Beyond the Ethics: The Invisible Medical Risks of Aversive Tools 🧠🐾

By Cathy Donaghy (BA Hons) Dip-CABT CCAB

Certified Animal Behaviourist & IMDT Qualified Trainer

Every dog owner is entitled to make choices about how they train their pets, and this post is not intended to pass judgment on anyone. As a Certified Animal Behaviourist, I am opposed to the use of electronic shock collars on any dog, at any age. The science on aversive training tools is clear, and the physical and emotional risks are never worth the quick fix.

But today’s incident hit different.

Seeing an e-collar used on a young puppy made me deeply concerned and prompted me to open up an honest, science-based conversation about adolescent development, learning theory, and canine health.

While out on a session today, a sweet 7- to 8-month-old female pup trotted over off-lead to greet my client’s dog. My client’s dog, who has been feeling a little sore lately, flicked her head around and gave a clear grumble asking for space. The puppy respected the communication immediately and began turning away.

Then came the electric communication.

Her owner pressed an electronic collar remote, I believe, in an effort to recall her. The puppy cowered, shook her head in distress, and after a few seconds scrambled into a desperate heel position.

While letting an off-lead puppy approach an unknown or on-lead dog isn't ideal, the pup’s actual social response was flawless. She communicated, respected another dog's boundary, and disengaged smoothly.

Correcting a dog immediately after appropriate social disengagement is a sure way to shatter their confidence, create confusion, and set them up for future social conflict.

What made this interaction so alarming was not just seeing the psychological impact, but the dog's age and the severe medical complications her specific breed is highly prone to having or developing. It is vital to emphasize that while this post is directly linked to the e-collar incident I witnessed, the exact same mechanical and physical health risks apply to the use of grot collars, prong collars, tight slip leads, or check chains. When a breed's genetic makeup is heavily documented to be physically fragile, delivering sharp physical corrections, constriction, or pressure directly to the upper cervical spine and throat is a dangerous gamble with their anatomy.

Adolescent Development & Fear Periods

While electronic collars carry physical and psychological risks for dogs of all ages, using them on puppies introduces a unique layer of developmental harm.

At 7 to 8 months of age, female adolescent dogs undergo significant hormonal shifts and enter secondary fear periods. During these critical developmental windows, a single traumatic or painful experience can leave a lasting emotional scar.

Navigating social boundaries, learning how to greet politely, and disengaging gracefully are vital life skills for young dogs. There was absolutely no need to e-collar the puppy my client's dog had already said, "No thank you, I don't like you rushing up on me," and the puppy accepted it smoothly. When we rely on aversive tools to force obedience during the most critical developmental stages of a puppy's life, we bypass the opportunity to teach them safely and confidently.

Applying electrical currents while a dog is actively interacting with or disengaging from another dog could create a dangerous "superstitious association." Instead of learning the intented recall, the dog learns that the presence of other dogs leads to discomfort a direct pathway to lifelong, fear-based dog-on-dog reactivity.

The Severe Physical & Health Risks to Vulnerable Breeds

Using an e-collar on a dog belonging to a breed predisposed to major genetic health conditions presents profound, unique physical dangers at any stage of life. While I do not wish to disclose the specific breed of the dog in a public domain, as the owner is simply following a training protocol given to them, it is well-documented that this particular breed is highly prone to the following conditions:

Cardiovascular Strain & Mitral Valve Disease (MVD)

This breed is highly prone to developing Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) and progressive heart failure as they mature. Static electrical corrections trigger immediate, involuntary spikes in cortisol and adrenaline. This acute emotional distress elevates heart rate and blood pressure, placing dangerous, unnecessary strain on a vulnerable cardiovascular system.

Neurological Hazards: Chiari-like Malformation (CM) & Syringomyelia (SM)

This breed is also highly prone to Chiari-like Malformation (CM) and Syringomyelia (SM) structural conditions where the back of the skull is too small for the brain, obstructing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow and forming fluid-filled cavities in the spinal cord. Most affected dogs only start exhibiting noticeable clinical signs between 3 and 6 years of age, meaning a young dog may already be suffering invisibly before symptoms show.

