Will a shock collar make dog aggession worse?

It is easy to find websites loaded with misinformation regarding using remote collars with dog aggressive dogs. The warnings about increasing aggression, traumatizing the dog and all sorts of horrible outcomes are rampant. The mantra of *the sky is falling, the sky is falling” sound plausible enough to the unknowing reader. But the main problem with those websites is that the authors of the warnings have no actual experience using a remote collar to train dogs much less using them to help facilitate dog rehabilitation cases.

There is always another side to any story, so today’s post is an e-mail I received from a trainer in Michigan. Michael’s balanced training approach uses a variety of techniques and tools (including electronic remote collars) to help dog’s achieve a better quality of life. Here is the e-mail:

Hi Robin, here is another note I received from a student who made great progress with his dog because of the remote training collar.  His dog Keeper (pictured on the right) had been attacked by another dog at about 1 year of age and since then had been reactive toward other dogs.  The reactivity was significant enough that Marc could no longer take his dog to a dog park who use to enjoy his jaunts at the park.

Marc was initially apprehensive about using a remote training collar until I demonstrated to him that properly used, the remote collar should be set at a low setting that simply got his dog’s attention without hurting him.  He was also reassured that the remote training collar was the way to go after viewing your website.  He worked earnestly with Keeper using systematic desensitization and counter conditioning techniques while teaching Keeper the remote collar foundation exercises set at a low setting.  This gave Keeper a new sense of freedom as he could now be worked off leash and it increased his confidence in new situations.

Here is the email from Marc:

I just wanted you to know, that you getting him in the collar (remote training collar), and showing me how to work with him and the collar, has allowed “Keeper” (Dalmatian) to do something healthy, and fun for him, not to mention how happy I am to have him back at the dog park.

I still keep eyes on him the entire time we are at the dog park, but he is starting to relax and get back to the way he was when he was younger.  With only a rare nick at low levels, he is doing great.  Today, he was very interactive with all kinds of dogs, he even played a bit.

I know my working with him has a part in it, but you have yet again, improved the lives of a pet and his owner.  Thank you again.

Your student, and fan.

Marc Lisnov
Westland, Michigan