Citronella Anti Bark Collar

Posts Tagged ‘Myths’

The use of electronic training devices has become increasingly widespread. In 2006 pet owners worldwide purchased more than 500,000 remote training collars, over 1,000,000 containment systems, and almost 900,000 bark collars.

Why the popularity? These training systems have become much more affordable, and pet owners are finding them to be a safe, effective means for controlling the various behaviors that they find unacceptable.

As sales of these products increase, so do the not so favorable opinions about them — that they make dogs aggressive, that there is a greater chance of failure than success when using them, that the shock they deliver is painful, that they will result in significant injury to your pet.

These can all be classified as “myths”, since there is very little hard data available to prove or disprove them. However, recent studies are providing results that allow for a more reasoned analysis of this technology.

Last year, one of the major manufacturers of electronic training products retained an independent laboratory to compare the level of correction produced by a pet containment system receiver to the shock produced by other common circumstances and devices. The evaluation demonstrated that the “shock” produced by a containment system is nowhere near the intensity that some people believe.

The “shock” produced by the containment system is nearly 40% less that than that one would receive from walking on carpet. (Please note that static shock will vary greatly depending on the relative humidity: the lower the humidity, the higher the shock.)

Further, this study demonstrates that the training “shock” is one-fourth the level of a cattle fence and one-twentieth the level of a stun gun, two devices to which electronic training equipment is often unfairly compared.

But even this study tells only half the story. It compared the voltage put out by these devices…the intensity. You also need to consider the duration. Reputable brands of electronic training equipment correct for only a short period of time. The brand that has the UL mark of approval on its receiver features a correction that lasts only 1/40 of a second — less time than it takes the average person to snap their fingers.

But what this study does demonstrate is that not all “shock” is the same. And that the correction in question is not “painful,” “powerful” or even “uncomfortable.” “Surprising” maybe, but none of the above.

Still, every animal will react differently to the correction. So you should always approach a training situation with caution when using this kind of equipment. As is usually the case, education is the answer. When you are training a pet, you need to have as much information as possible…and a behavior management plan to support you, as you would with traditional training techniques. When looking at selecting a product select one that provides you with both instructional manuals and videos.

If you choose a product that supplies you with these necessary educational materials you will greatly increase your chances of success when attempting to improve your dog’s behavior. To help demonstrate this fact let’s look at a survey that was recently completed by a leading manufacturer of electronic training equipment.

This company surveyed 1,025 dog owners that had been using one of three types of electronic training equipment (remote training collar, bark control collar or containment system) for a period of not less than 90 days.

The most significant findings came as the result of asking the pet owner the following question, “Since using the electronic training product how would you describe your pet’s overall behavior?” The owner was asked to respond with one of the following: a) better behaved (and specifically how), b) no change in behavior or c) worse behaved (and specifically how).

The results are staggering. Slightly over 2/3 (860 of 1,025 dog owners) responded that their dogs overall behavior had in fact improved since using the electronic equipment.

Reasons that these dogs would show an overall improvement in their behavior would include that the owners used the equipment correctly. Correct use includes spending a significant amount of time working with and socializing with your dog. When a dog receives an increase in time and attention, his behavior will usually change for the better.

This survey also helps to dispel another myth about the use of electronic training equipment – that it causes dogs to act aggressive. None of the dog owners surveyed purchased the equipment for the purpose of eliminating aggressive behavior. However, approximately 12% stated that another positive side effect of using the equipment was that their dog no longer exhibited occasional aggressive behavior that had been seen in the past. Also, of those owners stating that their dogs behavior worsened in some way since using the equipment, none reported the worsening being in the form of aggressive behavior.

RadioFence.com is the World’s Oldest and Largest PetSafe and Innotek Internet Retailer. More people buy PetSafe and Innotek Dog Fences, Bark Collars, Pet Doors and Remote Training Collars from RadioFence.com than all other Internet Sites combined!

For more information on these types of products, please see:Invisible Dog Fences – Bark Control Collars – Dog Training Collars

 

 

Electric dog fences, bark collars, and dog training collars have become a popular method for pet owners to control the behaviors they find undesirable in their pet. With prices of these training systems becoming more affordable and pet owners finding them to be safe and effective, product sales have dramatically increased. As the widespread availability and increased sales of these electronic training collars grow, so do many of the myths and misconceptions about them. These myths are often based on misinformation or ignorance of the facts. Unfortunately, many people believe these rumors and miss the opportunity of using a valuable dog training tool.