• Neuropathic Pain: Dogs with CM/SM suffer from extreme hypersensitivity (allodynia and hyperalgesia) around the head, neck, and shoulders. Delivering electrical stimulation directly to this compromised area can trigger intense neurological pain, head-shaking, and acute distress.

• Pressure Surges: The acute shock response increases systemic blood pressure, which in turn spikes central venous and intracranial pressure (ICP). In a dog whose CSF flow is already bottlenecked, these pressure surges can severely aggravate spinal fluid obstruction.

Mechanical & Musculoskeletal Stress

The breed is also genetically predisposed to musculoskeletal issues. The involuntary, startled physical reactions caused by an electrical current such as violent head-shaking, cowering, and scrambling put severe strain on joints in a breed highly prone to luxating patellas (dislocating kneecaps) and hip dysplasia.

A Question of Professional Duty: Medical Disclosure & Trainer Responsibility

As behaviourists, we are always concerned with medical history and underlying health issues, maintaining an acute awareness of breed-specific health challenges. We ensure the veterinary team is actively involved in our behaviour modification plans. For example, a dog like the one I saw today would be advised to wear a supportive, Y-shaped harness and would be fully assessed by a vet if displaying any behavioural challenges.

This raises an important question before anyone introduces a device that delivers electrical current to a dog's neck:

• Do trainers seek medical clearance and approval from a client's vet to ensure the dog has no underlying cardiovascular, neurological, or musculoskeletal vulnerabilities?

• Do they provide full disclosure to the owner regarding the breed's high probability of developing cardiac issues like Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) or neurological conditions like Syringomyelia (SM)?

• Are owners fully informed that sudden stress spikes from electronic currents can exacerbate these underlying conditions?

  
  

Deconstructing Social Media Myths

Social media is flooded with claims that electronic collars are harmless, humane, and essential for safety, provided they are "used correctly." When we look past the marketing and apply basic learning theory, the reality tells a very different story.

1. "It’s Just Communication" (The Myth of the Pain-Free Tap)

The electrical output whether labeled as "stimulation," "vibration," or "a gentle tap" is often marketed as a benign way to communicate with your dog at a distance. But so is a well-conditioned whistle, a vocal recall cue, or a clicker. The fundamental difference is that those tools build engagement through positive associations. I have to say, the puppy’s physical response to the remote collar today certainly did not equate to a pain-free tap.

2. The "TENS Machine" Comparison

Proponents often attempt to soften the reality of e-collars by comparing them to medical TENS units used in human physical therapy. Beyond the fact that TENS units are not used on dogs due to canine intolerance to electrical currents, human medical guidelines carry strict safety contraindications regarding TENS units:

• They are never placed on the front or sides of the neck due to the risk of triggering spasms, carotid sinus reflex complications, or airway compromise.

• They carry severe warnings against use on individuals with underlying heart conditions or cardiovascular risks.

Yet electronic collars deliver electricity directly to the vulnerable structures of a dog's neck.

3. The Myth of "Off-Lead Freedom"

Promoting e-collars as a shortcut to "freedom" ignores basic management and safety. In this instance, the puppy was allowed to approach an on-lead dog, a management failure that set her up to fail only to be painfully corrected for making a natural social choice. True freedom comes from reliable recall built on trust, engagement, and positive reinforcement, not an invisible electronic barrier around a dog's neck.

4. "He Loves His Collar!" (A Misunderstanding of Learning Theory)

Owners often state, "My dog gets so excited when I pick up the e-collar, he must love it!" This represents a fundamental misunderstanding of classical conditioning. The collar has simply become a predictor of going outside for a walk. The dog’s excitement is about the walk, not the source of electrical discomfort around their neck.

