Our love of dogs has created a huge marketplace for sellers of everything from books on breeds to sweaters for schnauzers. One of the most controversial areas of canine products is the assortment of dog training devices.
Dog training devices fall into three general categories - simple training aids, devices for control of stronger dogs and products that are meant to punish behavior.
The first category is filled with products that promise to calm your dog or encourage a certain behavior. Clickers may lead the field in this area of training aids. Some products are safety oriented such as break-away collars while others are designed to help with training problems.
One popular device is the no-pull head collar and many styles of harnesses are available to help control a headstrong dog when walking. Also included in this category are retriever rolls which provide a toy meant for fetching and for chewing. Dog repellent sprays and powders help keep your pet from your favorite flowers and sticky mats are available to prevent him from adopting your couch.
Going farther with training aids we find prong collars and anti-bark collars. Used correctly, both of these aids have their uses in the training of some dogs. A prong collar can help control a large adult dog that has not been trained. It can effectively stop the lunging and other behavior that may be displayed by a strong animal. However, a prong collar used indiscriminately will cause pain for the dog and may add to behavior problems. Prong or spike collars should only be used by those trained to use them safely.
The simple choke chain is also in this intermediate category. Though it has lost favor with trainers many owners seem to choose it over collars for walking their dogs. Effective for large, short haired breeds, this chain often catches fur of longer coats making it painful for the animal. Choke chains have been reported to damage the airway of dogs when used too forcefully.
Anti-bark collars are widely advertised and spray a fine citrus scented mist toward the dog's face when he barks. Some owners have reported a reduction in barking when using these collars. There are breeds that tend to bark more often and longer than others and a few that are known to be "yappy". An anti-bark collar punishes the dog for a natural behavior and should be used sparingly. The no-bark collars are often used on animals that are tightly confined or tied to a rope or chain. A territorial, thirsty, or hungry dog will bark - as will a dog who craves attention.
The third category of training aids is the most controversial. These are the devices that punish a dog by administering a shock. One of the best known training devices in this category is a fence that is invisible. A cable buried in the ground emits a signal that causes the box on the dog's collar to administer a shock if the dog attempts to cross the barrier. This fence is often used in subdivisions where fencing is not allowed. Because the current level is adjustable these buried cables can administer painful shocks and are not recommended by most dog trainers.
The shock collar is perhaps the most controversial dog training tool available. This is not a positive reinforcement method of training and is widely criticized by animal rights groups and professional trainers alike. The premise is to provide a small electric shock when the owner pushes a button on the remote control for the collar.
Theoretically, the small shock will discourage the dog's bad behavior. In truth, some of these collars provide a current high enough to cause serious pain to their pet. One professional trainer says that no owner should use a shock collar on his dog unless he has first tried it on his own neck and allowed someone to shock him. The trainer claims that owners who try this will never put the shock collar on their dog.
When choosing dog training devices the method should suit your animal. A strong, aggressive animal may require a prong collar for walking if he cannot be trusted to obey commands. Using a shock collar on a timid animal can cause the dog to become fearful and defensive. Dog training devices that reward and encourage good behavior are not only less expensive but more effective than products that cause pain.
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