Myth #1: Electronic training collars are not safe
One of the most common questions asked by pet owners is “Will this hurt my dog.” When used correctly, Absolutely Not! Today’s electric dog fence collars, bark collars and dog training collars are more humane because they only emit a very mild electric stimulation. The “shock” produced by these electronic training collars is not painful, physically jarring or harmful and is nowhere near the level of intensity that some people think. In fact, the electric stimulation is actually a static correction similar to what happens when you rub your feet on the carpet and then touch something. The response is usually surprising and uncomfortable but, by no means, painful or harmful.

The following chart compares the energy discharge of electronic training collars with many common items. The energy output is measured in Kilovolts:
1- Electronic containment system such as an electric fence at its lowest level = .9 kilovolts
2- Remote training collar at low level = 1 kilovolt
3- Bark control collar at low level = 2 kilovolts
4- Nylon carpet at 50 relative humidity = 9 kilovolts
8- Abdominal energizer (ab stimulus machine) = 18 kilovolts
9- Cattle prod = 27 kilovolts
10-Defibrillator = 75 kilovolts
11-Stun gun = 625 kilovolts

With proper training and a good understanding of product use, these electronic training devices are very safe to use in achieving effective results and minimizing risk. However, incorrect use can put your pet at risk to some extent either physically or psychologically. Before using these training devices, pet owners should read ALL instruction manuals and education materials that are included with the product. Since every animal will react differently to correction, you should always begin training on the lowest setting and watch the dog closely to monitor its response. When used appropriately, electronic training devices are a safe and appropriate tool for most behavioral and containment issues that often frustrate pet owners.

Myth #2: Electronic collars can cause burns
This myth is not true or even possible. You cannot get burned by a static shock. Electronic training collars are still not as powerful as a static shock from carpeting on a dry day, even when set to their highest levels. Veterinarians often misdiagnose a condition called “Pressure Necrosis”, which is responsible for this burn rumor. Pressure Necrosis occurs when the electric dog fence collar, bark collar, or dog training collar is fit too tightly on the pet’s neck and/or left on too long. The continued pressure of the two metal probes on the dog’s neck, along with the dirt and oils around those probes will cause the skin to break down and die. The result is two marks at the point of the probe contact that look and smell like hot spots or sores, which are often mistaken for burns. To help prevent this problem the electronic training collar should be removed from the pet when not being used. You should also clean the dog’s neck with shampoo and the contact probes with alcohol at least once a week. Robert E. Schmidt, D.V.M., Ph.D. stresses that “prevention of Pressure Necrosis is the best treatment. If reddening of the skin is noted, the tightness of the collar should be evaluated.” He also urges pet owners to “check for proper fit and irritation on a daily basis.”

Myth #3: Electronic training collars are difficult to use and only professional trainers should use them
Keith Benson of Triple Crown Dog Training Academy (The largest canine training and behavior center in America) states that “With today’s advanced collars that is certainly not the case. Improved technology has made them much easier to use and understand.” He also said that “Almost any dog owner can understand the operation and use and will be able to communicate with his dog with 15 or 20 minutes of instruction. It is however important to understand how to use them before you put it on your dog. If you do not fully understand, then seek help from an experienced professional.”

Education is the answer! Before making an opinion about the use of electric dog fence systems, bark collars and dog training collars as training tools, it is important to educate yourself and find someone who has had a successful dog training experience with them. When you are training a pet, you need to have as much information as possible. As you select an electronic training collar, make sure you choose one that provides you with instruction manuals and/or videos. Owners, who use the equipment correctly and spend a significant amount of time working with their dog, will see an overall improvement in their pet’s behavior.

There many myths about what dog breeds can and cannot be taught dog tricks. Learn the truth about training different dog breeds withtips from a professional dog trainer in this free pet care video. Expert: Dustin Daniels Contact: www.DoggieStepsDogTraining.com Bio: Mark Siebel owns DOGGIE STEPS Dog Training, and teaches agility basics and dog tricks. Filmmaker: Dustin Daniels … dogs dog tricks training pet care obedience free how to Expert Village … expertvillage … What type of dogs …