Blackwell and Casey note inherent difficulties in the use of shock collars and unintended associations, the shock may not necessarily be linked with an unwanted behavior rather a trainer, location or situation. Therefore, an attempt to control excessive barking at the dog run using a shock collar may turn into a situation where the dog run is now associated with the shock and not the barking. Even when a shock collar is no longer used dogs have been known to continue to associate the shock with the trainer or situation and exhibit signs of stress.
A study by Schilder & van der Borg observed that when trainers were working with dogs wearing shock collars: “the command was followed by a shock so quickly that the dog was unable to prevent a shock. This leads to unwanted conditioning: the dog has learned that getting a command predicts a shock.” In reference to this study Blackwell and Casey write that if this occurs with professional dog trainers it is even more likely to occur with the general public.
Timing is the essential component in training, whether it is positive or negative reinforcement it must occur at the exact moment of the behavior to create an association. Blackwell and Casey say the danger of unwanted associations exists in both scenarios. The difference with unintended associations caused by unpleasant or painful stimuli is that the avoidance learning (demonstrated by our fictional dog that now refuses to enter the dog run) lasts a very long time and is very difficult to correct.
The use of a shock collar as a successful training device is problematic at best. For starters, studies have shown that training with positive reinforcement is more successful than the use of negative reinforcement (only positive reinforcement is used training assistance dogs in the UK). The study also found that the use of punishment correlates with a rise in the number of unwanted behaviors.
A study by Cooper, Cracknell, et al compared training methods using shock collars and those using positive reinforcement with dogs exhibiting problem behaviors with recall and livestock (sheep and chickens) worrying and chasing. These are the sort of behaviors that are notorious for justifying the use of shock collars. However, the Cooper study found that the rewards based training was equally effective in changing those unwanted behaviors. The study further found that the difference between the methods resulted in shocked dogs exhibiting increased known responses to pain with vocalizations such as whines and yelps. No such vocalizations were observed in the group trained with positive methods. Stress related changes in behavior observed in the shocked dogs and not in the positively trained dogs included an increase in body tension, yawns, paw lifts, panting and other “distinct changes in behavior including sudden changes in posture, tail position and vocalizations that are consistent with pain and/or a version in dogs.”
When researchers compared citronella collars with shock collars the citronella collars were found to be more effective (and preferred more by owners) and when dogs are trained with other severe training methods such as physical punishment they were found to exhibit fewer stress related behaviors than when trained with shock collars. Owners instructed in continuing the training methods used in the Cooper study expressed greater confidence in being able to implement the rewards based methods as opposed to using the shock collars.
Shock collar advocates contend that there is an art to the use of the collar with some researchers calling for a licensing system for qualified users and that properly used the dog responds in a manner that would indicate no apparent discomfort. Blackwell and Casey raise two issues in response working dogs with high levels of excitement may tolerate shock more readily in order to perform the task at hand such as herding sheep or tackling criminals. Additionally calibrating the appropriate level of shock for an individual dog requires knowledge of breed, nature, present temperament, past experiences with shock, thickness of the coat and how moist the skin is at the moment of delivery.
The Cooper study observed five experienced shock collar trainers at work using the devices. Results showed only one trainer out of the five attempting to determine an initial setting for a dog’s response to the device. Two trainers fitted the collars onto the dogs without any attempts to test a response to any settings or determine if the devices were working. One trainer started with a low level setting while the remaining trainer started with the highest level of shock available on the collar.
The potential for abuse exists with shock collars as well. The devices are able to deliver extremely high levels of shock which have been found to leave neck lacerations particularly in inclement weather. Deliberate abuse due to anger or for entertainment has also been observed such as repeatedly shocking a dog for running away when the animal returns or is captive.
The authors point out other issues including the use of shock collars to control aggressive behavior countered with numerous studies showing “that pain caused by an electric shock is a well documented stimulus for aggression in a wide variety of species”. Fear can found aggression as well as anxiety over separation from an owner. Shock collars have also been shown to exacerbate fear and fear based behaviors.
Now that the number of countries and municipalities limiting the use of electric shock collars is increasing along with their availability and use knowing more about them needs to be the first step to consider in taking either step further.
References
Blackwell, E. and R. Casey. (2006). The use of shock collars and their impact on the welfare of dogs: A review of the current literature. Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Cooper, J. J., Cracknell, N., Hardiman, J., Wright, H., Mills, D. (2014). The welfare consequences and efficacy of training pet dogs with remote electronic training collars in comparison to reward based training. PLOS ONE. 9, e102722. doi: 10.1371/journal. pone.0102722
Electric Shock Collars. (2018, February 10). Retrieved from https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/ our-resources /kennel-club-campaigns/electric-shock-collars/
Schilder, M.B.H. and J.A.M. van der Borg. (2004). Training dogs with the help of a shock collar: short and long term behavioral effects. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 85, 319-334
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