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When it comes to keeping our beloved pets safe, we will do whatever it takes to keep them as safe as our own kids. For some people, that means using a shock collar to keep their dog in the yard. But are these collars really effective? And are they humane? In this blog post, I’ll be reviewing the pros and cons of shock collars to help you make an informed decision about whether or not they are right for you and your pet.

Whether you have a short fence or a tall and strong one, a lot of dogs can find ways to escape. If you’ve ever come home to find your dog gone and the fence intact, then you know how frustrating it can be. A shock collar may be able to help keep your dog in the yard by delivering a mild electric shock when he or she attempts to cross the boundary.

What is a shock collar?

Shock collars, also known as electric fences or e-collars, have been around for decades. They work by emitting a short, mild shock when the dog wearing the collar comes in contact with the boundary wire. The idea is that the dog will associate the shock with the boundary and will eventually learn to stay away from it.

There are different types of shock collars available on the market, from very basic models to more advanced ones that offer different levels of stimulation. You can also find collars that come with a remote control, so you can deliver the shock yourself if you see your dog trying to escape.

Some come with GPS and Wifi capabilities so you can track your dog’s location and receive notifications if he or she leaves the designated area. Check out our reviews of shock collars with wifi here.

Shock collars are not without their controversy, however. There are those who argue that they are inhumane and can cause physical and psychological damage to dogs. There is also the concern that shock collars may not be effective in all cases. If your dog is determined to escape, he or she may still be able to do so even with a shock collar in place.

The Pros of Shock Collars

Shock collars can be an effective way to keep your dog in the yard. If your dog is afraid of the shock, he or she is likely to stay away from the boundary.

Shock collars can be a cheaper alternative to other methods of containment, such as physical fences or underground electronic fences.

Shock collars are relatively easy to set up and use. You can usually do it yourself without having to hire a professional.

The Cons of Shock Collars

There is the potential for abuse with shock collars. If the collar is not used properly, it can cause physical and psychological damage to the dog.

Shock collars can be ineffective if the dog is determined to escape. A smart dog may figure out how to avoid the shock by crossing the boundary in a different spot or by digging under the fence.

How effective are shock collars?

Shock collars can be effective in keeping dogs contained, but they are not foolproof. Dogs are smart creatures and some may figure out how to avoid the shock by jumping over the fence or dug under it. And even if the collar does deter your dog from escaping, that doesn’t mean he or she will be happy about it.

If you’re considering a shock collar, be sure to do your research and talk to your veterinarian first. Shock collars are not right for every dog, so it’s important to make sure it is the right choice for yours.

Our top picks:

  1. Pet Resolve Shock collar with remote
  2. Pet Control HQ Wireless Pet Containment System 
  3. PetSafe Wireless Pet Fence Pet Containment System
  4. The Mini Educator E-Collar
  5. Extreme Dog Fence

Reviews:

Pet Control HQ Wireless Pet Containment System

Pet Control HQ Wireless Pet Containment System is a complete wireless pet containment system. It includes an outdoor transmitter and receiver, training flags, boundary wire and stakes, a digital dog fence collar, training guide and access to our support team.

Pet Control HQ Wireless Pet Containment System - overall best shock collar to keep dog in the yard

The Pet Control HQ wireless pet containment system can be used for any size yard up to 10 acres. This combination of a wireless pet training system with custom perimeter wire allows you to cover large yards and complicated spaces with ease. You can use the included boundary wire or choose your own design based on our recommendations!

This Pet Control HQ Wireless Pet Containment System is perfect for keeping your furry friend safe and contained in your yard. The dual zone system creates two containment areas (492 feet of 20 AWG inground, above ground or underground electric dog fence wire), so you can keep your pet close to home while still giving them plenty of room to roam. The heavy-duty solid copper core wire is weatherproof and chew-resistant, so you can trust it to stand up to any conditions. Plus, the easy-to-layout design means you can customize your dog barrier fences to any shape or size.

Pet Control HQ Wireless Pet Containment System is a proven effective way to train your dog! Its wireless dog training collar with remote has 2 modes, vibration and beep. The vibration mode will let the pet know they are close to the boundary line and should stop what they are doing. The beep mode will help get their attention when they are in an area that is not supposed to be traveled.

The electric shock levels 1-10 can help get your dogs attention when you need it most. Each level of correction can range from a light tingle all the way up to a strong static shock. We do not recommend going above level 4 for any dog over 30 lbs.

The Pet Control HQ Wireless Pet Containment System is expandable so you can add an unlimited number of pets! Just purchase an additional receiver collar for each pet you would like to train and include them in your containment area.

Pros:

  1. -Complete wireless pet containment system
  2. -Can be used for any size yard
  3. -Includes an outdoor transmitter and receiver, training flags, boundary wire and stakes, a digital dog fence collar, training guide and access to support team
  4. -Dual zone system creates two containment areas
  5. -Customizable to any shape or size
  6. -Expandable to include an unlimited number of pets

Cons:

  • -May take some time to train your dog
  • -Some dogs may be able to jump over or dig under the fence

The Bottom Line:

The Pet Control HQ Wireless Pet Containment System is a complete wireless pet containment system that can be used for any size yard. It includes an outdoor transmitter and receiver, training flags, boundary wire and stakes, a digital dog fence collar, training guide and access to our support team. The dual zone system creates two containment areas (492 feet of 20 AWG inground, above ground or underground electric dog fence wire), so you can keep your pet close to home while still giving them plenty of room to roam.

PetSafe Wireless Pet Fence Pet Containment System

PetSafe Wireless Pet Fence is a pet containment system that uses radio waves to create a secure area for your pet. When the collar on your furry friend comes in contact with the transmitter, it gives off an uncomfortable correction that deters them from entering the restricted area.

The PetSafe Wireless Pet Containment System works for dogs of all sizes and cats weighing 8 pounds or more. This wireless fence is easy to assemble and has a range of up to 1/2 acre. The product includes one portable indoor transmitter, one rechargeable receiver collar (with spare batteries), boundary flags, training and operating guide.

The system is easy to set up in just a few hours, and creates a wireless boundary that will protect your pet. If your pet crosses the boundary, they will receive a correction signal, but unlike traditional in-ground fences, they will be able to return home without being corrected. The system is also portable, so you can take it with you on vacation or camping trips.

Pros:

-Portable indoor transmitter with a range of up to 1/2 acre. Check out other long-range shock collars here.

-Rechargeable receiver collar

-For dogs of all sizes and cats weighing 8 pounds or more

Cons:

-Some customer reviews mention that the product may not be durable

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