Episode #229 The Shocking Truth about Shock Collars & Invisible Fences

In this eye-opening episode, we’re tackling one of the most controversial topics in dog training: shock collars and invisible fences. Are these tools truly effective—or are they causing more harm than good?

Join us as we uncover:
 ⚠️ The rise of electronic collars and containment systems
 🌍 Global bans and why many countries are saying no
 🧠 The physical and psychological risks to your dog
 🏡 Why physical fences are a safer solution
 🐾 The power of positive reinforcement training

Whether you’re considering training tools or simply want to understand the science and ethics behind them, this episode will empower you to make informed, compassionate choices for your pup.

Listen in and reflect—because a well-trained dog starts with trust, not fear.

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to E-Collar Controversy

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

A question we get asked quite often is about the use of e-collars, meaning shot collars. This could be a controversial subject. Today, I want to give you my thoughts on them. Welcome to the Puppy Training Podcast. I'm Amy Jensen, founder of Baxter Bella, the online puppy school. Here we are all about helping you create the best possible experience raising a puppy, from training tips to practical tricks, all aimed at fostering a happy, well-behaved dog who truly feels like part of the family. So if you are ready to enjoy the journey and strengthen the bond with your dog, let's get started. Hello you guys, today we are talking about something that is somewhat controversial in the dog world. There's lots of different ideas out there and I respect everyone's different viewpoints. Today I want to share with you my viewpoint and where it comes from.

Speaker 1: 0:59

So today we're diving into this topic that sparked much debate in the canine community the use of shock collars and invisible fences. Are they effective training tools or do they pose unnecessary risks to our dogs? Let's explore the facts. So, first of all, the rise of shock collars and invisible fences has been pretty great over the last several years. Shock collars and invisible fences have gained popularity because they're more of like a quick fix right. It's that quick, easy button for behavioral issues and containment. Now these devices deliver an electric stimulus to deter our dogs from doing unwanted behaviors or prevent dogs from crossing boundaries. There are lots of different types on the market. If you have an invisible fence, it means that your dog wears a collar and there's a boundary set up around your yard and when they cross that boundary then they receive an electrical stimulation to try to deter them from wanting to leave that area. If you have an e-collar on them so maybe you're walking at a park and you don't have them on leash but you have an e-collar on them then you're carrying a little remote that you're able again to administer that electrical stimulation at any given point to try to deter your dog from doing an unwanted behavior. If we look at a global perspective, many countries have recognized that there is potential harm in these devices. In England, as of February 2024, the use of remote electric shock collars on dogs is banned. The European Union came out and said that several member states have prohibited electronic training collars due to welfare concerns. So these bans reflect a growing consensus on the importance of humane training methods, which reflects our training philosophy here at Baxter and Bella, where we used rewards, praise, things that our dog wants, to motivate them to want to do good behavior, and if there's a behavior that's unwanted, that we don't like that our dog is doing, we teach them what to do instead.

Speaker 1: 2:48

Research indicates that shock collars can lead to increased anxiety and stress. Some dogs may develop fear responses leading to behavioral issues. As a trainer, this is my main concern when it comes to using this type of equipment. I work with a lot of doodle breeds, and doodles are a more highly sensitive group of dogs. I would say what I hear a lot of is a person might try a collar that delivers an electrical stimulus to their dog when they're doing something that they don't want them to do, and patterns evolve. So, for example, a dog has a collar on and it's a boundary collar, so an invisible fence, and a little boy rides by on a bike and the dog gets shocked. And then the next day the dog gets shocked, and then the next day the same thing happens, and the next day the same thing happens, and so, over time, this dog is learning a pattern of oh, when I see a little boy on a bike, I'm going to get this electrical stimulation that I don't like and they start to associate the little boy on the bike with the negativity. Dogs learn through patterns and that's an unfortunate pattern that we really don't want to develop. So just be aware of the risks involved and what kind of unintentional patterns might then crop up. Yes, sure, we're keeping our dog in a boundary, so that might be a win in your book. But then, oh, now our dog has problems with little boys on bikes. That's a big behavioral issue that we then have to dissect and try to reverse, which can be pretty difficult and time-consuming.

Speaker 1: 4:08

These kinds of tools can also cause physical injury to our dogs. A collar may malfunction, which can cause burns or sores on our dog's neck. And the third one is aggression. I kind of mentioned this in my first example, but the use of aversive stimuli can result in increased aggression in some dogs. So we just want to be aware of what kinds of patterns could develop when our dogs are wearing these things. And if that our dog does see a little boy riding a bike and they tend to cross the boundary because they're excited and they want to go see that little boy and then they get that stimulation that can become negative and we don't want to then have to work on helping our dog like kids again. Right, that can be a big thing to me. The risk of causing fear, anxiety or even aggressive behavior in my dog and the potential physical harm to my dog is just not worth it or necessary. So what do we recommend?

Speaker 1: 4:53

If you do need a fence for your dog, a physical fence. Physical fences offer a safer alternative for containing your dog. Number one they're reliable. Unlike invisible fences, physical barriers prevent our dogs from leaving the yard and protect them from external threats. I've heard of many cases where a dog wearing an invisible fence collar just breaks the boundary because, hey, it was worth it for this one time. I'd rather just take that shock and go chase that deer, because that looks like way more fun. So again, physical fences just protect our dogs. We don't have to worry about them. Okay, do I feel like I want to just run through this? Is it worth it? To me today, a physical fence can take that worry out of the equation. I'm a big fan of peace of mind. I can rest assured knowing my dogs are safe within a secure boundary. So for me, I go with a physical fence.

Speaker 1: 5:40

Training methods that focus on positive reinforcement have proven effective and humane. They build trust. Trust is a big thing with me and my dogs. Reward-based training strengthens the bond between me and my dog and they are excited to work with me. There is nothing better than seeing that your dog is excited and happy to do a training session. Also, positive reinforcement encourages desired behaviors. Again, we focus on what do I want my dog to do, and then I show them how to do that and then I can pay them and reward them for the good behavior. That motivates my dog to want to repeat the good behavior without the use of fear or pain. And long-term success is a product of positive reinforcement. These methods lead to lasting behavioral changes and a happier, more confident dog, which is really what I want Now.

Speaker 1: 6:25

While shock collars and invisible fences might offer immediate results, it seems like that great quick fix or an easy button for dog training. The potential physical and psychological harm to your dog is significant. Embracing positive reinforcement and investing in physical barriers not only ensures your dog's safety, but also fosters that trusting and loving relationship that we are looking for. Thanks for tuning in today. You guys Remember the path to a well-behaved dog is paved with patience, understanding and compassion. Your dogs will be happy and they will thank you for that. I hope you guys have a great week. Happy training. Thanks for tuning in to the puppy training podcast. I hope today's tips help you feel more confident and excited about raising your dog. Remember, with a little patience and consistency you can create a loving bond and a well-behaved pup who's a joy to have in your family. If you found this episode helpful, be sure to subscribe, leave a review and share it with fellow puppy parents. For more resources, visit Baxter and Bella online. Until next time, happy training.