Is E-Collar Training Effective?

USING an electronic dog training collar in conjunction with positive reinforcement dog training may sound a bit confusing since e-collars have been stigmatized ever since these tools are made available to the public.

However, these electronic dog collars have tremendously developed over the last 30 years and professional dog trainers prefer on using these great training tools alongside reward-based dog training - for easier process and more efficient results.

Electronic Dog Collar Training is Effective in Multiple Ways (Click each item to discover more):

• Reward-Only Dog Training Method is Not Enough

• Dog Training Collars Strengthen the Foundation on Obedience Training

• Positive Reinforcement Dog Training PLUS Remote Dog Collar Ensures Efficiency

• High Quality Dog Training Collars that Suit Your Dogs Ensure Effectiveness & Safety

First of all, I will debunk the myth that e-collars hurt dogs. Look at the facts below:

So, compared to the normal electronic devices that we humans use on a daily basis, the static energy output that electronic dog collars can produce is relatively low.

Not to mention that humans are more likely to get hurt by electric energy than dogs because we have thin and oily skin whilst dogs have fur, thick and dry skin.

Now, if you’ve met people who are against dog training collars and they say that e-collars can burn dog’s skin, they probably did the following:

• Bought a cheap, low-quality, e-collar online that does not even pass the Australian standard for use.

• Misused e-collars by too much tightening on their dog’s neck, attaching a lead on the collar which adds pressure (see also, pressure necrosis).

• Misused the e-collar by jumping to the highest level of correction without identifying their dog’s recognition level by starting at the lowest level of stimulation.

• Misused the e-collar by not maintaining proper hygiene as the dog wears the collar.

• Disregarded a decent training guide.

• I have not even used an electronic dog collar before but believed the myths and stigma that come with it. Thus, missing the chance to experience the great potential good e-collars bring to dog training.

Use an E-collar Because Reward-Only Dog Training Method is Not Enough

If you have watched our TDLTV episode with Seth Pywell, a professional dog trainer who specializes in snake avoidance training for dogs - he stresses that the reward-only method of dog training is not enough.

Sure, positive reinforcement in dog training is really great but that method alone is not efficient in carrying out the behaviour that we need our dogs to follow - especially in moments of danger.

Seth Pywell further explained that dogs need to be trained in risky situations such as avoiding a snake, coming back when called and NOT escaping.

This is because dogs who are trained with the reward-only method do not have any comprehension about the “consequence” a risky behaviour may bring - such as being bitten by a venomous snake or being hit by a truck when the dog escapes.

I’m sure you’d agree that you’d rather have your dog feel the harmless yet annoying static pulse from an e-collar than being killed by a car.

Moreover, dogs who have undergone reward-only training tend to be less attentive when presented with real-life distractions - especially naturally-stubborn dogs.

Therefore, you can’t solely trust positive reinforcement dog training if you want your dog to behave well when tempted with dangerous situations.

Using an Electronic Dog Training Collar Strengthens Your Dog’s Foundation on Obedience Training

Dog obedience commands such as “come”, “stay”, “heel”, and “sit” may sound basic but they are vital in training your dog especially for life and death circumstances.

Dog training collars have been long used by professional dog trainers to reinforce positive behaviours on dogs while making dogs understand the consequences of negative behaviours.

Once again, these e-collars are not designed to hurt or punish dogs - their primary purpose is for dogs to associate the harmless static corrections to unwanted behaviours such as:

• • Trying to escape

• • Not coming when called

• • Going after a snake

• • Nuisance barking

• • Digging up garden beds

• • Chasing people and cars

• • Jumping on guests

• • Aggression

When you build the foundation of obedience commands as you train your dog with a remote dog training collar, you can rest assured that your dog becomes more attentive to you as he masters the command… and by him knowing that if he does the opposite, a correction will be activated.

A situation, for example, is walking at the dog park - if your dog easily responds to an aggressive trigger initiated by another dog… or perhaps your dog is naturally aggressive towards other dogs…
…you can use the remote e-collar to get his attention back to you and help him deter away from the aggressive trigger - saving your dog from a bloody fight.

This is similar to calling your dog to come - most dogs love to bolt and run when allowed off-leash into an open yard (or at the park).

Has your dog run off a busy road before? Do you remember the fear you had, thinking he might get hit by a truck?

Well, in case he runs off again, you can easily recall him using the remote training collar. Once your dog masters the obedience commands and when he is tested with real-life distractions, you can instantly switch his attention back at you and away from the distraction.

Basically, a dog training collar is your aid for faster and more efficient dog obedience training - always make sure to do consistent and persistent training with your dog. Always follow a decent training guide if you’re a beginner (we include the guide in our remote dog training collar kits).

Also, aim to have your dog master each obedience command before you put him on a distraction test.

Using a Remote Dog Training Collar Alongside Positive Reinforcement Dog Training Brings Efficiency Better than Reward-Only Method

A remote training collar is a great dog training tool that helps your dog understand that negative behaviours bring “consequences” and positive behaviours are rewarded.

This is why it is more effective to use an e-collar as you train your dog and build his foundation on obedience commands - very important as your dog goes through risky moments in life.

Then, by giving him rewards or positive reinforcement such as dog food treats, playtime, verbal praise, or pats… you are making your training even more enjoyable for your dog.

For instance, if he runs off the yard and if you want him to come back, you can give the “come” command... and if he refuses to immediately follow, you can activate a low level of static correction as you continue to give the command

Once your dog steps towards you, release the stimulation button and get ready to reward your dog.

This is by far the most efficient dog training method - it is easier for you to implement the obedience commands and way faster for your dog to understand that he must avoid risky and stupid situations.

Once again, a remote dog training collar is a tool that will help you get your dog’s attention, for him to recognise a command if he gets too distracted by the triggers around him.

Use a High Quality Dog Training Collar that Suits Your Dog for Better Effectiveness & Safety

As I mentioned earlier, it is very important that you get a remote dog training collar that is approved for Australian standard of use - don’t fall for the cheap, low-quality, dog training collars that you see online.

Your dog’s safety should be a priority. This is why we only offer the best quality remote dog training collars that are approved by the ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority).

Also, e-collars come in different types and sizes since dogs have different behaviours and temperaments. So, it is best to choose the collar that suits your dog, for that is more effective and safe.

So, remote dog training collars are designed with different types of corrections:

• • Static/Electric

• • Citronella Spray

• • Vibration

• • Ultrasonic/Tone

Often, these e-collars offer more than one type of stimulation for flexible training:

• • Static + Vibration + Tone

• • Static + Tone-only Mode

• • Vibration + Ultrasonic/Tone

• • Citronella + Tone

• • The list goes on

Commonly, static/electric remote training collars are best for naturally stubborn dogs. On the other hand, Citronella spray and ultrasonic e-collars are used for responsive dogs… and vibration remote collars are good for dog with sensitive temperaments.

Also, the tone function on the remote trainers is either used to signal reward or warning.

Lastly... if you want to raise a well-behaved dog, train him with a high quality e-collar that suits him. Follow a decent training guide (we offer them with our e-collar kits).

Do the training consistently and persistently - make sure that your dog masters each obedience command and do not forget to reward your dog every time he shuns a negative behaviour<.

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Learn More: Bark Collars | Electric Dog Fences | Remote Dog Training Collars