27February 2013
Although the shock collar has become a widely used “dog training” tool throughout the United States and elsewhere, there are many other alternative training tools that do not involve causing pain.
Next month I will have a very in-depth article on shock collars and all the information you have ever wanted to know about them. But for this month’s Trainer Tip, I would like to point out the many alternatives to using that very aversive method of training.
Just to be clear, I do not like shock collars (or E collars, or training collars, or any other name they go by). As a positive reinforcement trainer, I do NOT condone the use of these devices nor recommend them to anyone.
I like to look at it this way…
Think of your current job, whatever it is you do to make money. Whether or not you especially like your current job is not important. Think of positive reinforcement training versus shock collar training like this…
Would you rather go to work and work really hard to get rewarded?
OR would you rather go to work and work really hard so you don’t get punished?
I personally would rather work hard at my job to get rewarded. If you have to work hard at a job to keep from getting punished, you probably won’t keep that job for very long. Think about it. Say your job is trying to teach you something new, but instead of guiding you in the right direction and rewarding you when you figure it out, you are continuously shocked until you just figure it out, with no direction what-so-ever. Sound like something you would like to try? No? Then why would you consider this option for your dog?
Still think maybe it doesn’t really hurt? Go to youtube.com and type in shock collars. You can watch people trying these “tools” on themselves from all over the world. They seem to think it hurts too!
Many people forget that training takes time and consistency, this is true of any type of training, positive or otherwise. Knowing that, the e-collar option seems a little less appealing doesn’t it?
So you might be thinking, well ok, I get what you’re saying, but my dog is just so out of control. That is why the wonderful world of dog products is constantly coming out with better and more efficient training tools. And these tools do NOT cause your dog physical and mental pain and stress.
Have a dog that’s hard to control on leash? No problem. Try one of these amazing tools to help!