Dog training tools have been around for decades. Ever since Ivan Pavlov first demonstrated that food could be used to physiologically alter a dog’s response to a previously neutral stimuli with the discovery of classical conditioning, both dog owners and trainers alike have been using treats and other training tools to help train their dogs.
Fast-forward to modern day dog training, where clickers, leashes, harnesses, prong collars and gentle leaders can be found throughout the world. These training tools help trainers and dog owners to achieve their dog training goals. In this article, we will be discussing one of the more modern dog training tools available to the public – the E-Collar.
What is an E-Collar?
The word ‘E-Collar’ stands for electronic collar. This piece of technology is also known by a variety of other names, such as ‘remote collar’, or more infamously, the “shock collar’.
E-Collars are a dog training tool developed to help trainers and owners accomplish specific goals with their dogs. First and foremost, E-Collars are a great way to communicate with a dog in a consistent and reliable manner. Timing is everything when it comes to dog training – and E-Collars are a vital tool to ensure consistency when training.
Typically, E-Collars include an audible tone function, a vibration function, a static stimulation function, or a combination of these. These functions are controlled by a remote which sends a radio signal to the collar, reflecting whichever button was pressed. The intensity of the stimulation is controlled by levels selected on the remote. On higher quality remote collars, a larger number of levels will be present, sometimes ranging from 0-120+. The higher range of levels does not mean that the unit is more powerful than other E-Collars; instead, it provides users with a greater level of control from one level to another. The reason why these additional levels are beneficial is because E-Collars are meant to help a trainer or handler train their dog in a manner which keeps them enthusiastic – not frightened.
Many types of specially trained dogs use E-collars when working, examples of which include:
- Search and Rescue (SAR) Dogs: These dogs sometimes need to work at a significant distance from their handler. E-Collars enable a handler to recall their dog using a stimulation when the dog is out of sight. Urban (or disaster) search dogs typically have to work in highly dangerous environments at a distance from their handler. Their operational environment can be very loud and busy, so handlers can use E-Collars to communicate directional changes or recalls to their dog while they are working on rubble.
- Hunting Dogs: Similar to SAR dogs, hunting dogs typically have to work out of the sight range of their handler. Hunting dog remote collars usually have GPS units built into the collar, enabling hunters to locate a single dog or a team of dogs, even if they are miles away. In this context, remote collars are typically used to call a dog back when they are out of sight.
- Police K9s: In a profession where there is no room for mistakes, police K9 handlers use remote collars as an additional level of safety when their dog is working operationally. The collars can help keep police dogs focused on their handlers cues even when in a high state of arousal, and they can prevent K9s from getting into potentially dangerous situations.
- Advanced Obedience training: This specialized type of training requires dogs to respond quickly and accurately to obedience cues given from their handler, oftentimes from a significant distance. Training a dog to focus completely in distracted environments while effectively responding to difficult cues (such as a sudden down or recall) sometimes requires a little bit of extra help - such as a remote collar.
With each of these dogs, the use of the E-Collar has one common denominator; it is used in situations where good communication is imperative for the dog to perform its given task. This is using the E-collar for its designed purpose and is one of the main benefits of using the tool.
Common Misconceptions About E-Collars
Remote collars have become highly controversial. Some people love them, some refuse to use them, and others fall in the middle. Remote collars have even been banned in certain countries or cities because of animal rights lobbying efforts, which portray E-Collars as a tool of abuse.
Remember, any training tool – including the human hand – can cause problems if not utilized correctly. Therefore, understanding how to use an E-Collar correctly is the key to taking your training above and beyond, while also developing an enthusiastic, focused and confident dog.
The misconceptions listed below are just some of the reasons that many people never experience the unparalleled benefits of E-Collar use in dog training.
