Animal Rights Uncompromised:
Electric-Shock Training for Dogs

PETA opposes "invisible" fences and "no-bark" shock collars, which electrically shock dogs when they cross an invisible line or bark. In addition to causing physical pain and potentially serious injuries (ranging from burns to cardiac fibrillation), these devices can cause severe anxiety or even lead to psychological problems in some animals. No dog should have to live in fear of getting shocked for engaging in normal behaviors such as crossing lines that they can't see, barking, or jumping onto surfaces in their own homes.

Dogs trained with shock collars and invisible fences may develop fears or aggression toward what they believe is the source of the shock (e.g., kids on their bikes, the mail carrier, the dog next door, etc.). Dogs have been known to run through invisible barriers when frightened by fireworks or when chasing a squirrel and then be too scared to cross back through the barrier to return home.

Although invisible fences may sometimes succeed in keeping animals within certain boundaries, they do nothing to protect the confined animals from cruel humans and roaming dogs or other animals who can come onto the property.

Real fences and positive training methods, in which dogs are rewarded for good behavior, are kinder and more effective.