Burns are caused by heat and the static shock doesn't generate heat. Your article was helpful as I sit and miss my buddy. As for “how many cardiologists would readily assure their patients that exposure to moderate shocks is harmless?” You pose a valid question. Cruel “training” devices such as anti-barking shock collars, electric (“invisible”) fences, and prong collars rely on painful punishment and negative reinforcement. Urge Dictionaries to Ban Derogatory, Speciesist Definitions! I am a surgeon, so one night when on call, I stopped by my surgical intensive care unit and connected myself to a continuous EKG machine. Somehow I get the feeling that Mythbusters would understand the difference – even just in size – between a dog and a human. As a new person to the world of canine e-collar training, I came across many web pages which described the horrors of the “shock collar”. Electric fences may actually encourage dogs to try to escape. My dogs are 12, 10, 9 and 3 and one also has a slight heart murmur. However determining an actual causal effect would best be left to a lab test, and who wants that? It can also lead to gastrointestinal disorders and long term urinary problems. Just don’t come in his house by yourself if he did not know you. It is so subjective. Electric fences are also a dog thief’s dream come true! She screamed and screamed. I would like to see him repeat this with someone else doing the shocking and varying the intensities, for the sake of science! Since they only receive painful shocks in the yard, they might associate the shock with the yard itself—once they escape, the pain goes away. Avoiding shock collar dangers is easy: simply prevent unwanted behaviors before they occur, and train Rover with kindness and respect so as to develop a better bond, which is a win-win situation for all. The static only goes across the skin contact and does not go “into” the body. Other shock collars … As your dog approaches the b… Amitraz and propoxur are two such chemicals, added to flea and tick collars during production. Read on to learn more about heart murmur in dogs. By submitting this form, you are agreeing to our collection, storage, use, and disclosure of your personal info in accordance with our privacy policy as well as to receiving e-mails from us. Our group was composed primarily of professional dog trainers but there was a pet dog owner in the crowd that peaked my interest considerably when he shared a personal story during our opening discussion. Your email address will not be published. Current subscribers: You will continue to receive e-mail unless you explicitly opt out by clicking, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. …and that is the really tricky thing about trying to define pain. I’d rather slather on capsaicin, which really does hurt! Cruel comments from cruel people should be ignored. Positive, humane training methods, in which dogs are rewarded for desirable behavior, are much more effective. If this happens when you aren't home, it will shock your small dog for hours. Working type dogs) seem to tolerate them without much concern during training. “Shock collars can only be used successfully by experts,” says Mary Remer, certified pet dog trainer, breeder and licensed AKC judge, having trained more than 20,000 dogs in her 30-year career. Robin. Donald Trump, Shock Collars and learning to curb the yapping. Shock collars also may be abused easily causing deleterious effects on dogs. I feel with proper instruction, e-collars are a very safe and humane way to train dogs. So this myth is clearly ‘BUSTED’. Commonly it’s from some type of body trauma or blood loss due to a car accident or getting bitten by another animal. Has Symptoms Has Symptoms Has Symptoms Has Symptoms Has Symptoms Hi, my four year old shih tzu died last night. In the spirit of science and compassion, Dr. Golob decided to do some experimenting to make sure he was doing his dog no harm in using a remote collar to train her. Even when dogs are successfully confined to a yard with an electric fence, they are still in danger of being attacked by roaming dogs, cruel humans, or other animals who can freely enter the property. As I suspected, no arrhythmias and obviously no asystole since I am still alive to tell my story. to experiment on, eat, wear, use for entertainment, or abuse in any other way. Professional Dog Trainers seek more info on Remote Collar Training. When the heart muscle is weakened, it is unable to provide adequate circulation, and fluid buildup can occur, most notably in the lungs. High quantities of this chemical in the body over an extended period-of-time can increase the chances of heart disease, high blood pressure, hair loss, depression, and cancer. Cardiological illnesses that can cause syncope in dogs include: Ventricular fibrillation; A-V block; Abnormal heart rhythm; Ventricular tachycardia . As a new person to the world of canine e-collar training, I came across many web pages which described the horrors of the “shock collar”. The question of shock collar safety for dogs is a topic that comes up frequently. Flea and tick collars can contain ingredients that can be highly toxic to dogs if ingested. Dogs who wear shock collars can suffer from physical pain and injury (ranging from burns to a heart condition called cardiac fibrillation) as well as psychological stress, including severe anxiety and displaced aggression. Heart disease may lead to congestive heart failure. There wasn’t even enough current generated to cause interference with EKG reading. This is why I get my undies in a bundle when some are so adamant that e-collar stimulation = pain. My akita just passed away suddenly. I would love to see