Many people who hear about e collars often wonder, "Are e collars safe for toy breeds?" If you use e collars properly and as intended, the answer is an unequivocal, “Yes!”
E collars, which is another name for training collars such as shock collars, can help you communicate with your dog and minimize unwanted behaviors such as excessive barking, chewing, biting, or running away.
One of the reasons that training collars have gotten a bad rap is because they’ve been unfairly called “shock collars.” However, the term “shock collar” itself is not accurate and has been propagandized.
Below, we’ll do a deep dive into the safety and efficiency of dog training collars. Consider this the ultimate guide to training collar safety.
FAQ: Are E Collars Bad for Dogs? Are Shock Collars Cruel?
This is one of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to e collars.
Again, the use of the term “shock collars” has been widely misused and mischaracterized.
The reality is that the purpose of a training collar is not to shock your dog. It is to communicate clearly with your dog.
While dogs are intelligent creatures and while they are an important part of our family, they still have an animalistic nature. For example, there are many dogs who are well behaved at home, but the moment they get loose, they no longer listen to your calls or commands. It’s almost as if mother nature has taken over and the dog is doing whatever it wants.
Well, that’s actually the history of why training collars were invented. Hunting dogs would get so “in the zone” that they wouldn’t respond to their owners.
If you think about it, it makes sense. Hunting dogs are stimulated by the smell of the other animals, their surroundings, the adrenaline, and excitement from the hunt itself. But there’s one problem: if the hunting dog didn’t listen to its owner, it could get hurt or run into a dangerous situation.
To jolt the hunting dogs out of their animalistic nature, the first “shock collar” was created. Again, the point wasn’t to hurt the dog. It was simply to get the dog’s attention and bring it back into the moment.
Over the years, these collars were adapted for training purposes, not just for hunting dogs.
Today, they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. One of the most popular products today is training collars for small dogs.
But given the history and reputation, many owners still ask, "Are training collars safe for dogs?"
Again, we want to emphasize that as long as you use the training collar properly and as instructed, it is safe for your dog.
So, how can you make sure that your training collar is safe for your dog?
- Make sure the training collar is fitted right. A training collar that is too tight for your dog is not only uncomfortable, but can be a choking hazard. This is true whether or not you have a traditional collar or a training collar. On the other hand, you don’t want the training collar to be too loose. If the training collar is too loose, they might not feel the stimulation from the prongs. A loose collar is also a safety issue, as your dog might be able to free itself by pulling its head out. To properly fit a collar, tighten it until you can fit two fingers between the strap and the skin.
- Test the settings. At Wiggle Kingdom, we specialize in training collars for small dogs. We know that small dogs don’t need the same type of stimulation as larger dogs or hunting dogs, so our collars were designed specifically for tiny dogs. Our collars have three modes: shock, vibration, and sound.
Both the shock and vibration modes have intensity ranges from 1-9. One is the lowest intensity and nine is the highest intensity. If you place the collar in your hand on shock mode with setting 1, it will barely feel like a little pinch. Each number increases in intensity.
Every dog will be different. We recommend beginning with sound mode. If the sound setting isn’t enough to help with training, then switch to the vibration mode at level 1. If that doesn’t work, increase to level 2, etc. If level 9 on vibration does not work on your small dog, then try switching over to the shock mode. Again, begin on level 1 and rest your way upwards until you find the intensity level that is right. By testing the intensity levels, you are ensuring the safety of your dog.
- Consider using the plastic covers. Not all dogs have a metal allergy, but some do. The prongs on training collars are made out of metal. If your dog has an allergic reaction to metal, you can still safely use the smallest dog training collar in the world with a remote. How? All you have to do is put the plastic covers on top of the prongs. At Wiggle Kingdom, all of our training collars ship with these plastic covers. The best part? The collar is still effective even with the plastic covers!
- Take the collar off. Another misconception is that a training collar is just like any dog collar that you can leave on your pet 24/7. However, as the name suggests, the training collar is used for training purposes only. On average, most small dogs can wear these collars up to 8 to 10 hours per day. Others can wear them for up to 12 hours, but they are certainly not meant to be the dog’s only collar.
So when is it safe for the dog to wear a training collar? Anytime there’s potential for misbehavior. For example, if your dog has a tendency to bark during the daytime and unwanted barking is the behavior that you want to correct, then that’s when you would place the collar on your dog. Perhaps you want to go on a walk. That would be another situation where you would want to use a training collar, as it would help you communicate with your dog!
- Wait until your dog is old enough. While puppies need to be trained, they’re still very young. The standard recommendation is to wait until the puppy is at least 6 months old before using a training collar. If you are concerned about age, you can always ask your veterinarian about their suggested age range for using a training collar with a remote.
As you can see, training collars are not cruel. The term “shock collar” comes loaded with negative connotations. It raises questions about safety and whether it’s ethical to use a shock collar on a dog. However, when used properly, a training collar is an excellent tool for communication, especially when the dog is distracted or preoccupied.
Why Do Shock Collars Have a Bad Reputation?
The term “shock collar” is truly a misnomer. In other words, it’s an inaccurate name.
When used for hunting dogs to keep them safe, these collars only had one setting: shock. But for consumers who want to help their tiny dogs avoid or modify unwanted behaviors, today’s collars have multiple settings such as sound, vibration and shock, which is why they’re called training collars. In fact, if you use the collar properly, the shock mode is the last mode that owners should try.
