Training videos were viewed in a random order and blinded, such that the viewer could not associate dogs with their respective group, using Solomon Coder software (version: beta 17.03.22). Blackwell EJ, Bolster C, Richards G, Loftus BA, Casey RA. We used training records collected during DEFRA funded research (33) on behalf of the UK government. Some claim they are torturous and unnecessary, and some claim, on the contrary, they are not painful and are very effective training methods. Wide Open Pets (2019). We assessed the efficacy of dog training with and without remote electronic collars compared to training with positive reinforcement. Rooney NJ, Cowan S. Training methods and owner–dog interactions: links with dog behaviour and learning ability. With good timing, these could result in negative reinforcement, although poor timing or imposition of the noxious stimuli in response to failure to perform the desired behavior would constitute a form of punishment. Training mainly occurred in field locations, with penned sheep, penned chickens and other (on lead) dogs, as potential distractors during training. Figure 4. For this reason, as part of the exploratory analysis of data during the original project (AW1402a), weekly variation in data were investigated in each group and no differences were found with respect to command use, dog behavior or training outcomes, suggesting weekly changes in environmental had minimal effects, and that trainers maintained consistent approaches to training over the weeks of data collection, despite the challenges of field conditions. If the dog ignores this, the electric stimulus may be applied until the desired behavior is performed. E-collars aren’t shortcuts to training your dog, but when used correctly, they serve as a sophisticated training tool that allows handlers and dogs to communicate more effectively than ever before. The PRO 550 Plus is extraordinarily versatile and user-friendly, and it features too many high-tech tools to list here. Final report prepared by Prof. Jonathan Cooper, Dr. Nina Cracknell, Jessica Hardiman and Prof. Daniel Mills (University of Lincoln) (2013). Received: 31 March 2020; Accepted: 03 July 2020; Published: 22 July 2020. “Come” and “Sit” commands were chosen for several reasons. Social facilitation of predatory, sheep-chasing behaviour in Norwegian Elkhounds, grey. Firstly, Control Group 2 appeared to primarily target recall training, with less time spent on other commands including sit, whereas the E-collar Group and Control Group 1 chose to work on both recall and general obedience including sitting (Table 3), perhaps indicating a greater focus on controlling the dog as well as achieving the target goal behavior. In: Horwitz DF, Mills DS, editors. Most collars are waterproof and come with a transmitter that uses vibrations or static stimulation to foster obedience. Data for the number of commands (Table 3) were analyzed per training session. Although differences between groups were small, dogs in Control Group 2, showed a shorter latency to begin to return than the E-collar Group, which is consistent with the higher proportion of responses seen following a single command in this group. Trainers followed approved practice as recommended by ECMA, including assessing the dog's sensitivity to electric stimuli prior to training, and pairing vibration cue with the electric signal with the aim of modifying behavior through negative reinforcement. Where dog training involves aversive or noxious stimuli, this can lead to punishment if dogs do not behave as desired (1, 2). Anim Welf . Electronic collars or shock collars are a controversial method of dog training. APDT-UK. doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2013.04.006. Scottish Government (2018). Hunting... Give a Gift   Some look at dogs like There was however no change in number of verbal signals used over the training days, and overall total number of signals used did not differ across training days [F(2, 293) = 0.16, P = 0.85]. Research studies are cited selectively by both advocates and opponents of E-collars to support their claims, often with insufficient appreciation of the quality of experimental design or with a biased evaluation of evidence, such as the multiple possible interpretations of isolated behavioral indicators of welfare (11). We’re here to help you make the best possible decision for you and your pup. Kyle Wintersteen does a dog breed comparison on Chessies and Labs. *Correspondence: Jonathan J. Cooper, jcooper@lincoln.ac.uk, Front. The Use of Electric Pulse Training Aids (EPTAs) in Companion Animals. (5), Ziv (6), and Masson et al. Electronic Collars Manufacturers Association ECMA. The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. It’s also backed by a lifetime warranty. To control for the different number of commands given, absolute values were converted into % of commands to compare reliability of response between the three groups. The 63 dogs involved in the study were all older than 9 months of age and had no prior experience with electronic collars. 