As a "pawrent," there are certain behaviors that you can expect from your pup.
It doesn't matter if you have a large dog or a toy breed. Dogs will bark, run around excitedly, dig, play fetch, and roll over for some belly rubs!
But what happens when this behavior becomes excessive to the point of being annoying or destructive?
It's normal for dogs to bark when they sense danger. This is a healthy behavior that dogs developed to protect themselves and their family (or in nature, their "pack").
However, if your dog barks whenever the TV is on, it's not helpful and you might even consider it annoying! This is a prime example of "excessive barking," a term used by dog trainers. This behavior can lead to aggression towards strangers or other animals.
If you want to stop or prevent unwanted behavior, it's important to make sure your dog is well trained.
Training collars help dog owners talk to their dogs better.
While there are many different types of training collars, we want to focus on two specific types:
- Shock collars
- Vibration collars
If you are deciding between a vibration collar vs shock collar, this article will help. We will cover everything from battery life to the remote control so you can make the best decision!
Vibrating Dog Collar vs Shock Collar: You Don't Have to Choose!
There are two popular types of training collars that people search for on Google:
Shock collars - These collars use an electric pulse to deliver a mild electric stimulation to your dog's skin. The stimulation gets your dog's attention, which then stops the unwanted behavior on the spot.
Vibration collars - These collars use vibration to get your dog’s attention. Your dog will feel the vibration on its neck, which helps stop unwanted barking and misbehavior.
Shock collars can cost over $400+ with fancier features that include GPS while vibration collars tend to be around $100.
The good news is that you don't have to choose one or the other.
Wiggle Kingdom has the best shock collar for small dogs and the best vibration collar for small dogs.
How?
We offer the smallest, three-in-one dog collar out there!
Our collar is designed specifically for small dogs and toy breeds up to 15 pounds. You don't have to worry about a collar that is too big or too powerful for your pup.
Our collar features 3 different settings:
- Sound
- Vibration
- Shock
If you were to buy both a shock collar and a vibration collar, you could easily spend over $500. With Wiggle Kingdom, thousands of dog owners are enjoying the world's smallest dog training collar for just $99.
Why choose when you can have three-in-one?
Sure, you could buy a shock collar or a vibrating collar on their own. But consider the advantages of our product.
- It's easy to use. Our collar has 3 modes so you can quickly switch between them. This allows you to customize the collar for your dog. It's also very simple to set up and adjust.
- It's safe. Our collars are designed with your pet in mind. We're considered one of the best vibrating dog collars because you can customize it for your dog.
- It's affordable. We're able to provide you with awesome products at great prices. We don't sacrifice on quality either. We offer a 30-day money back guarantee as well as a 1 year unconditional warranty.
Which Setting to Use: Sound, Vibration or Shock?
With Wiggle Kingdom, you don't have to choose between shock collars or vibration collars. You get all of them in one. But that raises the question: Which of the three settings you should use or start with.
If there's one "rule" that you should remember, it's this: it's always better to start low and increase, than to choose a setting that is too intense for your dog.
Remember, the goal is to get your dog's attention, not to scare, hurt, or punish your dog.
We recommend that you go through the modes in this order:
- Sound
- Vibration: At Level 1
- Shock: As a last resort, at Level 1
It's important to note that both the vibration and shock settings have adjustable levels ranging from one to nine. Level 1 being the low end and level 9 being the intense end. Work through all the different levels in vibration, before "upgrading" to shock.
One setting isn't better than another.
A common misconception in the "vibration vs. shock collar" debate is that one collar is more effective than the other, but it isn't this simple.
In other words, our furry friends have individual personalities just like humans. This is especially true for toy dog breeds. It's not uncommon for Chihuahua or Shih Tzu parents, for instance, to talk about their dog's unique personality.
With that being said, some dogs might be more stubborn than others. A more stubborn dog might need the stimulation from shock in order to pay attention to its owner.
However, a rescue dog, for example, might be more timid. Vibration and shock might scare the rescue dog, whereas sound might be the perfect setting that doesn't cause fear or harm.
Similarly, some dogs might ignore sound, but will respond immediately to the vibration around their neck.
So again, it's better to begin with a low setting and work your way upwards! This is why it's best to get a dog bark collar with a remote rather than one that's automatic.
For more information, we recommend reading our previous article on how to train a small dog with a shock collar.
What Makes a Vibration Collar Effective?
Did you know that up to 10 percent of dogs in the United States are deaf?
According to the American Kennel Club, about 5 to 10 percent of dogs are deaf.
Some dogs are born deaf or get infected with a disease or parasite that can cause hearing loss.
Other dogs simply lose hearing as part of the natural aging process. Fortunately, most dogs are resilient and can overcome their disability!
This is the perfect example of how a vibration collar for small dogs is a communications tool, not a punishment device!
A vibration collar is effective because it works by communicating with the dog's body. An electronic collar that only does sound won't get their attention. But using collar training with vibration will get their intention.
The vibrations stimulate nerves in the dog's neck, which gets your dog's attention.
It's not just about stopping unwanted behavior. It's also about safety.
