If your dog has been causing a lot of stress, you may be considering shock collar training.
As a dog trainer, clients tell me all the time that they have, "tried a shock collar, and I don't like using it, but sometimes I have to."
-or-
"I only use the vibrate or the tone. I never use the shock"
In this post, I'm going to cover how to get your dog started for off leash dog training with a remote collar in a way that you feel good about!
Shock Collar Training
Related:
How the Shock Collar Beep Sound is Actually Undermining Your Dog Training
Simplest Beginner’s Guide for Using an E Collar for Dog Training
Shock Collar Training Pros and Cons
Before any one comes at me, I actually don't use shock collars. Well, a long time ago I did, before I understood what I was actually doing.
When my dog was less than a year old, I bought a shock collar from PetSmart for $20 (because there was no way I spending the money on a "nice" $100 Petsafe Remote Collar.)
I popped it on her, sent her out into the backyard, and yelled "come". When she didn't come, I turned the collar up, hit the zap button and saw her leap 3 feet up in the air.
Surprisingly- she didn't come back. And in fact, became more interested in the ground that she was sniffing.
Confused, I hit it again, this time she leaped up into the air, and ran to another spot in the yard to explore. I ran after her frustrated, yelling at her to come and then brought her inside.
I had completely failed to set my dog (or myself) up for success.
While PETA didn't show up at my doorstep and remove my dog from my care, (Maybe they should have), there are so many steps that I missed to teach my dog what the hell I was asking her to do.
Since then, she's forgiven me- way quicker than I've forgiven me. I'm proud to say we've both learned and grown. She enjoys off leash freedom with the help of her remote collar- and not the same $20 shock collar from PetSmart.
Are Shock Collars Good for Training Dogs?
Short answer: It depends.
Long Answer: I don't personally recommend or teach anyone to use electric shock to train their dog. I love using e collars, which use TENS unit stimulation, to help owners communicate with their dogs.
In this post, I'll share with you how a remote E collar that uses a TENS unit electricity can help you and your dog with recall!
Best Dog Shock Collar
Here are some the seven best tips I've found for using an ecollar to train your dog!
Shock Collar Training Tips
1. Don't overthink finding your dog's levels
You'd probably be surprised to know that your dog doesn't need a lot of force to listen. And in fact, your dog isn't stubborn, they just need more guidance.
Every dog is different, but most dogs respond well to levels between 4-15 on a collar that has 127 levels.
Owners often joke that "He'll need all 127 levels" when that's just not true.
Another common mistake owners make is saying "he's not listening to a 10" but refuse to go past a 10 out of fear of a bigger number.
Look at the dog, not the number.
To find your dog's level on the collar, start at 1 or 2 and tap the stim button 5-7 times to test for a reaction from your dog.
The reaction may be small- an ear flick, a sit, a slow or hard blink, a sudden movement as if to check out the collar. If you think your dog feels it, start training!
You can always move the number up or down as needed.
2. Use your dog's "sit" or "place" to teach your dog they have control over the collar
A step that a lot of people miss is empowering their dog to understand that the dog has control over the stimulation.
It's always a good idea to boost your dog's confidence by asking them to do something they know, and then following up with the ecollar (on an appropriate level) if they make the decision to blow off their instructions.
Once they comply, the stimulation is released.
Therefore, the dog learns to shut the ecollar off with compliance.
If your dog struggles with this- they might be telling you they don't know the command as well as you thought they did!
Shock Collar Training for Dogs
3. Hide the remote
Most people want their dog to respond to commands, rather than the remote.
Some owners become very proud of the fact that they just have to wave the remote to the collar at their dog and the dog change their behavior.
In this case, they've just taught the dog the remote is the enforcer- not the person.
So hide the remote behind your back, or pocket of a hoodie or jacket. Become comfortable pressing buttons without looking at them.
4. Let your dog wear the collar all the time- almost.
Or at least when they're awake and you're around.
This will decrease the likelihood that your dog will develop collar awareness.
You definitely want to make sure your dog is getting breaks from the collar.
So take the collar off if they're in their crate, overnight, or if you aren't home to give them a break.
Monitor your dog's neck for any irritation, and switch the location of the prongs often.
5. Play the "yes" game
If you're having trouble with advance things, like ecollar work, it's time to go back to basics and play the yes game.
The Yes Game boosts a dog's confidence and there's no "wrong answer", so they can't loose!
If your dog struggles to play this, you're in an environment that is too distracting.
Shock Collar Training Reddit
6. Ecollars can only correct behavior, not emotion.
If you have a super fearful, nervous or anxious dog, it might not be the right time to introduce an ecollar.
Ecollars can only correct behavior and if a dog is acting out of a negative emotion, an ecollar could make behaviors worse, or create spikes in behaviors.
Consult a dog trainer if you have questions about your dog!
7. Use the collar consistently.
Seems obvious right?
This is the biggest factor in your dog's success though. In my experience, the more inconsistent, the more likely behaviors are to get worse.
If a dog is gambling on whether they are going to get corrected or not, they are more likely to continue to do the thing we're correcting them for.
So be consistent and clear with your corrections and directions.
8. Your dog shouldn't react to the collar- they should think through the collar.
You don't want the levels so high that your dog reacts harshly to the stim on the collar.
You want the level to be no higher than what your dog allows your dog to think. If our dog is just reacting when they feel the collar, they will likely develop adverse feelings to the collar.
It's okay if your dog takes some time to think and make the decision - that's why the collar gives you 12 seconds before shutting off.
It's okay if sometimes you have your finger on the stim button for 5-6 seconds before your dog commits to the command.
If you're waiting 8-12 seconds regularly though, you're probably going to need to go up a level.
PetSafe Shock Collar
The PetSafe collar (or any other electric shock collar) is a great way to spend $100 now, only to spend $300 later on training and a better collar.
