What Makes an Electronic Collars Humane

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This is a very informative lens about the different options that make the new technology of shock collars humane.

 

With all of the information in circulation today regarding the effectiveness, safety, and humaneness surrounding the use of dog training collars and training methods, it is important to examine the specific features themselves in order to understand the product. Once carefully studied, it will be revealed to anyone who looks at electronic collars objectively that their unique features are indeed humane. Furthermore, they are very useful, and safe for any normal, healthy canine.

Audible Correction 

Most electronic training collars on the market today have an option available that will allow an audible beep to be issued from the collar. When used with a perimeter or invisible fencing system, this beep is automatically issued from the transmitter, warning the dog that it is in danger of more unpleasant correction. When used as a training collar for in the field or when hunting, the beep can be manually issued by the handheld transmitter. This audible beep can be used to deter a dog from undesired behavior, as it will quickly learn to associate the beeping sound with a behavior correction. Therefore, when the dog hears the beep, he will redirect his behavior in order to avoid a learned sense of impending correction. This method is so effective that the beep alone is often enough to keep the animal under control, and is a temporary, humane correction.

Vibration Correction 

Electronic training collars can also cause the entire collar to vibrate, much the same way as a cell phone or pager does. Although this does not hurt the dog in any way, it is a very surprising occurrence, and will typically cause the attention of the dog to be refocused. In addition, when the vibration follows the above mentioned beeping sound, the dog will come to learn that the vibration is an indicator that more unpleasant and immediate correction is to come if the dog does not adjust its behavior. As with the audible beep, the vibration is automatic on perimeter fence systems, and can be manually controlled by a handheld training unit. Electronic bark collars can also be programmed to issue a simple, harmless vibration in order to deter a dog from barking.

The Collar 

The electronic training collar itself can become its own, inoperative training tool. This means that, after a few training sessions, placing the collar on the dog, or the sight of it alone may curb unwanted or unsafe behaviors. The dog will be humanely conditioned by the beeping and the vibrations, and therefore will also associate the collar itself with those functions, adjusting its behavior when the collar is in its presence. This associative learning is the natural way that a dog relates to its environment: learned responses to direct stimulus.

The Electric or Static Charge 

In the initial stages of training, and with particularly stubborn dogs, sometimes the beeping and the vibration is not enough. In this case, the canine will be correct with a small electrical charge, similar to the static shock one receives after shuffling across a carpet and then touching a metal object. While surprising, this sensation is only mildly uncomfortable, and has absolutely zero lasting effects, other than the associative learning that will occur as a result.

Trainer Control 

The single most humane aspect of electronic dog collars is that the owner has complete control. This means that the trainer can choose when to issue a beep, a vibration, or static correction. Furthermore, the duration, type, undulation, and intensity of each type of correction can be modified and controlled to be as humane as possible for your dog, while still achieving results.

The features of electronic dog collars are humane enough that most trainers try them out on themselves prior to using them with their dogs. This type of willingness to learn, coupled with education on training methods, will ensure that use of electric collars is not only humane, but fun and practical for both you and your dog.

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Lensmaster

Matthew Putre wrote

I thought that this article is extremely informative. It explains how useful a shock collar can be. Even though it may give your dog a shock, in the long run it will deter him from doing other undesirable things, through the use of the audible correction beep. The dog will learn to associated the beep and the vibration with a unpleasant correction of behavior. Also the shock administered is harmless and has no lasting effects, except better behavior. The most important thing about shock collars is that the owner of the dog will have complete control over the dog. And that is truly amazing to me.

Reply Posted October 27, 2008

Lensmaster

Beth M. wrote

Thank You so much for the great info. on different options for dog shock collars. I have been trying to figure out whether I wanted one for my husband and my hunting dog or not. I was not sure whether they were really humane or not but you really made me feel better about purchasing one. I also love that there are so many different options to choose from. Thanks alot.

Reply Posted October 25, 2008

Lensmaster

B S Cochran wrote

My husband has a dog collar for his hunting dog and I always thought it was wrong to use it until I did a lot of research. After reading your article I have come to realize that they are not as harmful as I thought and I love that there are so many different kinds to pick from. My husband has the one with a beep and he has it trained now to where all he has to do is use the beeping sound and the dog responds well. Thank you for the wonderful information!!!

Reply Posted October 25, 2008

Lensmaster

Ann Franck wrote

This was an excellent and informative article about electric dog collars. I was very interested to learn that they can be modified by the owner to specialize the training to your dog. I didn't realize how humane they can actually be. I was happy to learn about the audible beep that sounds off before the vibration or shock occurs. This makes me feel better about these collars because now I know the dog can avoid the shock if he/she chooses. I would consider getting one now that I have read this article.

Reply Posted October 22, 2008

Lensmaster

J Lampkin wrote

I found this article to be very informative. I always thought that electronic collars were harmful to the dogs but this article helped me to see otherwise. I never thought that an electronic collar could be used for training. This article has given me some great ideas as to how to use the collar to train my dog, such as using it to keep him off of the furniture or out of a specific room in the house.

Reply Posted October 21, 2008

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