Why electric dog collars don't work
The electric dog collar or dog training collar is also known as dog barking collar, remote collar, shock collar, anti bark collar or dog training collar. These collars are designed to cause pain in attempt to stop a behavior. However think about this…
If you saw your child crawling towards the edge of a cliff edge what would you do? Hopefully you have answered with something like “I would run and save my child”.
Now, if you saw your child crawling towards the edge of a cliff but there was broken glass everywhere in front of you and you had no shoes on, what would you do? If you have answered – “I would run and save my child” then you can see the dog’s predicament.
The dog does what it thinks it has to do regardless of the horrible pain it suffers. I love dogs for their unflinching, brave and courageous effort to hold out, to be strong loyal and not just give in when the going gets tough. That is why they refuse to quit, to give up doing what they think they should do. They continue to do the job they think they must do ignoring the terrible pain of the electric collar.
The answer does not require a electric dog collar
The answer is simple. Let us take the common problem of protection barking as an example.
The dog sees barking as its job, usually to scare or warn something away. When we show the dog that it no longer has to do the job of protecting and scare things away, it will stop. I have helped so many owners to communicate to their dogs that there is nothing to fear and no need to bark.
Once you do this the dog stops barking. You realize the dog can be helped without the horrible pain of a remote collar.
Sounds straight forward? – well it is.
It is not hard, it is not rocket science. In fact it is simple, subtle, satisfying and thought provoking, when you realize that your dog has just waiting for you to give it the correct signals. Let’s face it; dogs are not crazy mixed up complex creatures. In fact it is humans who are always looking for a more complicated solution.
I have seen many dogs with this issue. Firstly we show them that it is not their job to bark, who when told to stop using the language that they understand they stop.
How do electric dog collars work?
The collars are attached to the dog’s neck and work by sending an electric shock through the neck and into its body.
I have put a voltage of setting number 3 out of 10 through my arm. It was extremely unpleasant and nothing like the gentle tingling feeling that the manufacturers suggested on the box. You would not want to put it around your neck and test out setting 10, especially around your neck. Collars of this nature are banned in several countries around the world. Make no mistake; these devices are being sold to make money, which leads me onto the next question.
How painfull are remote collars for the dog?
The makers of these devices suggesting that the shock is just a mild irritant or a small tingling sensation. However there is plenty of video evidence on the net where adults have decided for one reason or another to try these products out on themselves, usually as a bet or a dare. When you see an adults reaction to one shock you realise that these collars produce a lot of pain. One man has serious red marks on his skin, another young man ends up in tears after one single go! I have heard of several dogs ending up with burn marks around their necks.
Do dog barking collars work?
First let me ask you would you put an electric collar and voltage through your best friend’s neck in order to teach them somthing? My answer is no, there is a better way.
In many instances they simply do not work, I know because afterwards they call me and ask for my help. Usually people try them for a short period and can’t stand the site of their dog yelping in pain. They trial it for a while enduring the horrendous screams of pain from their dog only to find that on removal the dog reverts back to barking as it was before. The dog is not going to give up and they dont want to fry their dog.
Some people find that the anti barking collars actually lose contact or seem unable to penetrate the thick coat of the dog. They will be told to put the collar tighter and put the voltage up. You have to ask yourself "is this not cruelty to animals?"
My guarantee to you regarding your dog
My guarantee is that Your dog is not a messed up, stupid, crazy dog. It is a brave, strong, and misunderstood one. Give it the right message and your dog will happilly stop barking. The key message I have is you don't need one!
If after the first hour of a home consultation you are not 100% happy, then you can call everything to a halt and I will not charge you a single cent! That is how confident I am that what I explain to you will make sense.
Your dog is doing a job that You have accidently given it – usually to protect. Your dog is doing just that. It is doing its best to protect you, your family and your property in a world that it doesn't understand very well.
If this simple statement sounds true then let me show you how to take the job away from your dog. Not only will the barking stop but so will any other strange behaviours. Your dog will be more relaxed, happy and start to live the calm life that it would like to live. I can show you how.
Electric dog collars are unpleasant for humans and dogs and unnecessary
Once you understand how to stop a dog from barking without the need for pain and suffering you – like me – will never be able to encourage people to use them.
I would love you to join me and the growing number of people who have dared to dream, dared to believe there is a better way and found it. It is a way without pain and suffering where instead of adding more pain to the situation we actually start to understand our dogs and solve the issue through a few simple steps.
Seeing is believing! When you see your dog quiet without the use of any force, the joy and relief is just one of those golden moments. Once you experience a dog change, you will never touch an electric collar again.
I respect nothing more than people who call me and say, we have tried everything, the electric collar, this person, this company and nothing will shut the dog up. Never give up, keep the faith and give your dog a chance.
Cheers, Dan
Thanks you for reading, if you have any questions or comments about this article, please call me to chat or email me.
