Dog owners use a shock collar as a training tool and to control their barking. It is also used with pet containment systems. The device uses an electric current that goes through metal contact points to signal the dog. The dog will feel a mild tickling sensation, sometimes painful shock as a signal. Improper use of the tool could lead to fearful or aggressive behavior.
When used to contain the dog in a fenced area, it is triggered when your pet approaches the covered property’s end. Usually, the pet will hear a tone as a warning that the dog is about to get shocked.
Note: The shock collar can irritate your dog’s neck. To avoid this, do not leave the collar longer on your pet’s neck. Clean the neck and collar’s contact points regularly
Before using the shock collar, it is best to read this how-to introduce a shock collar to a dog guide so you can safely use the device.
Steps on Introducing a Shock Collar to a Dog
The ability of your dog to respond to the training collar will depend on how you introduce it. Below are steps on how to properly introduce a shock collar to a dog.
Step # 1 Wear the Shock Collar
You don’t just trigger the shock collar without setting the right level of stimulation. Doing this is quite dangerous, as it may harm your dog. In assessing the stimulation level, you have to place the collar on your dog’s neck with the receiver placed firmly below the dog’s lower jaw. It should be fitted well to make positive contact, but it should not be so tight that it will provide discomfort to your dog’s movements.
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Step #2 Determine the Right Level of Stimulation
Bring the dog to an enclosed area with a leash on and allow it to wander. If your dog becomes comfortable with the location and focuses on something, start introducing the stimulation. Begin with the lowest level of stimulation. If your dog did not react to it, increase the level. Increase the level until your dog responds to it.
Be observant. A slight turning of your dog’s head or showing some irritation on its collar could be his way of reacting to the stimulation. But when the dog response is barking, crying out, or whimpering, lower the level it could be too high for your pet that he reacted that way.
Step #3 Start the Training
Now that you determine the level of stimulation your dog will respond, you can start with the training. Teach your dog to come to you when the shock collar is triggered. This is the first command your pet should learn. It does not matter what breed or age of dog you are training.
Let your dog wander in a confined area and with a 30 ft leash. Once your pet is distracted, activate the collar using the same stimulation level you used when introducing the device for the first time.
Step # 4 Rewarding the Dog
Every time your pet responded well during the training, do not forget to give a reward. If you think the dog is now aware of what the stimulation means, you can try using it outside the confined area without the leash. It may take several days of training before the dog can understand the stimulation process. You need to be patient.
Step #5 Transfer to Another Training Location
As soon as the dog responded positively, you can change your location. Maybe in another backyard, something bigger than your backyard. Dogs react differently if they are in unfamiliar places. Do the stimulation process again until your pet responds to the recall command.
Change your site every day to make sure your pet understands the command. Do not forget to reward your dog every time he responded well. If you think he fully understands the first command, you can now teach him other commands like sit, heel, and down.
Mistakes Dog Owners Usually Commits
One of the common mistakes dog owners commit when training the dog is assuming that the dog understands the command right away. So, they allow it to go outside with the collar on, and when the dog did not respond, they hit the highest level of stimulation. As a result, the dog runs away instead of coming back to its owner.
Keep in mind that too much stimulation can be dangerous to a dog. Some dogs treat it as a punishment and would react to it aggressively to protect themselves.
Conclusion
As a responsible dog owner, you need to be patient in training your dog. Punishing it when it failed to respond correctly is not a good thing to do. Just be patient, and eventually, your pet will understand the command using the shock collar. Introduce the device safely and using the right method. If you think this post is helpful or want to share some thoughts about it, you can comment below.
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Saundra J. Graves is a housewife. I love to keep my cats happy always. Also, I want to make sure another person takes caring their cats and kittens. Stay with my personal blog to know caring tips and reviews of cat & dog food, other products also.