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Why Shock Collars Aren’t the Solution: Choosing Communication and Piloting for Effective Dog Training


Dog with red collar on leash looks up at person in jeans and brown shoes, standing on wooden floor in front of white door.
Innovative training session: A curious dog attentively observes its owner, exploring new methods of learning on a leash indoors.

As dog owners, we all want the best for our furry friends. It’s natural to seek out effective methods to address your dog's unwanted or negative behaviors. However, one approach that often sparks debate is the use of shock collars. While these devices may promise quick dog training fixes, they come with significant downsides that can impact your dog’s well-being and your relationship with them.


At Darwin Dogs, we believe in the power of communication, and Piloting your dog is a far superior choice for training. Here’s why mindful training and trust-based dog training techniques can make all the difference.


Close-up of a happy gray dog's face with tongue out. Text reads: "The Case Against Shock Collars" and "Dog Training, Differently."
Understanding the consequences of using shock collars and e-collars when training your dog.

The Case Against Shock Collars and E-Collars


Shock collars use discomfort or pain to curb unwanted behavior. While this may result in immediate changes, it often does so at the cost of your dog’s trust and emotional health. These devices can increase anxiety and fear, which are the exact behaviors we aim to address. Instead of teaching your dog what to do, shock collars focus on what not to do, and imprecisely at that, creating confusion and stress.


Even if you "only" use your dog's collar on the "vibrate" mode, you're still not giving precise feedback on their current behaviors. Further, that "correction" isn't coming from you, or at least in any way that they can identify. It's coming from some invisible force, and all they know is that sometimes their neck is throttled randomly.


Dog Training Differently


Over 20 years ago I created a dog training method, Piloting, that focuses on building bridges of communication and trust between dog and owner. I make the analogy of dogs asking "questions":


  • Can I chew this shoe?

  • Is barking ok?

  • Should I be calm right now?


The answers are no, no, and yes. The answer comes directly from me. Gentle negatives are given along with a strong positive.


Suddenly, we're communicating, and not only is my dog starting to accept my answers, but my dog is actively trying to anticipate them, and looking to me when they don't know the correct answer.


So think of Piloting your dog's behavior as very similar to parenting a child.


The object of the game isn't to raise an obedient child who says "Yes, sir", and is constantly scared of a miss-step and potential punishments. Nor do I want to raise a child who talks back and does not have respect for the family or their role in the family.


What I want is a child who trusts me, knows that I will follow through with my answers, and most importantly, isn't afraid to make a mistake. And that's exactly how I raise my dogs as well.


Black dog with open mouth and tongue out, background text on shock collars says: "some dog owners love dogs so much they use shock collars.
Prioritize trust and communication over control and punishment in dog training.

Dog Training For Humans


Occasionally I am asked to give seminars regarding dog behavior and training. One of my favorite exercises to do with groups is to present a challenge.


Each group has a designated "dog', or rather, a human who is to be trained to do a specific command, but also, not to do 3 specific things:

  • not talk,

  • not go near a specific chair,

  • and not enter the center area of the room.


Two different dog humans or "DH's" have been waiting in the hall, and have no idea what they're in for, just that they are going to be trained.


A smiling Labrador facing a person’s hand signaling. The background is a blurred, rocky landscape.
Positive reinforcement in action: A happy dog attentively receives training without the use of a shock collar in an outdoor setting.

Group 1, the "shock jocks", is comprised of the entire class, plus a hidden person who screams loudly into a walkie-talkie the DH is holding every time the DH does something they aren't supposed to do.


They will use gentle clapping and praise to mimic the positives we give to our dogs.


Group 2, is comprised of merely me and the DH. I will Pilot the DH, giving gentle negatives as I describe in my Piloting Workbook, and clapping and praise for positives, again just as we give treats to our dogs.


The results are telling.


Group 1: Shock Collar or E-Collar Style Dog Training


Almost without fail, the poor DH who is subjected to the e-collar dog training comes back into the room, and immediately walks to the middle of the room, (which remember, we've designated as the no-go area).


They instantly get screamed at by some hidden entity through the walkie-talkie, eliciting a jump scare from the DH and they retreat to the door, where they are now not sure what is going on, but have decided they didn't like the screaming.


However, they haven't learned not to go near the center of the room, having merely fled the scene where the screaming began. And now they're too nervous to do anything else. They've frozen. The only thing they've learned is that they get jump-scared out of nowhere.


So we all try again, trying to coax the DH to come towards us, so we can start to teach them the the dog training command we want them to learn.


Of course, they then try to ask a question about what's going on, so the random person starts to scream through the walkie-talkie again: remember, our DH isn't allowed to talk!


