Confident Canines LLC

04/25/2025

Excellent article by a PhD Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) from the Animal Behavior Society.

https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/training/why-e-collar-dog-training-is-not-recommended/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJ39HxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHqhGv5ZRnbEduRQOHkgrAOdWL2z_u_sDvbCMvb2e0tTjGk-NT4IFhH_SgQQ5_aem_XdIE08IZRow-vynrR2W8Dg

E-collar dog training isn't a good training option. Aversive training measures cause stress and pain rather than building a bond with your dog.

04/24/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1AM64gWgiN/

04/22/2025

I never photograph or film behavior clients due to privacy concerns, but a client shared this photo from today ❤️. It is a special moment when you know you have been accepted 🥰. Sweet and special boy!!

04/21/2025

The name keeps changing (shock collar, e-collar, TENS collar, remote collar, etc) to try to re-brand a device that causes harm to the individual wearing it. Thankfully, more and more countries are banning these devices.

ARE SHOCK COLLARS (E-COLLARS) COMPARABLE TO TENS UNITS?

The use of electronic collars (e-collars) in dog training and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) units for medical purposes may appear superficially similar due to their use of electrical stimulation. However, they are fundamentally different in purpose, design, electrical parameters, and physiological impact. Following is a comparison supported by scientific references.

1. Purpose and Design Differences

TENS units are designed for pain relief and muscle stimulation in humans. They work by stimulating sensory nerves to block pain signals or increase endorphin production.

E-collars are designed for behavior modification in dogs, typically using aversive stimuli to suppress or redirect undesired behaviors. Although some trainers use them at low levels for attention-getting or communication, their primary mechanism remains aversive.

References:

Johnson, M. I., & Paley, C. A. (2021). "How does transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) work? A narrative review." Pain, 162(3), e41–e56.

China, L., Mills, D. S., & Cooper, J. J. (2020). "Immediate and long-term effects of an electronic training collar (e-collar) on the behavior of dogs in a controlled training environment." Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 7, 508.

2. Electrical Parameters (Intensity, Frequency, Duration)

TENS units typically operate at low voltage (10–50 V) and low-frequency (1–200 Hz), with adjustable pulse duration. They are designed to avoid discomfort and provide therapeutic effects.

E-collars can deliver much higher voltages (up to 1500 V or more) in very short pulses. High-end models allow for fine control, but cheaper or older models often lack precision. Even low-level stimulation is designed to be uncomfortable enough to alter behavior.

References:

Johnson, M. I., & Paley, C. A. (2021). "How does transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) work? A narrative review." Pain, 162(3), e41–e56.

Vieira de Castro, A. C., Barrett, J., de Sousa, L., & Mills, D. S. (2020). "Electronic training devices: Can they be used for training and is there evidence for welfare concerns?" Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 37, 25–34.

3. Nerve Fiber Activation

TENS units selectively stimulate Aβ fibers, which are large-diameter, myelinated fibers responsible for non-painful sensations like touch and pressure. These fibers play a key role in inhibiting pain signals by outcompeting nociceptive signals in the spinal cord (Gate Control Theory).

High-frequency (50–100 Hz), low-intensity TENS selectively activates Aβ fibers, producing a comfortable paresthesia without activating pain pathways.

Low-frequency (1–5 Hz), high-intensity TENS may recruit Aδ fibers, leading to endogenous opioid release and modulation of pain at spinal and supraspinal levels.

E-collars, depending on the intensity used, can activate Aδ fibers (small-diameter, thinly myelinated) and C fibers (unmyelinated). These fibers are responsible for transmitting sharp and dull pain, respectively, and their activation is associated with pain, stress, and emotional distress.

E-collars, even at low settings, have been shown to produce stress-related behaviors in dogs, such as lip licking, yawning, avoidance, and vocalization. These can indicate discomfort, confusion, or anxiety. Cortisol level increases and long-term emotional effects have also been documented.

References:

Johnson, M. I., & Paley, C. A. (2021). How does transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) work? A narrative review. Pain, 162(3), e41–e56.

China L, Mills DS and Cooper JJ (2020) Efficacy of Dog Training With and Without Remote Electronic Collars vs. a Focus on Positive Reinforcement. Front. Vet. Sci. 7:508.

4. Ethical Considerations and Regulations

TENS units are regulated medical devices, approved for use in pain management. Their effects are well-studied and generally positive.

Shock collars/e-collars are increasingly banned or restricted in many countries (e.g., Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Wales, and parts of Australia) due to welfare concerns. Many veterinary and animal training and behavior organizations discourage or oppose their use.

References:

AVSAB (2021). "Position statement on humane dog training." https://avsab.org/resources/position-statements/

Masson, S., de la Vega, S., Gazzano, A., Mariti, C., Pereira, G. D. G., Halsberghe, C., Muser Leyvraz, A., McPeake, K., & Schoening, B. (2018). Electronic training devices: Discussion on the pros and cons of their use in dogs as a basis for the position statement of the European Society of Veterinary Clinical Ethology. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 25, 71-75.

