Shock collars are cruel, dangerous, and useless

I got an email from Tom. Recently he was at a dog park when an “arrested-development” type showed up with a large mixed breed dog that had obviously received little training.

While everyone (and their dogs) watched, he demonstrated the electrical dog zapper he had just purchased. They watched in silence for a short time while the dog was subjected to pain she did not understand.

Then they became a vigilante group. Tom asked to see the collar and when he had it in hand, he threw it into the lake. Oops.

Dog Zappers are sold under a variety of names over the Internet. They are collars that zap disobedient dogs with a jolt of electricity. Generally they range in price from $125 to $399.

Tom writes that people who buy them are assured this will be “an easy way to train a puppy or a dog.”

They are wrong.

“These collars can have a bad and lasting psychological effect on the dog and destroy the chances of building a bond of trust between dog and owner. When the owner presses a switch on a remote control, the dog receives an electrical jolt to its throat. But it doesn’t understand where it came from or why. It experiences only pain and fear. This is not teaching.”

In some cases the collar has malfunctioned causing severe burning on the dog’s throat. Even when they work, they are basically useless, sadistic devices.

The shock collars are strongly marketed to the owner with an incessantly barking dog or one that has gotten too large to handle. If this is the case, the owner has already lost control of the dog and needs to get help from a professional handler.

Dogs are eager to please when they understand what they are being asked to do by a human they respect. Enlightened dog trainers today realize that positive methods of training, building trust and understanding, are faster, more effective, and longer lasting than pain and punishment.

There are also collars that are supposed to stop a dog from mindless barking. I don't have any direct experience with either type collar, but giving the dog love and the right kind of attention works wonders.

Comments

[Gabrielle]

Right, they are so cruel and useless! But how about collars that can save them from fleas, are they effective?

[Miss Trashahassee]

I hates wearin' them thangs. They does hurt.

BFF,
Miss T

[rosemary]

Hooray for Tom...these torture collars are probably attractive to lazy owners. Dogs take work, love and love and work. There are no quick fixes...these folks should be made to wear the collar and have a dog activate it a few times before purchase.

[Energypaws]

oh I whole heartedly agree! These things should not be sold to the mass population. They are nothing short of torture devices in the wrong hands...

I do, however, had to admit that as a last resort they MAY have their place, but only when used by a professional who understands FULLY the side effects of punishment. And they can be substantial and in my opinion, not worth the risk

[Mary Jo Hostnik]

I used to watch that MTV show "Jackass Sunday". Where Johnny Knox and crew did really stupid things. One episode, they bought one of these dog shock collars. One of the guys actually collapsed on the floor, the pain was so bad. How anybody can sell these (while telling you with a straight face they are not cruel) or use these is beyond me!

[jan]

Gabrielle,

I don't care for flea collars. Here is a post I did on getting rid of fleas on the dog and in the home
. http://thepoodleanddogblog.typepad.com/the_poodle_and_dog_blog/2006/05/what_you_might_.html

[julie]

I think the owner should have to wear the collar first, before using it on the dog. See if they still want to use it.

[schnoodlepooh]

I'm sure everyone has a sad story about a dog who was "trained" with a shock coller. I know two dogs that we subjected to that and they are both extremely submissive and fearful dogs. One of them cannot be dragged up to the couch and the other cowers when her owner gives her a command. That certainly is not love. It's cruel. i would love to let every dog owner who has submitted their dog to that cruelty, wear a shock collar themselves for a day.

[Therese]

I don't even know Tom, but I like him already ;)

[doggy mama]

I am so in love with Tom for throwing that in the lake. I don't understand why anyone would think that's a good training tool. Just another stupid owner... so frustrating.

[jackie]

when I had my 110lb pittybull dog nate..I took him to obediance classes..and they said nate was 'arrogant' and since he was so big, that i needed to get a shock collar for him...i said just a minute...leaned over to nate and said:nate they want to put a shock collar on you...so when you don't mind it shocks the shit out of you..what do you think?....I listened for a minute and then stood up and said "nate says fuckyou..we're going home and I unless you give me my money back..he will bite your balls off.'...that was the extent of our obediance lessons..ha

[Duke of Earle]

I am of the opinion that Tom and the vigilante group should have put the collar on the dog's owner, and thrown HIM into the lake to see if he could swim while being repeatedly shocked.

Well, not really. They could have been arrested for assault. But it IS tempting to think about.

[Nat]

I think none of you people have owned a dog such as a staffy or pittball (like another commented). It only becomes crewl when the owner miss-uses the device. It can only be used for one problem or the dog does get confused and not know what it is in trouble for. If you start to zap if for every little think he does wrong he will just be a scared dog, if you only zap him for continous barking (that neibhours now hate) then it learns it wil get a shock when it barks and onlt then. I've owned a few dogs in my time and not one has been as much trouble as this one. And to doggy mama, no offence but your no dog expert, if you took the time to listen to the expert she may have known more or had another idea had you just simply said i'd prefere to do it another way. No wonder your dog can't be trained if the owner has no manners either.

[Nat]

Sorry doggy mama... i appolagise that comment was directed at jackie