more scientific study of e-stim and the use of remote collars. Another long term health problem that can develop is the possibility of seizures. Your anecdotal evidence is neither scientific nor related in anyway to dogs developing arrhythmia. Dogs may get stuck in the shock zone, unable to move, causing intensified, long-lasting pain, increasing the likelihood of injury and a bite to anyone who may reach to pull them out. Caught on Video: Police Officer Hanging, Slamming, and Punching K9, It’s ‘Spay Day’—Donate Now and Your Gift Will Be MATCHED, Pearl Hotel Stops Confining Betta Fish to Tiny Bowls in Hotel Rooms, Chinchillas With Eyes Oozing Pus, Exposed Bones Suffer at Breeding Mill. As as a 30 yr e-collar veteran, I’ve shocked myself on purpose and by accident. Robin. Invisible fences operate on a system that transmits energy between the boundary line you establish, a home base monitoring/transmitter device, and the receiver that is attached to your dog’s collar. Your email address will not be published. */. Other Causes of Syncope . I think his passion for exploration of shock collar safety for dogs and personal discovery of some truths is pretty cool. warm regards, My experience with e-collars is that they have vastly different effects on different dogs. While I’m not opposed to using an e-collar, I have a hard time accepting this “myth” as busted. There is simply not enough amperage to cause a problem. I think it *would* be interesting and possibly useful to gather up some data on e-collar use on dogs with heart problems to note any correlation between the usage and a greater than expected incident of problems/fatalities. Cooper was very tolerant with children, loved most people, you could go in his food bowl at anytime,take a favorite toy or play with his tail. (and then they toss in the word fear as well) ONLY the recipient can accurately define what they are experiencing. While this shock may not cause physical harm, it can cause psychological damage to a dog when used incorrectly, as it relies on very precise timing to deliver the punishment effectively. Dogs whose yards are surrounded by electric fences may develop fear or aggression aimed at what they believe to be the source of the shock (kids riding by on bikes, the mail carrier, the dog next door, etc.). When you sit on your collar, you feel the muscle contraction down you leg, but it doesn’t keep you from walking. I also feel that dogs who have e-collars put on them to address barking resulting from separation anxiety often become more anxious, while other dogs (esp. Read on to learn the 4 most common causes of heart failure in dogs. Terms for automated texts/calls from PETA: VUit Is Streaming the 2021 Iditarod Dog Death Race—Act Now! /* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. I don’t agree that it is necessarily “bad science” and I do give the Doc credit for doing what he did. It can progress slowly and may take years to spot. Linda, I couldn’t agree with you more. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. Skin Problems. https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/cardiovascular/c_dg_cardiogenic_shock As Robin says, the level has to be “Just Right”. It is never easy to lose them. I used both the nick and continuous button with low, medium, and high levels of stimulation while watching and recording my EKG. dogedit | May 9th 2014 I have a dog with a heart murmur- can I use an electric fence? Collar malfunctions can lead to constant shocking or none at all. Shock collars range in price from $30 to $250+, depending on features such as remote control, adjustable warning/shock levels, a range of distances (usually 30 to 400 yards), and the number of collars included. Causes. When you shock yourself, your body is prepared for the jolt and you know how high the intensity is set. I have no doubt I have the best behaved dog in my neighborhood thanks to my e-collar training! The damage that prong and choke collars can do to dogs goes beyond yanking and choking. 1. A dog that is being hurt may become dangerously aggressive and the bottom line is that shock causes stress. Having a heart murmur is very different from having heart disease or heart failure. We spent so much time with him and now I wonder that in training him, (e collar was only used for off leash walking), he really loved exoloring, could I have hastened or exaxerbated his condition. Stay up to date on the latest vegan trends and get breaking animal rights news delivered straight to your inbox! I actually HATED mine, and I did find it uncomfortable and creepy, but of course everyone else I know who’s tried it thought it was great. Your article is comforting and I believe I used his collar very responsibly, but still I wonder. Not to low, not to high. Your dog may have been born with a heart defect. However, shock can also be caused by heart failure, anaphylactic shock due to severe allergic reactions to insect stings or food, septic shock from infections and neurogenic shock from damage to the nervous system. I agree. Repeated shocks to a dog can lead to changes in the dog’s system, such as the heart and respiration rate. Joe Golob is a surgeon who also happens to own a Newfoundland pup named Barkley. Pet store workers can testify that no bark collars often malfunction and shock for no reason or continuously. For that test subject it did show no change in the rhythm of the heart regardless of placement or intensity. Individual animals vary in their temperaments and pain thresholds; a shock that seems mild to one dog might be severe to another. There's Nothing Shocking About Why Shock Collars Can Be Harmful for Dogs - One Green Planet Shock collars have been shown to