Shock Therapy - Why Shock Collars Are Cruel

Many people consider shock collars, also commonly referred to as electronic or remote training collars, a viable way to discourage dogs from irritating barking behaviors, However, studies have shown that these collars are a very cruel means to an end, and they are even considering placing a ban on them in the UK.

What exactly is a shock collar? Simply put, it's a device placed around your dog's neck that delivers an electric shock whenever the dog barks. Some people will tell you that the shock amounts to little more than a "prick", comparable to the feeling that a person would get after walking across carpet and touching a metal door handle. If that is true, why are there documented cases of dogs that have been burnt by these collars? The simple truth is that shock collars are electronic devices, and therefore unreliable. They can malfunction for no reason, delivering repeated shocks even when your dog is quiet, and have been proven to severely shock dogs when they get wet.

There are psychological drawbacks to shock collars as well. Barking is a dog's primary form of communication. They bark when they are happy, angry, afraid, or when danger is near, all of which are acceptable behaviors. The only time you should discourage your dog from barking is when it is inappropriate, and never until you have checked to be sure that nothing is wrong. But shock collars can't make that distinction. Just imagine being a terrified dog, barking for your owner to come and help you, and receiving so painful of a shock each time that you just give up... situations like that can be emotionally crippling for a dog.