Shock Collars Grrr..Shocking!!
 

I have a partial migraine right now, so that is probably contributing to my rant. Please forgive me, but I have seen multiple posts in the past couple of weeks recommending or advocating shock collars for use on yorkies. I don't get it. Posters say it is just a little tingle to the dog, then go on to state the dog yelps when zapped.

Just in case anyone is convinced these collars are nothing more than an irritant to a dog...

In a tazer, which are designed to "bring down" a 200 lb man, the amount of joules "emitted" are .3 in the most common tazer. In a common shock collar advertised for small dogs, the calculated joules are .11. This .11 joules is applied to a 5 to 10 lb dog. In relation:

.3 brings down 200 lb man ----- what does .11 do to 5-10 lb dog?

That is over 30% of the amount of joules applied to 2.5 to 5% of the body mass of a man (size of dog).

Sweating dog should increase conductivity of electricity.

I think if the collar is going to be considered, it needs to be on a much larger dog than a yorkie (if you believe in negative training).

I'm done ranting. Sorry. I know there are very smart ppl on this site who are probably just as horrified as I am to read someone is applying a shock collar to a yorkie.

I watched some videos on youtube a while back about humans trying shock collars out, usually on the lowest setting. It's disturbing what it does to them and they're expecting it and know what causes it. A poor dog doesn't know what the heck is going on, just that it got zapped.:(:thumbdown
And for those that use them & say they can't set them off to try them, there are a number of videos where other people have no problem.

I have one of the most challenging behavior cases I have ever delt with in my Mylee. I would never resort to a shock collar on her. Because she has been the most challenging, I have gotten the greatest satisfaction out of the results I have seen with consistent work in her. Some days I just can't believe she is the same dog and we have a long ways to go. She is a challenge, but she's not a bad dog, she's very very smart, and when we work I can see her mind thinking and working. I just love that!

I just think they are wrong to use. I am a huge on proper treatment of animals. Got into an argument at work one day with a lady's husband over animals having/not having feelings. Needless to say, I shut him up. I think it is cruel because they do have feelings. How would you feel about someone who shocks you all the time! It just isn't right!

I think it's plain cruel as well. I don't like them for ANY dog but especially a small dog. It just.... well, it shocks me. Who in their right mind would think it's a good idea to shock their dog? No matter what the circumstance?

Shock collars are for lazy owners that dont want to train their dogs

THANK YOU! :thumbup: :bravo:

I agree 100%. I'm sorry, but I would much rather deal with a little hellion of a dog before I'd even consider those for one second!

I guess if it came down to it & Princess was too unruly, god forbid, I would rehome her to someone that had the ability & patience to either accept her as is or positively train her.

Lord knows I don't always do what people expect of me & my DD doesn't for me. Yes humans are just that & not dogs. But we're all still living, breathing, needing, loving, social creatures & deserve to be treated as such.

:thumbup:
Chachi summed it up perfectly!

On another topic, I tried watching the Belmont Stakes races today and was disgusted watching horses getting whipped to run faster. It's sick what humans do to animals....but then look what we do to each other :confused:

Yup, you are so correct on this. It upsets me too to hear of people using this on tiny yorkies. I don't think it's the answer for ANY dog but can't believe people even dream of using it on Yorkies.:(

Every time I bring up this subject I get a lot of flak. What you must understand is that I agree with all of you. You must be extremely careful with ANY collar on a small dog. I was very concerned about using one of these collars on Ruger until I learned the shock could be reduced to almost nothing -- way below the lowest setting. Unfortunately this is not a simple procedure for most people and it's not in the instruction manual.

Also, unfortunately, nobody makes correction collars for small dogs -- vibration, citronella or otherwise. Ruger is pretty big. If he was a typical Yorkie I wouldn't even consider a correction collar of any kind.

hmmm...what better indication could you have, that these collars are not right for small dogs! (or any dogs in my opinion)

I thought these electrick shock collars were illegal here in the UK?

What I really don't get is the argument that some settings are just like a vibration - a tap on the shoulder. Hmm. If it's just like a tap on the shoulder, then go tap the dog on the shoulder! That requires walking across the romm/house when the barking starts though and I guess some people don't want to take the time to do that?:confused: Remove the pup from the situation?

I hate shock collars, but I especially hate the owners who bring their dogs to the park with shock collars on for "training" purposes. I always leave immediately.