When a dog does not walk next to his person, he even pulls a lot on the leash or gets very nervous when he sees other dogs, the human to correct this behavior usually chooses to buy the furry an accessory that is not very educational: a punishment collar or also called training collar.
Whether it is a chain or if it also has long spikes, it is not recommended to buy it. And it is that, although at first you may think otherwise, behavioral problems in dogs that wear punishment collars are the order of the day.
What is a biosimilar
The necklaces of punishment They are objects that are placed on the dog's neck that, once they do not act in the correct way, produces a negative experience.. There are three types, which are:
- Electric collar: produces an electric shock that can be more or less intense when the trainer presses a button on the remote control. It is also activated when the dog's throat begins to vibrate to bark.
- Spike collar: it has metal or plastic spikes that dig into the neck when you pull the strap or the person gives it a tug to correct it.
- Choke Collar - Tapers without limit on the dog's neck.
They have been used for many years, but fortunately this is a practice that is declining. In various countries of the world they are illegal; in Spain they are regulated by the autonomous communities.
Why are they bought?
There are several reasons why a person buys a punishment collar for their dog. For example, on the recommendation of an acquaintance, having seen it used on a television show, or even because your vet has suggested it to you. In any of these cases, the objective of this acquisition is to prevent or correct a behavior problem.
But you have to know that this purchase is not going to solve anything; but rather the opposite.
What are the problems that may appear?
When buying a punishment collar, for example an electric one, the dog is expected to stop barking, or pulling on the leash, but the reality is that if we want to solve the problem we have to find out why it behaves like this…. because, yes, an electric shock is going to get him to stay by your side at that moment, but it is not going to teach him to walk well or, much less, to enjoy the walk.
All this object does is cause negative experiences, and if it also does it continuously, what we will achieve is that behavioral problems appear that there were not before. Why?
Because the dog's brain relates each negative situation to the pain it feelsTo the point that sooner rather than later he will believe that, for example, any dog that approaches him is going to cause him pain, and for this reason he will do everything possible to keep it away and also so that the collar does not get tight.
Thus, the animal will be aggressive with other dogs, with children, bicycles, ... in short, with any animal (person or furry) or object that its brain has related to pain.
Are there alternatives?
By supuesto. The alternative is to understand the dog, its body language, its signs of calm, and for respecting it at all times. Be careful, it is not about letting him be aggressive, but about teaching him that he has nothing to fear. And for that we can count on the help of trainers who work positively.
What I do not advise doing under any circumstances is to follow the advice of so-called professionals, and less if they appear on certain television channels, because not always a person who has many followers is a true professional.
I hope it has been useful to you.