Haley (not her real name) was brought to me with escalating human aggression issues. She was a 1-1/2 year-old gorgeous black Labrador retriever when I first met with the owners. She was a great family pet according to the owners and they loved her like a family member. Haley started showing signs of aggression toward humans around eight months of age and things were getting progressively worse – especially lately.
Haley’s bite history included three human bites with one requiring medical attention. She had been quarantined by animal control one time because of biting. Things were getting worse.
At our first session I asked Haley’s owners what steps they may have taken to manage and address the human aggression. They indicated they had taken her to a dog trainer for the aggression. I then asked the question I always hate to ask in these situations because I know what the answer is normally going to be.
For reference: e-collar = electronic collar = shock collar. Calling it an e-collar makes it sound less harmful but it still uses electric shock to harm the dog. Customers of these dog trainers are almost universally told by the dog trainer that they didn’t use the electric shock feature in the collar when training; they only used the buzzer to signal the dog. Right. For more information see: Why I Dont Use Prong, Choke or Shock Collars.
Anyone who understands animal behavior knows that using a shock collar to treat the behavior associated with human aggression almost always makes the aggression worse. What typically happens is the aggressive behavior will be decreased for a short period (typically two to four weeks) and then returns with a vengeance. This result is predictable and easily explained by canine behavioral science. Essentially, this result occurs because the dog trainer is addressing the symptoms and not the root cause of the aggression.
Once I learned a dog trainer had used a shock collar with Haley, I immediately understood why the aggression was ramping up so quickly in recent weeks. Haley’s behavioral history was typical of the human-directed aggression cases I see that involve dog trainers who use shock collars as “treatment”.
I frequently see clients once the aggression returns in their dog after unknowingly subjecting their dog to one of these dog trainers. As you can guess, treating the aggression at that point is much more difficult and the prognosis is less favorable. It is not unlike a surgeon who has to deal with a botched procedure – it is more difficult and the prognosis is poorer. For more information see: Pretenders Who Claim to Treat Aggressive Dogs, Buyer Beware.
Bottom line: shock collars are never a good idea when addressing aggression in dogs. They make things worse. If you see signs of aggression in your canine, please seek the help of an experienced, full-time and independently certified dog behavior consultant. The sooner you properly address the underlying issue in canine aggression the better the prognosis.
Cons Of Shock Collars For Dogs
Most pet owners can’t fathom causing pain to their pet. But even with the ability to control the intensity of the correction, you are still using aversive behavior modification. Many dog trainers choose positive reinforcement (reward) as a means of behavior modification over negative feedback.
Fear in dogs can be dangerous, so you never want to train a dog with fear. With shock training, some dogs may learn to fear people, objects, or situations they associate with the collar. One pet owner we know installed a wireless fence and then their dog refused to go outside after training with it. Their dog even started urinating in the house.
Without you there to control when a shock is administered, automatic bark collars and electric fences may deliver shocks unintentionally or too often. This unnecessary shock could confuse your dog by “correcting” a problem that was not even there.
On their own, shock collars don’t reinforce good behavior with a positive reward such as your affection, verbal approval (“Good boy!”), or a tasty treat. So while a shock collar may effectively deter negative behaviors like jumping on visitors or running after the mail carrier, it doesn’t reward positive behavior such as sitting patiently or obeying a command to “Stay!”. As with any training, you should always reinforce positive behavior with a reward of affection, playtime, or a small treat.
8 Things To Know Before Buying A Shock Collar
Here are four pros and four cons that we think everyone should consider before using or purchasing a shock collar for a dog. Please be sure to read these carefully, and feel free to ask us any questions you have about the pros and cons of using a shock collar.
At our first session I asked Haley’s owners what steps they may have taken to manage and address the human aggression. They indicated they had taken her to a dog trainer for the aggression. I then asked the question I always hate to ask in these situations because I know what the answer is normally going to be.
I frequently see clients once the aggression returns in their dog after unknowingly subjecting their dog to one of these dog trainers. As you can guess, treating the aggression at that point is much more difficult and the prognosis is less favorable. It is not unlike a surgeon who has to deal with a botched procedure – it is more difficult and the prognosis is poorer. For more information see: Pretenders Who Claim to Treat Aggressive Dogs, Buyer Beware.
Anyone who understands animal behavior knows that using a shock collar to treat the behavior associated with human aggression almost always makes the aggression worse. What typically happens is the aggressive behavior will be decreased for a short period (typically two to four weeks) and then returns with a vengeance. This result is predictable and easily explained by canine behavioral science. Essentially, this result occurs because the dog trainer is addressing the symptoms and not the root cause of the aggression.
Haley’s bite history included three human bites with one requiring medical attention. She had been quarantined by animal control one time because of biting. Things were getting worse.
For reference: e-collar = electronic collar = shock collar. Calling it an e-collar makes it sound less harmful but it still uses electric shock to harm the dog. Customers of these dog trainers are almost universally told by the dog trainer that they didn’t use the electric shock feature in the collar when training; they only used the buzzer to signal the dog. Right. For more information see: Why I Dont Use Prong, Choke or Shock Collars.
FAQ
Can you use shock collar for biting puppy?
Using an e-collar to prevent your dog from biting and chewing is a great solution. E-collars come with a remote control that creates an electric stimulation. You might think this sounds torturous or cruel, but for chronic problem behaviors they can be the most humane choice.
At what age can I use a shock collar on a puppy?
Some dog breeds are more sensitive to pain and shock than others. Your puppy can be trained through a shock collar at an earlier age if he is a Siberian Husky or a German Shepherd. On average, shock collars should be used when puppies reach 10 weeks of their age.
Do vibration collars work for biting dogs?
Does a shock collar help with an aggressive dog?