There are two other reasons why some people react negatively to the term “shock collar.” First, the word “shock” has extremely negative connotations associated with it. The second reason is because shock collars have been misused by a small minority of people.
Here’s the truth: when used properly and as intended, training collars are great for your small dog and your peace of mind as a dog owner!
The reality is that any collar can hurt a dog.
So can your hand.
In fact, your leash can hurt a dog as well.
These things were not created to harm canines, but when misused (either intentionally or accidentally), they can hurt your dog.
A great analogy is to think about a kitchen knife. Whether or not you are a chef, a kitchen knife will help you prepare delicious meals for you and your family. It’s a must-have tool in any kitchen.
But a knife can also be used as a weapon. When misused, a knife can cause harm instead of creating something yummy.
Any tool can be misused.
Unfortunately, a small minority of people have misused these devices as well as the term “shock collar.”
No matter what people think, if you use a training collar properly, it can result in more safety, more freedom, and more love from your dog.
How can a training collar provide more safety?
Let’s say your small dog accidentally gets loose. If your dog sees a squirrel running in the yard, their animalistic instincts are going to take over and your dog is going to begin chasing the squirrel. If you try calling your dog’s name, chances are they won’t respond because they are so focused on catching the squirrel before it runs away. But what happens if the squirrel begins running into the busy street where there are cars? A training collar for small dogs with a remote can help snap your dog’s attention back to you and back to safety.
How can a training collar result in more freedom?
When used properly, a training collar can help you enjoy freedom from unwanted barking, chewing, biting, or nipping. You can eliminate these unwanted behaviors. This also means that your dog will be free to do the things they love to do and are allowed to do, such as playing with their toys or chewing on their designated chew bones.
How can a training collar create more love between you and your dog?
Again, we don’t like the term shock collar because it implies punishment. The truth is that a training collar is a communication tool that doesn’t hurt your dog when used properly. This increased level of communication results in more trust from your dog, as you are keeping them safe. Over time, this strengthens your bond together!
Are E Collars Safe for Toy Breeds?
Yes!
If you have a toy breed, you will want to get a training collar specifically designed for small dogs. A collar that works for a cattle dog or a Great Pyrenese, for example, will be much too strong and bulky for a tiny dog. Instead, it’s important to get a training collar that features more delicacy and is size-appropriate for your dog. The collar is small enough so it doesn’t drag your fur ball down.
At Wiggle Kingdom, we specialize in training collars for small dogs with remote. In fact, we’ve heard from many people that training collars are easier to use on smaller dogs rather than leash correction. Because of their size, many small dogs cannot handle leash correction.
Furthermore, there is also a misconception that training collars can make a dog afraid of you.
If used incorrectly, of course. Using a collar for pain and punishment is cruel.
The reality is that any tool can be used improperly, not just collars. Training whistles, for instance, can be misused if you blow them too long or too close to the dog’s ears. Remember, they have more sensitive hearing compared to humans.
Leashes can often be misused due to yanking on dogs or pulling them along. This could hurt or strain your dog’s neck.
When used properly and with proper conditioning, training collars are a wonderful tool that will teach your dog how to make smart decisions and to control the stimulation they are feeling.
What Are Other Benefits of Using an E Collar
By this point, we hope you understand the safety and effectiveness of training collars for small dogs when they are used properly. But what are the other benefits of this training tool?
- Immediate feedback. Did you know that dogs don’t have the same long-term memory that we do? They can remember things for a long time, yes, but their memory doesn’t work in chronological order like ours does. Dogs remember things based on association.
This is what makes training so difficult. You need to provide immediate feedback about the behavior you want to modify. If your dog begins unwarranted barking, you can use a training collar with a remote to let them know immediately that that behavior is not ok.
However, let’s say your dog has a bathroom accident inside the house. Unless you catch your dog in the act, they’re not going to understand that this is bad. For example, if your dog had an accident a few hours ago and you just came home from work, they’re not going to understand why you’re upset. Immediate feedback is necessary for training because dog-logic isn’t the same as human logic.
- It’s cost effective. A training collar is widely considered one of the most affordable training tools that you can get. In addition to saving money on dog school or a professional trainer, it can also save you money in terms of damaged materials. For example, if you’re trying to stop your small dog from chewing on your shoes and belongings, a training collar can help you save money by preventing chewing sooner rather than later.
- It works from a distance. A training collar with a remote means that your dog doesn’t have to be right by your side. In fact, if they’re far away, they might not be able to hear your voice or pick it out from the other stimulation they’re experiencing. Thanks to training collars, your dog will be able to feel your communication and heed your command.
At Wiggle Kingdom, we understand how important your dog is to you and your family.
Not only do you want to train your dog to be well-behaved, but you also want to keep your dog safe and healthy.
We can help you do that with our training collars for small dogs with a remote! We proudly offer the smallest dog training collar in the world! It features all three modes mentioned in this article: sound, vibration, and shock. Each collar also comes with plastic coverings for our furry friends who happen to be allergic to metal.
We provide a one year unconditional warranty to ensure that you get the most out of your collar. We also have a 30 day money back guarantee — no questions asked. We want to make sure that your dog is safe, healthy, and responds to your commands.
The best part?
We donate 1% of all sales to animal shelters because we truly care about the wellbeing of our furry friends. We believe in doing good in the world, and we’re proud to partner with shelters that also believe in that mission.
If you have any questions, feel free to call us at 213-747-7767 or email us at support@wigglekingdom.com.
We look forward to helping you improve your relationship with your dog!