I personally disagree against the use of them. I stuck my finger in one, had the dog bark loud enough, and yeeooww! They hurt. It **could be** less pain for the dog, because their skin **can be** thicker than ours, but it still hurts them. I don't see why anyone would punish their dog for speaking its language (With the acception of apartment buildings and places where a dog barking can disturb other residents, but there are still other alternatives)

As for electric fences, I do not like them either. It still hurts the dog for following its instincts; chasing chipmunks, rabbits, cats, cars, people, etc. Even though it keeps the dog in the yard, if you do have a dog, I'm sure hoping you have a fence (not an electrical one). I am aware that the dog eventually gets used to it (and the collar as well), but it kind of reminds me of lab rats; getting shocked when they go the wrong way in a maze.

Pardon my soapbox...