What’s an E-Collar?

E-Collar is short for electronic collar. It’s a remote dog training system that consists of a wireless remote and a wireless receiver. E-Collars allow you to remotely send clear signals to your dog to help them understand “good behavior” and “unwanted behavior”. The E-Collar allows you to send either a tone, vibration, or stimulating sensation to your dog.

When E-Collars first gained popularity several decades ago, they started to developed a bad rap. Collars back then had only a few settings, and sometimes even the lowest level was too strong for sensitive dogs, which could certainly make a pup uncomfortable and scared. Modern E-Collars are a whole different story, though. Particularly the brand I use.

I use a brand of E-collar from a company called “E-Collar Technologies”. These are high quality collars that offer 100 different levels of stimulation so the collar can be adjusted to even the most sensitive dogs, with most dogs being receptive to the very gentlest level - think level 5-8 out of 100 levels. Higher settings are not encouraged for frequent use, and reserved for high intensity situations where lower levels are not able to gain the dog’s attention.

Another widespread myth about E-Collars is that they can cause burns to a dog’s skin. This is absolutely untrue! E-Collars do not generate heat! Any reports of red marks or hair loss you may find on the internet are from collars being left on too long, and in the same location on the neck for too long. This is completely avoidable by rotating the neck placement of the collar each time your dog wears it.

I have put an E-Collar on myself many times, and at the appropriate setting, the E-Collar feels like a muscle stimulation. If you’v ever used a TENS device for physical therapy, you’ll understand the sensation. It's a light, attention-getting twitch.

Every tool, including a leash, has the potential to be used incorrectly in the wrong hands. This does happen, unfortunately, and you have every right to be concerned, and do your proper homework before selecting a trainer!

E-Collars used correctly are humane, safe, and HIGHLY effective dog training tools that open up a whole new world of possibilities and adventures with your dog. But don’t take my word for it…Let me show you!