Shock collars

[4theloveofzoe]

My XBF, my 2 year olds dad, says that I should invest in a shock collar, because of Zoe's rambutus (sp?) behavior. What do you think of shock collars? Do they work? Are they cruel?

Could really use your viewpoints or your experiences with them.

[Sevaede]

My XBF, my 2 year olds dad, says that I should invest in a shock collar, because of Zoe's rambutus (sp?) behavior. What do you think of shock collars? Do they work? Are they cruel?

Could really use your viewpoints or your experiences with them.

My dad and my aunt used a shock collar on our Rottweiler, Chyna, and it didn't do a damn bit of a good.

Is Zoe a pup? He needs to remember that a LOT of dogs can act that way their whole life with or without regard to breed. My dads dachshund will be four and STILL acts like that. My stepmothers Rottweiler/German Shep mix just turned six and also acts very rambunctious.

[ashleycat]

I just got a citronella colar. My friend said it worked wonders on her dog. And it's HUMANE.

[4theloveofzoe]

THanks!

[jennawing]

Please don't use a shock collar. I still have nightmares about watching my grandpa use them on his hunting dogs to keep them from trying to climb out of the pen when I was very young. I will never get the sound of agony they made out of my head.

Consistent discipline is the key- assertive, calm correction. I do not know the details of the problem areas, but I assure you, there is a humane way to curb any bad behavior. Remember that a large-breed dog will take as much as three years to fully train.

[flip195]

My XBF, my 2 year olds dad, says that I should invest in a shock collar, because of Zoe's rambutus (sp?) behavior. What do you think of shock collars? Do they work? Are they cruel?

Could really use your viewpoints or your experiences with them.

15 minutes training a day will solve and issues Zoe may have and it's a lot kinder than using a shock collar... those things hurt.

[mruffruff]

I'm sorry that some people have had bad experiences with shock collars. When used properly, they can serve a purpose.

They need to be set to the lightest possible amount of shock before even trying them. At this level the shock will feel like a static shock. Usually that is as much as a dog will need, and will only need it a couple of times to control behavior. They should not be used continuously.

I have a dog that felt he had to bark all the time while I was at work. I tried everything I could, but I couldn't be there everyday. And this is a stubborn dog. I finally put a shock collar on him when I was home. When he barked without reason, he got a reminder (light shock) and a yell from me. After three or four times, he got the message....until the next day. Then it only took once. After that, I would put the collar on, but without the battery. He hasn't barked during the day without reason since. He no longer needs the collar at all.

I used it on another dog (foster) and had the same results.

I don't recommend them for every problem dog. They have to be used very carefully and briefly for only certain dogs. Like a lot of other things, it's a training tool.

A two year old still is a puppy. Besides needing a lot of exercise, they need to be taught basic commands.

Have you been able to teach her sit, stay, down, quiet?

[lisahumphreys882]

I'm sorry that some people have had bad experiences with shock collars. When used properly, they can serve a purpose.

They need to be set to the lightest possible amount of shock before even trying them. At this level the shock will feel like a static shock. Usually that is as much as a dog will need, and will only need it a couple of times to control behavior. They should not be used continuously.

I have a dog that felt he had to bark all the time while I was at work. I tried everything I could, but I couldn't be there everyday. And this is a stubborn dog. I finally put a shock collar on him when I was home. When he barked without reason, he got a reminder (light shock) and a yell from me. After three or four times, he got the message....until the next day. Then it only took once. After that, I would put the collar on, but without the battery. He hasn't barked during the day without reason since. He no longer needs the collar at all.

I used it on another dog (foster) and had the same results.

I don't recommend them for every problem dog. They have to be used very carefully and briefly for only certain dogs. Like a lot of other things, it's a training tool.

A two year old still is a puppy. Besides needing a lot of exercise, they need to be taught basic commands.

Have you been able to teach her sit, stay, down, quiet?

I agree, I'm not saying that using shock collars isn't bad in some ways but when used they usually work right away. To tell the truth I haven't actually seen one used but I've heard that they work almost right away, so it shouldn't take too long to cure the rambunctious dog. Besides, even if you feel that the collar isn't going to do anything, you don't have to keep using it. I already tried training my dog but when he goes outside he still goes crazy barking at everything so we are going to try the shock collar. However, if you feel that the shock collar is inhumane, don't use it, this is just my opinion.

[critter crazy]

they can work even when not worn!! my friend has 6 very rambunctious dogs and all she has to do is show them the collar and they listen to whatever she says!! I have never used one never had to! so I realy dont know how they work! But i would imagine that they are like anything else, as longa s used properly they are okay!JMO!

