Ecollars vs Shock Collars - Is There Really a Difference?

The biggest difference between a shock collar and an ecollar is—arguably—the price. You can get a shock collar on Amazon for $60 or less. Buying a decent ecollar starts at around $200… That’s a 233% increase. After you or your client spent hundreds if not thousands of dollars on training, it can be daunting to spend that much more hard-earned money on a tool with a cheaper alternative. However, just like when you’re deciding which dog trainer is right for you, you should keep in mind that quality is priceless.

We’ll start with the differences in the units themselves. Shock collars are made up of units that are normally implemented in powering large devices; this is why shock collars can and have caused harm to dogs (ie: burns, hair loss, sores, etc.) as well as why they have a bad reputation. They’re often very fickle, have a lag in pressure delivery, and lack versatility. All of these issues can negatively impact your training and relationship with your dog. Unfortunately—because of their likeness—, shock collars have also painted ecollars in a negative light even though they are fundamentally different. Ecollars are units that utilize transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). TENS units are widely used in physical therapy, pregnancy, and labor to aid in recovery and discomfort. Unless an ecollar is used improperly, it is very unlikely that ecollars will cause harm or injury. Next, we’re moving onto differences in features.

Shock collars normally—generously—have about five different settings: a vibration, tone, and three different shock levels. The shock levels vary depending on the brand that you buy, but often times they vary a little too much. It’s possible your dog’s threshold is at the point where the lowest setting is too high and your dog is in pain or the highest setting is too low and your dog will blow you off for a squirrel. Either way, that’s not how the tool is supposed to work. Contrastingly, ecollars typically have levels 0-100 if not more. Why is this important?

Rather than a correction tool only, ecollars can cater to the particular threshold of your individual dog and communicate with them what you do want and don’t want. This means you can do more than just say “no”; you can do more than treat your ecollar as a brake. Instead, you can actually condition your ecollar as a gas pedal that encourages your dog to go. In other words, ecollar stim can be used as a correction tool that discourages bad behavior as well as motivate your dog to follow through with their obedience quickly. Most ecollars are also equipped with user-friendly features like customizable low-stimulation and high-stimulation settings. Both settings make it easy—especially for a beginner handler—to switch between threshold and correction levels to help hold your dog accountable, dissuade bad behavior, and avoid accidents. Not to mention, most ecollars are waterproof and are still compatible within a half a mile radius or more. What does all of this mean for you?

First and foremost: peace of mind. For a little more money, you get a tool with a longer lifespan, a better warranty, better functionality—making it more practical for beginners and daily use—, and you don’t have to worry about harming your dog as long as you’re using the tool properly. That being said, you can misuse any tool. A hammer was made to hit nails, but I’m sure it’s been misused to hit and harm other people even though that’s not it’s intended purpose. Don’t get me wrong, an ecollar can cause averse reactions in dogs and leave a negative impression just like shock collars can. However, a shock collar is almost guaranteed to not work in your favor whether it’s because it never matches the threshold for you dog and is either too high or too low; the tool isn’t great quality and breaks easily; there’s a lag in the stim which makes for poor timing in training and confuses your dog; or it malfunctions and causes electric and/or acid burns (from the battery); etc. It also means versatility and freedom! Ecollars cater to any size dog and any threshold. You can have a shitzu and a cane corso both working happily on ecollar stim. You can persuade a dog that is driven and a dog that lacks drive to work for you. You can entertain off leash activities and still have the option for an emergency recall. You can manage your dog who is easily overexcited to see guests without the need for a leash. Ultimately, your dog’s temperament will decide how much freedom they can earn, but an ecollar at least makes that a possibility without the guilt!

Considering all of this… the price difference doesn’t seem so bad anymore, does it?