When it comes to choosing a training method, many dog owners are often confused about whether to opt for dog training collars or traditional leashes. While both have their pros and cons, which we’ll discuss in this article, it’s essential that when deciding on a dog training method, you consider what will work for both you and your furry friend.

Dog e-collars, also called shock collars, are used by trainers for curbing certain unwanted behaviors like food aggression in puppies. Individuals also use them to ensure their dog stays close when not on the leash. These devices keep dogs safe and eliminate negative behaviors. The working mechanism behind them is that one’s pet will associate a negative behavior with an uncomfortable shock from these collars.

Are e-collars Safe?

The concern in many dog owners is whether or not these collars are safe. Well, dog experts claim that approved shock collars are safe. Therefore, they’ll only deliver enough shock to correct your dog’s unwanted behavior without harming him. Plus, many of them come with different reinforcement methods such as beeping and vibrations. Below are some of the Pros of using e-collar training:

Distance Training

With this collar, you don’t need to be necessarily at home to train your dog. In as much as they’re used for boundary control, individuals can also continue training their pets even when they’re at work. For instance, if your dog barks loudly until neighbors are distracted, one can purchase shock collars for barking.

Fast Results

In most cases, it’ll only take a few shocks before your dog improves their unwanted behavior. After that, you only need to vibrate or beep the collar for a warning. Plus, most will keep your dog safe within a restricted distance without limiting your pet’s freedom to romp around.

Different levels of intensity

Like we’ve said earlier, many of these collars come with a beeping or vibration warning before the actual shock is administered. Furthermore, they have settings in which one can adjust shock levels. Below are some of the cons for using e-collars while training your dog:

Shock and Fear

Because of the shock, some dogs may develop a fear of situations, objects, or people. Also, even though one can control the intensity of shock, many people still are afraid of this type of reinforcement as it can be negative at times.

No Dog Rewards

Whenever your dog corrects a particular negative behavior, it’s always wise that you reward him for the good job. But, these collars don’t provide such opportunities. So, even though they’ll stop that behavior, there will be no reward.

Why Traditional Leashes May Be Better

Well, many dog owners still prefer the leash dog training method for some significant reasons. For instance, one can operate the leash gently, so there is no risking psychical harm. Also, your pet can’t walk far away from you. Hence you can keep them safe at all times.

Again, leashes strengthen one’s relationship with their pets since they can reward them whenever they’ve corrected a negative behavior, either verbally or by offering treats. And as they don’t need to be charged like e-collars, one can use them without worrying about power. But, a significant drawback of leashes is that individuals can’t use them when they’re far away. They have to be close to their pets.

Final Thoughts

Whether you opt for shock collars or leashes, remember that your main goal is to help your pet. So you should consider a training method that’ll work for him or her. Ensure that you’ve weighed out the pros and cons of each method before settling on any.