Today I want to take a closer look at the fallout effects of aversive training tools such as prong collars, shock collars, bark collars, electric fences, and noise aversives. These methods all have one thing in common: they rely on fear, pain, or intimidation to stop behavior. If they “work,” it is because the dog has been hurt or frightened into stopping, not because they have learned a safer, more appropriate alternative and not because we’ve addressed their underlying issue.
Let’s be clear. These tools “work” because they hurt or scare the dog.
Prong collars are marketed as creating “pressure and tension on a dog’s neck to stop pulling.” By definition, that means they hurt when the dog pulls.
Shock collars and electric fences deliver painful or startling sensations, often unpredictably. Bark collars punish dogs for vocalizing, which is a natural and important behavior.
Noise aversives include yelling “no,” saying “eh-eh,” clapping, shaking a can of coins, blasting an air horn, or even misusing a clicker to startle. These may seem harmless, but dogs’ hearing is far more sensitive than ours. Loud, startling noises trigger a stress response, and when paired with the presence of people or other triggers, they can create fearful or aggressive associations.
The result in every case is the same: the dog may stop the unwanted behavior in the moment, but not because they understand what to do instead. They are simply afraid, confused, or shut down or have developed learned helplessness.
Even if it looks like these methods “worked” after one or two uses, the fallout can be lasting and severe. Here are some of the consequences I see time and again:
- Increased aggression or fear toward people
- Increased reactivity toward dogs
- Suppression of warning signs and communication, leading to bites that happen “out of nowhere”
- Learned helplessness, where the dog shuts down
- Long-term stress, anxiety, and phobias
- Fear of going outside or engaging in normal behaviors
- Physical injury such as punctures, neck wounds, trachea damage, or eye issues (Pauli et al., 2006)
- Dogs lost after running through an “invisible” fence and never returning
- Noise sensitivity and generalized fear of everyday sounds, such as microwave beeps, traffic, or children crying
Dogs that are punished for barking, growling, or jumping may start to associate scary things with the presence of people or dogs. A once-friendly dog can become fearful or aggressive because they learned “people predict yelling or pain.” Others may develop severe noise phobias that take months of treatment and even medication to manage.
There is no credible scientific evidence that electronic collars or fences are necessary or justified. A study in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior concluded that the use of shock collars, spray collars, or electronic fences cannot be supported by science.
Other studies have shown that prong collars do not reduce pulling more effectively than less aversive tools, and that punishment-based training raises stress hormones like cortisol (Beerda et al., 1998). In a 2021 study, Dr. Rachel Casey and colleagues found that dogs trained with punishment were more pessimistic, suggesting a more negative emotional state. Aversive training tools also reduce or remove the dog’s natural communication and body language, making dogs more unpredictable and dangerous. (ref: Pauli et al. (2006).)
In short, these methods do not solve problems, they create new ones.
Clients often tell me their dog “only needed to be shocked twice” or “stopped pulling immediately with a prong.” Others clap or yell because it seems easy in the moment. These quick fixes can feel effective, but they overlook the invisible cost.
People often turn to aversive tools because they seem like a shortcut, are marketed as cheaper than professional help, or are recommended by someone calling themselves a trainer. Some even try the tool on themselves and think “it didn’t hurt that much.” But dogs are not humans, and there’s a big difference doing it on yourself and expecting it than not knowing it’s coming.
In the US, anyone can call themselves a dog trainer. You need more licensing to cut hair than to train a dog. This lack of oversight leaves consumers unprotected, with many falling victim to predatory marketing and outdated dominance-based ideas. There is even a class action lawsuit against a shock collar manufacturer alleging false claims of safety.
Meanwhile, many countries have banned shock and prong collars, including Austria, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Wales, parts of Australia, and Quebec in Canada. In 2020, Petco became the first major retailer in the US to stop selling remote-controlled shock collars, but they still sell prong collars and electric containment systems. We need to do better.
Learning shouldn’t hurt.
Using pain or fear to control behavior does not address why the behavior is happening. Behavior suppression is not behavior modification. Fear is not disobedience. And dogs rarely “bite out of nowhere.” Punishment-based methods only mask the problem, often creating worse issues in the long run.
If you have used a prong, shock, bark collar, electric fence, or noise-based aversives, know this: it is not your fault. You were likely trying to do your best with the information given. As Maya Angelou said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
There are more humane, more effective ways to train that build trust and cooperation rather than fear and suppression. I can help you find those methods and modify your dog’s behavior safely and kindly.
If you are ready to change the way you work with your dog, download my guide Say No to Prong Collars, check out my free resources, or contact me to schedule a session. Together, we can create a better path for you and your dog. Contact me and schedule a session if you need help.
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Happy training!
