How shock collars are used.
A shock collar delivers varying intensities and durations of electric shocks via a remote control and in the case of sound activated collars by noises such as barking. This feature alone is rife with problems as ambient noises can set some collars off. The shock collar has two protruding metal prongs that are tightly secured around a dog’s neck with the tapered end of the prongs positioned snugly against the sensitive area of the throat. This position maximizes the full effect of each shock. Animals will feel the impact of the shock differently depending on the intensity setting, the length and thickness of their fur, age, temperament, health and size. We can’t accurately measure pain so we can only assume what the dog is feeling. Often dogs are shocked for normal canine behaviours. This is the epitome of cruel.
Some claim the collars are humane because they emit a warning sound alerting the dog a shock is imminent. The dog is then expected to respond accordingly before they are shocked. It is a long reach to claim this is humane. The threat of pain is just as capable of inducing stress, fear and emotional damage as the pain itself. Many dogs don't know why they are being shocked and consequently don't know how to respond. Therefore, when the warning beep is not responded to and the punishing shock is delivered it causes even further confusion. Appalling as it is, these collars are used on dogs as small as two pounds and as young as a few months old. Given the potential for defective collars, frustrated, vindictive or inexperienced pet guardians & trainers, in addition to the crude trial & error method of determining shock levels, and you’ve set the stage for serious animal abuse.
Sometimes We Hurt the Ones We Love
It is surprising how many people take in a pet believing it is a mindless creature just waiting for someone to control its every move. The belief seems to be that this new addition to the family will provide amusement, love, loyalty and protection with minimal stress, inconvenience or cost to the guardian. The lack of understanding that this little life has needs and a mind of their own is an unexpected disappointment. Animal shelters are full of ‘disappointments’. Those who try to cope and seek help often fall into the wrong hands. They are persuaded into buying a shock collar or hiring a trainer who uses them. They are assured the collars are safe and effective. Some shock trainers market their services and collars in a particularly insidious way. They rattle off behavioural concepts to impress clients. They talk about the need to address underlying conditions and how crucial it is to assess every dog’s individual personality, environment and issues. They say it is important that every dog learn at their own pace. They even claim to use positive reinforcement based training techniques. Then, in the first training session they strap a shock collar around the dog’s neck and apply the same training technique they do to all the dogs they train. They shock them. Finding a safe knowledgeable trainer is even more of a conundrum for the ‘first time’ dog owner. Permission (Milgrim Experiment) from a self-professed professional trainer to shock their dog validates the method for them. ‘Self professed’ because anyone can call themselves a trainer. No industry standards or regulations exist. What further nurtures the delusion that shock collars are harmless is the emotional pain they inflict isn't always obvious…until it is. A trainer couldn't convince most people to train their dogs by hitting and kicking them. People easily comprehend the brutality of that. Besides, it would be embarrassing when onlookers protested. Yet, by literally distancing themselves from their target people are able to hurt their own pets.
Those with little or no empathy use electric shocks to manipulate, punish and control animals in circuses, rodeos, commercial dog sledding, dog fighting, horse racing and for training domestic pets. There are even used to punish children. Those who shock children face criminal charges yet when used on animals it is acceptable. Human beings are volatile creatures. Consider the daily display of road rage. Domestic violence, family squabbles, schoolyard bullying and hate crimes are everyday occurrences. We are deceiving ourselves if we believe people in control of a weapon like a shock collar would not use it out of anger and frustration. Most shock users agree that abuse is possible but each one feels they use it "responsibly".
Whether people intend to or not, they hurt their pets when they use shock collars. No training, character references, background checks, age restrictions or special canine knowledge is required to buy one. Shock devices are easily available through retail stores and the Internet. As pet guardians, our concern is the ’dog trainer’ who shocks dogs and calls it training. It is particularly egregious when a trainer shocks puppies, senior dogs and anxiety/fear based aggressive dogs. When shock trainers insert themselves into the world of rescue the harm and suffering grows exponentially. Frightened and vulnerable rescue dogs should never be subjected to electric shocks. Positive reward based methods have proven to be highly effective, humane and safe.
Question Everything
In a classic case of spin, the multi-million dollar shock industry has co-opted words such as tap, tingle or tickle to describe an electric shock. The shock collar has been rebranded as the more benign descriptor, e-collar. Shock promoters manage to sell the concept that a shocked pet is a happy pet and a safer one too. To further this myth trainers will shock potential clients on the top of their forearms at the collars lowest setting to convince them the shock is harmless. This stunt can’t replicate the real pain, anxiety, stress and confusion a dog feels when an unexpected shock is delivered through their neck. Nor does it address the further emotional trauma of repeated shocking over time. A shock collar can deliver unintended shocks. The market is flooded with cheap poorly manufactured products that don’t have to meet any standards. When a shock collar malfunctions it may not be noticed until actual physical damage is visible. The outcome can be a dog with a broken spirit and a fear of expressing themselves. A dog transformed from joyful and loving to paranoid and unpredictable.