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Misconception 1: “E-Collars shock dogs”
An electric “shock” is an active electrical current which typically travels through an entire body and sometimes beyond. Active currents are used in systems such as tasers and electric fences. They can temporarily paralyze anyone or anything unfortunate enough to touch the current. By contrast, E-Collars use a static current, meaning that the stimulation does not travel. They employ a static electronic pulse stimulation which, unlike active currents, can be easily controlled and will not physically injure or paralyze a dog. -
Misconception 2: “E-Collars hurt dogs”
The static stimulation of a remote collar cannot physically hurt a dog. It will not burn a dog, temporarily paralyze a dog, or “zap” a dog, like an active current would. The static stimulation from a remote collar is the same technology utilized in EMS (electrical muscle stimulation) technology, which is an electronic massaging device for humans. Even at its highest level, an E-Collar cannot physically hurt a dog. The strength of the pulse at that level may scare them, but it cannot physically harm them. -
Misconception 3: “E-Collars are a tool of abuse or punishment”
E-Collars are a magnificent tool for enhancing communication between a handler and their dog. They are used by owners of deaf dogs to teach commands and keep them safe. They are also used by dog sport enthusiasts and specialized working dog trainers alike. They can prevent tragic accidents from occurring, break through frustrating training thresholds, and keep aggressive dogs out of shelters when used correctly. They are not used to abuse or punish a dog. -
Misconception 4: “E-Collars are difficult to use”
When shown how to use them correctly, many people understand that remote collars are an incredibly straightforward training tool to use! With enough practice, using an E-Collar can become second nature, even for those with little previous experience. The most important thing is getting the guidance you need from a professional trainer who can show you how to use the E-Collar correctly.
Benefits of Using an E-Collar
E-collars are undoubtedly one of the most useful training tools available for dog training when used correctly. But what are some of the specific benefits of using an E-Collar? Many of these are based on the solid, reliable communication offered by the remote collar.
- E-Collars help create reliability in long distance commands. Certain obedience cues (such as stays or recalls) can be difficult to train with certain dogs. E-Collars enable dog owners to reliably cue their dogs to return to them or not break a stay from a long distance.
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E-Collars can be a wonderful tool of communication when your dogs are working out of sight.
For handlers working a SAR dog or hunting dog, E-Collars enable you to train a recall using the various types of stimulation available on a remote collar. This way, you can be totally out of sight, and your dog will still know to come and find you. -
E-Collars can prevent serious accidents from occurring.
E-Collars are an excellent way to add another level of security to your commands - especially for dogs who like to bolt or run across roads when they have the opportunity. E-Collars can prevent these behaviors and ensure your dog is recalling reliably. They can also prevent aggressive dogs, or dogs with a lot of prey drive, from going after other dogs, people and small animals. -
E-Collars can help create harmony in the household.
Perhaps you have a dog who counter surfs, destroys items, jumps on everyone who walks into the house, chases the cat, or steals objects and runs away with them. These behaviors can be easily resolved through proper E-Collar training. -
E-Collars enable dog owners to correct undesirable behaviors without getting involved.
As remote collars are controlled from a distance, they allow dog owners and trainers to correct undesirable or destructive behaviors without getting directly involved. The only way to properly correct a behavioral issue is to target the behavior effectively at the exact moment that it occurs. This can be extremely difficult if you have to chase your dog around or get to them from another room. Dogs are also contextual learners and can quickly learn to discern between the behaviors they can partake in when you are in the room vs. when you are not. Sometimes the best way to effectively correct a behavior is to do so when the dog can’t see you. -
E-Collars can help resolve serious behavioral issues.
Behavioral issues such as dog or human based aggression, territorial aggression or extreme prey drive can all result in dog bites or attacks. Severe dog bites can lead to serious legal outcomes and worse. E-Collars can be an excellent tool in behavioral modification for changing behaviors quickly and providing an opportunity to redirect to a more desirable behavior. -
E-Collars can help develop instantaneous responses to obedience cues.
Whether you are into competitive obedience, a protection sport, or simply a dog owner working towards obedience perfection, E-Collars can be a game changer and ensure your dog performs your desired behavior quickly and reliably.
E-Collars are a fantastic tool for getting exceptional results with your pup. The key is learning to use them the way they were designed to be used, and then tweaking things to get the precise outcome you are looking for. By learning to use a remote collar correctly, you can accomplish a variety of dog training goals while maintaining your dog’s eagerness, confidence and enthusiasm.
Finding a reputable balanced dog trainer to learn from is the best way to cultivate your E-Collar training skills. We have years of experience using E-Collars to help accomplish a wide variety of training goals. By pairing effective E-Collar training with positive reinforcement and systematic desensitization, we can help you unleash your dog’s potential.