Five Myths About Dog Training Collars

For years, training collars have been used to train disobedient dogs. By using a spray, ultrasonic, vibration or static charge, training collars are used to associate an annoying or unpleasant stimulus with a dog's bad behavior. Eventually, a troublesome pet will connect their problem, whether it is running away, barking loudly or being aggressive, to the "punishment" from the collar.


Currently, dog training collars are used all over the world for many different types of breeds. From Bloodhounds to German Shepherds, thousands of dogs have benefitted from the teaching styles that are used with training collars. Unfortunately, there have also been a lot of false stories that have been told regarding the collars. Fables about electrocuted dogs and collars that are so powerful that they could be used as stun guns have been portrayed in the media. Luckily, we are here to put these myths to a rest.


 

Training Collar Rumors

For more than fifty years, professional trainers and pet owners have used dog training collars. Since their inception, the collars have stirred up a lot of controversy among dog owners. It seems that animal lovers are divided on whether or not the collars should be used on any dogs. In fact, many it's one of the touchiest subjects on training a dog. Below is a list of some rumors that have been said from opponents of the collars:

 


    1. Your dog will hate you: One of the best parts about owning a dog is having their love and admiration, but some pet owners believe that using a training collar will damage the relationship with their dog. However, what you must realize is that the relationship is based on the owner being a pack leader. A training collar helps establish that an owner is teaching your dog the proper etiquette. This can actually strengthen a bond between dogs and owners.

    1. Training Collars encourage negative reinforcement: A shock collar is not the same as smacking a pooch after they've used the bathroom in the house. The collars were meant to form better habits in troublesome dogs, not punish them after they did something wrong. A dog should still be rewarded for a job well done while it's wearing a training collar.

    1. Only hunting dogs benefit from a Training Collar: While it's true that a large number of hunters use shock and training collars to teach their companions proper commands, the collars are also used by a number of other dog owners. Championship trainers, dog breeders and homeowners with incessant barkers all benefit from the use of training collars.

    1. It will electrocute my dog if it gets wet!: This seems to a be a popular rumor around the dog park. Many dog owners believe that a training collar is essentially a taser that canines wear around their neck, waiting to shock them if the collar malfunctions. Luckily, this is completely false. All modern training collars have been built to the highest standards and malfunctions are extremely rare.

  1. A Training Collar can seriously injure my pet: Just the name "Shock Collar" has a negative feel to it. Yet, what many people don't realize is that most collars do not produce an extremely painful stimulus. The "shock" is actually half the intensity of a static shock from a doorknob and less than 1/20th of a stun gun, which is regularly compared to the collars. Plus, the stimulus from the collars only lasts 1/40th of a second, so there shouldn't be any worry about injuring your pooch.

As you might imagine, the rumors surrounding shock collars has decreased the popularity of the training tool. Yet, many trainers swear by using the collars every day to train their dogs. A Look At Some Popular Collars

For some dogs, the only option for proper training is a training collar. Luckily, there are dozens of different options available for all sizes and personality types. By doing a bit of research, you can find one that's affordable and efficient. Check out a few of the collars that are recommended by Pet Experts below:

    • SportDOG Wetland Trainer: This is the "swamp ready" training collar. The fully waterproof collar can be fully charged within an hour and is functional more than a 1/4 mile away. The heavy-duty, professional grade collar was designed for use in extreme training conditions. Plus, the collar comes with a training DVD and manual. It also comes in a cool camo finish.

  • Edge: The newest E-Collar from Dogtra is rapidly becoming the most popular. The Edge uses eight different stimulation modes over a one-mile range to train dogs. Plus, the "advanced" training collar features an LCD Screen that makes it extremely easy to function in twilight hours. This is also a great tool for homes with more than one dog, because adding another collar is as easy as pressing the "Sync" button.

So, if you're ready to start training with a new collar, be prepared to teach your dog some new tricks. For more than five decades, pet owners have been grateful for the developments of training collars and their usefulness when instructing Fido the right type of behavior. The only thing you need figure out is which collar to buy for your pooch.


If you're looking to train your pooch with a Training Collar but aren't sure which is right for you, be sure to ask the pet experts at PetStreetMall.com by calling 800-957-5753. The animal lovers are more than happy to answer any questions about any of the pet products that we carry in our catalogue.

By Sean Bowes