Prong and Shock Collars and Electric (‘Invisible’) Fences

Cruel “training” devices such as anti-barking shock collars, electric (“invisible”) fences, and prong collars rely on painful punishment and negative reinforcement. They cause dogs to live in fear of being electrically shocked or painfully choked for normal behavior such as crossing invisible lines, barking, jumping onto surfaces within their own homes, and getting ahead of their guardians during walks. Positive, humane training methods, in which dogs are rewarded for desirable behavior, are much more effective.

Shock Collars for Dogs

Shock collars can cause dogs physical pain, injury (ranging from burns to cardiac fibrillation), and psychological stress, including severe anxiety and displaced aggression. Individual animals vary in their temperaments and pain thresholds; a shock that seems mild to one dog might be severe to another. The anxiety and confusion caused by repeated shocks can lead to changes in a dog’s heart and respiration rate or gastrointestinal disorders. Electronic collars can also malfunction, either administering no shocks at all or nonstop shocks.

Electric (‘Invisible’) Fences for Dogs

Dogs whose yards are surrounded by electric fences may develop fear or aggression aimed at what they believe to be the source of the shock (kids riding by on bikes, the mail carrier, the dog next door, etc.). Dogs have been known to run through electric fences when frightened by fireworks or chasing a squirrel and then be too scared to cross back through the barrier.

Electric fences may actually encourage dogs to try to escape. Since they only receive painful shocks in the yard, they might associate the shock with the yard itself—once they escape, the pain goes away. The fact that the pain returns when they try to re-enter the yard can cause them to believe that they are being punished for returning home.

Even when dogs are successfully confined to a yard with an electric fence, they are still in danger of being attacked by roaming dogs, cruel humans, or other animals who can freely enter the property. A dog in Michigan was shot and killed by a utility worker who didn’t realize that she was contained by an invisible fence. Electric fences are also a dog thief’s dream come true!

Prong Collars

The damage that prong and choke collars can do to dogs goes beyond yanking and choking. Depending on dogs’ size, how hard they pull, and how forcefully they get yanked, choke collars can cause them serious injuries, including the following:

• Intervertebral disc protrusion
• Partial or complete fore- or hind-limb paralysis from spinal cord injuries
• Damage to the vagus nerve, affecting the functioning of major organs, including the heart, lungs, liver, bladder, spleen, and kidneys
• A crushed trachea, with partial or complete asphyxiation
• Crushed or fractured bones in the larynx
• A bruised esophagus
• Sharp increases in pressure inside the head, which can cause brain or eye damage and sometimes prolapse of the eye
• Bruising and damage to the skin and tissues in the neck, resulting in the formation of scar tissue
• Fainting

Dogs who are repeatedly yanked and choked may become resentful, aggressive, and fearful.

Humane and Safe Boundaries

The most effective way to keep your dog safely confined to your property is to keep him or her inside the house when you aren’t home and allow him or her outside only under close supervision on a leash or in a securely fenced enclosure.

Some Fencing Guidelines for Dogs

• A 6-foot privacy fence is best, preventing your dog or intruders from scaling it.
• Wood or vinyl fencing is optimal for privacy, but chain link is less expensive. (Small windows covered with wire mesh can be cut into wooden fences to allow dogs to see out.)
• Replace a short fence with a taller one, or add an extension to the top.
• Line the fence with rocks or a cement-filled trench to prevent digging.

If you cannot afford a fence, have a yard that would be difficult to fence, or live in a condominium or townhouse where fences are not allowed, consider letting your dog out only on a leash and taking him or her to a fenced dog park or to a friend’s fenced yard for play and exercise. You may also want to consult a certified dog behaviorist about teaching your dog to stay within boundaries through the use of positive reinforcement.

Living With Barking Dogs

Dogs bark for a variety of reasons but mainly because of boredom, distress, separation anxiety, and defense of their territory. Young dogs, small or active breeds, and dogs who are chained up or left outside most of the time are more likely to bark. For humane and safety reasons, as well as to maintain good relations with your neighbors, it is best to keep your dog indoors when you are not at home. Dogs are less likely to bark indoors, and any barking that they do indoors is less likely to be loud enough to disturb the neighbors.

Tips to Prevent Boredom-Related Barking

• Take your dog for two or three walks per day; family members, trusted neighbors, or professional dogwalkers can help during the workday.
• Allow your dog least five opportunities to relieve him- or herself during a day.
• Provide plenty of chew toys; rotate them and provide new ones.
• Give your dog a toy that can be filled with treats; working to get the treats out will provide mental and physical stimulation.
• Agility and flyball courses are fun and a great outlet for a dog’s energy.
• Barking at intruders or frightening noises is a natural behavior for dogs and should not be totally forbidden.

Tips to Prevent Excessive Barking at Strangers or Noises

• Take your dog out daily to interact and socialize with other people. Praise him or her for friendliness.
• When people visit your house, give your dog a treat or toy so that he or she associates guests with something positive.
• When something frightens your dog, encourage him or her to sit, lie down, or play with a toy.

A humane dog trainer or certified behaviorist will be able to provide more tips on desensitizing your dog to frightening sounds. If your dog’s situation is severe, the behaviorist may suggest that you consider consulting your veterinarian about anti-anxiety medications that can help calm your dog.