5 “If Used Correctly, It Doesn't Cause Harm" (The Myth of Perfect Timing)

Proponents argue that in skilled hands, an e-collar is just a precise communication tool. But today’s incident perfectly illustrated the fatal flaw in this argument. I believe the owner genuinely thought they were simply recalling their puppy. The dog did eventually scramble into a desperate heel position, but look closer at the ABCs (Antecedent, Behaviour, Consequence) of what actually happened:

Antecedent (The Trigger): The puppy approached an unknown dog, received a clear grumble asking for space, and chose to walk away.

Behaviour: The puppy actively disengaged and began moving back toward her owner.

Consequence: The owner pressed the remote button.

Because of the delay in human reaction time, the electronic current did not disrupt the approach, it punished the disengagement. In the mind of the puppy, the consequence (pain/fear) followed the exact behaviour of turning around and returning to the owner. This is the tragic paradox of remote punishment: the owner believed they were formatting a recall, but they actually punished the very choice they wanted to see.

Perhaps a highly specialised, elite technician would not have made that mistake. But that is precisely why we have advocated for a legal ban on these devices. Expecting an everyday pet owner to use remote punishment safely is an impossible standard. The average human struggles to press a clicker at the exact millisecond a dog sits; expecting them to deliver a split-second, high-stakes punishment at a distance without causing massive psychological fallout is unrealistic.

As the renowned veterinarian and animal behaviourist Dr Ian Dunbar perfectly stated:

"To use shock as an effective dog training method you will need: A thorough understanding of canine behaviour. A thorough understanding of learning theory. Impeccable timing. And if you have those three things, you don't need a shock collar."

When we hand an electronic punishment device to a well-meaning owner who lacks impeccable timing, the tool stops being a means of communication and becomes a vehicle for, accidental abuse.

Global Consensus & Legal Status: What the Experts Say

It is important to remember that opposing these tools is not simply my personal opinion, it is supported by leading veterinary, behavioural, and welfare bodies across the globe, as well as evolving animal welfare legislation, with many countries having already banned their use.

International Professional Bodies

Major organizations around the world actively advise against or condemn the use of electronic, shock, and aversive training devices, including:

• The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) – Explicitly states that punishment-based training tools, including e-collars, carry significant risks to animal welfare and emotional health, recommending force-free methods exclusively.

• The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) – Positioned firmly against the use of electronic shock collars, noting that pain and fear are unnecessary and harmful to training outcomes.

• The European Society of Veterinary Clinical Ethology (ESVCE) – Recommends complete bans on shock collars due to the psychological trauma and physical risks they introduce.

• The RSPCA and Dogs Trust – Both lead ongoing campaigns against the sale and use of shock collars, citing clear evidence of compromised welfare.

  
  

Doing Better for Our Dogs

True focus is built on trust: Teaching young dogs to navigate boundaries and build engagement through positive associations, not fear.

As trainers, behaviourists, and pet owners, we owe it to our dogs to choose paths rooted in safety, empathy, and modern behavioural science. The interaction I witnessed today was a sad reminder of how easily good intentions can misalign with basic biological and emotional needs. A young, socially intelligent puppy was punished for doing everything right, while her fragile physical health was placed in invisible jeopardy.

Owners, you really do have a duty of care to your dog to educate yourselves on training methods as well. You are absolutely free to choose whatever methods you are comfortable with, but if you are going to use a device that delivers electrical stimulation, or one that applies mechanical pressure or constriction to your dog's neck, please chat through your dog's cardiac, neurological, and spinal health with your vet first.

I don’t believe training should ever rely on an electronic safety net that risks breaking a dog's body and spirit. By embracing reward based methods, we protect our dogs' physical well-being, nurture their confidence, and build a relationship based on mutual trust rather than the fear of pain.

Let’s move past the outdated myths of the quick fix and commit to understanding the unique developmental and medical profiles of the dogs in our care. They deserve nothing less.

Need Professional Guidance?

Cathy Donaghy is a Certified Animal Behaviourist (CCAB) holding a BA (Hons) and Dip-CABT, and is a qualified member of the IMDT.

Teaching Tails provides expert, science-based dog training and behavioural consultations across Belfast, County Down, and County Antrim, as well as online via Zoom.

Contact Teaching Tails today to learn more about our positive, welfare-focused training programs.