E-collar series: Is it really only used to get the dog's attention?

What is an e-collar?

A lot of our clients tried using e-collars before they came to us. Because of this, we get many questions about how our training is different and why we don't use that tool. They also tell us many stories about why they tried that method first, and why the information they were told seemed right at the time.

First, let’s start with defining what an e-collar is.  When we talk to clients, there is a lot of confusion about how the e-collar works.  Clients are told the e-collar is “communication”, or it produces a “stim,” or is only designed to get a dog’s attention but not punish the dog.  These confusing ways of describing the e-collar are not helpful to dog guardians trying to make the best choices for their dog.  

In general, e-collars are designed to produce an unpleasant or painful sensation to stop a dog's undesirable behavior.  This is true even if the unpleasant sensation is a beep or a vibration.  So the e-collar is a tool that is designed to punish a dog’s behavior.  

E-collar descriptions on merchant websites aren't always clear about how the collar works. Some are vague, like: "The training system...features 100 training levels plus tone and vibration modes. Momentary and Continuous buttons for personalized training." This doesn't say the sensations are meant to be unpleasant. Other descriptions are clearer: "You can choose the efficient mode and intensity levels from the beep, vibration and shock modes to correct your dog's bad behavior." Other words for the e-collar sensation include "shock," "stim," "tap," and "static charge." Generally, e-collars are designed to create an unpleasant or painful feeling to stop unwanted behavior. If the sensation is not distressing and unpleasant, it won't work. This fits with the scientific definition of punishment: add something unpleasant to discourage behavior. If it is not unpleasant for your pet, then it will not be effective.  This is true even for a beep or a vibration.

How is the collar generally used?

We will now take a look at what the dog is learning when the e-collar is used to "get the dog's attention." We are basing this on what clients have described about how they were instructed to use the collar in their previous training. They were instructed to use the e-collar while their dog was looking away from them. The dog is given an unpleasant sensation through the collar to stop the dog from looking away. The goal is for the dog to learn that looking away from the owner is unpleasant. The dog then turns and looks at the owner and the owner gives a cue, like "sit." Research tells us this method can work. A dog can learn to avoid looking away from her owner because the dog doesn't want to have an unpleasant experience.  But to say this is not punishment, and simply a way to communicate with the dog to get their attention, is incorrect.  The dog is being punished for looking away using the scientific definition of punishment.  The dog is experiencing something unpleasant when looking away from the owner.

It is misleading to imply the e-collar does not produce a negative experience for a dog.  If the sensation of the collar is unpleasant to the dog, it will work.  Then why do all modern, humane, science-based professional trainers avoid the use of this tool?  1) It is not a necessary part of training.  There are alternative ways to train that are just as effective.  2) Making a dog feel something unpleasant during training can have potential negative consequences that can be difficult to change, especially when the dog is fearful or already highly agitated (barking or lunging).  That’s a topic for another blog post.  

What is an alternative to get a dog's attention?

You can teach your dog to pay attention using positive reinforcement. This means you give your dog something good when it does what you want. Choose a word like "look" or "watch." Get your dog to look at you—you can wait for it to happen or use a sound like a kissy noise. When your dog makes eye contact, reward it! Good rewards are tasty treats, affection, praise, or even permission to do a fun activity like playing or sniffing a tree. Every time your dog looks at you, it feels good.

Summary

E-collars are usually meant to cause an unpleasant or painful feeling to stop a dog from doing something bad. The claim that An e-collar is not used for punishment. It is only used to get the dog's attention is false, according to the scientific meaning of punishment we use in training. The e-collar is punishing the dog for looking away, scientifically speaking. It creates a bad experience for the dog, which is why it works when it does. If the dog doesn't find the feeling unpleasant, it won't work. However, it's not a needed or better training method, which we will discuss in another post.

About the author: Dr. Lorraine Martinez is the founder of LOMA Behavior and Training LLC and has been helping dogs and their people since 2002.  She earned a PhD in psychology from the University of Washington and went on to graduate with distinction from the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training.  She is a Behavior Consultant affiliated with the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior and is a Fear Free Certified Professional.