Is a shock collar right for my dog?
If you have a small dog, you may be wondering whether a training collar is right for your dog. After all, smaller dogs can be more sensitive and fragile compared to larger canines.
Here’s the good news: Yes, shock collars are safe for all dogs if you use them appropriately and as intended!
Additionally, it’s important to get an e-collar that fits your dog. Think about it: a collar that is made to fit a boxer, golden retriever, or pit bull is too big and too powerful for a small dog!
Just as small dogs need a small breed dog food that's nutrient dense, it’s also important to ensure you get the right training collar for your pup.
This is why at Wiggle Kingdom, we are proud to deliver the smallest dog shock collars on the market. We even provide support to ensure that you know exactly how to use the collar safely and effectively to prevent unwanted behavior.
So again, that raises the question: Is a shock collar right for my dog?
Here are seven reasons why you might want to consider an e collar for your dog.
#1. Your Dog is Old Enough
Whether you have a toy dog breed or a larger dog, it’s important to wait until your pup is old enough before considering an e collar. Just like humans, dogs are at their most vulnerable and fragile stage immediately after birth.
Conventional wisdom from experts and veterinarians say that you should wait until your dog is at least 6 months of age before trying a training collar.
Puppies grow their fastest during the first 6 months of life. By waiting until this milestone, you’ll make sure that your dog is old enough and big enough to wear a collar from Wiggle Kingdom.
But that’s not all.
In addition to physical growth, dogs have a lot of mental growth to do as well. They’re still learning about the world around them. After being adopted into your family, they still need to figure out how they fit into the family “pack” as well as what behaviors are acceptable.
By waiting until your small dog is old enough, you’ll ensure that using an e collar for training is a positive experience for both you and your pup!
This is one of the many reasons people choose a shock collar for small dogs from Wiggle Kingdom. Our collars feature three modes to ensure that you can find the right intensity:
- Sound
- Vibration (with Levels 1 to 9)
- Shock (with Levels 1 to 9)
We recommend going in this order to find the right stimulation level for your dog’s attention.
#2. Your Dog is Boisterous, Outgoing, and Easily Distracted
Do you struggle to get your dog’s attention?
One of the reasons we love dogs is because they are loyal companions, active, and friendly.
However, sometimes active and friendly dogs are too outgoing for their own good. Maybe they’re simply excited to see new people or perhaps they have a tendency to bark at anything that moves.
Whatever the reason, if your dog is easily distracted, a training collar can be a great tool to snap their attention back to you.
Believe it or not, this is exactly why shock collars were invented in the first place!
You see, shock collars were initially created with the intention of keeping hunting dogs at bay. Because dogs descended from wolves, some of them still have hunting instincts in their genes.
What does this mean?
During hunts, hunting dogs would get “in the zone.” They get stimulated by new smells, sights, and the thrill of the hunt itself.
But that led to one problem: the dogs were easily distracted.
Hunters had difficulty getting their dog’s attention. This meant that the dogs might scare away the prey or even run into dangerous situations.
By utilizing shock collars, hunters were able to call their dog’s attention back to themselves and back to safety.
Similarly, if your dog isn’t paying attention to you or is easily distracted, an e training collar could be the perfect tool to bridge that communication gap!
#3. Your Dog is Stubborn
Do you struggle with a stubborn dog?
While any dog can be stubborn, some dog breeds are notorious for their stubbornness.
Chihuahuas and Jack Russel terriers, for example, are both small dog breeds that are known for being difficult to train (but we still love them!).
As much as we love our pups, it can feel frustrating and exhausting if you’re on the losing end of a battle of wills.
Using a shock collar for training can be the secret weapon for parents of stubborn pups.
One of the key benefits is that a shock collar from Wiggle Kingdom can be used from a distance. Our controller allows you to activate the collar from up to 1,000 feet away.
So why is that important?
- Dogs need immediate feedback. Canine memory doesn’t work the same as human memory. If you attempt to punish a dog for something it did a while ago, it’s not going to understand what you’re trying to communicate. Instead, your dog could become fearful and timid. By using an e collar with a remote, you can provide immediate feedback to stop unwanted barking, nipping, or running, even if you’re 1,000 feet away.
- You can provide safety. If your dog is playing outside, what happens if it gets distracted by a squirrel? It might begin running into the street. If you’re not right beside your dog, you might not be able to physically stop it before it runs into danger. A training collar with a remote allows you to send a command to draw its attention back to you.
- Sometimes unwanted behavior only happens when you’re far away. In some instances of nuisance barking, the dog only barks when the owner isn’t physically present. Why? If you’re right next to your pup, the dog likely feels safe and secure. Their attention is on you. But if you’re in the next room working, watching TV, or doing chores, your dog might start barking at everything that passes by the window. A shock collar with a remote can stop unwanted behavior that happens when you’re not right by your dog.
These are just some of the many benefits of using an e collar for a stubborn dog.
#4. It’s Difficult to Control Your Dog on Walks
Dogs need exercise and stimulation!
One of the best ways to provide that is with a daily walk.
But what happens if you have a hard time controlling your dog on a walk?
In some cases, dogs pull too hard on their leashes. While this can lead to minor issues like coughing and gagging, it may cause severe injuries like choking and strangulation. The neck is also filled with many nerves, which is why it’s important to avoid leash pulling as much as possible.
