re in a frustrated mind set, you’re more likely to do something rash, that you wouldn’t ordinarily do..
At least that is what my experience has been …
Hi Erin,
Perhaps I was not clear in my writing or perhaps you misinterpreted my words. I agree, people often purchase as a last resort option, out of frustration…but I’ve found as the realization sets in they don’t understand how to use the tool, the concern over harming the dog causes them to pause. If they do use it and get a startle response they quit (which is a good thing because they need to learn how to train without that response) But what they don’t do is continue *zapping* as some people seem to suggest is the typical use for JQP.