Sound Off: The Cruelty of Shock Collars

You wouldn’t ever describe getting electrically shocked as feeling like just a tickle, a tap or a tingle, as if it’s something enjoyable. So to me, when people argue that shock collars only “tickle” a dog, it’s a complete understatement.

Shock collars are advertised as effective training methods, administering a small shock to your pet only when you choose to. The industry tries to sell the idea that shock collars are not that painful, train your pet quickly and serve to keep your pet safe and happy.

Gwendy and Alfie Williams, creators of the website, Ban Shock Collars, have been pet owners for more than three decades and they write in an email interview, “We don’t know how animals feel because they can’t tell us...However, there are universal signs that indicate pain. Shocked animals display such signs of distress and pain by yelping, wincing, crying and attempting to hide to name a few.”

Often times, people who support the use of shock collars will argue that electrically shocking their pet will keep it safe. But if that’s the case, as Gwendy and Alfie respond, “Why isn’t every child equipped with a shock collar?”

Unfortunately, a well-behaved pet will probably never come from a shocked pet, just as nothing good will come out of child abuse. And make no mistake – shock collars do cause severe pain to your supposed best friend.

Just have a quick look at the many videos online of people who try the shock collars themselves, whether for fun or to prove a point. It’s obvious that even grown men find the pain too much – and unlike dogs, they are prepared to feel the pain, and they can tell the person shocking them to stop.

Meanwhile, shock collars are a piece of technology, and all technology can and will malfunction at some point. One of the most serious cases involving the use of shock collars was caused by a malfunctioning collar, according to Gwendy and Alfie. The owner had left his dog unattended in a kennel, and returned home to find his dog’s neck burnt. During the day, the shock collar had malfunctioned, randomly giving shocks throughout the day to the dog that couldn’t escape.

There really is no way to escape faulty products though, and in the case of shock collars, it’s a product that should be banned entirely. Gwendy and Alfie argue, “Highly skilled educated trainers who are up to date with current animal behaviour research teach people that shock collars are unnecessary and an inhumane way of dealing with their pets.” Instead, if your pet has a serious behavioural problem, find a knowledgeable trainer that uses positive reinforcement methods (versus punishment-based training), which are more effective.

Gwendy and Alfie feel so strongly about the use of shock collars in the country that they have started a Ban Shock Collars petition to send to Canadian Parliament, which can be downloaded and signed through their website. Indeed, your pet is more than “just" an animal and shock collars are not a quick training fix at all – in reality, it’s no fix at all and only does damage to the helpless animal.

Gwendy and Alfie Williams point out, “To enjoy the many years of a trusting relationship with your pet, gentle [and] respectful ways of interacting is what is required. A shocked animal is never a happy, healthy, well-adjusted animal.”

Bottom line? There is never any justification for using pain to train a beloved pet.