16/11/2024
“When used correctly…”
I hear this phrase a lot when it comes to justifying prong collars, choke chains, and e-collars. These tools have been gaining popularity lately, partly due to the visibility they get on social media.
So I think it’s really important that people understand what these tools actually do and how they work, especially if they’re considering using them for their own dogs.
The key thing to keep in mind is that these tools work because they’re aversive. They cause pain or discomfort, which is why they’re effective. This isn’t just an opinion; it’s rooted in learning theory:
✅ Positive Punishment: An unpleasant consequence is added to decrease an unwanted behavior.
👉 Example: If a dog jumps up, a shock might be applied to make the behaviour less likely.
✅ Negative Reinforcement: An unpleasant stimulus is removed when the dog performs a desired behavior, increasing the likelihood of that behaviour.
👉 Example: The shock stops when a dog sits, reinforcing the sitting behavior.
In other words, for these tools to work, they have to be unpleasant enough that the dog wants to avoid or escape them. This is known as “avoidance and escape conditioning.”
I think it’s very important to be intellectually honest about this. I see a lot of misinformation being spread around, which can be dangerous, and it prevents dog owners to make an informed decision on how they want to train their dogs and why.
So why do people still use and recommend them?
Well, because they do work, but perhaps not everyone (sometimes even professionals) is fully aware of the downfalls that comes with their use.
⚠️ Some trainers may not fully understand how these tools work and might genuinely believe this is the best (or only) option to help a dog.
⚠️ Others might know exactly how these tools work but avoid being upfront about it because it’s easier to get fast, visible results with aversive methods. They might worry that if clients understood the true nature of these tools, they’d be hesitant to use them.
⚠️ Or, it might be that the client is aware of how they work, but they feel they have no other options. Perhaps they have worked with positive methods before without success. This can happen when training is not the best way to address a problem. For example, there is an underlying physical problem causing or contributing to the behaviour, and/or fear, anxiety, frustration need to be addressed first.
💭 An experienced trainer will be able to recognise when a dog’s behaviour might stem from underlying issues, such as pain, anxiety, or frustration. If they can’t address these directly, they should refer you to a vet behaviourist or clinical animal behaviourist for a thorough assessment — or collaborate with them to ensure your dog gets the support they need.
I’ve worked with cases where simple changes to a dog’s routine and environment significantly improved their quality of life and behaviour. I’ve also worked with dogs in pain, and while training helped manage certain situations safely, the real difference came from collaborating with vets and vet physiotherapists to address the pain first. (Thank you to all the clients who trusted me on this journey!)
I understand how tempting it can be to look at quick fixes online and want the same for your dog. Reactivity issues solved in one session? 🤔 Who wouldn’t want that?
But remember:
🚫 Quick fixes often rely on aversives.
🚫 They rarely address the underlying issues driving the behavior.
🚫 They can disrupt your relationship with your dog and lead to further problems.
The ‘fix’ might look simple and quick, but what about the long-term consequences?
I would also say that adding pain or discomfort to a dog who’s already struggling — whether that’s from fear, anxiety, frustration, or even physical pain — is, in my opinion, unethical and not the most compassionate approach.
If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, I get it. It can be tempting to turn to quick solutions. But I promise, there are better alternatives out there — methods that won’t compromise your bond with your dog or add stress and discomfort where it’s least needed.
You have a choice.
Even if social media makes it feel like everyone is using these tools, there are professionals who have been helping dogs successfully with kinder alternatives for decades.
Training doesn’t have to be about pain or fear. It can be about building trust, confidence, and a stronger bond with your dog.
You can choose compassion and still improve your life with your dog.
For more information on this topic, I’ve put together a list of references and helpful resources here:
Burch, M. and Bailey, J. (1999) How dogs learn. Wiley.
Hiby, E. F., Rooney, N. J., and Bradshaw, J. W. S. (2004) Dog training methods: Their use, effectiveness and interaction with behaviour and welfare. Animal Welfare, 13(1), pp. 63–69.
Mills, D.S., Demontigny-Bédard, I., Gruen, M., Klinck, M.P., McPeake, K.J., Barcelos, A.M., Hewison, L., Van Haevermaet, H., Denenberg, S., Hauser, H., et al. (2020) Pain and Problem Behavior in Cats and Dogs. Animals, 10(2), 318.
Reid, P. (1996) Excel-erated Learning. James & Kenneth.
Vieira de Castro, A.C., Fuchs, D., Morello, G.M., Pastur, S., de Sousa, L., et al. (2020) Does training method matter? Evidence for the negative impact of aversive-based methods on companion dog welfare. PLOS ONE, 15(12).
