Why We Never Use E-Collars

There are a few types of collars that should never be used on dogs, and at the very top of that list is the shock or electric collar. Many dog parents don’t realize the physical and behavioral harm these devices can cause.

Unfortunately, this lack of awareness means dogs continue to experience pain and fear in the name of training.

Electric collars work by delivering a shock or vibration when a dog performs an unwanted behavior. While this may stop the behavior temporarily, it does so through pain and intimidation rather than understanding and trust. Over time, this approach can lead to serious consequences. Dogs trained with e-collars are more likely to develop stress behaviors, mistrust, fear, and even aggression. The anxiety caused by these devices can create new behavioral issues that didn’t exist before.

What Are Shock Collars?

Shock collars—also known as electric collars or e-collars—are devices designed to deliver an electric shock to a dog’s neck through metal prongs that stay in constant contact with the skin. The handler controls the intensity and timing of the shock using a remote transmitter. These collars are intended to punish or “correct” unwanted behaviors by causing discomfort or pain.

The goal of using shock in training is to make a dog stop a behavior or avoid something unpleasant. However, stopping a behavior in the moment does not mean the dog has learned or improved. Instead, the dog learns to fear the consequence rather than understand what behavior is desired. This approach suppresses behavior rather than teaching, often leading to what’s known as “learned helplessness,” where the dog gives up trying altogether. True learning requires trust, communication, and the ability to make choices—none of which are fostered through pain-based methods.

Shock collars do not teach dogs what to do; they simply rely on discomfort to control behavior. While they may temporarily stop pulling or barking, they fail to address the root cause of the issue, meaning the problem often resurfaces later.

The Behavioral Risks of Shock Collars

Training through pain and intimidation can worsen behavioral problems rather than solve them. Dogs subjected to shock-based training are more likely to develop fear, anxiety, mistrust, and aggression. Although a shock collar might stop a behavior in the moment, the stress and confusion it causes can lead to new and more serious issues over time.

Shock collars also create the risk of unintended associations. A dog may not understand which behavior caused the shock and could instead associate the pain with something else in the environment—such as another dog, a person, or a sound. This can result in fear or reactivity toward those unrelated triggers. These side effects can be long-lasting and deeply damaging to a dog’s emotional well-being.

Supporters of e-collars often claim they are effective, but compliance achieved through fear is not true obedience. A dog that behaves out of fear is not learning; it is simply avoiding pain.

The Physical Dangers of Shock Collars

Beyond the emotional harm, shock collars can cause physical injury. The metal prongs that rest against the dog’s neck can create pressure sores, even when the collar is not actively delivering shocks. Prolonged use or high-intensity settings can lead to burns and tissue damage, causing ongoing pain and discomfort.

A Better Way to Train

Shock collars represent a quick-fix mentality that prioritizes control over communication. In contrast, positive reinforcement training focuses on rewarding desired behaviors, building trust, and addressing the root causes of unwanted actions. Humane, force-free training methods not only produce lasting results but also strengthen the bond between dogs and their families.

Choosing compassion over correction ensures that dogs learn in a safe, supportive environment—one built on understanding, not fear.

At Fairview Boarding, our training is built on positive reinforcement, patience, and communication. Dogs learn best when they feel safe, respected, and understood. Building trust creates lasting results and strengthens the bond between dogs and their families—something no electric collar can ever achieve.

Scientific studies about the effects of shock collars

• Blackwell, Emily J., Caroline Twells, Anne Seawright, and Rachel A. Casey. 2008. “The Relationship between Training Methods and the Occurrence of Behavior Problems, as Reported by Owners, in a Population of Domestic Dogs.” Journal of Veterinary Behavior 3 (5): 207–17.

• Herron, M. E., F. S. Shofer, and I. R. Reisner. 2009. “Survey of the Use and Outcome of Confrontational and Non-Confrontational Training Methods in Client-Owned Dogs Showing Undesired Behaviors.” Applied Animal Behaviour Science 117 (1/2): 47–54.

• Casey, Rachel A., Bethany Loftus, Christine Bolster, Gemma J. Richards, and Emily J. Blackwell. 2014. “Human Directed Aggression in Domestic Dogs (Canis Familiaris): Occurrence in Different Contexts and Risk Factors.” Applied Animal Behaviour Science 152 (March): 52–63.

• Overall, Karen L. 2007. “Considerations for Shock and ‘Training’ Collars: Concerns from and for the Working Dog Community.” Journal of Veterinary Behavior 2 (4): 103–7.

• Schilder, Matthijs B. H., and Joanne A. M. van der Borg. 2004. “Training Dogs with Help of the Shock Collar: Short and Long Term Behavioural Effects.” Applied Animal Behaviour Science 85 (3–4): 319–34.

• Polsky, Richard. 2000. “Can Aggression in Dogs Be Elicited Through the Use of Electronic Pet Containment Systems?” Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 3 (4): 345–57.

• Blackwell, E., and R. Casey. 2009. “The Use of Shock Collars and Their Impact on the Welfare of Dogs : A Review of the Current Literature.”