15. The majority of signals were verbal with 17.8 ± 0.8 verbal signals per session (66% of all signals). The means is not important, only the end result. In addition to his competitive success, West has trained hundreds of gun dogs, and he also served as Director of Sporting Dog Field Programs for Purina. Three forms of signal or mode of delivery of training signals were noted in preliminary observation; verbal, hand and lead, and these are also defined in context in Table 1. (2002). The editor and reviewers' affiliations are the latest provided on their Loop research profiles and may not reflect their situation at the time of review. As a consequence, although we did not have the control over variables of experimental investigations of e-collar training [e.g., (37–39)], we did meet our aim of evaluating professional training of companion dogs with typically referred behaviors in the field. Overall, the professional use of a reward-focused training regime, as demonstrated by Control Group 2, was superior to E-collar and Control Group 1 in every measure of efficacy where there was a significant difference. 10. The difference in latency to respond to the “Sit” command was largely similar to that of the “Come” command, however Control Group 2 responded sooner than both the E-collar Group and Control Group 1. These qualitative observations support the suggestion that the trainers involved in both the E-collar training and Control Group 1 were again more focussed on forcing compliance rather than shaping the desired response (40). In this way dogs may learn through a combination of negative reinforcement and classical conditioning to avoid the electric stimulus by performing the desired response, however, if the delivery of electric stimuli is poorly timed or inescapable, then undesirable associations may be formed (11–13). The Evolution of Modern-Day Dog Training and Obedience. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. The e-collar serves as a tool to reinforce heel and every other command. Data collection focused on dogs' response to two commands: “Come” (recall to trainer) and “Sit” (place hindquarters on ground). p. 49–64. Dogs in the E-collar group were trained in accordance with industry best practice, with dogs' sensitivity to E-collar settings assessed early in training, and training focussed on associating the pre-warning cue, a collar born vibration, with exposure to the electric stimuli. The proportion of responses that were performed following first command was high in all three groups, and the proportion of disobeys was low throughout the study and did not differ between training groups. This rate of reward would be consistent with the emphasis on reward based training in Control Group 2, compared to a mix of training approaches in the other treatment groups. Systems K9 700 Obedience Trainer: The new K9 700 from D.T. (2012) 8:93. doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-8-93. All Rights Reserved. It is likely that less experienced trainers and owners would be less skilled and thus less effective in their use of the device [See (25, 35)]. $219.95 | sportdog.com, Garmin PRO 550 Plus: The new PRO 550 Plus from Garmin is an intuitive, multifunction tracking and training unit built with the serious trainer in mind. China L. Comparison of E-collar and Reward Based Training on Acute Behavioural Responses and Efficacy of Training in Pet Dogs. There were also differences between the groups in time to complete the sit response, with Control Group 2 being faster to complete this response than both the E-collar group and Control Group 1. 29. This provided a single daily measure for each dog. There were 5.2 ± 0.3 hand signals per training session (19% of all signals) and 3.8 ± 0.4 lead signals (14%). Burch MR. Gundogs (25%), cross-breeds (25%), pastoral (17%) and terriers (13%) were the most commonly represented breed types with similar numbers in each treatment group, whereas there were no dogs from toy or utility breed groups. Electronic shock collars: are they worth the risks? We also recorded: if dogs began the recall response after a single “Come” command (Come); if multiple commands (Come+) were used to initiate the recall response; or if the dog did not initiate the response (disobey; see Table 2). By following West’s timeline (training basic commands, introducing the collar, teaching avoidance), trainers can speed up their dog’s education. Using a check cord, the dog must learn to walk alongside the handler. 35. doi: 10.1207/S15327604JAWS0304_6. 2. As buttons to deliver pre-warning cues were on same handset as the button for electric stimulus, it was not possible to reliably determine when electric stimuli were applied, so we should be cautious about inferring when stimuli were used during training schedules. SportDOG SportTrainer 1275: The new SportTrainer from SportDOG offers an impressive three-quarter mile range, and the easy-to-read OLED screen displays the selected dog, static-stimulation level, mode, and battery level. Ethical approval was provided by the University of Lincoln Research Ethics Committee. RSPCA (2018). (2013) 146:107–11. (2010) 1:42. doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2009.09.039, 37. Available online at: https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/news-events/news/electric-shock-collars-news (accessed November 25, 2019). When the dog learns to avoid pressure without a harsh correction, it will perform better. (2018) 25:71–75. ©2021 Outdoor Sportsman Group. With 10 available static-stimulation levels, as well as vibration and tone options, trainers can customize the system to fit the needs of each individual dog. Hiby EF, Rooney NJ, Bradshaw JWS. DEFRA. An investigation into potential overshadowing of verbal commands during training. A growing understanding of the application of learning theory to dog