Dog Training Collar Buyer’s Guide
Buying a dog training shock collar can be an overwhelming task, especially for a first-time user. There are many things you need to consider before you choose the right shock collar for your dog.
You’ll also need to understand what these collars are and how they exactly work, given their controversial nature.
The use of shock collars in dog training is a topic that continues to attract diverse opinions on the safety of these devices.
It is therefore important to get the right information about the safety of shock collars so you can buy one with confidence and knowing that you are not exposing your furry friend to inhumane pain when using the collar.
What Exactly Is A Dog Training Shock Collar?
This is basically a canine training device that works by delivering a mild electric shock to your pooch when they act in an undesirable way. It is like any other collar strapped on your doggy’s neck but with a remote activated button that delivers the shock when the dog misbehaves.
Most canine training shock collars send out a beep or vibrating alert to warn the dog when the mild shock is about to be unleashed.
This helps to stop the dog from proceeding with the unwanted behavior to avoid the impending shock. From a psychological standpoint, shock collars use shock as a form of positive punishment to eliminate bad behavior in dogs. The device helps to get the dog’s attention without necessarily hurting them or withdrawing privileges such as food or treats.
Unlike the shock collars of the past, modern dog training collars allow you to set the level of shock that you feel is comfortable for your dog.
The shock is quite mild and harmless. It is more like static shock similar to what two humans feel when they come into contact with each other. The collars are also quite effective in training dogs to improve behavior and get rid of undesirable traits such as incessant barking and constant disobedience.
In a study to gauge the efficiency of shock collars, 91.8% of dog owners reported positive improvements in the behavior of their dogs after using shock dog training collars.
Most modern shock collars can send an audible beep or vibration warning before the shock is delivered prompting the dog to correct its behavior on time. T
To be honest, shock dog training collars are not likely to hurt your pooch or harm your relationship with your four-legged friend. However, it is worth mentioning on the results of scientific studies which highlights the effectiveness of shock collars, while acknowledging the increase in behavioral changes in dogs.
The Benefits Of Training Your Dog Using A Shock Collar
Shock collars may have been on the receiving end of some lousy reputation in the past but there are numerous benefits of using this form of dog training including the following:
Quicker Way Of Training Your Dog
Shock collars use a psychological method of training known as negative reinforcement which makes your dog easily understand and remember bad behavioral traits and their consequences. They’ll stop doing the wrong things after a few corrections.
Prevent Your Dog From Wandering Off
Any dog, in its very own nature, becomes unpredictable when it sees a likely prey such as a squirrel, bird, or raccoon in the distance. If not properly trained it will obey its natural instincts and dash off. A shock collar eliminates this problem of wandering off at will by instilling a sense of discipline to the dog.
Helps Stop Your Dog’s Barking
Dog barks can be a nuisance, to say the least. Every dog owner would naturally want to stop the barks by any means possible. You can do it in a gentle yet effective way by using a shock collar.
Good Dog Behavior Even In Your Absence
The shock collar ensures that your furry friend continues behaving properly even when you are not present to supervise the animal. This is one benefit you’ll not find in other dog training methods.
Safe For Your Dog
Most shock collars come with settings that allow you to control the intensity level of the shock delivered. You can control the entire stimulation experience depending on your dog’s response. Take note that some dogs cannot respond to extremely low stimulation and need a slightly higher level of stimulation to respond accordingly.
There are many other benefits of using a shock collar in training your dog but suffice it to say it is a safe and effective solution to annoying and sometimes dangerous behavior such as incessant barking and running off the yard.
Factors To Consider When Shopping For The Best Dog Training Collars
It is quite easy to lose your way and focus when shopping for dog training collars today. This is because of the numerous models and types available on the market today.
The following factors will help you narrow down your choices and make a more informed buying decision.
Look For Multiple Signal Modes
A good dog shock collar should have 2 to 3 signaling modes besides the shock mechanism. These extra signal modes can include vibration, light, and beep or tone modes.
The recommended training progression should be to start with easy training modes before you graduate to vibration and other forms of physical stimulation.
Just like shock, vibration and tone stimulation can be fine-tuned to a level that you feel is sufficient to correct the dog’s behavior without being too uncomfortable for the animal. So look for a product that gives you multiple types of stimulus before you use shock as a last resort.
Check For Stimulation Levels
Today’s shock collars come with advanced technology featuring sensors and processors that allow you to dial in or set the right intensity of the shock delivered. Most devices have up to 100 levels of increasing intensity of static electricity. The multiple stimulation levels allow you to customize the device to suit your pooch’s best training stimuli. Find a device that you can fine-tune the intensity of its stimulus.
Range Is Also Important
You’ll naturally be looking for a device that allows you to control your pet pooch over long distances to test the animal’s power of recall. A device with a long remote cover range will also be helpful in outdoor training grounds such as the park or the wild. Most canine collars have a range of 1,000 feet to 500 yards.
The range you choose will also depend on your dog training or control location. If you plan to train the dog in a wild hilly location then definitely get a shock collar with a ½ mile to 1-mile range.
Check For Waterproofing
We highly recommend going for a canine collar that is completely waterproof. This will be helpful, especially when your pooch loves playing in puddles. A waterproof collar will also be useful if you usually train your dog outdoors where you are likely to be caught out in the rain.
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