[jennawing]

I am sorry, I cannot agree. Shocking a dog- even to the equivalent of an static charge- is cruel. Dogs misbehave due to what people have either done to them or let them get away with. Shocking a dog with violence in its background is the most inhumane thing I can imagine- if you can't handle the dog, give it to someone who can. But shocking a dog because you are too lazy to train it properly is even worse.

[flip195]

I am sorry, I cannot agree. Shocking a dog- even to the equivalent of an static charge- is cruel. Dogs misbehave due to what people have either done to them or let them get away with. Shocking a dog with violence in its background is the most inhumane thing I can imagine- if you can't handle the dog, give it to someone who can. But shocking a dog because you are too lazy to train it properly is even worse.

I totally agree... perhaps someone can explain to me why they would choose causing pain to a animal, rather than proper training.... the word barbaric springs to mind.

[Sevaede]

I am sorry, I cannot agree. Shocking a dog- even to the equivalent of an static charge- is cruel. Dogs misbehave due to what people have either done to them or let them get away with. Shocking a dog with violence in its background is the most inhumane thing I can imagine- if you can't handle the dog, give it to someone who can. But shocking a dog because you are too lazy to train it properly is even worse.

I agree.

[Vela]

Dogs misbehave due to what people have either done to them or let them get away with.

Therein lies the problem. Dogs are not born knowing the difference between right and wrong. As their owners it is our obligation to teach them, and pain and negative reinforcement really isn't the way to go about it. If someone came into my home and scruffed my dog like has been described as being done to this dog, I would scruff them and show them the door. Real training takes times and patience. My dogs have never seen a shock collar, pinch collar, choker, or any form of abuse, hitting, or yelling, yet they both behave how I want them to and if they don't I spend my time teaching them what is expected, not yelling at them when they do it wrong. If a dog is too full of energy, that is because the owners aren't providing it with enough exercise and a job to do to burn off the excess energy. That is not the dog's fault and he should not be punished beause his owners don't want to take the time needed to exercise the dog. They aren't toys, they are living beings and it is OUR responsibility to train them how we expect them to behave for us. If a person can't do better than resorting to painful stimuli and negative reinforcement, they either need to find the help of a professional to show them how to train their dog properly, or they need to find that dog a new home with someone who will. Just because they make things like shock collars, doesn't mean it's in the dog's best interests.

[mruffruff]

When every other path has been followed and the dog is still not responding, a static shock to get their attention is not cruel, nor is it abuse. Continuous use would be.

The dog I used the collar on was a 10 year old stray that the shelter felt would never find a home. He was in poor shape when I got him and had a bad habit of jumping 6 foot fences. I finally got him healthy, housetrained, contained and accepting of people. I was his last hope and the neighbor next door was threatening his existence. This was a last ditch effort. And I don't feel guilty about using it in this instance. I have not needed it on the other three dogs I have had.

In a perfect world, the shock collar would never be necessary. Unfortunately I live in the real world. I've learned to be less judgmental as I've gotten older. And I never say "Never".

[JenBKR]

When every other path has been followed and the dog is still not responding, a static shock to get their attention is not cruel, nor is it abuse. Continuous use would be.

The dog I used the collar on was a 10 year old stray that the shelter felt would never find a home. He was in poor shape when I got him and had a bad habit of jumping 6 foot fences. I finally got him healthy, housetrained, contained and accepting of people. I was his last hope and the neighbor next door was threatening his existence. This was a last ditch effort. And I don't feel guilty about using it in this instance. I have not needed it on the other three dogs I have had.

In a perfect world, the shock collar would never be necessary. Unfortunately I live in the real world. I've learned to be less judgmental as I've gotten older. And I never say "Never".

Well said. Sometimes when you adopt an older dog from the shelter, you don't have the option of 'not letting them get away with their behavior.' When you have an older dog that misbehaves, and you try every possible route, then what? Some people take them back to the shelters. That is what happened with my Roscoe, he has behavioral problems and was taken back to the shelter by his last owner because they didn't want to have to deal with it. I tell you right now, we are going through the process of trying everything we can to get him to behave, but if worst comes to worst I would consider a shock collar. I would never take him back. I use a prong collar on him now for training (recommended by my trainer). I don't think that it's cruel at all, and it has helped more than you can imagine. When we first got him, I couldn't take him for walks along because he pulled me so hard he would drag me along (and yes, I did fall once or twice and he kept going, dragging me literally). Now, after basic training and the use of the prong, he heels by my side and is a pleasure to walk. Had that collar not been recommended to me by a trainer, I would have never bought it. It looks cruel. But now he can get the exercise he needs. Is that cruel?