Nope. It's your obligation to teach a dog to obey you. Especially if it is a large dog. Don't want Fido gnawing anyone's leg off! EDIT: Of course, abusing the animal by unnecessarily shocking it is never ok.

In my personal opinion i would have to say that the dog might become rather afraid of the collar and would go into a fearful state..I really don't think the collar would help much and i do think its cruel to the animal =/ If some people thought it was ok to use those types of collars on dogs i would be even more sickened to think of people using those types of training methods against their own children..

If the collar was put on a human [against their will] to "train" them to do the right thing, that would be abusive to the person. Why would it be different for a dog?

Cruel. I had two German Shepherds. They were both beautifully trained without the use of shock collars. They were extremely obedient, lovable animals.

Allow me to answer your question with another: Would you use a shock collar to train your child? This answer is the answer.

I used to sell these at the pet store. They're not nessarily cruel as the dog's coat blocks most of the shock. They only get a mild jolt like when you get a static shock. It's more of "Hey Now" then a "WHACK!". Unless of course the dog is a short hair. Then if you don't turn it down you'll hurt the dog. And it can kill a puppy or a very old dog with heart problems. Now if it's a long haired dog don't waste your money. He won't even feel it unles you turn it all the way up or shave off some of the hair. And an agressive dog will just get angry and start attacking stuff. And here's the scoop on an electric dog fence. All of it's the same as for the training collar. But you also have to worry about the wire getting broken or carroaded in the ground and not working anymore. And they are a pain to install and fix. Also a smart dog who really wants to get away will learn that if he runs out and doesn't stop the shock is minimal. These don't keep other dogs off your property. And an agresive or angry dog will pay it no mind if he feels threatened. It's better and cheaper just to buy a fence.

Personally, I think it's not only cruel, but abusive, inhumane and unnecessary. I think it would frighten the dog! I think shock collars, are more harmful than helpful and that there should be a law against using them. There are so many other, more effective ways to train a dog without being cruel. I own quite a few dogs and I could never find it in my heart, to put any of them through that type of torture.

My dog obeys better than most kids and I have never used anything except a harsh tone of voice when she didn't comply and words of encouragement and praise when she did. I like to think she does what she is told out of love and a desire to please rather than fear.

I think they are awful! How about you stick a shock collar around his neck and zap him everytime he does something he is not supposed to. Ok maybe not, but yes I believe they are cruel!

Reading the answers I am sure some of you are thinking the word "shock' means it is severe. It is NOT a severe shock it is a 'prickle'...enough to get the dog's attention onto you and away from the inappropriate behaviour. Before you judge, check on-line for videos of dogs in training using this humane training method. Key in electric+collar+dog+training It isn't a method which is popular...but mostly that is used to misconceptions about it. It is an attention-getter, not a punishment.

That gives me a great idea to try and train my mother in law to butt out of our marriage

I think that clicker training is more effective, and studies have shown that 90% of the time Positive Reinforcement works more effectively than Negative Punishment.

I've had exposure to them...with other trainers, with the occasional client who thinks they might be a quick fix in pushing the training faster and with one put on my arm, so I could experience the sensation first hand. I agree that conceptually the dog's coat is intended to dampen the shock, and you are not supposed to crank them up to high, unless there is insufficient response from the dog at lower levels. But as far as I'm concerned...there are NO QUICK FIXES in Training anyone, man or beast. A shock Collar is, at the very least an aversion training aid. At its worst, it's a negative or in the hands of an abuser...it is purely abusive. They do not TRAIN anything truly useful. They PUNISH for "wrong" behavior. They do NOT redirect the animal towards doing a correct, allowable or positive behavior. They do not support the animal making an acceptable choice for behavior. They simply SHOCK, tingle, annoy and frustrate most animals into temporarily not doing a specific action, such as running out of the yard (which I know of several dead or maimed dogs that would serve to testify that they DO NOT always prevent the dog from running through the electric zap line and into the path of a moving car, if the enticement is strong enough.) The concept of Training has evolved from forcing an animal into doing a desired behavior via fear or pain, into teaching the animal 1. what the behavior IS, 2. what the animal EARNS when it correctly does the behavior, and 3. inducing the animal to willingly JOIN UP with us humans so that it believes there is a clear benefit to WORKING successfully with us. (Positive Reinforcement +R) Experience and research has proved out that animals who learn by +R are MORE successful in the level of consistency in doing the trained/learned behaviors than those trained by the use of fear, anger, pain. While animals do not possess the mental reasoning agility and ability to rationalize abstract concepts, they live in the moment they are in, studies have shown that animals trained with +R DO tend to develop more impressive "thinking" abilities than animals not trained at all, or trained with less positive reinforcements. The Shock Collar, just like the Prong or Pinch Collar and also the Choke Collar are intended as no more than training aids, tools. While I personally would never bother with or find any true use for the Shock Collar, it is not the tool that is cruel...but the person using the tool that has the ability to use it wrongly or to mis use it completely. Even a flat collar, a Gentle Leader or a Halti can be used in such a manner as to cause NECK, SHOULDER AND BACK INJURY AND PAIN...triple it with a choke or a pinch collar. (and I do not mean that these would be used harshly with intent to harm...but used incorrectly, with accidental harm resulting from use.)