While both TENS units and e-collars use electrical stimulation, their design intentions, regulatory oversight, physiological impact, and ethical implications differ dramatically. The use of e-collars — even at low levels — can result in significant stress and welfare concerns in dogs and is not comparable in safety or purpose to the therapeutic use of TENS in humans.

Key Differences in Nerve Stimulation

TENS Unit

Nerve Types: Affects mainly Aβ fibers
Goal: Pain relief, sensory modulation
Perception: Tingling, mild pulsing (non-painful)
Output: Low-voltage, high-frequency (~1–200 Hz)
Control: User


Shock Collar

Nerve types: Pain (Aδ and C fibers), some motor
Goal: Behavioral deterrence through aversion
Perception: Pain, discomfort, or startle reaction
Output: High-voltage, short pulse, variable frequency
Control: Trainer

Summary

Both TENS units and shock collars stimulate nerves — but TENS targets non-painful sensory nerves for therapeutic reasons, while shock collars target pain pathways to create aversive stimuli to control behavior. The effects on the nervous system are not equivalent, and they are not interchangeable in terms of safety, function, or outcome.

Cindy Ludwig, M.A., B.S., R.N., KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA
Owner, Canine Connection LLC
Voted Best Springfield, Missouri Dog Trainer

04/20/2025

Even being a few pounds overweight is a serious detriment to any agility dog. Be responsible and kind by keeping them at a trim weight. If you are unsure of the appropriate weight I would advise asking your veterinarian, making sure to specify that your dog is currently an active agility dog.

Over the years, I’ve written a couple of Training Thoughts about the importance of not over-training, team development & handling, and pain & proprioception, but one topic I haven& #82…

04/18/2025

👏👏👏. I would LOVE to see more legal accountability for people whose dogs cause serious mauling level of harm to people, livestock, or other pets. Rarely are criminal charges ever filed. Maybe some actual accountability would change people's behavior to be responsible and preventative, and maybe also the dogs people choose as pets. There is a huge difference between dogs who bite someone with some level of inhibition to achieve space (commonly from fear) and dogs who maul someone in a sustained attack with the intent to seriously maim and kill.

https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/crime/2025/04/02/mother-and-son-sentenced-to-prison-time-in-ohio-fatal-dog-attack-case/82674953007/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJvsQtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHgpG624d5uQTxyMF3x2PvptXQQHv11_X5eSEu0qt5arg51nRtYnP0sP1Inwa_aem_7MDPR6hwsJuc--D98z16LQ

A Pickaway County judge sentenced a mother and son to 14- to 19.5-years in prison for the fatal dog attack on their neighbor.

04/18/2025

04/18/2025

Would a diabetic stop taking insulin because their blood sugar numbers are in the target range while on insulin? I have never understood pet parents wanting to stop medications as soon as well-being and behavior are drastically improving with the medications and behavior/emotional modification combination, when there are typically no side effects being experienced by the dog. For some dogs, there likely will not be sufficient emotional and behavioral change without medications due to neurobiological factors.

04/18/2025

Yes, dogs definitely pick known words out of sentences...but probably everyone on here already knew this! Now there is a study to document this that paves the way to better understanding dogs' cognitive functioning with regard to speech..

https://phys.org/news/2025-04-ears-reveals-dogs-remarkable-ability.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawJuzDlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHoXX7oVfamLTlSwdk3EK2OJdlOuKZj3tqpUat4PSUCDpWfhEpDfMRO0RbmeP_aem_DeLKnrKeNxsQ7-fXVMqXxg

A new study conducted by animal behavior and mammalian cognition experts at the Universities of Lincoln and Sussex, and Jean Monnet University, reveals that dogs may be far better at understanding human speech than previously understood.

04/15/2025

One good piece of news!!

https://stevedalepetworld.com/blog/fda-announcement-animal-testing-to-be-phased-out/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJrxpJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHn_V0FSWlhNXwTro8gQS_OkU_kFUSx7M3Jh8tpzZRGa_ZY5ZvTR8ejpbCKcL_aem_zSsKxJMZ8BoYMVawB1d44g

Laboratory animals used to test drugs and food is going by the wayside, a long overdo but welcomed announcement from the FDA

04/14/2025

Thank you to all who attended the Agility Directionals Workshop!!! The dogs were quickly generalizing the verbal directionals to jumps and tunnels. Way to go!!!

04/13/2025

My thoughts as a certified dog behavior consultant...

Unlike rescues, public animal shelters must take in all animals. They cannot pick and choose based on age, desirable breed or temperament. They also have a mandated duty to the public to only adopt out animals that are safe for the community. Our local shelter is under-funded and does not have a dedicated, credentialed behavior staff like most large cities. I have not worked with this dog or the Animal Foundation on this case. However, part of the way in which we evaluate whether a dog is safe for the community is on their past behavior, which includes the severity of bites. A deep, uninhibited bite that takes off a grown man's finger is one of very serious concern. What if this were a child?

