At Sunshine K9 Training, we utilize remote collars because they allow us to communicate with dogs clearly and effectively. When paired with proper structure, positive reinforcement, and clear rules, these tools help us achieve lasting, humane training outcomes. We spend hours with dog owners to instruct them on proper use and provide continuing education to all of our clients so that they don't forget how important proper use is.
Recently, someone reached out to me regarding spray correction collars and requested that we "try that first" because the idea of using the stimulation or shock of a remote collar feels icky and mean. I'm always perplexed by the logic of some of the questions that are asked, but I realized that many people just don't have enough information about the training tools on the market today. There are plenty of snake oil sales tactics out there that make certain products sound way better than others, but after reading this, I hope you will have gained a new perspective.
So collars that shoot out a blast of something that smells powerful (most often used is citronella)… Here's a dog trainer and a dog mom's perspective (I am that trainer and dog mom):
We do not use or recommend any type of collar that sprays out any type of smell or oil. In fact, we don't recommend them to anyone ever. I can't believe someone thought this was a better alternative to a shock collar and I'm astounded they're still on the market. A dog’s sense of smell is incredibly powerful, and collars that spray odors have lingering effects that are highly aversive and distressing to dogs. We view their use as inhumane due to the long lasting discomfort they cause. The smell doesn't just disappear immediately. This isn't a "correction", it's long lasting discomfort that often sends sensitive dogs into panic because they cannot escape the overpowering smell. I have yet to meet a dog owner who has had success in using these collars and stands by them in real life. Many of our clients have tried them before hiring us and all say the same thing, "I wish I had realized how mean this actually is".
If you want to ruin your dog's nose, these collars are a great thing to reach for. Although this is my opinion, there are some conflicting pieces of information on the web. One of these conflicting bits is that citronella oil is safe for dogs. Many veterinarians say otherwise, reporting that citronella oil is a gastrointestinal irritant for pets and ingestion or inhalation can result in vomiting or diarrhea. Great, so lets put a collar on our dog that sprays out something that's literally toxic because it sounds better than a shock collar... *My sarcasm should be obvious. Don't do that.
People have asked me if I have shocked myself on my neck with the shock collars that I use on dogs. Yep. To satisfy those that say I should, I absolutely have. What I won't do? Slap a citronella collar on my neck to see how it feels, because I would NEVER subject my dogs or any of my client dogs to those inhumane spray contraptions that would leave them rubbing their noses trying to make the irritating smell go away.
It seems that most dog owners reach for these types of collars when they have an issue with excessive barking. Now most folks would assume that because I'm pro-shock collar that I would recommend a bark collar that zaps when a dog barks, but when we get the "my dog won't stop barking" call, there's usually a lot more to the behavior than simple nuisance barking. Slapping any collar on a dog as a quick fix to a problem isn't going to change your dog's mind about why or what they are barking for. It could be for attention, it could be because they have to potty, it could be to ward off the mailman.
A bark collar (be it shock or citronella) doesn't train the dog to feel better, it makes the action of barking uncomfortable. If we approach the situation and keep the dog's biological needs in mind, many instances don't require any type of correction to the dog for barking, but a change in the owner's lifestyle to accommodate a biological need - like having to potty or needing to exercise. The number of people who have told me they slapped a bark collar on their dog and then the dog peed in the house is outstanding. Some dogs are literally just trying to tell you they need you to open the door so they can go pee outside. It's a shame that we've stopped actually listening to the animals we care for.
I know there are dogs that bark that have all their needs met. We see them all the time. But the first thing we reach for isn't a remote. It's often a squirt bottle filled with water and before a dog is corrected, the behavior is marked with a calm verbal "no" which is then followed by a prompt and emotionally neutral (from us) spray from the water bottle.
What about collars that vibrate instead of shock?
As for vibrating collars, we occasionally incorporate them under specific circumstances, such as working with deaf or blind dogs. However, we find that vibrate-only collars lack the precision and variability needed for effective communication and are not suitable as correction tools. In some cases, dogs may even have adverse reactions to the vibrate function as opposed to the lower level stim from the ecollar units we use. The ecollar brand we use has a stimulation, vibrate and tone function, but we turn the vibrate feature off and stick to using tone and stim.
Remote collars, when used appropriately, are a safe and effective tool. They provide variable levels of stimulation that can be customized to the dog’s temperament and needs, ensuring clear communication without causing undue stress. They don't cause a dog's senses to be overwhelmed for prolonged periods as corrections are instantaneous. And the goal (when training with us) is to help a dog understand the words and visual cues we give and not to rely on tapping the ecollar to get your dog to comply.
At the end of the day, our goal as trainers and dog owners should be to communicate clearly, fairly, and humanely with our dogs. Training should build trust, not confusion or fear. Remote collars, when used correctly, provide that clarity without causing unnecessary stress, while spray collars rely on overwhelming a dog’s most vital sense—its nose—in a way that is neither precise nor humane.
If you're unsure about training tools and want to make the best decision for your dog, I’d love to chat with you. Let’s have a conversation and find a training approach that prioritizes your dog's well-being and long-term success.
Comments