E-Collar Training

Have you been advised to use an e-collar, or are you currently using one but uncertain about proper application? Regardless of your reason for choosing the E-Collar training program, welcome.

This program differs from standard training programs. While our other programs emphasize teaching the dog and behavior modification, this program prioritizes the handler’s role. E-collars alone do not produce improved behavior; they do not teach or train. They are simply tools, and although not technologically advanced, their effective use requires careful consideration.

While training is not overly complex, it does require nuance, mechanical understanding, and skill. Assuming that e-collar use is simple may indicate a misunderstanding of the tool. E-collars introduce additional complexity to training plans, which is why they are not generally recommended for the public.

Currently, efforts are underway to restrict e-collar use within the professional animal training sector due to concerns regarding public safety and animal welfare risks associated with improper use.

Position

Kind Animal Services does not promote, encourage, or endorse the use of e-collars on dogs in the name of training. We support the positions of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) and the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB) regarding these tools.

E- collars are not to be used for behavior modification in an attempt to manage or change behaviors. They pose a high risk when used incorrectly by guardians without education about the tool.

While KAS does not want to promote the use of e-collars we also don't want turn a blind eye to there use and existence in the general population of dog owners. We believe that education is the best way to combat e-collars in dog training and hope that if people are informed they will choose of their own accord to abandon e-collars and their training practices.

Program Prerequisites

E-collar dog training requires a number of prerequisites before an e-collar should be used with any dog.

Before you even start training with an e-collar, you and your dog need to have the following:

The dog is confident
The dog does not startle easily or jump at noises, sudden touch, or quick movement.
The dog and handler have been working together for at least 1 year.
The dog is at least 2 years old.
Handler is competent with clicker training and shaping.
The dog has undergone a skill-building process using shaping and positive reinforcement, and is fluent in the skills.
Dog has never shown signs of aggression toward anything EVER!
The dog’s name or another cue has been heavily reinforced and always delivers a positive, excited, happy response when given.
Handler is competent at reading dog body language, specifically signs of stress and pain.
The dog is not shy or reserved around other dogs or people (the dog isn’t hand shy or shy of equipment)
The dog shows no signs of stress or fear in the working environment.

In summary, the handler should have good training mechanics and impeccable timing. The dog should be confident and calm, showing no signs of heightened stress or aggression.

If any one of these is lacking, then the E-collar isn’t a good choice for you and your dog.

In order for e-collar dog training to be effective, you need to be a competent trainer. The best way to accomplish this is through practicing clicker training. The beauty of using a clicker and playing clicker games is that dogs have fun, and if you are slow or not very good at it there is no backlash! Your training progress might take longer, but you shouldn’t be scaring your dog. If you jump right into using an e-collar (even if it only vibrates or tones), you could cause your dog serious stress and undermine the goals of e-collar dog training.

If your dog shows any signs of stress, fear, anxiety, or aggression, STOP what you are doing and address it first. Some dogs will never be good candidates for an e-collar.

How E-Collars Work?

As I'm sure your aware E-collars work with standard 3 functions: shock, vibrate, tone. So let's talk about how they are sold as a training tool, this might come as a surprise but they are not sold as a tool for punishment yet this is how they are primarily used.

There is some some

E-Collar Handler Exercise

In order to ensure that you, the handler, understand the e-collar and are proficient in using it safely to minimize potential fallouts of using such equipment it is pertinent that you do this Human-Training exercise until the patterns are fluid and you are receive feedback from peers (human learners) on your skill to accurately use the e-collar.

This exercise will require that you have some will human-learners for you to practice with. If you are anxious about using the shock collar to start check out PORTL a clicker training exercise that is very similar to the one I am going to suggest here. In PORTL you can practice your timing, and training plan structure, and mechanics that will translate nicely to an e-collar should you return to wanting to use this tool though if you are proficient in clicker training and the training mechanisms laid out in PORTL you are not likely to ever need a e-collar and likely will begin questioning ethics of e-collars all on your own.

Buckle up! You are a brave learner wanting to do this.

You and a patner are going to sit down at a table. One of you will be the handler and one of you will be the

Building a Training Plan

It's important to consider how you are going to structure your training in order to get the desired outcomes.

So first you need to decide what it is you intend to teach your dog and that will help you determine how you will be using the e-collar as counterfit negative reinforcement or as punishment. Choose wisely...

Avoidance Training

There is another term for e-collar training and punishment procedures. It is known as avoidance training.

Even when we use the most gentle versions of say negative reinforcement (example: removing the food bowl when the dog dives for it) we will see stress behaviors and avoidance behaviors as the dog tries to avoid the punishment.

Dogs working to avoid punishment are not as joyous in their activity or response to the cue. You will see them crouching lower to the ground, tails lower, heads lowered, ears slightly rolled back, and they may avoid eye contact. Of course in my opinion, I don't want to see my dog doing something I asked only because they are avoiding some uncomfortable or even painful consiqunece. My goal is always to have a dog be thrilled to do what is asked of them because it's fun and always leads to enjoyable outcomes.

Dangers of Labels

No dog needs an e-collar.

You might call your dog stubborn but be careful and consider what you are actually telling your subconscious when you label your dog as stubborn, bad, obeisant, anry, etc.

When we call our dogs (or any animals for that matter) labels we are basically making an excuse to ourselves and getting out of seeing them for who they really are. It allows us to give up on them.

Oh Fluffy is just aggressive, it's who he is. *shakes person by shoulders*

No it's not how Fluffy is! Aggression, behaviors that apeer stubborn, or dense are all just behaviors they are not who the individual is it's only a snapshot of actions in a particular moment.

The point is our labels hurt our dogs. This is why at Kind Animal Services you don't hear us refer to Obedience training as such because we don't make dogs obedient we teach them to learn, we build trusting relationships, we encourage them to make choices and respect their choices, and the list goes on. Obedience isn't on the list.

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