Understanding Dog Training Equipment

When doing an interview with a local television station on the subject of electronic collars, the reporter asked for succinct information – “sound bytes” – that would be easily understandable by viewers.  While many people have strong opinions about the use of “shock collars”, in reality the term encompasses a variety of sophisticated products, the proper and improper use of which is difficult to explain in 25 words or less.

During the interview, we wanted to broaden the scope of the subject a bit to point out that there are bigger issues in question than just the use of electronic collars. The first is that when a pet is engaging in unwanted behavior, most people think first about how they can get their pets to stop displaying unwanted behaviors.  The more productive perspective is to consider how they can elicit and reward alternative behaviors they like. 

Second is the cavalier attitude people have about using punishment tools and methods in general, including choke chains, pinch collars, “alpha rolls” and throw chains.   Most folks are unaware of the careful, precise, and most importantly sparing way any type of punishment should be used.  Instead, too many are willing to accept that punishment and force and “showing the dog who’s boss” are unavoidable requirements for having a well behaved pet. 

The results of a study done in Germany in 2006 revealed that dogs that were subjected to high intensity electrical stimulation delivered with poor timing (meaning inconsistently with regard to the dog’s behavior) resulted in a “high risk that dogs will show severe and persistent stress symptoms.”  The authors of this paper recommend that “the use of these devices should be restricted with proof of theoretical and practical qualification required and then the use of these devices should only be allowed in strictly specified situations.”

When it comes to remote training collars, these are powerful tools that are too often misused because far too few people understand how to use them effectively and humanely.  In general the worst way to use a remote collar is as a punishment device.    Many pet owners are still using them out of anger or frustration which significantly increases the potential for abuse.  The average dog owner (and even some pet professionals!) does not have the timing skills or a sufficient understanding of learning theory to be able to use a remote collar – whether it delivers a static ‘shock’ or a spray of citronella – in an effective, humane way. 

It is essentially a given that a typical dog owner will use a remote collar inconsistently and incorrectly.  And the German study shows it’s that kind of use that causes stress and harm to dogs.  

Electronic collars which are triggered by the dog’s behavior – such as the boundary systems and bark collars – meet two important criteria for effective punishment. They deliver punishment immediately and consistently.  However, as with any positive punisher, careful assessment is required to determine whether these products are appropriate for an individual dog and a specific situation.   Features of some of these collars – such as a vibration only, and a beep that can be used as conditioned positive reinforcement are unfortunately under-utilized.  

Now you can see why giving “sound bytes” when it comes to the use of complex training equipment is very difficult to do.  Even though people want “cut to the chase” answers for what to do about their pets’ behaviors, a better outcome is likely when people take the time to learn about a problem, a technique, or a piece of equipment, in more depth.