People often have great intentions when trying to advocate for dogs to have another chance. Unfortunately, humans are not perfect. Someone may try to approach and pet the dog on a walk, or the dog may slip out the front door or side gate. A pet parent may think they are ready for a situation and they may not be. They may misread body language. The chances of successful, lasting behavior modification become less likely as the bite severity increases (following Dr. Ian Dunbar, DVM's dog bite scale). It is not always impossible, this depends on the factors triggering the bites to happen. Dogs nearly always give warning signs and may even get into scuffle s, but part of a healthy stable dog is navigating situations without aggression and if aggression is necessary, then using inhibition in bites -- which means not causing serious harm. Mental illness in animals is also a reality that cannot always successfully be treated to where they are safe to live in our communities. This can be a difficult process with a dog who belongs to a dedicated family. It is less likely to be successful with a dog who is not part of a family. Even with a family, how can they be absolutely certain this dog will never come into contact with a stranger, another dog, or a child unmuzzled until long-lasting behavioral change has taken place (if it is even possible)? Dogs should be set up for success in situations where they are placed. One thing I absolutely know is that there are a LOT of adoptable dogs out there. More dogs than there are available homes.

Please do not attack our shelter staff who have to make very difficult decisions to protect our communities. We can be sad for this dog, the man, the foster mom, and also for the situation as a whole. However, placing blame and attacking the shelter or the foster mom -- these are the wrong target. We need to be supporting our shelters for keeping the communities safe, and advocating for additional behavioral resources at these shelters. We also need to support ethical, responsible breeders who breed for stable temperaments in pets, as there are often strong genetic factors at work in cases of severe aggression and mental illness in pets.

Send a message to learn more

04/13/2025

Their world is already so small and limited...why make it even smaller? In my house, the furniture is open for everyone's enjoyment. They are living beings, not a house ornament or play thing.

04/11/2025

Our sweet Gilgamesh was relaxing in the grass after playing "fetch". We strive to provide activities for him in moderation, whether it be agility training, fetch, agility trialing, obedience type training sessions, scent work, public access time, or other things. With fetch, we mix in a few trained skills before each ball throw, and also limit him to 3-4 throws before we take a break for a little bit to moderate arousal. He now understands the predictability that there will only be 3-4 throws in a row, so he is ready to take the break and sniff and explore the yard. Then, we can re-engage and play some more after he does this for a bit. Squeaky tennis balls are so valuable to him that while I use them occasionally as an agility reward to build distance and drive ahead of me they can easily send him into over-arousal if overused, which I do not want. Every dog is different with this so it is important to evaluate them as an individual. Some dogs are prone to becoming overly fixated on balls if it is played too often and too repetitively. Some dogs become so over-stimulated that they show no signs of exhaustion or injury, and can potentially injure themselves from over-doing it. Other dogs have none of these issues and will readily take a break when tired or wishing to move on to another activity. Take note of the dog in front of you and don't be afraid to make adjustments to your routine for a healthy, happy dog.

04/11/2025

The power of a pain management trial!! ..and a few changes in the home, and some simple emotional/behavior modification exercises to create a major change in a pet's well-being and behavior! It has not been long enough for anxiety medications to begin taking effect yet. Undiagnosed or under-treated pain is a very common cause of serious aggression and anxiety.

04/09/2025

Not One More Vet.
Tonight, my usual weekly agility class of all veterinarians was a ghost town. Only one person showed up in light of the recent events in the news.

This may be an unpopular opinion but I will say it loud and clear:

Whether a vet is a bad vet or an abusive vet, online bullying on social media has no place in the pet community. Most of us have seen the horrific video of a local veterinarian kicking and choking a poor mustang. This is absolutely horrific behavior that should be condemned, and for which we have proper legal authorities and licensing boards to ensure people who abuse their power never practice vet medicine again. Unfortunately, people take these situations as a license to create online mobs and bully people to the point of desperation, sometimes with people issuing death threats. It becomes where they do not treat veterinarians as fellow human beings.

Veterinarian su***de is a very real and serious plague on the industry with people being bullied on social media over fees charge, pets who did not make it out of surgery, and vet visits gone awry. When it comes to pets, there are a lot of big emotions involved that can cloud people's usual judgment of right vs wrong. The rate of veterinarian su***de is exponentially high compared to other professions. Are some of these people bad vets? Maybe or maybe not. If so, there are licensing boards and proper reporting avenues for these issues. Unfortunately, bullying veterinarians on social media sends all veterinarians a message -- whether they are good, great, or bad vets -- that they are just one bad vet visit away (or one angry pet parent away) from having their personal and professional reputations ruined. Vets are being driven to the point of su***de EVERY DAY.

One of the basic foundations of pet ownership is possessing empathy for the animals in our care which starts with trying to understand the world they experience. For a minute, let's put ourselves in a veterinarian's shoes.

Please consider reaching out to your veterinarian and vet team to let them know they are valued.
BULLYING HAS NO PLACE in the pet and training communities.

THE END.

04/05/2025

Here is the little cat who wandered into our agility class on Tuesday night and refused to leave. Someone likely dumped her since she had no microchip and she was highly domesticated and affectionate. She stayed with us for a few days until a rescue spot opened up. Share her post! Hopefully she will have a forever home soon 🤞