When it comes to the use of e collars which is what I call them when utilized buy those who know what they are doing, they can be a great tool, but have limitations. Unfortunately most people using it have no idea what they are doing it. Here I will attempt to share my experiences with these tools.
Professional trainers / Board and Stays- As far as I am concerned immediately using a e collar from the start of training is grabbing the low hanging fruit. Many trainers use the collar to teach the five basic commands of HEEL, SIT, STAY, and COME. They are usually coupled with treats. From the start the dog is conditioned to do the command immediately to avoid correction, and rewarded immediately with a treat. This teaches the the dog work for the hand not he heart. Once properly trained on its use and sticking to the program it allows trainers to teach many dogs in a short period of time.
Out of the dozens of clients who have had trainers who used these, (you will find that they are often included in the cost of a program), I have yet to find one that enjoyed the lasting effects.
Unfortunately the vast majority of e collars are purchased by those with no training at the point where they had it with the dog. Their use is punitive from the start. As with all training, if when conducting it you feel rushed, overwhelmed, or anxious, don’t train. You cannot expect the dog to be stable if your not. Many dogs have been ruined or injured by e collar misuse.
The goal of all training is to get your dog to do or not do something. Many rely on giving the dog commands to prevent them from misbehaving. This is about getting the dog to listen to you. The goal of Focus Based Canine Training is to get the dog to focus on you at all time and take your non verbal cues. For example, if I had to pick the one small thing that has the biggest impact on the relationship between you and your dog I would say it is “taking back the gate”. Simply put, taking back the gate is the practice of conditioning your dog to yield to you when approaching any gate or door. For most the big one is the front door. If you have control there, the limit of what you can do with your dog is infinite.
Traditional training, such as with an e collar is giving the dog commands when someone comes in or knocks at the door. Usually a sit, stay, wait, or whatever. It is just not feasible to have time, or remember to give your dog a command every time their is someone at the door.
Instead we condition the dog so that anytime there is someone at the door the dog automatically looks to the owner instead of responding to the door. If the door in inadvertently open the dog knows not to come out without a tug on a leash or a command.
In closing I believe the over use of e collars robs the dog and handler of the bonding that comes from Focus Based Canine Training. Using the dogs language of movement and touch we are able to create a non verbal dialogue in minutes with your dog.
I guess the question is, do you what the relationship between you and your dog to depend on a batter?