06/01/2026
Any equipment is obviously made with a right way to use it and a wrong way.
But what I notice with aversives is:
“Prongs are a great tool… if used correctly.”
“E-collars are a great tool… if used correctly.”
And I’m left wondering, what does that actually mean?
Because when a tool relies on applying discomfort, pain, fear, or startle in a specific way, saying “if used correctly” doesn’t really address the ethical questions people are raising.
It often feels like it sidesteps conversations about risk, fallout, welfare concerns, or the fact that discomfort is part of how the tool works.
Interestingly, I don’t hear that phrase used as often when we talk about reinforcement-based training.
Sure, timing matters. Mechanics matter. Reinforcing the behaviour you want matters.
But reinforcement doesn’t rely on intentionally applying discomfort or aversive stimulation to communicate with the dog.
That feels like a fundamentally different conversation.
So I’m curious, what sentence triggers you in the dog world? Leave it in the comments ⬇️😊
