It is not a secret that there is some doubt about the actual effectiveness of using the electronic collar as a proper training tool for your dog.
Dogs are practically our companions, we all want them to be well behaved or basically obey certain commands like “sit”, “stay”, “come” and so on, but mainly too we want the dog to be a safe dog to ensure the relationship is more enjoyable.
Electronic training devices have existed for over sixty years. The misconceptions and apprehension surrounding their use is rapidly reducing through new, improved technological developments and case studies, which examine their performance and safety. The technological advances implemented in the newest generation of electronic training collars have resulted in more reliable and safe products.
The new generation of dog training shock collars offers several benefits over other standalone behavior modification methods such as leash or clicker training:
- Easily achieved, long lasting behavioral change.
Research and the experience from dog training professionals indicate that the correct use of electronic training leads to more thorough and durable learning.
A team of Norwegian researchers conducted a two-year study of the effect of electronic training devices on 114 hunting dogs, specifically breeds prone to chasing and attacking sheep. A group of dogs was given a sheep confrontation test in the first year: they received an electronic stimulation for predatory behavior if they wandered within two meters of a sheep.
In the second year of identical testing on the same group, the dogs showed weakened, delayed, and hesitant behavior, indicating that a) learning had taken place; and b) behavior modification learned previously was retained by the dogs over a relatively long period of time. Only one of the 114 dogs that received electronic stimulations the first year required it the second year.
- Speed / timing of stimulation
With an e-collar, owners can deliver the appropriate signal at the exact instant they want to obtain the dog’s attention. There is no time wasted such as is associated with offering a treat, or taking up slack on a leash, or catching the dog if it is far away. Remote trainers reach the dog at distances where a ‘clicker’ would not be heard.
- Effective for any size combination of person and dog
Unlike leash training, which can require significant size and strength to perform safely and effectively, electronic dog shock collars may be even used by persons with physical disabilities. In all human-dog training situations, regardless of size, the goal is to remind the dog that it is part of a team, not acting alone and its actions can be checked.
- Consistency – can be used at all times in all appropriate situations
Many dogs are not motivated to work for anything but food, which can become problematic for dog and for trainer. Use of a remote trainer ensures that the owner can consistently correct or reward the dog instantly, without a constant stream of treats, an extremely long leash, or physically pursuing the dog.
- Stress and Voice
While using other methods of training your dog, it is very common and possible to shout at the top of your voice or move/run around trying to ensure that your dog obeys a certain command or sticks to a particular behavioural pattern. This could even damage your larynx as well as so many unforeseen circumstances if the dog is of bad behaviour. However, if your dog is on the e-collar system, it’s a simple well-calculated click and the effect is usually achieved momentarily.
- Effective in situations of distractions
In certain situations, such as animal-assisted therapy or police dog work, it is of the utmost importance to everyone involved that a dog be under control at all times.
Every dog can be distracted, imagine you reading this article could be highly distracted, so what more of a dog. Studies and research have proven that, once the dog is under the e-collar system, and is used to the sensation it produces with regards to behaviour/commands, your dog would instantly react to a tap on your remote, it doesn’t matter the distractions or environment he/she is in. Feeling the sensation of the click after proper training would ensure your dog adheres to each of your commands in the face of any distraction.
- Off leash control