The Controversy Still Rages Over Electronic Dog Training Collars
For many years now controversy has raged in hunting and dog handling circles about the correctness and wisdom of using electronic dog training collars. You will find dog owners, hunters, and animal experts on both sides of this issue.
Many dog owners and animal rights activists insist that electronic dog training collars are harmful and cruel, and can actually be a detriment to effective training of your dog, whether in the field or around the home.
On the other hand, you will find equally sincere and knowledgeable dog training experts who maintain that it is possible to use electronic dog training collars in a way which is not only useful and practical but humane as well.
What are electronic dog training collars? Electronic dog training collars are simply collars for dogs that are wirelessly linked together with a transmitting unit. When a hunter presses the correct button on his handheld unit, a signal is generated and sent to the electronic dog training collar which will provide an electric stimulus through sensors placed along the inside of the caller. It is important to note that electronic dog training collars usually provide a variable setting for the electric stimulus: the electronic dog training collar can be set at a very low setting, which just barely generates any stimulation at all, or it can be set on a very high setting, which generates a much stronger stimulation -- even to the point of being uncomfortable to the dog. In evaluating the appropriateness of electronic dog training collars, one must keep in mind that human beings and dogs do not have the same physical attributes, nor do they perceive sensation in the same way. Something that a human being might consider to be a "mild" electrical impulse might in fact be perceived by a dog as being very painful. This means that when you use an electronic dog training collar you must be very very careful to keep the settings at the lowest possible level that your dog will notice and respond to. Situations in Which an Electronic Dog Training Collar Might Be Useful Given these concerns, it is still nevertheless true (at least in some people's minds) that there may be situations where the proper use of an electronic dog training collar can enhance your dog's performance. For example, you can use an electronic dog training collar to recall your dog to your side when it has traveled a great distance out into the field. At first, you can issue a verbal command to tell the dog to return, then activate the collar. When the dog returns, rewarded it with a treat. After some time has passed, you can try to recall the dog simply by using the electronic dog training collar itself without issuing a verbal command -- and the dog will return to you because it associates the sensation from the caller with the reward that it will receive when it returns. Some other situations where using an electronic dog training collar may be necessary, is in getting the attention of your dog if it is deaf, or out of range to hear you. Some of electronic dog collars also incorporate a built-in speaker with a walkie-talkie unit that can actually broadcast your voice right into your dog's ear, no matter how far away you may be from them. In addition, electronic dog training collars are often times used in the handling of search and rescue dogs, or at any time when the dog is not on a leash and a great distance away from its handler. In summary, if you are thinking of purchasing an electronic dog training collar for your dog, consider your needs -- as well as you are dogs needs -- very carefully. My own personal opinion on the subject is this: do not have your dog wear an electronic dog training collar unless you believe that it is absolutely necessary. If there is some other way to issue commands to your dog, or to get them to behave appropriately while in the field, use those approaches instead. In the final analysis, only you know and understand your dogs needs as well as your own concerns and priorities as its owner -- and only you can make the best decision regarding the use of an electronic dog training collar with your dog.
| 
