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Kate's Dog School Blog

Kate Stallworthy | 2025

Breaking trust with your dog

E-collars, also known as shock collars, are marketed as quick fixes for behavioural issues, promising fast results with minimal effort. But behind the sleek packaging and persuasive sales pitches lies a reality that is far less appealing. When training relies on fear and punishment, it doesn't just address behaviours; it damages the foundation of your trusting relationship with your dog. E-collars are an aversive training technique and don't align with positive reinforcement methods. They are not the solution they claim to be and can end up harming your dog both emotionally and physically. Here's why...

Fear undermines trust: Dogs are incredibly sensitive and their bond with us is built on trust and understanding. When an e-collar delivers a shock, it often creates confusion and fear. Your dog doesn’t always connect the punishment to their behaviour—they may associate it with the environment, another dog or even you. Over time, this erodes their trust, making them anxious or even fearful around you, their most important source of safety.

Suppressing, not solving a behaviour: E-collars don’t teach dogs what to do; they simply suppress unwanted behaviours through discomfort or pain. While this might give the illusion of success, the underlying cause of the behaviour is left unaddressed. For example, a dog who barks out of fear or frustration may stop vocalising with a shock collar, but their anxiety remains, often manifesting in other, more destructive ways.

Emotional and physical harm: Electric collars can have significant emotional and physical consequences. The stress caused by e-collar training can lead to long-term behavioural issues, such as reactivity or extreme anxiety. Physically, misuse or malfunction of these devices can cause burns, nerve damage or chronic pain. No training goal justifies putting your dog at such risk when kind and ethical methods are always the better option.

Kinder alternatives: Positive reinforcement and reward-based training methods are scientifically proven to be more effective than punishment-based approaches. Instead of teaching your dog what not to do through fear, positive reinforcement focuses on rewarding desired behaviours. This method not only strengthens the bond between you and your dog but also builds their confidence and emotional resilience. We should never compromise our dog’s well-being.


Choose Positive Reinforcement

E-collars may seem like a quick fix, but the long-term consequences for your dog’s emotional health and your relationship with them are not worth the trade-off. Dogs thrive when training is based on kindness, patience and clear communication.

Unfortunately, aversive methods are still used today due to lack of learning and progress in some areas of a non-regulated profession. By rejecting fear and punishment in favour of trust and positive reinforcement, you’re not just teaching your dog—you’re building a partnership that will last a lifetime.


Remember: training isn’t just about behaviour. It’s about connection and trust with your dog. It's always the right choice to put their happiness and well-being first.

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