Generally speaking, positive training methods are much more effective than using electronic training devices that involve negative stimulation.
Also, unless you are training a hunting dog to hunt badgers or rabbits, the use of electronic devices is usually an excuse for a lazy human who will not take the time to properly train his dogs by teaching them rules and limits, which leads to respect and an attentive follower.
When you don’t provide your dog with a consistent leadership role that teaches your dog to trust, respect and listen to you in all circumstances, you will inevitably experience behavior problems.
Electronic training devices, such as electronic collars, spray collars, or electronic fences, rely on negative, painful, or stressful reinforcement, which can make any dog nervous or live a life of fear.
For example, a dog simply cannot understand the principles of “invisible” boundaries and therefore should never be subjected to the confusion of punishment that occurs when he walks through an invisible line within his own home territory.
Dogs naturally understand positive training methods for receiving a reward, which is not only much more efficient and effective when limits are taught, the rewards are much kinder and create a much stronger bond with your dog.
The Truth About Shock Collars
First of all, it would have to be an extremely rare situation where it would be necessary or recommended to wear a shock collar on your dog, as these devices are generally only employed in extreme situations, and generally for aggressive breeds that could seriously harm someone.
The use of electronic, shock, or remote collars is a controversial topic at best that can quickly escalate into heated discussions.
In certain rare circumstances, and when used correctly, the e-collar can be a useful training tool that could save a dog’s life if it behaves in a dangerous manner that could seriously injure or even kill it.
An e-collar would generally be used in a circumstance where a larger breed of dog has access to free-range on a large property, resulting in difficulty getting their attention from a distance if they are distracted by other animals or smells.
Many dogs that have not been properly trained from a young age also learn that when off-leash and out of your immediate reach, they may choose to ignore your commands, bark their heads off, terrorize neighbors, or chase wildlife.
While all of these situations may be activities that an untrained dog left to their own devices might be interested in doing, especially if they are bored and have access to large property and their hunting or retrieval instinct kicks in, they would generally rather be at home with their humans.
Generally, electronic collars can be effective training tools for herding, hunting, or working breed tracking dogs and in these types of circumstances, a remote training collar can be an effective training device to reinforce verbal commands from a great distance, such as “Come,” “Sit,” or “Stay.”
Finally, electronic collars can be used as a last resort to help teach a dog not to engage in dangerous behavior that could result in serious harm or even killed.
Are Electronic Fences Safe For Your Dog?
Honestly, there are many more reasons NOT to install an electronic fence as a means of keeping your dog in your yard than there are good reasons to consider one.
In most cases, humans who install electronic fences because they are concerned about their dog getting away have simply not taken the time to develop a trusting and respectful relationship with their canine companion.
For example, a dog whose garden is surrounded by an electronic fence can quite easily develop fear, aggression, or both, directed towards what they believe is the cause of the impact they are receiving.
As a result, installing an electronic fence can make your dog aggressive towards cats, other dogs, other humans, other wild animals, children riding bicycles or skateboards, the postman, or people next door.
Also, a dog that receives a scare, or in the excitement forgets about the shock that it is going to receive, may run through an electronic fence and then be too scared or stressed to go home because it means that it must go through the painful barrier again.
Additionally, electronic fences may encourage a dog to escape from the garden simply because they associate their garden with pain. This sentiment can be reinforced if a dog escapes from the electronic yard and is then punished again by the impact when they try to return home.
Another factor to consider with regard to electronic fencing is that other teasing dogs or children can freely enter the yard and torment or attack your dog, and a thief bent on stealing your dog will be able to do so with ease.
The absolute best way to keep your dog safe in your own garden, while helping to establish your role as guardian and leader, is to be out there with them while they are on a leash and to only allow them freedom in your yard under your own supervision.