Choked, Shocked, and Stabbed: Why Some Dog Collars Should be Banned

A collar is a normal accessory for any dog. A properly fitted, soft collar usually poses little harm to your animal companion. Indeed, in certain situations, a collar can save a dog’s life. Although humans should never pull or drag dogs by their collars, it can provide an important grip should you need to steer your dog away from a dangerous situation. Additionally, a collar signals that your dog has a home. Should they run away or become lost due to an emergency, a collar with tags giving your contact information (as well as being microchipped) can be crucial to being reunited with your beloved family member.

However, collars can be misused and turn from a safety tool to an instrument of terror. When improperly fitted, they can become embedded in a dog’s skin or caught on surrounding objects. Additionally, prong, choke, and shock collars are frequently used as “training” methods. However, all of these use fear and pain in an attempt to force a dog to behave in a certain way.

Prong Collars 

Prong collars are corrective devices made from interlocking links. These links are usually metal. They have blunted metal prongs facing inwards. With pressure, these prongs dig into the dog’s skin. Although proponents of prong collars claim that the way the prongs are set up prevents them from causing injury to a dog, this is not always the case. The prongs may dig into the skin, especially if excessive pressure is applied. Additionally, a too-small prong collar may become embedded in a dog’s skin, with the prongs becoming buried in the animal’s flesh. Other hazards include the risk that they may damage the throat, or that cuts and wounds from the prongs may become infected.

Like other types of corrective collars, prong collars use negative reinforcement as a training tool. They cause animals pain and suffering. This can lead to the animal developing anxiety or fear and becoming more, rather than less, reactive. 

Choke Collars

Choke collars are formed from a noose-like loop that is slipped over the animal’s head. If the animal or human pulls on the loop, it tightens. This causes uncomfortable asphyxiation for the animal. Choke collars are also known as choke chains, and can be made from metal or rope. 

Due to the tightening action of choke collars, they pose high risks to dogs and other animals they are used on. They can damage the throat, windpipe, esophagus, and even spinal cord. They have been known to cause death due to asphyxiation as in the case of a Boxer puppy named Gracie. While Gracie was at doggy daycare, the staff placed a choke collar on her. However, as Gracie was playing with another dog, the dogs became entangled. Sadly, Gracie was asphyxiated and died. 

Shock Collars

Shock collars are also sometimes known as e-collars. They are a popular training method that has many hidden risks. Shock collars work by delivering an electrical shock when a dog is behaving in an undesirable way. Supposedly, the shocks are small and do not pose a danger. However, this is often not the case. 

Many shock collars are also equipped with a beep or vibration setting. Over time, a dog will learn to associate the beep or vibration with receiving a shock. This forms a negative association between the two in their mind. Theoretically, this allows the shock to be phased out. However, even without the shock, these collars are psychologically tortuous for animals. Additionally, they can make some dogs even more reactive, fearful, or aggressive. Several studies have shown that e-collars have many negative impacts on dogs. 

Shock collars also have the potential to be physically harmful. They work by delivering electrical shocks. There have been instances of shock collars causing burns and wounds such as in the case of Oreo. A rescue dog, Oreo’s family wanted only the best for him. However, the large and rambunctious pup was difficult for them to handle. So, they sent him to a long-time trainer, paying nearly 2,000 dollars for a training program. However, after seeing videos of Oreo in training, they knew something was not right. They demanded Oreo’s return. Horrifically, the young dog had multiple wounds where a shock collar had been used on him. Even after receiving veterinary treatment, Oreo’s family says that he had developed anxious traits that he had not previously displayed. This is one example of the ways that shock collars can harm animals both physically and emotionally. 

Additionally, even though shock collars typically come with the ability to adjust the electric shock administered, the effect of the shock can vary greatly from dog to dog depending on age, health, coat length, and size. Shocks may also be affected by humid levels, or whether the dog’s coat is damp. 

Fortunately, more and more people and organizations are condemning the use of shock collars. Petco banned shock collar sales in their stores in 2020. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior also released a statement condemning shock collar use in 2021. Additionally, a survey revealed that, of humans with canine companions, 70% felt that shock collars had a negative effect. 

Prong, choke, and shock collars all use negative reinforcement as a tool for dog training. Not only does this hurt dogs, causing both physical and mental anguish, but it is less effective than positive reinforcement training techniques. Negative reinforcement can cause a dog to become fearful or distrusting of humans. By contrast, training through positive reinforcement strengthens the bond between dogs and humans. 

Fortunately, people are beginning to see the harmful effects of using prong, choke, and shock collars on animal companions. Indeed, many countries are moving to ban some or all of these barbarous tools. In January of 2023, France banned the use of shock collars as well as collars that strangle or cut into the animal. Many other European countries have also banned shock collars in recent years. In the United States, dog trainers and Animal rights activists in San Francisco proposed a ban on shock collars in early 2023. If legislation passes, the city will be the first in the U.S. to ban this type of collar. 

Sign this petition to Advocate for Cruel Collars to be Banned in the United States!

Ahisma Tee By Tiny Rescue: Animal Collection

Related Content: 

• 5 Types of Leashes and Collars You Should Never Buy
• Berlin Police Dogs Sent Off Duty After Ban on Pulling Collars
• Places That Have Banned Shock Collars and Why You Should Think Twice About Using One
• YES! Cruel and Unnecessary Shock Collars for Pets to Be Banned in the UK
• Are Prong Collars and Choke Chains a Shameful Trend That Dog Lovers Should Ditch? 

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade repeatedly.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!