My Boxer (I have 3 dogs) was trained with an E-Collar. I think it's great. A little bit about the training and the collar first: I went to a professional trainer for this; wouldn't recommend that you start this kind of training out yourself. The e-collar is used as a "cue", not as a correction. If used as a correction you'd probably end up with a poorly trained dog - and that would be the best case scenario. The e-collar is used on the first few settings only. I've put it on my neck and tried it all the way up to five. One and two feel like taps, five made my muscles compulsively lock right above the collar. I wouldn't say it hurt, but I won't ever do that to my dog. An example of it in use: Practicing the heel, I'll walk with Princess and if she lags behind or pushes ahead, tap her with the e-collar. I stop, she stops, tell her 'sit' and tap the e-collar and she sits. Turn while walking, tap the collar at the same time. The idea is to use it as a marker or cue. Use it less as the dog learns more. We also use it to walk her off leash for free time: she can walk at about our pace but if she move too far away (about 20 feet), we tap her with the e-collar. She knows now that if the collar is put on her when we go outside that she's going to get to wander around off leash and the collar gets her pretty excited. She doesn't need cues as often as she first did, and when she doesn't need them for a few months I think we'll be done with it for the most part. I don't think that just anybody should start a dog out on it. I think if somebody was good with clicker training they'd be good with the e-collar. However, I'm going to have to say that most people will probably use it as a correction and turning it up pretty high, thus making it cruel in my book.

I tried it with my dog years ago. I tried it on myself first and decided the shock was not too much so I gave it a try. I followed the directions on how to train and things went pretty well. My dog learned quickly. She learned her boundries quickly. What did not work was when she would see a cat or squirrel on the other side of the fence. The shock was not enough to prevent her from chasing other critters. I stopped using the collar and eventually she matured and I could trust her in the yard. It was helpful (with limitations) and I do not think it was cruel. It is just a mild shock (and mine had a beep warning).

I think they are cruel. We don't use "shock Collars" to teach our children. So I don't feel they should be used to train dogs. I use the reward system to train my dog when he does what I want him to do he get a treat. No trick, no treat.

Yes.

Try it once on yourself, then tell us what you think.

As long as they're used in a humane manner, they can be a good training tool.

every puppy can be tought the right stuff without any punishment. You just need to know the right techniques and have a lot of rewards :P

If you are going to do that, you might as well kick it in the ribs and choke it.

I find them to be cruel. A little love and understanding goes much farther!!

hell no they are in no way helpfull all they do is hurt the dogs and make them hate you

Only if you want to train him to be aggressive. Dogs protect their "pack" or family and will do it out of love. Those collars are cruel and are only used for negative reinforcement. I believe in positive reinforcement--it fosters love and a healthy self-esteem. Reward GOOD behavior with lots of attention (and treats here and there). With this method he will want to please you (and makes for a more loving pet).

As a Certified Master Trainer of 20 years my answer is yes this can be an effective training tool.Only to be introduced by a professional with much experience in the field of remote training.I have put over 6000 dogs on remote over the years,and it has saved many from a shelter,or being hit by car. I use a collar that has an option for vibration only.When dogs [and humans] are trained properly,the dog only needs the "pager" feature.Beware-there are hundreds of collars on the market.More bad then good.This is not a do it yourself tool.If in the wrong hands this can cause more issues then you started with.In the right hands the training can be life saving and priceless.

I've known people to use them on both dogs and cats. Personally I think its unessesary. I've never had a dog that needed one. My grandparents may have needed one that vibrated slightly because the dog was deaf. :) My dog right now came from an abused household, she was just a puppy when We adopted her. They said she would hate kids and that if we wanted her to not attack that a shock collar would be best. Only thing shes ever attacked were a couple of dogs who attacked and killed our cat. Shes a good dog, never needed to disapline her to teach her obediance, even with children she doesnt get mad. But she does look at me with a 'why must you make me LET them touch me...filthy creatures' sorta look. :)

I think it is extremely cruel, I wonder if they taser their kids when they misbehave.

If I wouldn't put it on a child, I won't put it on an animal.

It depends on the type of the dog and his drives,on his level of professional experience when training with shock collars...this devices can be very helpul with training certain things and get rid of bad manners...its a good tool to use if you have to have your dog off leash..,but in the wrong hands and not neccesery use its will cause long term damage in a dog...

IN the hands of a skilled trainer, and on SOME breeds, it can be necessary in extreme cases. But there are other ways that work better and make for a permanent solution, and that work on all breeds of dog. Many longhair or thick coated breeds don't shock effectively or unevenly so there is the chance for it to not work or be too painful at times.