cause serious behavioral problems in dogs, … From everything I have seen/read the electric pulse only goes across the skin surface from contact to contact. My heart is broken as I wonder if his e collar may have sped up his demise. A dog in Michigan was shot and killed by a utility worker who didn’t realize that she was contained by an invisible fence. In addition, if your dog has a heart problem or seizure disorder, it may cause death. Plus the amperage of remote collars is around .003 milliamps. No, a shock collar should not be used on any dog, including and especially one with a heart murmur. This isn’t surprising given the tremendous phenotype variation in dogs. There is plenty of evidence to say that these things cause anxiety and aggression in dogs, and are not more effective than training which employs force-free, science-based methods. Conditioning. I then placed my Dogtra 1900 NCP on my neck, my leg, and my chest. Electronic collars can also malfunction, either administering no shocks at all or nonstop shocks. Robin, you know the science, what do you think? This irritation can range from redness to … For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights?” READ MORE, — Ingrid E. Newkirk, PETA President and co-author of Animalkind. A transmitter is set up in your garage or on a wall in a room in your home. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. I have no concerns that the e-collar contributes to health problems. I understand your comment about dogs and humans being different. I’ve had my share of jolts from hot wire fencing (set low for well-trained horses)and that certainly got my heart racing. In some situations, syncope can also be prompted by other events including: Coughing; Pulling on the collar . Collars used to control barking may be set off by vibration of the dog’s vocal cords, or by the sound of the dog barking. Obviously, the vast majority of dogs who have had e-collars used on them have not died, so that illumination that it didn’t kill a healthy adult human is not a terrific contribution. The e-collar stim dows not go to ground, it only affects the part of the body where the contact points are. For me the TENS and capsaicin are relief from pain. In the spirit of one of my favorite shows on the Discovery Channel, Mythbusters, I decided to put this myth to the test. Never the less I have to give Dr. Golob some significant credit. A shock collar can be a cheaper alternative to a professional dog trainer or fence. I don’t believe there is any way that the e-stimulation from a remote collar can enter or go through the body. She was completely her normal self and then it turned around for the worst after walking around looking happy, she walked over to lay in her bed. Now I’m curious if there are any warnings against using a TENS unit on cardiac patients? That's when your dog's heart has trouble pumping blood to the rest of its body. . Dr. Peter Dobias, DVM has 30 years of experience as a veterinarian. I’m glad he was concerned and curious enough to give this a try, but it’s somewhere between laughable and scary for him to suggest that he’s accrued evidence of anything other than his particular collar was functioning. He could be very stubborn when distracted but was otherwise a great family pet and loved by all. There will still be those who argue that, you human, dogs are different, you’re probably larger than the dog. In extreme cases, a very tight collar can cut into a dog’s neck. The biggest problem with the collars is the operator. Prong and Shock Collars and Electric (“Invisible”) Fences, Veterinary Malpractice and Grooming Accidents, Partial or complete fore- or hind-limb paralysis from spinal cord injuries, Damage to the vagus nerve, affecting the functioning of major organs, including the heart, lungs, liver, bladder, spleen, and kidneys, A crushed trachea, with partial or complete asphyxiation, Sharp increases in pressure inside the head, which can cause brain or eye damage and sometimes prolapse of the eye, Bruising and damage to the skin and tissues in the neck, resulting in the formation of scar tissue. Again, thank you. A collar that is too tight can also be harmful to a dog, and even a “moderately tight” collar can lead to skin irritation, Hodges says. The truth behind the shock collar is it creates stress and fear in your dog. Dog Collars: The Hidden Cause Behind Many Injuries Any collar, not just the choke, prong, and shock variety, can cause maladies you wouldn't expect. I’ve had many treatments at various facilities over the years and never have I been asked it I had a heart problem before they hooked me up…but they perhaps they are actually reading those long patient forms before taking me back for treatment. Update: ... any ways and the poor thng has a heart murmur then the dog dont need stress at all on his heart a electric fence would cause stress to the heart and ven shock try something else. Shock collars differ in the strength of shock they deliver and the way the shock is triggered. One myth that I found particularly intriguing was the electricity generated from an e-collar can cause cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats) and even asystole (sudden cardiac death). He was four. He saw the vet as needed, went to doggie day care and the neighbors all called him Mr Mayor. (function($) {window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]='EMAIL';ftypes[0]='email';fnames[1]='FNAME';ftypes[1]='text';fnames[2]='LNAME';ftypes[2]='text';fnames[3]='MMERGE3';ftypes[3]='text';}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true); What Is the Word on Shock Collar Safety for Dogs? The biggest issue surrounding the e-collar is the user. Real fences