Now our dog-human has been screamed at twice, and they have no idea who is doing it or why. They truly start to shut down and are afraid to move for fear of being screamed at. They nervously start laughing. Interestingly enough, now they've started to watch us intently. Focused on our every move.


Not because they are looking for guidance, but because they are wary of what might happen next.


That is the exact opposite of a trust-based relationship with your dog!


Usually our DH gives up before we even get to teaching them a dog trick.


Cute dog looking at the camera with wide eyes, surrounded by fallen leaves on the ground. The dog appears curious and friendly.

Group 2: Piloting Method of Dog Training


Same rules apply for our DH: no talking, no entering the middle of the room, and no going near a specific chair. I am also going to try to teach our DH how to spin in place as our dog trick.


Unsuspecting DH enters the room, and tries to head right to the center. Instead of scaring, startling, or shocking them, I simply Pilot them away from the center of the room, just as I would do to a dog who is barking at the front door and I back off the person.


DH tries to ask a question (remember, DH isn't allowed to talk) so I again give a gentle negative as I've outlined here. The DH stops speaking.


DH is calmly standing in place, looking to me for guidance. They know what they shouldn't do (or at least have a vague idea) but have no idea what they should do. So I give them a gentle positive clap simply because they are calmly looking to me for what to do next.


I face the person, giving the same calm positive while using a made-up word ("znorq") repeatedly as I slowly start to orbit them. Usually, the person continues to face me as I do this. Once I've completed a rotation, I ratchet up the praise. Why?


I got them to do a complete spin. That's the trick we were talking about, remember?


I repeat the process 3 more times, orbiting them as I repeat the word "znorq" and give gentle praise.


By the 4th time, I simply say the word "Znorq", and the person starts to spin in place.


They may stray over accidentally to the center of the room, and again I merely Pilot them away. Now they are automatically avoiding the area, not because they're afraid of what will happen, like the person with the screaming walkie-talkie, but because they want to see what else we can do together.


Praise feels good, both to give and to get. It's the glue that holds our relationships together, and is never diminished in the giving but grows and builds bridges of communication, both with your dog and with other humans.

Mindful training focuses on using positive reinforcement and gentle corrections, helping your dog learn in a space that boosts their confidence and makes them feel safe. This approach not only improves their behavior but also brings you and your dog closer together.


Tablet displaying "Ultimate Guide to Dog Behavior" with a cute little dog’s face.

The Power of Trust-Based Dog Training Techniques


Trust is the foundation of any strong relationship, and this holds true for our canine companions. Our trust-based techniques focus on building a solid foundation where your dog feels safe and understood. Through consistent, clear communication, you become the leader your dog can rely on.


Piloting your dog means guiding them through their world with confidence, and addressing behaviors like jumping, barking, and anxiety with calm authority. By focusing on trust, we help reduce impulse control issues, leading to a more balanced and happy pet.


Why Choose Communication and Piloting for Your Dog?


Dog training is not a one-size-fits-all process. It must be comprehensive and adaptable, ensuring that you receive personalized attention for your dog’s specific behaviors as well as your individual needs as a human. Whether you’re dealing with a new puppy’s energy or integrating a dog into a family with a baby, the Piloting Method is designed to cover a wide range of scenarios.


When you opt for communication and Piloting, you’re choosing a path that prioritizes your dog’s mental and emotional well-being. You’re building a foundation of trust and understanding that will serve you both for years to come.

Text on white background: "Keep Calm and Pilot On. Kerry Stack. Darwin Dogs. dog training differently. www.DarwinDogs.org" in green font.

Need More Help With Your Dog's Behavior?


While shock collars may offer a temporary solution, they often do so at the expense of a trusting and harmonious relationship with your dog. At Darwin Dogs, we promise effective results through mindful training and trust-based techniques. Our simple and easy to understand dog training ensures that you and your pet feel supported every step of the way.


Discover more about our Piloting Method of dog training. Schedule your in-home dog training today, or learn about our virtual coaching packages for dog behavior.




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2 комментария


Kerry Stack
Kerry Stack
22 янв.

Thank you! Unfortunately, by sanitizing the name as you pointed out, we also minimized the negative effects on our dogs psyche.


I frequently stayed that empathy is the best place to start any journey within another, and I have found over the years that this is the best way to build an understanding of what it is like for your dog to learn.

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Stumpicus Kat
Stumpicus Kat
22 янв.

Excellent post! What an interesting exercise for the dog humans! I say next time you have that demonstration, you should have an actual e-collar for the human to wear. Then, when the exercise is over, pass it around so everyone can try it. (I like the sanitized name, by the way - "e-collar"; it should be a "z-collar"- zap your dog into submission collar).

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