welfare has led many training organizations, welfare charities and academics to advocate what they consider to be more humane methods, with a greater focus on the use and timing of rewards (3–9). Each of the three training groups had successful training outcomes to both “Come” and “Sit” commands. Training and learning protocols. Given the better target behavior response parameters associated with a reward-focused training programme, and the finding that the use of an E-collar did not create a greater deterrent for disobedience; we conclude that an E-collar is unnecessary for effective recall training. “When you are confident that the dog understands the command, you can add collar pressure,” West says. All dogs used in this study had been referred for behavioral concerns including poor recall and livestock worrying and owners had been recommended to seek professional training to resolve those problems. It was also clear that the dogs received more lead and hand signals than the dogs in the E-collar group. doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2003.10.004, 39. We have many electronic dog collars types and accessories including the remote dog trainer, radio dog fence and anti bark collar. Scottish Government. Our results demonstrate through direct evidence from real life situations, that the reward-focused training was, indeed, more efficient than methods which included potentially aversive stimuli such as electric stimuli or excessive lead pressure. As these lessons compound over the years, the dog becomes more competent and confident — just the type of finished dog all hunters want. In this way, the intensity of the electric stimulus could have been moderated to match the dog's tolerance and dogs could learn to modify their behavior to avoid exposure to the electric stimulus; a form of negative reinforcement. (3), Rooney and Cowan (4), Fernandes et al. 23. FunniPets [FunTrainer+] Dog Training Collar for 2 Dogs, 2600ft Range Dog Shock Collar with Remote, Waterproof Electronic Dog Collar for Medium and Large Breed Dogs with 4 Training Modes Light Shock Vibration Beep. Whatever has made you consider an E-collar, this article will outline the pros and cons of electronic dog collar training. These findings are consistent with the reported public perception that E-collars have lower success rates than reward-based training for recall and chase problems (25), and concerns regarding efficacy of training programs involving potentially aversive stimuli raised by Hiby et al. Christiansen FO, Bakken M, Braastad BO. See how these two breeds... Want to aid in your preseason training? 4. 34. Previous work Cooper et al. You can purchase the new PRO 550 Plus bundled with a TT 15 dog device, but if you already have a TT 15 or T 5 series collar, you can simply purchase the PRO 550 Plus remote separately. Behavioural differences between three breed groups of hunting dogs confronted with domestic sheep. There was no difference in the number of verbal signals given to dogs in the 3 training groups (Table 3), but Control Group 1 consistently received more hand and lead signals than dogs trained with E-collars, whilst Control Group 2 consistently had fewer hand and lead signals than the other groups. A dog that understands basic commands and obeys those commands to avoid pressure has the tools required to perform well in the field. The current study focussed on remote, hand-operated devices, as these were the most commonly used form in the UK at time of study (25, 32); being primarily used as a means of discouraging chasing behavior and improving recall. (25) in their survey of use of electronic training aids, and there were no significant differences between the dogs allocated to the three treatments in type of dog or reason for referral (31). If you need a dog training collar, we will have something to suit you. (2007) 105:369–80. PRO 550 Plus/TT 15 Bundle: $649.99, PRO 550 Plus remote only: $399.99, DriveTrack 71: $399.99 | garmin.com, Dogtra T&B Dual: Designed with trainers in mind, the T&B Dual from Dogtra allows handlers to manage two different collars with a single handheld unit. (2012). To use e-collars effectively, West says, trainers need to know what e-collars are for, and when and how to apply that pressure. Impact Factor 2.245 | CiteScore 2.6More on impact ›, Working Dogs: Form and Function, Volume II The dog population used in this study was broadly similar to the populations described by Blackwell et al. It doesn't by much—the wide spot in the road. Subscripts (a, b, and c) indicate where training days differed based on Tukey pair-wise comparisons. US: Animal Wellness Magazine (2018). These findings are consistent with owner satisfaction with training outcomes as reported previously (31) and should be expected as all trainers were professionals, with extensive experience of training dogs to improve recall and general obedience. Dogs in this group wore a de-activated dummy collar (as did dogs in Control Group 2) to control for the wearing of an unfamiliar device as well as part of the process of blinding observers to treatment in video analysis. Vet. Rev Med Vet. To put your mind at rest most Dogtra E-Collars in the UK are bought by pet dog owners who are animal lovers who would like to give their dogs more freedom and be safe in the knowledge that their dog WILL COME BACK in any circumstances and no matter what the distraction. There are no shortcuts to bypass this training, and West says that the responsibility remains on the dog trainer to effectively communicate to the dog what each command means. This decrease may reflect current government policy on the devices in Wales [devices banned under the (27)] and Scotland [not condoned in dog training and use may lead to punishment (28)], with restrictive legislation proposed for England (29) as well as high-profile campaigns against their use [e.g., by the (18)]. Efficacy can be assessed objectively using specific target behavioral measures, and the use of professionally designed regimes delivered by experienced trainers can reduce the risk of sampling bias. “In the early days, they were primarily used for trash-breaking dogs.”