How the Shock Collar Beep Sound is Actually Undermining Your Dog Training

As a dog trainer, I hear once a week that a dog owner is using the "shock collar beep sound" as a warning.

This is common practice, but there are far more fair and efficient ways to use an electric collar. I even used to use a petsafe collar this way (I've since evolved since then). Now I teach people how to use training technology in a way that gets them the results they are hoping for!

And in this post, I'm here to tell you why 99% of pet owners aren't using the shock collar beep sound correctly and what to do instead.

Shock Collar Beep Sound

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PetSafe Shock Collar Beep Sound

I remember spending a whole bunch of money on a petsafe collar with 100 shock levels. It had a vibrate, beep and shock feature.

I was sick of my dog not coming back when called. Since we lived out on the country, I wanted her to have freedom, but she needed to listen.

I didn't want to use the shock on the collar, so I thought I'd use the tone first, vibrate second and then follow up with the shock (and cross my fingers she'd be listening by then).

So I put the collar on her. Let her loose. Then called her. When she didn't come back I hit the tone. She looked around confused. She even looked at me, then went back to doing what she was doing.

I hit the vibrate. She looked around more confused. She started to dig and sniff frantically.

Dog Collar Beeping Noise

I called her again, then hit the shock button. **Cringes**

She jumped up and gave a quick yelp and jumped 4 feet away from where she was. To say I felt horrible was an understatement.

Even then she still didn't quite come back and I had to physically go get her. I think we were both a little traumatized.

So, I resorted to using only the tone and vibrate and once in a blue moon I'd use a lower level shock.

My dog did not always come back, and we weren't getting any closer to her just listening when I called her. (The point of any training tool is to eventually not have to use it.)

I am not proud of my story, but it is a super common story when it comes to shock collars.

Dog Training Beep

Let's start with answering the question of if you should use the beep with your dog. For most pet dog owners, the answer is usually a no for two reasons.

1) The tone is a middle man warning. The beep acts as an audible cue for your dog to do something. Personally, I believe the audible cue should be the command. For example, "Bella, Come!" is the audible cue to the dog to do something.

So, when we add an additional audible cue, like the beep, it allows the dog more flexibility in ignoring the first audible cue. Since there's not a whole lot of follow through after the first audible cue.

2) It is unlikely your dog will be far enough away that they won't be able to hear you.

Now, if you are planning on hunting with your dog, or any other activity that would require a great distance between you and your dog, the tone is a great way to communicate with your dog, by using the tone as a command.

Some people will even use tones to mean different things. For example, a short tone would be a "leave it", but a long tone would be "come". Additionally, two quick tones could be a "down" command.

But, if your dog is within earshot of you (most pet dogs are) then we can use our verbal commands like sit, down, stay, come, and leave it.

You can have two commands for your dog- so if you'd like to use the beep as an additional cue for a down or a leave it, this is definitely something you can teach!

Dog Beep Collar, No Shock

For most dog owners, the beep is something that won't be used, so we don't look at the beep as a more desirable feature on a collar.

But, if you just need a beep, I'd go for the cheapest one on Amazon, like this one!

Dog Shock Collar - 2000FT Range Rechargeable Dog Training Collar with Remote IPX7 Waterproof 4 Training Modes (Flashlight Beep Vibration Shock)

See on Amazon

Otherwise, we prioritize the type of electricity we are using when it comes to collar shopping.

If a collar comes with a beep, then that's great too! But the type of electricity is most important in my opinion.

I only recommend and work with collars that use TENS unit electricity. I don't feel great about using the electric shock. I don't like feeling it myself, and so many dog owners tell me how they really don't like to use the shock, but "I shocked him because I didn't know what else to do, but I didn't want to".

And when you feel like that, you're not being fair to you or your dog.

My favorite is the Dogtra Arc.

Dogtra ARC Slim Ergonomic 3/4-Mile Remote Dog Training E-Collar with 127-Level Precise Control via LCD Screen

My favorite E-collar that uses TENS unit stimulation. While it has the ability to expand to two dogs, I mostly just appreciate the shape and use it for my one dog. This collar gets the best contact with your dog without making the collar super tight.

See on Amazon

Dog Shock Collar

Whatever tools you use for your dog, you have to be comfortable using it. Otherwise, you're not going to use it, or you're going to use it inconsistently.

If you are comfortable with a tool, and understand what and why you're doing the things you're doing, you and your dog will be better for it.

There will definitely be times you make mistakes with your dog no matter how cautious you are.

You may be up too high in your levels. Or, you might accidentally vibrate them when you mean to use the TENS unit (which can be startling for some dogs). You might accidentally correct the wrong dog if you're using a two dog system.

It happens. The most important thing is that you move forward calmly and confidently so that your dog can move forward confidently.

Dog Collar that Beeps and Vibrates

So, if you're still thinking of airing towards a collar that beeps and vibrates I'd encourage you to understand how you'll be using the collar to be an effective dog trainer and leader for your dog.

I am not against anyone's training methods as long as 1) we are being humane, 2) the methods are working.

But, if you're leaning towards a beep and vibrate collar because you're uncomfortable with the TENS unit electricity, I encourage you to seek out one of these collars to try yourself.

Or, even better, find a trainer who uses methods that make your heart sing! Whether that's with or without a collar.

Best Beep Collar for Dogs

A story from one of my clients about how important your attitude is with the collar:

I had one client who wanted to proceed with ecollar training. We did the intro to the collar beautifully and found her dog's working level to be about a 7-8. We drilled some obedience.

When she went to practice on her own, the first thing she did was vibrate the collar on the dog to test if it was on and to "see what the dog's reaction was."

The dog immediately became nervous, which made the owner nervous, which created a whole cycle of each of them becoming nervous.

Because this owner wasn't comfortable with the tool, she tried to compromise on what felt better to her without thinking of her dog's perspective. This led to a nervous dog, and an owner who fueled even more anxiety in her dog about the tool.

If she had moved forward confidently, utilized the low level TENS unit and avoided the vibrate in the future the relationship between the ecollar, the dog and the owner could have been repaired.

Shock Collar for Dogs

My favorite collars are the Dogtra collars for the quality and product.

Aside from the basics of a TENS unit collar, like the accurate timing and reliable levels of stimulation, it's super user friendly and waterproof!

Their customer service is so helpful, and if anything breaks, there's a year long warranty. After that, you have the ability to purchase individual parts. But, I've seen these things go through hell and back- including getting hit by some heavy farm machinery!

I have also worked with the Mini Educator and Micro Eduator, and will generally use the Micro educator for dog's under 15 pounds.

The only reason I lean towards Dogtra is they're a little more user friendly and have a very simplistic set up which is perfect for beginners and experienced trainers alike!