Over the years there has been a lot of controversy about electric dog collars. These collars are equipped with a sort of "zapper" which is programmed to trigger a shock when the dog performs certain actions. For example, pet owners can purchase a barking collar to discourage their dog from barking at visitors, trucks, or mailmen. There are also collars which set off a jolt when the dog broaches a boundary, like the edge of the front yard. These collars are portrayed as an effective way to punish your pooch for disobedience. There are also electric collars that are set off by a remote. These are useful for training your dog or stopping him from a habit that bothers you.

There are many different companies that create these collars, and some are better than others. For example, some models come with vibration and tone settings which can be used in conjunction with the shockwaves. Other collars have GPS systems to track your dog if he or she wanders away from home. While many of these vendors cater to domestic dog training, other collars are specifically designed for military and law enforcement instruction. When the collars were invented in 1960, they were somewhat severe. Now, creators have perfected the art of a soft but effective shock that surprises the dog instead of hurting it. There are also collars which emit a spray that the dog finds objectionable and others that will omit a high pitched squeal that can't be heard by humans.

In many shock collars, the stimulation is controlled by the pet owner. A dial allows you to set the severity of the shock. Some dogs tend to respond to the jolts more than others, so you will want to tailor this to your pup's sensitivity. The most common type of shock collar is known as a containment collar. This is helpful for dog owners who do not have a fence to contain their outside dog. To activate a containment zone, the owner marks out the boundaries with a wire that is included in the collar kit. When a pet steps over this line, it activates the shock. As opposed to being a cruel, these collars can be a loving way to keep a dog from running out into the street and being hit by a vehicle.

Barking collars are designed to reprimand the dog only after he has barked for a certain length of time. That way, the collar does not restrict the dog from omitting a few sounds when he or she needs attention. The aim is to stunt habitual and constant barking. Distance shock collars are the ones that include a remote which the owner can use to administer a shock when the dog disobeys. Responsible pet owners can use these collars to help train their pooches, but less sensitive or knowledgeable people may abuse the power. Also, an unseasoned dog trainer may disorient their dog by using this shock technique.

For example, imagine you are teaching your dog to come when you call his or her name. When you call your pet, he doesn't respond, so you administer a quick shock to reprimand him. If this continues, your dog may begin to associate your beckoning with a shock, instead of discovering that he will not be shocked if he comes towards you when called. These confusions can create poor training and cause your dog to withdraw from you instead of learning.

So, how safe are these collars? A study by Pet Safe Training shows that the shock your dog receives with a training collar is 40% less than the shock you experience from static on the carpet. While some anti-shock collar activists will liken these training tools to stun guns and cattle prods, the truth is that the collar is only one-fourth the severity of an electric cattle fence and it's one-twentieth the level of a stun gun. Also, the shocks only last about 1/40 of a second, less time than it takes you to snap your fingers. The shock is not painful, uncomfortable, or dangerous, but simple a little surprise that helps your dog remember to obey.