Should shocking dog collars be considered animal abuse?

put it on and ask yourself if its considered abuse! i think it is because just because they are trying to socialize with one nother you shock the poor dog????so how would you like it if everytime you talked someone shocked you???evil huh

Personally I do not agree with using these as training tools or at all...but in some situations after other training and techniques have been used this might be the only solution...for example a dog who runs after every squirrel it sees and the owner has done numerous techniques and training but the dog still chases after them... then for the safety of the dog this may be the only solution to stop tehm form running into traffic. like any equipment or training technique it needs to used appropriately and in the right context and for the right reasons. Like i mention i personally don't agree with them, but i can see how in some situations it may be necessary.

Well if the dog barks at nothing all the time it needs to be trained and sometimes it is better to learn to be quiet than be put down because a neighbor can't stand the barking. There are noise ordanaces specifically to address the issues of barking dogs. Unlike children playing we can give them a wake up call while children go on screaming from sun up to after sundown with no recourse for the ones who have to listen to it and shock collars are no very painful just about like the snap Mom gives the edge of the ear when you were a kid and not listening but then today that is also considered child abuse.

I think really it's dependent on how they are used, the brand, and the setting. Unfortunately, shock collars are usually used by LAZY owners who do not want to put in the time to train their dog not to bark, or put up a fence, etc. etc. I do think they have their place as a training method of last resort in a fix-the-behavior-or-else situation when methods that do not involve discomfort have all failed after given an honest try. However, that's not how they are usually used. I do think it's cruel to use a shock collar in any case involving a non-dangerous behavior and when other avenues have not been thoroughly pursued without success first.

i have 3 border collies at home. on an acre of land we have a fence around the backyard but sometimes the dogs find their way out. we used shock collars to make sure if they get out that they dont get into the street and get run over, or run away for terrorize neighbors walking their dogs. they got shocked once, figured out where they couldnt go and now they dont even need the collars because they know they shouldnt cross. i dont think its abuse, it was nesscary for me.

They are another training tool and should be used by an experienced individual. Remember you're using the shock collar to change the dog's behavior or eliminate a dangerous behavior. The intensity should match the intensity of the dangerous dog behavior you're trying to eliminate.

i use a squeaky inflatable 'family guy' hammer and hit the floor for a loud noise, it works =)

I think it depends on how the collar is used.I have used many e-collars (tritronics, sportdog, etc) helping dog trainers train dogs for retrieving. I have never seen one of our dogs come out 'damaged' (mentally or physically) from a collar. However, we use them CORRECTLY. I myself have never used one on my dogs-I just don't find the need for it. If they are used absolutely CORRECTLY (and there is a science to it), then I see no harm in them. But in the wrong hands, they can (and will) RUIN a dog.It is a very tricky situation.They can make or break a dog!When they are used improperly-yes, it is abuse. They MUST be used correctly-and there is no way around that! It is a very effective training aid, and in my opinion it should never be used as a form of punishment. We use them as 'pressure', not correction. For example-training dogs to come. These working retrievers, in field trials, must turn on a dime and come back-they cannot hesitate. You say "come", and push the button-as SOON as the dog gets to you, you release the button-the pressure is off. The dog learns how to turn off the pressure by coming straight to you. We keep it on the LOWEST possible setting that the dog feels. If the dog yelps or cowers, the level is TOO HIGH. The dog should simply feel it, not feel pain from it.Many dogs, however, do not need the collar. There are ways around it, and the collar should be used as a last resort. I have seen collars used incorrectly and abused-and it is not pleasant.It is a very tricky situation. These collars can be very effective training aids, but can also be incredibly harmful to a dog. They should NEVER be used without a thorough understanding of the collar, how it works, how to use it, and you absolutely MUST be able to read your dog well. It must be introduced absolutely correctly, and must be used in a correct way. They are NOT a magic tool-they will not fix "all your problems" (note i say "your problems," not "your dog's problems") and are not an "easy way out" of training. Like I said, they should be an absolute last resort to training-they are pleanty of things to try in order to train your dog BEFORE you resort to the collar.It is both a great and a terrible thing. In the right hands, with the right dog-it can work wonders. In the wrong hands, or on the wrong dog, and you can (and will) cause major issues.

Ahh DUH of course it's should be considered animal abuse! They should have shock collars for humans!!!!!!

I consider it abuse!!!

Yes it should.. they cant put those things on dogs it is soo cruel... what if they put collars on humans because someone didnt like the sound of their voice.. so when they talked they would get shocked... they would never allow that to happen with humans.. so why dogs.. dogs are made to bark.. and we are made to speak (sometimes) If you dont like the sound of a dogs bark Dont get one! Simple as that !

"Famed dog trainer Victoria Stilwell" would probably agree with you, but realistically, if you have dogs that you cannot be with all the time that have a barking problem, occasional use of the collars works when other remedies won't. It is abuse to leave the collar on a dog which continues to block through the shock, but most will not do that. They rapidly learn to respect both real (and sham) collars.There are actually two types of shocking collars, one that shocks on the noise of barking and another controlled by the trainer. I have seen that type used to control guard dogs. In that case I would say, if you need it, use it, if only as a precaution.To answer your question, used properly, as an auxiliary technique to appropriate handling and training, no, shocking dog collars are not animal abuse. They probably do deliver a shock that is stronger then needed, a mild irritation would probably work as well as a strong shock to cause a dog to pay attention.

My dogs shock collars should. I bought these 2 shock collars just to see if they would work on my dogs. On the box it says that they're for 8 pounds and up. That's just stupid. So wat if you have 2 dogs, an 8 pound one and a 100 pound one. There's gonna be a much worse effect on the 8 pound one. But I still think they are all bad. They don't work and they are cruel. I just stopped using them.

No they are perfect to control a rowdy dog or pet and are a wonderful tool! They need to be checked regularly though, if it is painful to you, then something is broken and you should buy another one.However, more efficient and ethical, I find the ultrasonic whistles work best.