Do shock collars really work?

Question

Do shock collars really work?

Answer 1

no they dont work!!!

why would use a painful shock cuz the dog did something as natural as barking? its like someone eletricuting you because u coughed? isnt that unfair? its something you have to do and your being punished for it? sure the barking is annoying, but there is simple training for that!

Shock Collars:

Dogs wearing shock collars can suffer from physical pain and injury (ranging from burns to cardiac fibrillation) and psychological stress, including severe anxiety and displaced aggression. Individual animals vary in their temperaments and pain thresholds; a shock that seems mild to one dog may be severe to another. The anxiety and confusion caused by repeated shocks can lead to changes in the heart and respiration rate or gastrointestinal disorders. Electronic collars can also malfunction, either administering nonstop shocks or delivering no shocks at all.

Eletric Fences:

Dogs whose yards are surrounded by electronic fences may develop fear or aggression aimed at what they believe is the source of the shock (kids riding by on bikes, the mail carrier, the dog next door, etc.). Dogs have been known to run through electronic barriers when frightened by fireworks or chasing a squirrel and then be too scared to cross back through the barrier.

Electronic fences may actually encourage animals to try to escape. Since dogs only suffer painful shocks in the yard, they may associate the shock with the yard itself—once they get out of the yard, the pain goes away. The fact that the pain returns when they try to reenter the yard can cause dogs to believe that they are being punished for returning home.

Even when animals are confined within certain boundaries of an electronic fence, they are still in danger of attacks by roaming dogs, cruel humans, or other animals, who can freely enter the property. Electronic fences are a dog thief’s dream come true!

Dogs bark for a variety of reasons but mainly because of boredom, distress, separation anxiety, and defense of their territory. Young dogs, small or active breeds, and dogs who are chained up or left outside most of the time are more likely to bark. For humane and safety reasons, as well as to maintain good relations with your neighbors, it is best to keep your dog indoors when you are not at home. Dogs are less likely to bark indoors, and any barking that they do indoors is less likely to be loud enough to disturb the neighbors.

Tips to Prevent Boredom-Related Barking

Take your dog for two or three walks per day; family members, trusted neighbors, or professional dogwalkers can help during the workday.

Allow your dog least five opportunities to relieve him- or herself during a day.

Provide plenty of chew toys; rotate them and provide new ones.

Give your dog a toy that can be filled with treats; working to get the treats out will provide mental and physical stimulation.

Agility and flyball courses are fun and a great outlet for a dog’s energy.

Barking at intruders or frightening noises is a natural behavior for dogs and should not be totally forbidden.

Tips to Prevent Excessive Barking at Strangers or Noises

Take your dog out daily to interact and socialize with other people. Praise him or her for friendliness.

When people visit your house, give your dog a treat or toy so that he or she associates guests with something positive.

When something frightens your dog, encourage him or her to sit, lie down, or play with a toy.

Answer 2

I'm no quite sure they do. Some dogs respond to it very successfully, while others just ignore the shock. My friends Schnauzer had one to stop barking, but he barks anyway. Also, on of my mom's friends has beagle who has a shock collar so he won't go off his property, but he does it anyway. It depends on what kind of dog you have, and how stubborn it is

Answer 3

yes, i have an invisible fence, and i also have a remote shock collar. and i like the remote shock collar better because if the dog runs through the fence it olny shocks them for a second where as the remote you control the level of voltage and how long. although the fence works really well once the dog is trained. hope this helps. good luck!!

Answer 4

i don't know... but if u r dinkin of using one.... i don't dink u should cuz dat is WAY cruel

Answer 5

sometimes

Answer 6

Don't know. I have never used them and never will.  Training works good though.

Answer 7

Well, let's put one on ya' and find out.

Answer 8

yes u get a little remote and if u push the button it shocks ur dog.

u can change the setting on the collar from like  1-10

10 being the most powerful shock.

i once held the collar in my hand and got shocked it doesnt hurt that much cuz i didnt cry (power 10)

Answer 9

Depends on what you want the dog to do. It should be used as a last resort though, but yes they do work.

Answer 10

hey, i don't think it is fair to  put an electric collar on your dog. how would you like like!  

Answer 11

why would you EVER do that?

Answer 12

yes i got a kick out of training my pitbull to not leave the yard.

Answer 13

Depending on the dog's behavior and It usually doesn't work if the owner doesn't know how to use it right.  

Answer 14

When used properly for training methods by someone who knows what they are doing, then yes they can and do work. They work best at a low voltage, just to get the dog's attention, never to hurt them. But in my opinion only a trainer who knows how to properly use them should.

Answer 15

I THINK IT DOES. BUT I KNOW YOU DONT WANT TO DO THAT! THAT IS JUST WRONG! AND HURTS YOUR DOGGIE! DO YOU WANT HIM TO BE SCARED OF YOU?.. BE NICE!

Answer 16

Sure do. I got one on my dog because he won't stay in the yard. He jumps the fence, opens the gate, digs under the fence, snaps cables/chains. So I got him a shock collar. They shouldn't be used on puppies or older, frail dogs. It doesn't hurt the dog, but it gives them an unpleasent feeling when they go near the boundary. Then they learn to associate the boundary with the very unpleasent feeling. The only thing I don't like is the big black box attached to the dog collar. That is the sensor. It can tell when the dog is by the boundary, and it issues the shock. I wish they could make them smaller. Oh well. My dog only has to wear the big box when it is time for him to go out.

Answer 17

Yes they can be a very effective training tool if used properly.   They can also be abused if not used properly.  Shock collars should only be used by owners/trainers that know the proper use for them either by researching very carfully or being taught by a trainer that uses them correctly.   They should only be used to correct behaviors as they are occuring (ie shocking as the dog is jumping up on you)  and should not be used to force behaviors (ie commanding the dog to sit an then shocking it until it sits, this is also known as negative reinforcement ie I'll take something unplesent away if you do what I want)   They should also be used on the lowest setting that is effective for the dog.    When using a collar I alway test it before using it on my dog and it is basically the same as a strong static shock.  When used properly it is not intended to inflict pain but rather to startle the dog from doing the behavior.     Most people who claim they are cruel have either never seen them use at all and just asume they are cruel or have only ever seen them used improperly.  

Answer 18

Electronic training devices such as electronic fences and anti-barking collars rely on painful punishment and negative reinforcement, causing dogs to live in fear of being electrocuted for normal behaviors like crossing invisible lines, barking, and jumping onto surfaces within their own homes.  

Answer 19

Once a dog is trained using an electric fence, they know enough not to go near the border.  The collar makes a sound if they are getting too close - you can also set the strenghth of the shock they receive.  Some dogs do not respond to the fence and will rush past the border and get the shock.  Once they are past it, it does not continue to shock them so they are free.  Also remember that invisible fences do not keep other animals from entering your yard.