Electronic collars may cause harm to a dog’s health, which is manifested in the following aspects123:
Physical Harms
- Skin Injuries：If the current intensity of the electronic collar is too high or it’s used for a long time, it may lead to hair loss in the dog. In severe cases, it can cause skin burns. Moreover, the metal contacts of the collar may rub against the dog’s skin, resulting in abrasions, punctures, and infections.
- Organ Damage：Excessive stimulation from the electronic collar might inflict mechanical or ischemic damage on the dog’s brain, thyroid, trachea, larynx, and esophagus. For instance, if the electronic collar puts excessive pressure on the jugular vein, it may lead to increased intraocular pressure.
- Digestive System Issues：The electrical pulses emitted by electronic collars may affect the dog’s digestive system, causing problems such as loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Allergic Reactions：The materials of the electronic collar may trigger allergic reactions in dogs, such as skin itching and difficulty breathing.
Psychological Harms
- Anxiety and Fear：Dogs don’t know when the electric shock will come, which makes them feel pain and discomfort, thus becoming anxious and neurotic. In the long term, this can have a negative impact on their mental health.
- Aggression：Aversive training with electronic collars can make dogs defensive and aggressive. They may think the pain comes from the environment or people around them, increasing the risk of biting.
- Weakening of the Immune System：Chronic stress from using electronic collars for a long time can weaken the dog’s immune system, making the body more vulnerable to various diseases.
Behavioral Harms
- Learning Ability Decline：The stress from wearing electronic collars disrupts a dog’s ability to learn, making it less likely to respond correctly to cues, and the training becomes less effective and more time-consuming.
- Damage to the Human-Dog Relationship：Dogs may associate the electric shock with their owners’ behavior, leading to a decline in trust and even fear and hostility towards their owners.
Safety Hazards
If the metal parts on the electronic collar get stuck on objects like cages, dogs may not be able to free themselves, posing a risk of asphyxiation.
