The Shock Collar / E Collar Debate

There was a post in the AIDog group I just responded to, and thought I'd share the essence of what was said since this continues to be a hot, heavily debated topic (even expand on it a bit).It was a post regarding "shock collars."

What most don't realize is there's a massive difference between shock collars and e-collars.

Shock collars are not e collars.

And e collars are not shock collars.

Shock collars are horrible. Trash. And should be wiped from the face of the earth.

E collars are fantastic, and extremely versatile, tools --- but should only be available through professional, knowledgable (and ethical) trainers. The fact they're not - and are widely and easily accessible to the general public - is the biggest issue surrounding them today. Why? Because the great majority of folks purchasing them don't receive the education and training behind them. They slap a collar on a dog, and start playing around with buttons. They may read the pamphlet that comes with them or watch a few YouTube videos.

Not having a solid training base, clear communication skills, a sound understanding of the individual dog (believe it or not, most do not), or the education behind using these devices--- the rhyme, the reason, the timing, skill, etc- does and will create more confusion in the dog, chip away at relationship, and may amplify existing behaviors (because of said confusion and deteriorating relationship).

Additionally, dogs should have a solid, pre-existing level of understanding of cues and directives prior to using the e collar, and there should also be a solid, pre-existing relationship in place (trust, respect, safety, and security). This is something the human must provide and also represent in the eyes and mind of the dog.

"Compliance" should not be forced.

It should occur because there's trust, respect, safety, and relationship.

If it's shaky, off... or non-existent, it's due to a number of things:

1) the nature of relationship between the human and the dog- as well as what the human represents to the dog,

2) the dog's individual level of drive (pack, prey, defense),

3) whether or not the dog clearly understands what's being asked of him/her (believe it or not, oftentimes they don't), and

4) context, and whether or not this has been varied and built upon in the actual training.

**E collars, nor any other dog training tool (to include food), cannot and should not (ever) replace what relationship should represent.**

THIS is why the human end of the leash is such a critical element in dog training (hence why this book is being written) and why so many trainers continue to preach about relationship.

Is "relationship" the sexiest thing to talk about in dog training? Nope, which is why folks don't pay a great deal of attention to it.

Is "the human end of the leash" and the part people play in their dogs' behaviors, confusion, etc. what they want to hear? Nope, which is why folks avoid it and focus on other things (getting a fraction of the results they could achieve).

People like action. They like seeing their dogs do things. They value "performance" (as well as what's easy, fast, effortless, and cheap, but that's another conversation).

The focus is typically on the "actionables"... and not enough on the "supportables".

There's frustration when the trainer shows up and "does things" with their dog, when they struggle to do the same exact thing after the trainer's long gone (.... it's not because of the dog).

Anyways, there's only one e collar device/brand I use with clients (for many reasons), and only if and when needed.

I don't share or disclose because I don't want to perpetuate the problem (folks internet buying dog training tools without education).

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Side note: Although he hasn't worn it in years, I use Levi's e collar as a TENS unit on myself. Same technology. (TENS units are used by (human) chiropractors and physical therapists to relieve pain, such as: fibromyalgia, menstrual pain, arthritis, bursitis, and other conditions. ***Relieve pain*** mind you..... not cause it).

#dogtraining #dogtrainingtips #dogbehavior #dogtrainer #dog #PACKFIT #thehumanendoftheleash #themoreyouknow #ecollar #ecollartraining