A bigger percentage of dog owners are currently opting for more drastic approaches to train or correct the behaviors of their dogs. One of the most common approaches is the use of dog behavior collars, which work by conditioning the dog to avoid negative behaviors. Essentially, this approach teaches the dog to associate certain actions with electronic shock.
Generally, these devices can be effective when used correctly. Accordingly, if you plan to use the collars to correct the behaviors of your dog, you need to understand some of the ways that the collars should and should not be used.
1. Go For A Collar That Suits Your Needs
There are three common categories of dog collars: bark collars, containment systems, and obedience collars. You should buy what you feel will serve your needs better. Barking collars and containment systems often deliver the stimulus automatically when your dog does the behavior that it is not supposed to do. On the other hand, obedience collars have remote controls, which you can use to control the stimulus.
2. Find The Level Of Shock That’s Comfortable For Your Dog
The key to using dog behavior collars is to find the level of stimulus that will make your dog pay the desired attention but not cause it pain. Accordingly, you should always strive to find that level of shock that’s just enough for your dog. As a guide, when you press the button, the dog should turn its head or perk its ears up.
If the dog puts its tails between the legs or yelps, the shock is too strong. Opt for collars with varying levels of stimulation so that you can choose the level that won’t harm your dog. You can also hold the collar in your hand to test its vibration levels.
3. Don’t Be Tempted To Use The Collar As Your Only Training Tool
A lot of studies have confirmed that positive stimuli are far much better than negative stimuli in dog training. The best method to training your dog is to reward him with treats every time he performs a correct behavior. For the best results, only use the collars for certain behaviors such as training the dog not to leash aggression, no to go to the street, not to bark at the mailman and other bad/unwanted behaviors.
If you opt to buy a dog behavior collar or other premium dog accessories for correcting dog behavior, the most important thing that you should always remember is to use it responsibly. The good news is that most of the collars that you’ll find in the market today come with training videos which can guide you accordingly. If you are not sure, ask your local vet for help.