. Electronic training devices: discussion on the pros and cons of their use in dogs as a basis for the position statement of the European Society of Veterinary Clinical Ethology. Chasing was the most common reason for referral in the study population (51 out of 63 dogs or 81% of population), representing 18 dogs in the E-Collar Group, 17 dogs in Control Group 1 and 16 dogs in Control Group 2. PDSA. In contrast, those who advocate the use of remote E-collars have argued that the devices, especially in the hands of experienced trainers, can be used as to modify behavior through negative reinforcement, with limited exposure to noxious stimuli, so are a valuable training aid. $179.99 | dtsystems.com. Stallard C. A Ban on Using Electric Shock Collars Is Great – but We Need to Ban Sales of Aversive Devices to Protect Pets. “Today’s collars are so sophisticated, that you can correct a dog almost as gently as with a check cord,” West says. Available online at: https://positively.com/files/The-Use-of-Shock-Collars-and-Their-Impact-on-the-Welfare-of-Dogs.pdf (accessed November 10, 2019). UK Wide Electric Shock Collar Ban Will Save Hundreds of Thousands of Dogs From Aversive Training Devices. The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation. This e-collar offers three separate programable training modes with a selector, and 16 levels of e-stimulation. PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report 2019. Table 2. However, the necessity of these devices [which has been used to justify their continued use e.g. Ripley K. Everything You Need to Know About Training With E-Collars. The majority of owners described their dogs as exhibiting the referred behavior “Always” (31 dogs or 49% of population), or “Frequently” (24 dogs or 38% of population indicating the high severity as perceived by owners. Whether you’re trying to stop an aggressive behavior, teach your dog to walk with a leash, or encourage desired behavior the proper use of a dog training collar can be the best tool in your toolbox. We would also like to thank University of Lincoln, who provided an alumni support bursary for LC's Master's by Research thesis. Written informed consent was obtained from the owners for the participation of their animals in this study. For example, although one might predict that there would be more use of electric stimuli during early training as sensitivity is determined and an association formed between stimulus and desired response, or that electric stimuli would be more likely to be applied if the dog did not respond to initial command this cannot be verified from our data. 18 Welsh Assembly (2010). Studies to Assess the Effect of Pet Training Aids, Specifically Remote Static Pulse Systems, on the Welfare of Domestic Dogs; Field Study of Dogs in Training - AW1402A. Appl Anim Behav Sci. With a maximum range of 700 yards, the K9 700 covers most obedience-training scenarios, and its waterproof construction means it will stand up to any training conditions. The T&B Dual can be purchased as a one-dog system, and expanded later if desired. Similarly, we recorded: if a sit response was completed after a single signal (Sit); if multiple signals were needed (Sit+); or if the dog did not perform a Sit response to the “Sit” commands (disobey). 17. J Appl Anim Welf Sci. BMC Vet Res. The mean (with SE) latency to respond to “Come” command by dogs in the E-collar training group and the two Control groups over the 3 training days. Published on 01/22/18 Read Article Getting Started with Dog Training The PRO 550 Plus also pairs with Garmin’s Fenix 3, Fenix 5, Tactix Bravo, and Tactix Charlie smartwatches, allowing you to see your dog’s whereabouts on your watch at any time. Best E Collar Dog Training – Pet Union PT0Z1 Review. Certified trainers of contemporary times will tell you that not only are electronic collars unnecessary, they are harmful and have negative impacts on your dog's behavior and temperament. There was no significant difference in the proportion of command disobeyed between the three groups, although significantly fewer commands were given to the dogs in Control 2. Electronic training aids take a number of forms, but they commonly involve a collar-born device (E-collar) which can deliver a static electric stimulus to the dog's neck as well as a number of other stimuli, such as auditory or haptic/vibration signals (10). Collar manufacturers suggest that an advantage of these systems is that they give handlers control over a dog even at distance (19), and effectively suppress highly motivated behaviors, such as predatory behavior; a cause of livestock chasing or unintentional killing of wildlife (20–23). It is the smallest but more powerful E-collar in the … During training dogs were normally within 1 m of the trainer (around 70% of time in all three groups) with <5% of time spent more than 5 m distant from trainer (in all three groups). “A training collar is simply a tool to reinforce basic commands at a distance. These findings refute the suggestion that training with an E-collar is either more efficient or results in less disobedience, even in the hands of experienced trainers. Hand signals, involved not only hand gestures, but were also accompanied in some instances by physical contact with the dogs to gain their attention, stopping of ongoing behavior or pushing the dog into the desired position, whilst lead signals could be accompanied by what appeared to be sharp pulls on the lead. Data for the current study were taken from the two training sessions on the first, third and fifth day of training for each dog. Vet Rec. