Do you have a small dog with a penchant for barking?
Are you trying to prevent your dog from digging up your flower bed?
Is your pup aggressive towards other dogs or strangers?
If you are searching for ways to improve your dog’s behavior, then odds are you have come across or considered an e collar for your dog. E collars, which are also known as electronic collars, shock collars, or remote training collars, have many pros and cons.
In this article, we will do a deep dive into the various pros and cons so that you can make the best decision for you and your small dog!
What Are the Pros and Cons for Shock Collars for Dogs?
Unfortunately, there’s a misconception that shock collars are unsafe or even “cruel” for dogs.
This misconception likely exists because the term “shock collar” sounds aggressive and due to the fact that some have misused this effective training tool.
When used appropriately and as intended, training collars are safe for small dogs and big dogs. You simply need to make sure that you get a training collar that is designed for your dog’s size.
For example, if you have a toy breed, you’ll want to make sure that you find a collar specifically made for dogs that are 5 to 15 pounds.
By getting the appropriate collar for your pup, you will ensure that the stimulation level isn’t too strong for your dog. This is key to keeping your furry friend safe!
When training collars are used properly, the question is no longer, "Are shock collars good for dogs." Rather, the question becomes, "How can you maximize a training collar to communicate clearly with your dog?"
The key is understanding the settings and levels on the collar.
Let's take a closer look!
Pro: There Are Multiple Settings
Are shock collars good for dogs? Yes! But only if you purchase a quality collar specifically made for the size of your dog. The best training collars for small dogs must have multiple settings.
Despite being called “shock collars,” the shock is actually the last setting that should be used.
In order, you should try:
1. The sound setting
2. The vibration setting
3. The shock setting
Our e collar has variable settings for vibrate and shock with levels ranging from 1 to 9, with 1 being the lowest level and 9 being the highest level.
No two dogs are the same, especially small dogs. What some dogs lack in size, they make up for in personality. Stubborn dogs, for example, might require transitions from vibration to shock, while other dogs will be just fine with the sound setting.
What matters is that you have the option to choose the best setting for your small dog!
Pro: Dog Shock Collars Are Cheaper Than Other Options
A professional dog trainer typically charges $45 to $120 per session. The final cost depends on a variety of other factors.
But here’s the kicker: you’d need to have multiple training sessions with a dog trainer for it to be effective. Most trainers recommend anywhere from 4 to 6 sessions. You may need even more sessions if your dog is particularly stubborn.
What about obedience training school?
Well, that is a lot more expensive. Most training schools charge between $500 and $1,250 per week. Similar to a private trainer, multiple sessions are necessary for most dog obedience training schools to show results.
One of the cheaper options for correcting dog behavior is to enroll in a dog group training class.
However, this is still expensive, as it ranges between $30 to $50 per class. The worst part? Because there are multiple dogs, your pup might not get the attention it deserves. If you have a small dog, it might even feel intimidated in class because of the other dogs.
Having the best dog shock collar specially designed for small dogs and toy breeds is the only cost-effective solution. It is a one-time investment that can instantly give you peace of mind and a well-behaved dog.
Are shock collars good for dogs? YES! And they're a lot cheaper than alternative training options as well!
Pro: Shock Collars Can Protect Dogs
When we think about shock collars, we mainly think about training. While these collars can certainly stop unwanted behavior, they can protect your small dog as well!
Think about it: the purpose of a training collar is to call your dog’s attention back to you.
Despite the misconceptions, shock collars have nothing to do with hurting or punishing a dog. When used properly, a shock collar is a communication device that helps you grab your dog’s attention immediately.
Let’s say your dog is playing in the yard. If your dog sees a squirrel and starts chasing it towards the street, then your dog is running towards danger. Thanks to the squirrel, your dog’s hunting instinct has kicked in. Yes, even toy breeds have that hunting instinct!
When your dog is chasing a squirrel, they might not even hear you calling them back away from danger. Their eye is on the prize. With a shock collar, however, you can get your dog’s attention immediately. The stimulation of noise, vibration, or shock is enough to take them out of the hunt and follow you back to safety!
The same applies to many different scenarios! Maybe you’re at the dog park and you need to de-escalate a situation between your dog and another dog. Perhaps your dog is pulling too hard on the leash during your walk. The reality is that while training collars stop unwanted behavior, they are also the ultimate communication tool for our furry friends!
So are shock collars good for dogs? Yes - and they can also help provide safety and peace of mind, too!
Pro: Shock Collars Offer Quick Results
The best shock collar for tiny dogs offers quick results. It doesn’t matter if your dog is stubborn or a fast learner. In most cases, it only takes a few stimulations to stop unwanted behavior. Of course, the more stubborn the dog, the longer it will take for the collar to be effective, but it is still much faster than other methods.
If your dog doesn’t respond to the stimulation, then you might want to move up to a higher setting. Remember, start with sound, then vibration, then shock. Adjust the levels (between 1 and 9) for vibration and shock until you can immediately get your dog’s attention.
If you want fast results, we recommend that you check out our previous blog post on how to train a small dog with a shock collar.
Pro: The Remote Allows You to Be 1,000 Feet Away
Remote training collars have evolved rapidly in recent years.
One key update is the ability to go farther! You can now be up to 1,000 feet away from your small dog and activate the collar.
Again, this provides safety for your dog, as you can grab your dog’s attention from far away.