Let's say you have a deaf dog that is wandering around in the yard. Due to hearing loss, your dog might not hear a car approaching.
Thanks to a vibration collar, you can get your dog's attention from up to 1,000 feet away using a remote. You may see some people use the term “e collars with remote”.
While shock collars are safe for small dogs, many owners might not want to use the shock setting. With Wiggle Kingdom, you don't have to choose between an e collar vs shock collar. You get three in one!
With that being said, a vibration collar is just as effective as mild shock collars for dogs.
Again, with Wiggle Kingdom, you can take advantage of the world's smallest dog training collar and its multiple features. You no longer have to choose between a vibrating dog collar vs shock collar. With our training collar, you can have 3-in-1!
What Makes a Shock Collar Effective?
Shock collars are often used to stop aggressive behaviors such as biting, jumping, and barking.
Let's consider the history of shock collars.
In the past, shock collars were used almost exclusively among hunters for hunting dogs. During the hunt, their dogs would get so "in the zone" that they wouldn't respond to their owner's calls. The dog's genetic nature kicked-in. They would focus so intently on the hunt that it was difficult to get their attention.
If you think about it, this was extremely dangerous for hunting dogs.
The hunter would want to call the dog back to safety after a kill. Think about it: most wild animals travel in packs or groups.
A hunting dog could easily get hurt by a bunch of deer scurrying away. Or perhaps the hunter noticed something that his dog didn't and wants to call his dog back to safety.
But the dog's senses are overloaded with new sights, smells, and sounds. What did this mean? Their owner's calls fade into the background as their hunting instinct took over.
This is what makes a shock collar so effective and suitable for dogs.
The electric stimulation is a jolt that breaks that tension and brings the dog's attention back to their owner. Again, it's not about punishment or causing pain. Rather, it's all about communication!
So let's get back to the original topic. Which is a better dog collar: shock collars or vibration collars? As you can see, it really isn't a fair question to ask.
One collar isn't necessarily "better" than the other.
Rather, it all comes down to your dog's unique history, personality, and temperament.
Instead of purchasing multiple collars, we recommend a training collar for small dogs from Wiggle Kingdom!
How Will I Know Whether or Not a Setting or Level is Working?
Because dogs can't talk, we need to understand more about how they communicate and what specific body language means. Every dog will respond differently.
Here are some observations to look out for:
- Did your dog yelp or wince? If your small dog appears to respond in pain, then the setting is likely too high. Remember, a training collar is a communications device! If this happens, then go back to the next lowest setting where there was no negative response.
- Did your dog stop unwanted behavior? Until your dog realizes (some may never realize) that you control the collar, then it might not acknowledge you. However, it may stop in its tracks. This is good.
- Did your dog look at you? Eye contact is an important part of communication. When your dog looks up at you, it shows that they've realized that you're in control. It also communicates trust and respect. This could indicate that you've found the right level.
- Is your dog avoiding the unwanted behavior? A training collar will help you stop and help prevent unwanted behavior. If your dog is no longer engaging in unwanted behavior such as excessive barking, then that is a sign that the collar has done its job!
Regardless of what level or setting you use, it's important to remember that a training collar should not be your dog's primary collar. In other words, you should not leave it on more than 8 to 10 hours a day.
For more information, we recommend reading Dog Collars for Toy Breeds 101: The Ultimate Guide.
What if My Dog Doesn't Respond to a Shock Collar?
If you've tried using a training collar with your dog and nothing happens, you should try switching between different settings on the same collar.
It is also important to be patient.
A training collar is a communications tool, yes, but it is not a magic solution. Even the easiest dog to train can have its moments.
In other words, just because you press a button on the remote, it doesn't mean that your dog will immediately understand and stop its unwanted behavior.
There has to be follow-though on your end.
If your dog doesn't appear to be responding to sound, vibration, or shock, then consider the following:
- Are you being consistent? Are you using the collar every time your dog does the unwanted behavior? Without consistency, you will be sending mixed messages to your dog. This is confusing and can make it even more difficult to train your dog.
- Have you given your dog enough time to learn? Small dogs are smart animals. They can pick up things quickly. However, some breeds take longer to learn than others. You need to give them plenty of opportunities to learn.
- Is your dog old enough? When you get a new puppy, you want to focus on house training and potty training immediately! However, most professional dog trainers recommend waiting until a dog is at least 6 months old before using a training collar.
When training doesn't appear to be working, we should consider all of the variables before giving up and switching solutions. In other words, the issue isn't necessarily whether you should use a vibrating dog collar vs shock collar. Rather, sometimes you simply need to give your pup more time to understand what you are trying to communicate.
Wiggle Kingdom: Sound Stimulation, Vibration Collar and Shock Collar All-in-One
We hope this article helped you as you research "shock collars vs. vibration collars."
Fortunately, you don't have to choose!
At Wiggle Kingdom, we are known for setting the world's smallest training collars for toy breeds. Our collars are water resistant and can be adjusted for neck size.
You can stop your dog from:
- Excessive Barking
- Jumping on People
- Running Into Street
- Attacking Other Dogs
We've sold thousands of collars and have a 4.3 / 5 star rating from 1,210 positive reviews!