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. APDT. Therefore, so long as dogs were not exposed to inescapable punishment, and trainers followed industry standards, we could not artificially impose standardized training programs, nor could we preclude trainers from using other signals and/or contingencies during training such as hand and lead signals. Dogs in Control Group 1 were trained by the same trainers as the E-collar group and were expected to follow the same training approaches but without use of E-collar stimuli. In summary, this group appeared to use the simplest and clearest contingencies for associative learning. Where dogs responded to the “Come” command the latency was recorded as the time from delivery of first command to the dog initiating the recall response, whereas latency to sit was recorded as the time to place hind-quarters on ground following delivery of the first “Sit” command signal. In contrast the E-collar group and Control Group 1 used a variety of signals and contingencies, including some potentially aversive handling and lead pressure during training. Sometimes known as a remote training collar or zap collar, this tool consists of a wireless remote which the human carries and a wireless receiver that the dog wears close to his neck. 1. Sci., 22 July 2020 Using commands and e-collar reinforcement, the trainer can teach a dog to maintain a reasonable range while hunting, move as directed, and recall when commanded. “First, you get the dog to do the command, and then you add the verbal cue,” West says. Beerda B, Schilder MBH, van Hoff Jan ARAM, de Vries HW, Mola JA. The mean (with SE) number of verbal commands given to dogs in the E-collar training group and the two Control groups over the 3 training days. “E-collars act like a check cord or a heel stick. These dogs also had shorter response latencies than the E-collar group. Although there has been no published work on seasonal variation in training outcomes in dogs, there are likely to be variation in environmental conditions, that may impact on these outcomes. (2011) 132:169–77. 11. Blackwell EJ, Casey RA. As a consequence, Control Group 1 received most signals during training, whilst Control Group 2 received fewer signals during the training period than the other groups [F(2, 293) = 30.2, P < 0.001]. The #1 reason we love this collar is the fact the emphasize that the shock mode is a last resort – as it … The different E-collar models you can select from have functions that allow you to send either a tone, vibration, or a stimulating sensation to the dog. Measures focused on indicators of efficacy and reliability of obeying command, including latency to complete response and number of commands required to complete desired response. (2000) 3:345–57. The remaining dogs had either been referred for poor recall (9 dogs of which 1 was in E-collar Group and 4 each in Control Group) or aggressive interactions with other dogs whilst off lead (3 dogs, 2 of which were in E-collar Group, 1 in Control Group 2 and none in Control Group 1). Available online at: http://www.naiaonline.org/articles/article/the-evolution-of-modern-day-dog-training#sthash.kMpTEvbM.vcAxIBoe.dpbs (accessed November 27, 2019). (2004) 85:319–34. Pet Union No Bark Dog Collar, Stop Dogs Barking with Sound & Vibration, Humane (No Shock or Harmful Sprays) Rechargeable Anti Bark Dog Training Collar 3.8 out of 5 stars 444 £14.99 £ 14 . Schalke E, Stichnoth J, Ott S, Jones-Baade R. Clinical signs caused by the use of electric training collars on dogs in everyday life situations. E-collars can be effective training tools when used properly. Studies to Assess the Effect of Pet Training Aids, Specifically Remote Static Pulse Systems, on the Welfare of Domestic Dogs - AW1402. According to West, e-collars became more advanced over time, offering a broad range of corrective measures that include vibration, tone, and electric feedback. It has been frequently argued that the use of aversives in dog training results in poorer learning outcomes and poses greater welfare risks compared with largely reward based training (3–6). doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2011.03.007, 5. Masson S, Nigron I, Gaultier E. Questionnaire survey on the use of different e-collar types in France in everyday life with a view to providing recommendations for possible future regulations. In summary, an important strategy within the reward-focused training of Control Group 2 was the positive reinforcement of successive approximations of the desired behavior, with mainly verbal signals, in order to build a strong contingency between command word and response (40).