In terms of stopping unwanted behavior, this feature means that you can communicate with your dog immediately. Whether your tiny dog is digging through the trash, tearing up the garden bed, or chewing on shoes across the room, you can put a stop to the behavior immediately.
Long gone are the days of having to catch your dog after misbehaving.
Now, you can communicate with your dog immediately when they do something inappropriate.
Pro: Plenty of Resources Available
The design and engineering of e-collars has greatly improved over the years.
There isn’t a complicated set-up. Nor do you have to be technologically savvy to be able to use one properly.
In addition to the instructions that come with the electronic collar, there are plenty of resources on the internet to make sure you know how to use it.
If you need more help, we’ve created 2 minute training videos to help you assemble, train, and troubleshoot. Check out these short videos below!
If you still have questions, you can always email support@wigglekingdom.com.
While there are many benefits to e-collars, they are not without their downsides. Let’s explore some of the cons below.
Con: It Should Not Be Used as the Primary Collar
Even the best dog shock collar is not meant to be worn 24/7.
As the name suggests, training collars are meant to be used for training. They should not be the main collar that your dog wears day-in and day-out. At most, a training collar can be on your dog for up to 12 hours, but you should remove it after that.
This means that you’ll need a separate collar to be your dog’s primary collar. It also means that you will need to be intentional about putting the e-collar on your dog as well as taking it off.
Con: Possible Misuse
It’s important to remember that training collars are a tool and an effective communication device.
Unfortunately, there are some people who misuse shock collars and use them as a punishment method. This can scare or even hurt the dog. It is this kind of misuse that gives shock collars a bad reputation.
When used properly and as intended, training collars are humane and effective!
Con: Training Collars Shouldn’t Be Used on Young Puppies
Because of the stimulation, e-collars shouldn’t be used on puppies younger than 6 months of age.
Even though shock collars for toy breeds are designed for dogs that are 5 to 15 pounds, responsible dog owners should wait until their dog is at least 6 months old. Both age and weight are important factors to consider!
Why Training Collars Are Effective: Understanding How Dogs Learn
Now that you understand the pros and cons of training collars, it’s important to understand how dogs learn. Since dogs don’t speak and communicate like we do, the way they process information is vastly different from our own.
In general, there are two types of learning for dogs:
- Social learning. In the wild, dogs are pack animals. There’s the alpha male, then there’s the rest of the pack. Dogs will learn behaviors from other dogs through social learning. This is why it’s so important to socialize your small dog from an early age!
- Conditioning. This is when your dog is “conditioned” to associate things together. For example, your dog might know it is time for a walk when you grab the leash. This is the perfect example of your dog being conditioned to know what to expect when you are holding the leash.
While social learning and conditioning are both effective, dog behavior specialists and trainers focus more on conditioning. Why? Because conditioning is considered “basic learning.”
This is what makes the use of remote training collars for small dogs so powerful.
You see, conditioning itself can be divided into two types:
- Classical conditioning. This stems from involuntary responses in your dog. Let’s say you open a can of food for dinner time. Your dog will begin salivating when dinner is served. This isn’t something that you have trained your dog to do. It is an involuntary response.
- Operant conditioning. As the name suggests, your dog learns to “operate” (or do a voluntary response). If your dog sits for a treat, that is an example of operant conditioning, because your dog has been taught to voluntarily sit down in order to learn the treat.
Operant conditioning is powerful, because dogs learn to associate things. This is what allows them to determine what behavior is acceptable and what behavior to avoid.
So how do shock collars fit into all of this?
Shock collars are based on operant conditioning. Again, dog behavior specialists and trainers call this “basic learning,” so shock collars inherently utilize this association.
For example, if you use the electronic training collar every time your dog barks at the TV, then your dog will associate the negative stimulation with barking at the TV. They will stop barking at the TV to avoid the stimulation.
Similarly, if your dog jumps on guests, they will learn to avoid jumping on strangers if you consistently use the training collar.
Operant conditioning techniques are key to stopping bad dog behavior.
Different stimuli will have different effects on different dogs, which is why our collar features multiple settings and different levels within two of the settings. Some dogs are stubborn whereas others learn quickly. Furthermore, timing is important. Dogs associate things almost immediately.
This is why you can’t punish a dog hours after they do something wrong; they won’t understand what you are trying to communicate.
Instead, they might become fearful or timid.
With a training collar with a remote, you can communicate with your dog immediately after an unwanted behavior. Thanks to operant conditioning, they will learn quickly that they need to stop or avoid that unwanted behavior altogether.
And consider this:
Your small dog will not have to wear an e-collar forever!
Operant conditioning means that once your dog truly learns the lesson you are trying to teach, they will avoid unwanted behavior. For most dogs, a shock collar is not a permanent or lifelong collar. Again, it is not even meant to be worn all day.
Every dog is unique. If you need to do “touch up” training in the future, then that’s totally ok!
But if your dog stops unwanted behavior (such as barking at the TV) and never does it again, then the training collar will have successfully done its job!
At Wiggle Kingdom, we sell the best training collar for small dogs.
Consider some of the benefits:
- Fits dogs 5 to 15 pounds
- 1 year unconditional warranty
- 30 day money back guarantee
- Free shipping
- Now discounted from $130 to $99
So what are you waiting for? Correct your dog’s behavior with the best e-collar on the market!
If you have any questions, please reach out to support@wigglekingdom.com.