I have a very clever & attevtive lab. Generally he has very good manners, but occasionally he will scent something an forget that you, your voice or even the whistle even exist, (even though he normally obeys commands well) and will diappear. I do not think prolonged or repeated infliction of pain is a good thing, but used correctly it will gather the dogs attention again and remind him you do actually exist and he should be somewhere.... Potentially it could stop him from running accross a road with horrific consequences. Without it he would not ever be able to safely let off the lead. If treated as a memory jog and safety aid NOT AS A CURE FOR LACK OF TRAINING then it can allow your dog to run off lead, safely and thus enhace its life. With a "problem" dog like this I would not let him off lead without one for safety's sake.

I am a dealer and installer of hidden fence systems, altho i dont agree with the remote collars as the dogs are open to abuse i feel our systems are beneficial to the dogs. with a small amount of training the system gives your dog much more freedom an your peace of mind knowing they wont run off! The dog will receive a couple of mild shocks in the initial training but they are extremely clever animals and soon learn the boundary! I must point out the a dogs skin is 25% more resistant than a humans so the shock isnt harmful to the dog just uncomfortable. I have had the shock from a collar myself and its no more than us touching a farmers cattle fence! So in answer to your question i think the correct systems in the right hands can be helpful and beneficial to dog training! Take a look at www.dogfencenw.co.uk for more information.

(I'm a dog trainer in Atlanta, GA) These collars when used CORRECTLY are fine. The shock is small, and won't hurt the animal. The only way a dog gets hurt by an E-collar is when the owner uses it incorrectly, leaving it on all day is a risk, using it near water can be risky, using to much can also cause problems. Any experienced dog trainer should be able to show the owners how to use the collar. As for the comments many people make about "you'd never do that to a person" that's not true... it's called 'shock therapy' and can be very effective. Hope this answer helps -BRT

Without a doubt low level stimulation training is 100 times more humane and more effective than using a “CHOKE COLLAR or PRONG COLLAR.” In fact remote collar training eliminates the need for these other harsh training tools all together. And for those of you who have used food lures (Myself included) you know what happens when the dog if full – no more attention. If you use a toy as a lure (Myself included), you have to have perfect timing to pay that dog or you’ve lost the effectivness of that toy lure. The remote collar aka shock collar (I hate the term shock collar) has been given a very bad rap. It DOES NOT shock the dog at all. Perhaps 30 years ago it was a shock very much like the hand held devices cops use on unruly out of control suspects. But in todays products there is NO SHOCK involved – AT ALL. It is a muscle stimulation that causes a very irritating twitch. You can not harm your dog with the remote collar, you can startle him, but you can NOT HURT him. Now the Pinch Collar and the Choke Collar CAN HURT your dog. You cut off air to your dogs lungs forcing him to comply…and you think thats more humane than a muscle twitch? Pinch collars when used correctly can be effective but still the opportunity to harm your relationship with your dog is very possible. And if your dog is aggressive and you use a Pinch collar on him, you can have more than you bargained for if he turns his aggression to the handler. Back to todays Remote Collars. They are humane, they are not damaging, yes they can be used as a way to discipline your dog but that is not the intent. Okay Stop: I know you’re thinking it, it happens. Yes there are people who abuse these collars. Lets think on this, regular collars left on too long too tight can and do damage the dogs neck. Ever see a puppy where the owners have left the baby collar on until he’s near full grown? I have. The collar has to be literally cut out of the dogs skin where the muscle and tissue has grown around it and all the while the dog is constantly choking. Its disgusting. But alas, we still have regular collars becasue most people use them corectly. Or how about long tie out chains – they should be made banned because unschooled people leave their dogs on chains 24/7. Ever see a dog that has hanged itself jumping over or off something while chained? I have. Called out the police on a neighbor who’s dog hanged itself. He never meant it to happen, but alas it did. And we still have dogs chained up everywhere in all weather. Want to see inhumane – check out what happens to dogs that are left forgotten on chains, now thats inhumane. http://www.unchainyourdog.org/FactsPhotos.htm Okay lets continue: The intent is to have a method of training that removes the emotion and frustration that we humans have when handling our dogs. We want our dogs to listen to us, we talk and talk… what does your dog hear? Blah Blah Blah (instert dogs name here) Blah Blah. If dogs understood and spoke English we wouldn’t need any training tools at all. We’d just talk them through it all. What we need is a way to keep our dogs attention and then we can teach them anything - keeping the dogs attention is exactly what a properly used Remote Collar can do.

Like the invisible fence collar? My aunts has that for her dog. She has a very very large yard. It works great for her (the dog). She gets to roam free around the yard. She does not seem to mind the color, when its put on her she is excited and runs outside. But she also does not need to wear it all the time, she stays within the boundaries of the invisible fence without the collar being on. My aunt just puts it on every once and a while because she does get very distracted when people walk by especially if they are walking their own dogs. SO all in all I thing they are not cruel. There is hardly any pain involved. The dog does not have to be tied up when outside and her dog is always happy when I see her, unlike abused animals which I have seen.

I can only assume they aren't designed to hurt dogs, and that they deliver a shock only powerful enough to deter the animal from what it is doing wrong.

my aunt has a vibrating collar for her deaf dog. It works well when she is called and stuff like that. I have tried the vibrating ones on my dogs and my slef lol as well. They do not hurt at all, but they scared my dogs too much so we took em off pretty quickly