and positive training methods are the kind choice and much more effective. Thanks for the reply and interesting analogy with the TENS. I know a High 5 Tritonics charge will travel half way down the back of my thigh ( if I sit on on the collar with the transmitter in my hand accidently pressing the button as I climb in a pickup truck. ) The anxiety and confusion caused by repeated shocks can lead to changes in a dog’s heart and respiration rate or gastrointestinal disorders. His little sister akita is a bit depressed right now, so I must work to keep her balanced even though I grieve. Required fields are marked *, #mc_embed_signup{background:transparent; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; } This article explains what a heart murmur is and what the implications of having a murmur are, both good and bad. Collars can short out when they get wet, increasing the risk of malfunction and injury. What has been lost is the original intent. I’ll never say that an e-collar can’t be painful, and it most certainly can be startling when used at a “high level” (which I will on very certain situations, recommend) but I will go to my grave believing that the primary way I utilize an e-collar is not painful to the dog. Electronic collars can also malfunction, either administering no shocks at all or nonstop shocks. I picked her up to see if she wa… The level only has to be high enough to stop the dog from doing what it is doing but not enough to frighten. I know this is an old posting but I feel better just wrinting it down and letting someone perhaps know that a great, great akita has left this world. Correct e-collar use is safe for dogs…and even humans as we have both experienced. Choke, prong and shock collars can irreversibly damage your dog. It certainly is a LOT worse feeling than e-collar stim. Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma Critical Care. It’s good to see a rational explination using your own personal reactions. I hope you enjoy his story as much as I did. They cause dogs to live in fear of being electrically shocked or painfully choked for normal behavior such as crossing invisible lines, barking, jumping onto surfaces within their own homes, and getting ahead of their guardians during walks. What prompts my comment though is just annoyance that a surgeon would seriously try to sway opinion in this way. So sorry to hear of your loss. But what causes the heart muscle to weaken? take care, 0 1 ... not fun at all. What Happens During a Syncopic Episode? I mean, I could insert a bad surgeon joke here about my surprise he got a reading at all…Hardy-har-har. Are the Stars aligned for you and your dog? “Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. Order Your FREE Vegan Starter Kit Send Me a Vegan Starter Kit Old age, injury and infection can exacerbate it. Certainly. One myth that I found particularly intriguing was the electricity generated from an e-collar can cause cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats) and even asystole (sudden cardiac death). A new study has found that the use of shock collars (also known as electronic collars or e-collars) can cause symptoms of distress in dogs, and the effects only worsen as the level of shock is increased. But this was an effort to be applauded to at least experience the stimulation at all levels and in multiple places for himself as is often suggested by opponents of remote collars. Just last month I was in Cleveland, OH working with Bill Wittrock of Obedient Dogs and More. Never the less, I understand how easy it is to worry about our dogs and wonder if we are doing all the right things…know that you gave your boy a good life and he enjoyed those times with you and having his freedom to explore. “In my opinion, most people are quick to use a shock collar to suppress behavior without finding out what the underlying causes of the behavior are.” Remer continues: “Another problem is that few people have the technical skills or the timing to use a shock collar … Degenerative Valve Disease We certainly could use a lot more science regarding remote collars and their use. Unfortunately most of what has been published about the use of remote collars is pseudo science that reeks of agenda and emotional laiden intent. I don’t believe there would be any way for it to affect the heart unless you cut open the body and applied the contact points directly to the heart. Collars that are too tight can cause hair loss, and the skin in those areas can be more prone to infection, she says. Shock collars can cause dogs physical pain, injury (ranging from burns to cardiac fibrillation), and psychological stress, including severe anxiety and displaced aggression. He was born with a large heart murmur that they said went away. I love my dog and she loves me! Sometimes dogs can live with these types of heart disease for many years or it may show up late in life. And Joe took it a step further by hooking up to an ekg machine as well. The actual fence is a set of electrically charged wires that are placed about 3-4 inches underground around the outer edges of your property. Accidental ingestion of a collar by your dog can result in severe toxicity. Proper fit of the collar is important because a loose collar may cause inconsistent performance but a collar worn for too long of a period or made too tight on the dog's neck may cause skin irritation. At least he drew his conclusions from first hand experience and a desire to “find out for himself” rather than just what someone told him or what he read on the internet. It can also cause damage to the emotional, neurological and psychological levels of your dog.
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