E-Collar Training: Our Experience

The e-collar is a highly debated tool in the dog training world. Often referred to in the past as a “shock collar,” it still carries a negative stigma for many people.

However, with the rise of social media, we’ve seen countless examples of dogs thriving through e-collar training when used responsibly and with proper guidance.

There’s ongoing discussion online about whether e-collar training truly teaches a dog or simply suppresses behavior—some even question if it causes more harm than good.

Marlee and I have personally gone through e-collar training, and I want to share our experience—especially for any fellow reactive dog owners out there who might be searching for direction or reassurance.

A couple of years ago, I decided it was time to get Marlee into training. My biggest concerns were her leash pulling, jumping on guests, and reactivity.

Her leash pulling had gotten so intense that I avoided taking her on walks altogether. Luckily, we have the luxury of a big backyard where she could get plenty of exercise. Because of that, the only reactivity I was really aware of was how she behaved in the car and at the vet.

I eventually came across a company that advertised balanced training and had great reviews, so I decided to give them a shot. Our first evaluation session went surprisingly well—Marlee held her “place” command out front, even with distractions, and stayed put when I walked away. That alone was a huge win.

After seeing that kind of progress in just one session, I felt confident that the $2,000 investment in her training would be worth it. The training plan included four weeks of one-on-one sessions, followed by group classes once Marlee was ready.

At first, everything was going great. The e-collar made a noticeable difference—she learned the “place” command, stopped charging the door when guests arrived, and even her leash pulling improved significantly. I felt hopeful and proud of the progress she was making.

But during one of our final sessions, we took Marlee on a long walk—and that’s when everything shifted. As we passed another dog, she had a full-blown reactive outburst like I’d never seen before. It was intense, almost scary, and completely unexpected. From that point on, our training focus pivoted entirely to managing her reactivity.

We ended up adding four more personal sessions because Marlee clearly wasn’t ready for group classes. Her trainer suggested we start meeting at a specific park to work through her reactivity in a real-world setting. But that’s when my feelings about the whole training experience—and e-collar training in general—started to change. Every trip to that park left me feeling defeated. I cried after every session. It was heartbreaking and frustrating to show up week after week, pouring my energy into the work, and still feel like we were stuck in the same place.

However, over time, I started to notice something important. When I took Marlee to that same park on my own, I kept her at a distance where her triggers were present but far enough away that they didn’t push her over the edge. In those moments, I found myself using the e-collar far less—and at much lower levels. She was more responsive, calmer, and we were actually making small steps forward.

But whenever we met up with her trainer, it was a different story. The trainer often placed Marlee in situations that were way too overwhelming for her—walking her through tight spaces right next to her triggers or having her remain stationary just feet away from them. Every time Marlee reacted (which, duh—she was way over threshold), the trainer would immediately correct her with the e-collar. And when the correction didn’t work, she’d just dial it up.

I clearly remember her saying, “I just corrected her at this level and she didn’t even respond!” and I couldn’t help but think—then why aren’t we adjusting our approach?

It was incredibly frustrating. Marlee wasn’t learning in those moments—she was simply overwhelmed. Her body was in a heightened state of stress, and there was no way she could process a correction, let alone a reward.

Eventually, I reached my breaking point. I knew in my gut that Marlee could be successful—but not with this method. Not like this. So I made the decision to step away and told the trainer we wouldn’t be continuing the program.

Those training sessions really shaped my view of the e-collar—and not in a good way. Based on our experience, I started to believe that the e-collar wasn’t a suitable tool for addressing reactivity. But in hindsight, I realized that belief came from a bad experience, not necessarily the tool itself.

To be fair, the e-collar did help with smaller behavioral issues like jumping on guests and learning basic commands. But when it came to the deeper, more emotional challenges—like reactivity—it didn’t just fall short; it seemed to make things worse for us.

That turning point led me to find a new trainer and take a different approach—one that allowed us to go at our own pace and really consider Marlee’s emotional state

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And yet, I’ve seen success stories online where the e-collar has been revolutionary for reactive dogs. How can something that made things worse for us be the key that unlocks success for someone else?

At the end of the day, I believe the e-collar can be a great tool—if it’s used properly and with the right intention. But if a trainer is constantly putting your dog in uncomfortable situations and relying on the e-collar to correct every reaction, you’re likely not going to see real progress. In fact, you might end up doing more harm than good.

This is especially concerning when trainers promise to “fix” your dog in just four weeks. Let’s be real—if your dog’s only issue is leash pulling, then sure, four weeks might be enough to build some solid habits. But if your dog is reacting out of fear, anxiety, or past trauma? That’s not something that can be “cured” in a month.

To put it into perspective—imagine you have a deep fear of public speaking. Like, full-on panic attack levels of fear. A thoughtful approach might start with speaking in front of family, then friends, slowly building your confidence before working up to a few strangers. Now imagine instead that you’re thrown onto a stage in front of an arena, and every time you stumble over your words, someone yells at you or punishes you. How would you ever learn or feel safe enough to improve? That’s what it can feel like for a reactive dog being pushed too far, too fast—with added pressure and correction instead of support and understanding.

One of the biggest things I’ve learned through research and personal experience is that the e-collar can be tricky to use correctly. Your dog must understand exactly what behavior they’re being corrected for. If they’re too close to their trigger and already panicking, a correction might not communicate what you intended. Instead, your dog might associate the pain or discomfort with the trigger itself—thinking that is what’s causing the negative sensation—not their behavior. That’s why having an experienced trainer who respects your dog’s boundaries and is skilled at using tools like the e-collar is absolutely crucial.

Truthfully, I’ve started reintroducing the e-collar into our training—but in a very gentle and intentional way. I’m only using the tone feature right now, and it’s actually been really helpful to regain Marlee’s focus when we’re near a trigger. Maybe some fellow dog moms can relate—because I live alone, I talk to Marlee a lot, and sometimes in high-stress situations, my voice just gets drowned out. Having a neutral, consistent sound to redirect her attention has made a big difference. I may eventually reintroduce the vibrate or even low-level stim as a final layer of communication once her reactivity is at a manageable level. But for now, tone is more than enough.

So, in conclusion—no, our journey with the e-collar hasn’t been perfect, and we’ve definitely had some setbacks. But I’m not completely against it. What I am against is the reckless use of the tool, especially when it’s treated as a quick fix or used without true understanding.

The most important thing is finding a trainer whose methods you’re comfortable with—and one who truly takes the time to understand your dog. You know your dog better than anyone. If something feels off, don’t ignore that feeling. Speak up. Advocate for your pup. Whether that means trying a new tool, slowing down, or even finding a new trainer, do what’s best for you and your dog.

And as always, consult with your vet or a certified behaviorist, and do your own research before making any major decisions around your dog’s training journey.

Do you have experience with e collar or other corrective tools? Let me know in the comments below.

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Disclaimer: This post is based solely on my personal experience as a dog owner. I am not a professional or trainer. Every dog is different, and what worked (or didn’t work) for us may not apply to others. Always consult with a qualified veterinarian, certified trainer, or animal behaviorist before making any decisions regarding your dog’s training or behavior.