I want my dog to stay in the yard and obey my commands as much as the next owner (if my bi-weekly services of feeding and walking him allow me that title), but my morals limit the strides I take to ensure he remains there and listens to me. Yes, he deserves outdoor time, and yes, he needs some type of boundary or system to prevent his inevitable escape. Does he, or any pet, however, need to wear a shock collar when wandering outside or learning commands?

Dogtime.com details the University of Lincoln’s study about electronic collars, noting the tools’ ability to distress dogs when used at high settings. Researchers tested dogs using these collars, introduced in the 1960s solely to teach dogs obedience and yard boundaries; they found that the effects of the device negatively impacted the animals. The animals showed signs of fatigue, tension, and disinterest in their surroundings. The researchers also did not find any benefit after consistent training using a collar.

Knowingly ruining my dog’s sanity, in addition to pressing a button and watching him submit to the bit of pain he feels, just makes me feel like I’m attacking an innocent creature (because I am). It does not make me feel more powerful, nor does it even help him learn to obey me. It seems as though reliance on a collar works in the moment; obviously the dog most likely will follow a command. In the long-term, however, once one starts using a collar to train, he or she will always have to use it. The dog would associate the shock with the command, so the absence of the shock would not result in obedience. The dog would have to rely on that pain.

Advocates of shock collar training argue that the shock collar is the only method that “works” on their dogs, and they just could not get them to listen otherwise. Organizations such as PETA and Humane Society offer alternatives to this type of training, highlighting the importance of the well-being of animals. They turn to experts like Dr. Ian Dunbar, DVM, who discuss different, more positive ways to teach dogs.

Awarding dogs with treats or toys when they behave properly positively reinforces their good behavior, creating a pattern that shows them the right way to act. Dog whistles, which emit a frequency that humans cannot hear, also allow dogs to learn new tricks or behaviors. They can associate a sound with an action without any physical harm or distress.

Finally, for those whose dogs have trouble learning their boundaries, owners can build an actual fence around their property, ensuring their dogs’ safety. Traditional, simple, easy, no shocking! No stress! No guilty feelings!

Although many other pet owners and I experience difficulty while attempting to communicate with a non-human, shocking (basically torturing) them into listening does not solve the problem. In order to establish a loving, friendly, positive relationship, owners should look into other ways to assert their dominance. Hurting something to make it like one and respect one’s wishes doesn’t seem like it would work, anyway.