by Alicia Kryklywyj

Created on: October 14, 2008

It is human nature to want a quick fix, and that is exactly what chock chains, pinch collars and electronic collars are in the market for. What most people do not know is using these devices without the help of a professional trainer could do their dog more harm then good.

The choke chain is usually the first fix people to turn to. If instructions came with the choke chain many more people would have success with it and not have to move up the ladder to a more harsh method. The choke chain is used to stop pulling and pulling only and it works wonderfully when used with the correct amount of pressure and at the correct times. However people do very minimal corrections when they pull back on the collar and it corrects nothing. The other half of people expect it on it's own to stop the dog from pulling because it tightens around the dogs neck. The dog just learns pressure means go forward.

When it comes to the pinch and shock collar being used incorrectly these collar can give very adversed effects on our dogs. You may of originally bought the pinch/shock collar to fix your dogs pulling, but insteadwhat can end up happening is your dog starts to link seeing other dogs and pulling towards them with intense pain from the pinch/shock collar. Eventually he will begin to notice that the pain always happens when there are other dog around. Soon he links the pain and other dogs together and can start to become aggressive when he sees another dogs. He is becoming aggressive because he thinks the other dogs being there is why he is being hurt so he wants them to stay away, but to make them stay away he has bark and growl. Enter; dog aggression.

What started out as finding a quick fix for your dogs pulling ended up creating a dog with fear aggression toward other dogs all because of the negative association with the pinch/shock collar around his neck.

Unfortunately when you buy such items they do not come with a warning or proper instructions on how to be used. If they did people would know how to use them in the correct context to fix what they want fixed and not have adversed effects that end up leading to other problems. These items can also lead to aggression towards people, children, cats, small dogs, and so forth when not used properly or without proper guidance. The adverse effects do not happen to all dogs that have pinch or shock collars used on them but properly instruction and guidance in the use of these items should be sought to avoid such a happening. Unless there is a very good reason to have to purchase and use one of these items they should be avoided at all costs. There are many other ways to correct whatever behavioral problem it may be that you are facing that do not come with the possible adverse effects attached.

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