Shock Collar Training for Biting

Are you suffering from painful bites from your dog? One popular method for correcting behaviors is the shock collar training.

Read on if you want to know everything about shock collars training for biting and whether it’s the right method to follow.

Using Shock Collar Training for Biting Correction for Adult Dogs

If all the regular methods of training fail you to prevent the dog from biting, it’s time to give the successful shock collar training a try.

The golden standard for an all-round successful shock training is getting the dog used to the shock collar first. 

Allow your dog to sniff it and get used to it before using it. With the shock collar firmly attached to the bottom of the dog’s neck, here’s what you should do:

1. Set the intensity of the shock collar to the lowest stimulus possible.
2. Select the continuous feature to deliver consistent shock until you leave the trigger.
3. Keep an eye on your dog and watch for its biting.
4. Once it starts chewing or biting on something or someone’s legs, press the trigger to administer shocks.
5. If your dog doesn’t seem to respond, increase the stimulus until it breaks off the bite.
6. One the dog stops biting, you should release the trigger immediately to create a link in the dog’s mind between biting and shocks.

Why Do Puppies Bite and Chew on Things?

Just like human babies, puppies tend to bite and chew on things due to the painful teething stage. 

That’s why biting is most commonly observed between the 4 to 6 months of age when dogs lose puppy teeth and get their permanent adult ones.

Biting and chewing on hard objects like wood causes a bit of soothing relief for your little pup, helping your puppy to get through this stage.

Why Adult Dogs Develop Biting Habits

Unlike puppies, biting habits for adult dogs is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. While mouthing is normal behavior for most dogs, some might start doing it due to frustration or fear, which leads to noticeable aggression.

Biting can vary from simple chewing problems, especially for adult rescued dogs, all the way to aggressive hand and leg bites.

The main problem here is that it can be quite difficult to tell the difference between normal mouthing and aggression-driven biting before it’s too late. That’s why you need to stop the behavior altogether for good measure.

How to Deal with This Behavior 

There are a variety of ways to deal with biting dogs. The smartest way is by addressing the issue and fulfilling your dog’s needs.

For example, if the pooch is suffering from boredom and lack of mouthing play, having another dog can be enough treatment for the problem.

However, for serious biting issues, you need to opt for reinforcement training such as shock collar training for a quick and decisive end to this gnawing issue.

Should You Use Collar Training for Biting Puppies?

Shock collars are behavioral correction devices that are used to prevent dogs from repeating unsafe and unwanted actions. 

As you already know, biting puppies aren’t doing it for behavioral reasons. Instead, they’re just trying to soothe their teething pain. 

That’s why you should never punish a puppy for biting or chewing, especially that these bites usually lack the destructive properties of adult dogs. 

What you can do for a biting puppy is giving them something appropriate to chew on, such as a toy or a bone.

What Are the Drawbacks of Using Shock Collar Training for Biting?

Shock collar training is a great method that’s characterized by many impressive advantages over other methods. 

This includes its affordability, ease of appliance, and exceptionally fast results as well as the ample window for adjustability. However, there are some drawbacks to using the shock collar for biting dogs. 

For example, the excessive use of the shocking collar might develop fear and anxiety that makes the dog quite passive to avoid anything that might trigger the collar.

Do Vets Recommend Shock Collars?

Shock collars have been a hot topic among vets and animal rights organizations for decades. On one side, a lot of vets claim that the shock collars aren’t cruel because they’re safe and won’t cause any physical harm to the dog.

On the other side, some organizations believe that using shock collars for training is best avoided whenever a more “humane” positive reinforcement training is available. 

According to the Humane Society of the United States, shock collars shouldn’t be left unattended by the owner, and you should regularly clean the collar spot on the dog’s neck.

Best Collars for Biting Dogs

Biting dogs are usually more determined and require higher stimulus than other bad behaviors. 

That’s why you need a collar that has that option whenever you need it. Here are some of the best collars for biting dogs that you can find out there:

• Dog Care Shock Collar – best overall device but quite pricier than other average options out there
• PATPET PX7 Training Collar – a premium option with a larger shock intensity for highly aggressive dogs
• Slope Hill Training Collar – a shock collar with a huge range of 2,600 ft. for open field training
• Flittor Dog Training Collar – ideal for buyers on a tight budget but not as durable

Will Using Shock Collars Generate More Biting?

More biting means more aggression, which is usually created from elevated levels of anxiety and fear in your dog’s mind.

Of course, using the shock collar excessively can actually generate more aggression and biting. This mainly happens if you don’t time the trigger release right. 

In that case, the dog fails to associate the relief of shock with the break of the unwanted behavior, rendering a more aggressive dog that needs professional intervention.

Always Consult a Professional First

Although shock collars are relatively safe and easy to use, it’s always wise to always consult a professional first before deciding on using them.

They can tell you if it’s the right thing for your dog’s special condition and whether an alternative might be the more adequate approach for your dog.