While searching around the internet, you might find a lot of different opinions on vibration collars – with many people wondering are they humane for your pup or are they a cruel punishment? Some people swear by them, saying that they are the only thing that has helped their dog stop barking.
Let’s take a look at the facts of the matter and see if Lil’ John (my new dog’s name) is going to be hurt or suffer debilitating PTSD while wearing a vibration collar (little bit of a spoiler here for you: they won’t!)
A vibration collar is a type of training collar that emits a short, sharp vibration when the dog wearing it does something that you don’t want them to do – like barking, digging, running away, etc. These collars can also be used to simply get your dog’s attention for any reason.
Some vibration collars are set up to activate when your dog barks, to help quell excessive barking. Others are activated manually by the owner (that’s you!) whenever there is a need to cut out some kind of behavior and get your ADHD rattled dog’s full attention.
The idea is that the vibration startles the dog and distracts them from whatever they are doing, long enough for you to give them a verbal cue to correct their behavior.
They work best when used with positive reinforcement, for example if you catch your dog chewing on a shoe you would activate the vibration collar – stopping the action and getting your dog’s attention – and redirect them to a toy or a treat.
This helps to explain to a dog what is ok to chew and what is off limits. They can be surprisingly effective when used properly!
Vibration collars are not new – they have been around for a few years, but their popularity has grown in recent years as more and more people look for alternatives to traditional training methods like choke chains and shock collars.
Vibration Collars vs Shock Collars
It’s important to understand the distinction between vibration collars and shock collars – they are not the same thing! Vibration collars give your pet a quick vibration to get their attention but do not hurt them in any way. Shock collars use a small electric shock to do essentially the same thing.
When most people ask if vibration collars are humane, they are probably envisioning shock collars instead. Shock collars have been around since the 70s and many used to be WAY too strong, possibly burning your dogs skin and / or instilling a huge amount of fear in them (I mean, imagine a shock coming out of nowhere and you have no idea why. That would mess me up too, and I’m a full grown man).
This is because shock collars use negative reinforcement and cause a fearful reaction in your pet. This is not the right way to train and has a high chance of leading to a jittery, scared pet.
The Low Down On Whether Vibration Collars are Humane
So, are vibration collars humane? In my view, the answer is yes. There are some different opinions on this, but ultimately it comes down to your personal opinion, and especially HOW you use the vibration collar.
Some people believe that anything that startles or distracts could be a negative for training and the relationship between you are your dog, while others believe that as long as the collar is used properly, it is no more cruel than any other type of training method.
It is important to note that vibration collars will not hurt your pet, they only receive a harmless buzz from the device. So in terms of pain caused to your pet, vibration collars are definitely humane and a much better option for most pets.
Now, for a few caveats to this.
Personally, I believe the vibration collars that activate automatically when your dog barks are not a good tool unless your dog has a REAL barking problem. This is because barking is one of the main ways that dogs communicate and is a natural instinct.
In the case of a really bad barking situation, an automatically activating vibration collar could be useful but only for a small amount of time to potentially fix the problem.
Having said that, the vibration collars that you manually control are a great training tool and I use them in a lot of my sessions. They can help to get a dog’s attention over long distances and work great when used correctly. Using one, your dog can roam free while you are keeping an “eye” on them per say, and we all know dog’s love some open fields and the feeling of freedom that comes from being off a leash.
Another great use case for vibration collars are with deaf pets! With hearing impaired pets, make sure to only use a vibration collar to get their attention. Using it to correct bad behavior will be very confusing to a deaf dog and might end up doing more harm than good.
If you are considering using a vibration collar, it is important to do your research and talk to your veterinarian or a professional trainer to get their opinion. Only you can decide if an e-collar is the right choice for you and your dog.
If you are in need of a training guide for your pet, a great place to start is the course Brain Training for Dogs. Using interactive games, your pet learns what is acceptable and what is off limits, all while having a fun time.
Pros of Vibration Collars
- Easy to use
- Helpful for distance training
- Painless
- Can be programmed for different vibrations
Cons
- Shouldn’t be used for long periods of time
- Possible skin irritation
- Doesn’t work with all dogs
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a vibration collar in the rain?
Yes, most are safe to use in the rain. Make sure to purchase a waterproof model if you expect to be training outside a lot where the weather could turn.
How much do vibration collars cost?
There are many types of collars that start around $30 to $35 dollars and can go up from there to $100 for the “high end” models. Some collars have multiple settings and can change from shock to vibration collars, and some can also make a sound to get your pet’s attention!
Should you use vibration collars long term?
It’s best to use a vibration collar in a short term scenario – they help to get your dog’s attention but there are many ways to do that. It is also a good idea to only use a vibration collar for a maximum of 6 hours – it could start to irritate your pet’s skin if used for too long.
What are your thoughts on vibration collars? Have you ever used one? Let us know in the comments!
