When it comes to training your dog, shock collars may seem like an abusive training method. But, if you know how to train a dog with a shock collar correctly, it can significantly improve the relationship between you and your pet.
The purpose of a shock collar is not to cause pain to your dog. A shock collar uses electric impulses to correct negative behavior, similar to how we reprimand children.
Dogs are less able than humans to understand rules. So, electronic collars help train your dog as it acts as a warning system for bad behavior.
This article brings you some effective tricks on how to properly train a dog with a shock collar. If you think about getting remote collars someday, this guide is a great starting point.
The Principles of Dog Shock Collar Training
The history of remote training collars is as long as mankind has been cohabiting with canines. When humans first started domesticating dogs, they not only learned how to live with the animals — but how to break them in and train them to obey commands.
Traditionally, a professional trainer used such remote training collars on his working dogs in order to enforce basic commands on them from a distance. They used this system to help their dogs understand the difference between good and poor behavior.
However, these collars have now taken on a new use in modern homes as pet parents look for an easier and more humane way to train their pets. So, the principles of dog shock collar training have stayed the same.
With shock collars, dogs can learn to eradicate unwanted behaviors that their masters dislike and adapt to behaviors that our human society needs them to survive.
Back in the old days, shock collars were used on pets to impose mild electric shock whenever needed and were not equipped with a system as advanced as that of modern electronic dog collars.
Modern shock collars share a similar design to those used in old training methods. But the best dog training shock collars now offer an advanced system where you can control the collar’s full functionality.
How to Train a Dog with a Shock Collar? The Complete Beginner’s Guide
Shock collars are a way of training dogs with an electric current, which may sound cruel. However, when such training session is used in conjunction with others, they can be a great tool to fine-tune the correction levels of dogs’ unwanted behaviors, says some balanced dog trainers.
If you, as a beginner, seem to face difficulty conducting such training, here’s an in-depth guide on how to use a shock collar to train your pet,
- Start with the Basics
You must train your dog in the easiest way possible. Electric shock collars and overly complicated training techniques will only cause your dog to become confused and ignore you unless you conduct the training session right.
Asking them to perform a few simple tasks as early as possible will help establish a trusting relationship with you, which will pay off later during more advanced training and with housebreaking!
If your puppy has trouble learning basic obedience commands, avoid using such aversive training techniques. You can simply teach them those simple verbal commands while playing with them.
- Allow Your Pet to Adapt
Although training collars can be effective when used correctly, they can still be overwhelming to use for the first time.
When fitting your dog with a training collar, allow it to initially wear the collar for an extended period. It may take a while for your dog to get accustomed to the feel of these tools.
- Enable Vibration Settings Only
When it comes to training your dog, we absolutely suggest using positive reinforcement. Yes, a well-trained dog will have basic obedience under control, but the relationship you share with your dog is most important.
So instead of showing your dog who is boss with negative punishment, focus on strengthening the bond between you and your dog. You can do so by only using a vibration setting on the collar.
While an electronic shock collar has multiple levels of stimulation, you should opt for vibration modes that will not send a harsh shock through the electronic fences. This can hurt your dog instead of training him.
- Show your Dog the Behavior You Want
Show your pup what you want him to do if you expect him to listen to you. Dogs don’t speak the same language as humans, so you need to communicate in a way that he can understand your commands. You can do this by repeating the behavior you want and rewarding it with a treat.
Use positive reinforcement in the form of treats and words. You can use a shock collar to deliver a small jolt to your dog due to negative behavior, but this should not be your primary reinforcement strategy.
Make sure you have enough time set up for training. It’s a long-term process that may not show results immediately. Without proper repetition and consistency, training will not last.
- Use Additional Strategies to Supplement the Electric Dog Training Collars
When dogs learn to use shock collars, they become dependent on the shock collar for reinforcement and cease to respond to other forms of positive reinforcement.
If you want your dog to be happy, trained, and able to listen to all kinds of different commands, you should make sure you’re employing a variety of training techniques. From clickers to stimulation settings to treats, praise, and petting, there’s something for every type of dog.
The Bottom Line
How to train a dog with a shock collar? It is a valid inquiry for those who want to ensure they are doing everything right when training their dog.
If you follow the tips outlined in this article, you’ll be well on your way to creating a better relationship with your dog. You will have a dog with an increased sense of responsibility and confidence, who knows how to behave appropriately around people and other dogs!
Hopefully, you’ve found this guide on how to train a dog with a shock collar helpful and that it’s equipped with the knowledge and information you need to train your dog in behavior modification.
Let us know what else you would like to know about dog training, and we’ll try our best to address any questions or queries you may have.
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