Dog Training: Are Electric Shock Collars Cruel or Humane?

There is a huge range of training collars for dogs and a vociferous debate among owners and trainers as to whether these collars are humane and effective or whether they are cruel and counterproductive.

Different types of collar are used for different purposes. The two main uses are for distance control, when the dog is out of the trainer's immediate reach and is not on a leash and the second aim is to control excessive barking.

The distance training collar enables the trainer to administer a shock to the dog, by using a handheld transmitter which causes an electric pulse in the collar. This distracts the dog from whatever undesirable behavior it is currently doing and lets the trainer get his attention.

Critics of these collars maintain that they are inhumane and hurt the animal, partly because it is difficult to know how severe the pain is. This can disorientate the dog, so that it doesn't associate the shock with the desired effect. Such confusion is obviously counterproductive.

For example, you call the dog to come to you, he ignores you, so you zap him. He may well associate the pain with being called, so every time you call him you provoke a nervous or aggressive reaction, depending on the dog's temperament.

If the dog has a naturally aggressive nature he may attack you, because he sees you as the source of his discomfort and the fear that you are hostile to him. If the dog has a nervous disposition and doesn't realise why he is being punished, this will only make him worse.

That's the case for the prosecution. For the defence, there are many loving dog owners who say that these collars are a valuable last resort, which enables them to control a dog which would otherwise have to be put down. They cite cases, where a normally obedient dog has one undesirable trait which cannot be controlled, such as chasing cars or bikes, or worrying farm animals.

If they can instantly stop this bad behavior, even from a distance, then this can save the dog's life.