Another common scenario is that dogs can sometimes be aggressive to strangers or other dogs on walks. Small dog breeds are especially predisposed to this behavior. Why? Some toy dog breeds such as chihuahuas attempt to make up for their size (or lack thereof) with barks and aggressive behavior. This is what veterinarians call “fear aggression.”
Using a dog shock collar with a remote is not only good for your peace of mind, it’s also good for keeping your dog safe on walks!
It can also keep your neighbors and strangers safe by reducing fear aggression.
#5. Your Dog Spends a Lot of Time Outside
Do you plan on being right by your dog every second of every day?
Probably not… and that’s ok!
This is what makes an e training collar with a remote so great! You can ensure that you’re able to get your dog’s attention, even from 1,000 feet away.
This is especially important if your dog spends a lot of time outside.
Inside the house, it’s easier to get your dog’s attention. Outside the house, however, it’s impossible to truly control all the elements and variables that could distract your dog.
Using a shock collar for a small dog will help keep them safe while they’re outside.
Here are some common unwanted behaviors that dogs might do outside:
- Dig through the garden bed
- Go into the neighbor’s yard
- Try to catch and eat wildlife (birds, squirrels, frogs, etc.)
- Bark at anything that passes by
Remember, our furry friends experience the world through stronger senses of smell, sight, and sound.
When dogs are outside, there are so many sources of stimulation that it can be difficult to get their attention.
Properly using a shock collar for small dogs will give you the peace of mind that you can always communicate with your dog, even if he or she is playing around outside.
#6. Your Dog Engages in Unwanted Behavior Like Nuisance Barking
Training collars with sound, vibration, and shock modes are meant to help dog parents stop their dogs from misbehaving.
One of the most common concerns from parents is nuisance barking, which is when a dog barks for every reason or seemingly no reason at all. This can be annoying for neighbors, especially if you live in an apartment, condo, or townhouse. But more importantly, it can be disruptive to you and your family’s lifestyle.
Other examples of unwanted behavior include, but are not limited to:
- Jumping on visitors
- Nipping heels or biting
- Getting into the trash
- Chewing shoes or other belongings
- Aggression towards neighbors or strangers
Here’s the tricky thing about unwanted behavior: it happens quickly.
Don’t forget that dogs have different logic and reasoning than we do. Furthermore, they don’t recall memories like we do (dogs learn by association and repetition).
So what does this mean?
If you want to stop unwanted behavior, you have to catch your dog in the act. This is what makes a training collar with a remote so effective. It provides immediate feedback to your dog and you can activate it from across the room, yard, or even from down the hall!
The immediate feedback removes any room for doubt or confusion.
Remember, when used properly, a training collar is an excellent tool for clear and consistent communication.
#7. Your Dog Sometimes Shows Aggression Towards Other Dogs and Strangers
There are many reasons why a small dog might be aggressive towards other dogs and strangers.
One of the most common reasons is fear aggression. In this scenario, the dog is actually fearful of the stimuli, but rather than expressing fear, the anxiety manifests through aggression. It’s similar to overcompensation, in a way.
Other dogs showcase aggression because of past trauma or simply because they are more predisposed to it in their DNA.
Regardless of the reason, canine aggression is dangerous for you, your pup, and strangers.
If a small dog initiates a fight with a larger dog, for example, it could easily get hurt.
On the other hand, if a dog bites a stranger, not only is the injury painful for the victim, but it could turn into a legal liability for yourself.
If your dog shows any signs of aggression, it’s important to stop this unwanted behavior immediately before it turns into a habit or characteristic.
Again, the benefit of a shock collar with a remote is that you can provide immediate feedback. Unwanted behavior such as aggression, no matter the cause, is nipped in the bud before it turns into something permanent and more serious.
Why Get a Shock Collar from Wiggle Kingdom?
After reading through these 7 points, you may have determined that a training collar is the right solution for you and your pup.
There are so many benefits, so we can’t blame you! T
his raises the question: Why Wiggle Kingdom?
First, we provide a plethora of resources to make sure you get the most out of your e collar. We recommend reading our Expert Tips on How to Train a Toy Breed with an E Collar. The article is a deep-dive into the science and psychology behind dogs and their communication style.
We even offer quick 2-minute How-To Videos so you can feel comfortable with your new training collar in less time than it takes to listen to your favorite song!
If you ever have a question, feel free to call us at 213-747-7767 or email us at support@wigglekingdom.com and we’d be more than happy to assist you.
Second, we’re proud to offer a robust one year unconditional warranty. We’re so confident in our product that we offer this warranty to every customer, no questions asked.
If you order online, we ensure same day shipping as long as the order is received by 12 pm PST. We ship from Los Angeles and are proud to offer free shipping across the U.S.
Most importantly, Wiggle Kingdom is proud to offer the smallest dog training collar in the world!
Our collars were designed specifically for small dogs weighing between 5 and 15 pounds. Whether you have a small dog or a toy breed, you can rest assured that our e collar is safe for your pup!
We even ship our collars with silicone covers that you can place over the prongs if you’re worried about skin irritation or simply want to lessen the shock effect.
When you take all of this into consideration and the fact that we offer a 30-day money back guarantee, it’s clear to see why Wiggle Kingdom continues to be a leader in the industry.
We look forward to welcoming you and your pup to the Wiggle Kingdom family!