At Bark & Beyond, we prefer to use the Mini Educator by E-Collar Technologies, but there are other brands we are familiar with and highly recommend!

What is an E-Collar?

There are a lot of myths and assumptions regarding E-Collars, including the belief that an E-Collar is designed to “shock” or “electrocute”, giving them the nickname “shock collars”. Modern E-Collars use TENS Technology (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) to deliver a mild pulse that stimulates muscle contraction- in the same way your Chiropractor or Physical Therapist use in their treatment. E-Collars are designed to safely & humanely deliver this stimulation to dogs as small as 5 lbs. There are typically 3 distraction modes with E-Collars: Vibration, Sound, & Static.

How do E-Collars work?

The stimulation from the E-Collar interrupts a dog’s thought process, which can make it a very effective tool for high drive dogs and dogs learning impulse control. It produces an unpleasant (but not painful) sensation designed to grab your dog’s focus, like a tap on the shoulder. E-Collars are a multifunctional training tool that can be used to teach commands, deter undesirable behavior, reinforce good behavior, and to keep dogs focused in stressful or highly stimulating situations. Think of them like an extension of a leash. When your dog feels the resistance tug of their collar at the end of their leash, they understand that they have reached the limit of where they can go. The stimulation of the E-Collar provides that same resistance sensation as a firm tug on a leash, without the risk of damage to their larynx or neck. High quality brands of E-Collars have stimulation settings that range from 1-100 making it easy to fine-tune a safe and effective sensation for your dogs’ needs.

Benefits of Proper E-Collar Training

It’s important to remember that E-Collars are used in all different styles of training, from Sport Training to Behavior Modification. This means that there can be different processes when it comes to training your dog with an E-Collar, depending on what they are being trained for and the environment they are being trained in. Most importantly, E-Collars are paramount in establishing & maintaining consistent communication with your dog, especially in off-leash environments. 

In most training, the stimulation reinforces commands the dog already knows. With proper conditioning, your dog learns to associate the unpleasant sensation with their own behavior. The E-Collar can be used to deter undesirable (and oftentimes dangerous or hazardous) behaviors like digging, counter surfing, jumping, and running into a busy street. They are proven beneficial in helping dogs with reactivity, aggression and hyperfixation issues, too. For countless dogs, the E-Collar is literally a life-saving tool preventing behavior-related euthanasia or from being hit by a car. 

E-Collar Training Compliments a Dogs’ Natural Learning Style

Dogs have a limited sense of time, and navigate life with a focus on the here & now. They rely on instinct and sensory projections to navigate their surroundings. Training techniques that align with this natural inclination to live in the moment are more likely to be successful. Additionally, a dog’s present moment mind-set contributes to their forgiving nature when it comes to training. They are quick to move beyond negative experiences, and generally don’t hold grudges or become discouraged by past failures like humans do. They are animals at the end of the day, and require responsible and diverse training methods that correlate with their most basic instincts. 

An E-Collar gives the trainer or owner the benefit of applying the stimulation at the exact moment the dog needs it in time-sensitive situations. With the right amount of reward and positivity used in conjunction with E-Collar training, you will maximize the effectiveness of communication with your dog!

DID YOU KNOW?

E-Collars are widely considered an essential tool for hunting dogs. The extreme conditions hunting dogs work in requires them to have reliable & constant communication between them and their handler

FACTS

E-Collars do not leave lasting physical discomfort

They work when other training has failed

Brand matters!

Chefs don't use dull knives & mechanics don't use cheap tools.

The brand of your E-Collar should be of high quality, too!