Talk:Shock collar

Page title ( Which term? )

Since the term "Ecollar" (or "E-collar") is more common in professional use among established dog trainers both for and against them, should the article title be changed?

(*Ecollar is not my preferred term either, to be clear, but it is the most typical one in specialist sources. I know this topic can become very heated.)

In addition, possibly a note should be added that "remote collar" can refer to multiple types of collar - e.g. vibrating or tone as well as shock. (While all of these are electronic, "electronic collar" is used specifically for shock and "remote collar" is used broadly.) SkrikerandTrash (talk) 20:42, 22 May 2023 (UTC)

Manufacturers of shock collars and dog trainers who use shock collars both have financial incentive to use new terms, but “shock collar” is the term most used in peer-reviewed scholarly studies. Zipster969 (talk) 18:15, 24 May 2023 (UTC)

Experienced non-commercial dog trainers, e.g. sports competitors and service dog handlers, also do not typically use "shock collar", but I agree that we should defer to the term used by peer-reviewed studies. SkrikerandTrash (talk) 18:17, 24 May 2023 (UTC)

Having done a cursory review of the citations for this article it does not seem that "shock collar" is the term most used. A variety of terms such as electronic remote training aid, e-collar, and electronic pulse device are used and more recent studies are even less likely to use "shock collar". Nycclive (talk) 15:13, 26 September 2025 (UTC)

I can add to this, as I've just spoken with E-collar Technologies (US and UK), and Martin Systems. I also asked Dogtra but haven't heard back yet, I'll ask next time I'm talking with them. Their responses to the question terms are as follows:

1: E-collar Tech (US)

Please see below some useful information and terminology when referring to the E-Collar System and sensation it provides.

Clarifying the Terminology and Misconceptions Around E-Collars

The term “shock collar” often carries a negative connotation, leading many to mistakenly believe these tools are intended to inflict pain or serve as a form of punishment. In reality, this perception is both outdated and inaccurate.

Modern E-Collars, particularly those developed by E-Collar Technologies, are designed with the dog’s safety and well-being in mind. Unlike traditional “shock collars,” our E-Collars use a wide-pulse stimulation that targets the dog’s neck muscles, not their nerves or skin. This type of stimulation is not painful—it is designed to gently capture the dog’s attention.

With stimulation levels adjustable from 1 to 100, handlers can find and lock in the optimal level for their individual dog—ensuring effective communication without the risk of over-stimulation. These settings can also be adjusted when needed, such as in high-distraction environments or emergency situations.

When used properly and in conjunction with positive reinforcement, E-Collars serve as a reliable communication tool. They provide consistent, clear feedback that helps dogs understand when to focus on their handler, improving training outcomes and strengthening the handler-dog relationship.

E-Collars do not cause burns, physical harm, or lasting damage. Instead, they offer a safe, humane, and effective way to reinforce desired behaviors and improve responsiveness.

In the hands of responsible handlers, E-Collars can be a powerful asset in building trust, enhancing communication, and achieving balanced behavior.

2: Martin Systems

Terminology in dog training can vary, and there isn’t a single universally accepted definition.

For us, the term “shock collar” is typically associated with older training systems, where the primary emphasis was on aversive stimulation. That said, many trainers historically used these devices thoughtfully and responsibly.

By contrast, e-collars represent a more modern, technologically advanced approach. They are designed for balanced training methods that combine both negative and positive reinforcement, enabling more precise and humane communication with the dog.

We hope this clarifies the distinction we make

3: E-collar Tech (UK)

[in response o my asking is 'e-collars' is the appropriate term, vs shock collar]

We would agree with your terminology. Most trainers use as you mentioned below: also remote training collars, invisible leash. K9 Contact (talk) 13:28, 24 October 2025 (UTC)

This page has multiple issues

You can clearly observe the POV in the whole page, which reads more like an opinion piece than an encyclopedic article on a type of (controversial) animal training device. There are entire sections dedicated to pain, which doesn't really explain anything except dump some numbers, and not much in the operation of the device (How does a dog get conditioned with this thing?; How does it compare to positive reinforcement?). Also, there are three sections for references (§§ References, Sources, and External references): one is clearly the footnotes, the other has just two papers from the same author and the other is called "External references", whatever that means. This needs a lot of rewriting. —Opecuted (talk) 15:11, 12 December 2025 (UTC)

Should we mention the kink usage?

I've been looking up shock collars for … reasons (not the one one would think given my question – I prefer to not get brain damage after all) and – as a kinky person not particularly interested in dogs/pets – have been completely blindsided that we only mention them in the context of animal training (and not that one), despite in my environment the kink one being a frequent and the dominant usage. Since I obviously have no handle on it's actual relevancy and I don't know if there might be an other article where this is/should be mentioned, it probably would be better if someone else added stuff about it. Zvavybir (talk) 20:44, 18 January 2026 (UTC)

I mean yeah I literally accessed this page looking for info on how they’re used safely in BDSM and was surprised that it’s not even mentioned that people use them for that. I don’t know WP guidelines so whether it should be on this page or its own with a See Also here idk, but it feels more than relevant enough to mention. ~2026-94448-6 (talk) 22:09, 11 February 2026 (UTC)

I also was looking into shock collars after...witnessing the..."Enjoyment" it brought someone. I checked Wikipedia and was shocked to find nothing in this article. I think it there should be at least a paragraph on the topic. ~2026-37446-01 (talk) 04:24, 1 July 2026 (UTC)

Removed ‘too technical’ tag after rewrite

I restructured the “Comparing pain levels” section for clarity and logical flow while preserving the existing sources and citations. I also added a sentence clarifying that reported mA figures do not directly map to perceived pain because collar design and contact conditions affect delivery. Based on these changes, I don’t think the

tag is still applicable. Zipster969 (talk) 21:05, 25 January 2026 (UTC)