Let’s Talk About E-Collars (Again): A More Compassionate Look at What Our Dogs Really Need
My thoughts? We can do better.
Whether you're searching for dog training in Colorado Springs, CO or wondering about the best way to train your new puppy in Central Ohio, you’ve likely come across electronic collars (e-collars), sometimes referred to as shock collars, stim collars, remote collars, or even vibration collars. You might have seen them in a pet store, read about them online, or heard from friends who say “it worked great for their dog.”
Here’s the thing: just because something works doesn’t mean it’s the best path forward for your dog’s wellbeing, or for your long-term relationship together.
A Judgment-Free Zone, No Matter Your Past Choices
If you’ve used e-collars or other punishment-based tools before, please know: you are absolutely welcome here, without judgment. Many of our clients have gone down that path, often with good intentions. We deeply understand how a mix of cultural influence, desensitization, strong marketing, and the very human desire for effectiveness can lead to those choices. Trainers like Cesar Millan made these strategies seem mainstream. Marketing promises quick fixes. And when you’re desperate to help your dog, you’ll try what’s available. That doesn’t make you a bad guardian. Just being here, reading this, shows how much you care, and we want to meet that with curiosity, understanding, and support.
So, What Is an E-Collar, Really?
At their core, e-collars are training tools that work through the application of something aversive—vibration, static shock, scent, or noise—after your dog does something you want to stop. In behavioral terms, this is known as positive punishment: adding (positive) something unpleasant to reduce (punish) the likelihood of a behavior happening again.
Example:
Person walks by the window > Dog barks > Dog receives a zap or vibration
Outcome: Barking may decrease… but what else might happen?
What Most Trainers Won’t Talk About: The Side Effects of E-Collar Use
When we use punishment, especially consistently or incorrectly, we can accidentally cause a lot more harm than good. Here's what might also show up:
Generalized fear or anxiety
Avoidance behavior (like hiding, refusing to go near the window)
Defensive or aggressive behaviors (perhaps growling, barking, biting)
Damaged trust between dog and human
Your dog may stop barking, but have we addressed why they were barking in the first place? If your dog barked to make someone go away, and that person still left (as most people do), the barking “worked.” Now we’re punishing communication… and missing the point entirely.
Why We Don’t Use E-Collars at Good Dog & Co.
At Good Dog & Co., we believe in working with your dog, not against them. Instead of punishing the behavior, we ask the deeper question: What’s the function of this behavior? (Or as we like to say: WTF?)
Using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and the ABC model (Antecedent–Behavior–Consequence), we uncover what your dog is trying to communicate and help them learn more effective, appropriate ways to do so.
Instead of zapping away a behavior, we:
Understand the environment and what’s triggering the behavior
Modify that environment to support calm and clarity
Teach your dog what to do instead with consistency, empathy, and reward-based learning
This is not only effective, it’s sustainable, and it feels good for everyone involved.
What Should Come Before Punishment? A Lot.
According to Dr. Susan Friedman’s Hierarchy of Behavior Change Procedures, punishment should never be our first resort. Before ever considering it, we:
Rule out medical or nutritional causes
Change the environment to prevent the problem behavior
Teach and reinforce desired alternative behaviors
Use minimally invasive interventions only when truly necessary and in consultation with colleagues
At the very bottom of the hierarchy? Punishment.
Thankfully, outside of medically necessary procedures, we have the knowledge, tools, and training to achieve meaningful, lasting behavior change without resorting to punishment. As a certified trainer under the KPA CTP (Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner) oath, we are committed to doing no harm during training sessions—and that promise shapes every decision we make.
Every animal deserves the dignity of choice, agency, and learning in a way that builds confidence, not fear.
What to Do Instead of Using an E-Collar
If your dog is barking, lunging, jumping, or struggling with reactivity, we can help. Our training packages, available in Colorado Springs, Central Ohio, and virtually worldwide, offer personalized support to address your dog’s behavior with compassion and effectiveness.
Here’s what you’ll get when you train with Good Dog & Co.:
A thorough behavior assessment based on science, not guesswork
A compassionate, force-free training plan tailored to your dog’s needs
Ongoing coaching to help you understand your dog better than ever
Real-life results without the harm
Common Questions from Dog Guardians Like You
How much does dog training cost in Colorado Springs, CO or Central Ohio?
Our rates are competitive with local in-home dog training programs, with options to fit your goals and budget. We offer premium packages with follow-up support, virtual coaching, and in-person training. Learn more here.
Is e-collar training bad?
E-collar training can suppress behavior, but it often causes unintended consequences. There are gentler, more effective methods that support your dog’s emotional wellbeing, and that’s what we specialize in.
Will my dog listen without a shock collar?
Yes! With relationship-based training and positive reinforcement, your dog can learn to focus, cooperate, and respond beautifully without fear or discomfort.
Ready for a More Compassionate Way to Train?
We’re here to help your dog become the best version of themselves: joyful, connected, and confident. Whether you're looking for in-person dog training in Colorado Springs or Central Ohio, or virtual support from anywhere in the world, we offer a force-free, science-based alternative to e-collars, and we’d love to meet you.
Book a consultation or explore our packages to get started.
Because your dog deserves better. And honestly? So do you.
