Electronic dog collars are a very effective way to discipline your dog. No matter the size of your dog, they provide long-lasting training, whether it be a 2-pound Chihuahua or a 200-pound Great Dane. Despite what some people may think, they are very humane in the way they work.
There are three basic types of electronic collars:
Anti-Bark
Perimeter Control
Field Training
Anti-Bark Collars
Dogs that bark relentlessly can be a source of ear-splitting annoyance for an owner. These collars effectively curb out-of-control barking by emitting a small electrostatic charge to the dog’s neck at the area of his vocal cords, within a safe tolerance of the dog, of course. There are many different models of bark collar, but they all work similarly. First, the collar gives a warning beep, then it vibrates, and then emits the charge. Dogs quickly learn to stop barking when they hear that beep, before they get zapped. Some models will emit a correction when the dog whines, before the behavior escalates to barking. Trainers can control the features of the collar by adjusting the intensity and duration time of the correction.
Perimeter Control and Electronic Fencing
These collars are great for owners who do not wish to put up expensive fencing around their yard. The electrostatic emitter on the collar works with a device that marks the perimeter of the area that the dog is allowed in. This device could be a wire buried underground or an adjustable emitter that creates a radius around it. When the device on the collar comes near the perimeter, it emits a warning beep. If the dog does not move to within the safe zone, it will emit an electrostatic correction, and will periodically keep emitting it until the dog is within its limits. The levels and intervals of the corrections are adjustable by the owner. Usually, flagging is set at the boundaries as a visual barrier to tell the dogs where the boundaries are. Over time, more and more flags are taken away until the dog learns exactly where he can and cannot go. This method can be very effective when used properly, and as with any training, must be consistent.
Field Training Collars
As with the anti-bark and perimeter collars, these also use an electrostatic charge. However, it is controlled by a hand-held device that the trainer carries. The trainer contols the correction, which could be a beep or a vibration as a warning for when the behavior is starting, and then a charge when the dog performs the unwanted behavior. It is a huge advantage for long-distance field training and eliminates the need for long leads that can be awkward. It is ideal for hunting, working, and herding dogs, as well as pets. When your dog is off-lead, it is essential that he comes when called, or that he doesn’t get distracted when he should be doing his job. When used correctly, this is a very useful tool that achieves excellent results.
New Developments
New developments in electronic training now include the ultra-sonic training collars. Although they work very similar to other types of collars, these collars are very advanced and are quickly becoming very popular. These collars emit an ultra sonic, high pitched sound rather than a static charge. These advances may be one way to avoid the argument that so many claim that electronic collars are not humane. These collars are as effective as their electronic counterparts and will help you correct inappropriate behavior and help train your dog develop good habits.
There are many electronic dog collars out on the market ranging from training collars to bark collars to tracking collars. Some great collars are the Garmin 220, Tri-tronics Classic 70 G3, Dogtra 200, and the SportDOG Sport Basic. Look into them and see which one is best for you
