E Collar
The controversy over the use of electronic or shock collars persists, unabated. There are two tribes of dog trainers. The first is the clan of “Positive Trainers,” who avoid physical force and aversion. The second clan is comprised of “Balanced Trainers” and “Traditional Trainers,” who make use of positive punishment and negative reinforcement. They use a variety of techniques (including positive reinforcement) and differing levels of aversion. The internet is ablaze as the two tribes exchange heated invective. The lines are drawn indelibly deep and trainers have “shields up” when in contact with a member of the opposing tribe. (1). But recently, last October 6th, 2020, Petco discontinued the sale of electronic collars. This was a move that appeared to please both camps, somewhat. All trainers would agree that the vast majority of civilians are not equipped with the experience and knowledge to be turned loose with a shock collar. Also, the quality of the shock collars sold at retailers such as Petco was considered “low quality” by those that make use of e collars. (2).
Petco’s CEO, Ron Coughlin seems like a straight forward guy. “Electricity is fine for your microwave, but not fine for your pets, so we shouldn’t sell these things,” he told Today. “You have this poor, vulnerable loving animal who had no idea they’re going to have this happen to them, and in our view, it’s inhumane... The vast majority of folks don’t know any better,” he said. “So we’ve got a job to make sure we’re providing the right options for them.” (3). In addition to no longer selling shock collars, Petco is beginning a “StopThe Shock” campaign. “Today, we call on the rest of the pet industry and anyone who loves pets to join our movement and help us drive positive change beyond just Petco.. Today we #StopThe Shock.” (4). Not long after this, October 17, 2020, Victoria Stilwell aired an episode of “it’s Me Or The Dog.” (5). In this episode, Victoria magically calls forth a hammer from her trainer’s tool box. She proceeds to smash a “Huge” electronic collar. It takes her a while, but she gets the job done!
An online Petco petition states: “We’re also calling on the rest of the pet industry, pet parents and anyone who loves pets to help us create new guidelines, engage in responsible self-regulation and consider legislative change for the retail sale of certain shock collars to general consumers.
This is a complex problem, but together we would like to see:
-Other retailers and manufacturers join us in either not selling or applying responsible guideline and restrictions to the retail sale of specific shock collars to general consumers--- except in a professional capacity or in partnership with and/or under the guidance of a certified dog trainer.” (6).
This is a complex problem, indeed. So, after so many years of selling shock collars and making millions upon millions of dollars selling them to the unwitting general public without a qualm, Petco suddenly labelled shock collars “inhumane” and is heralding for “responsible guidelines and restrictions…..,” etc. I am sure many thousands of dogs and pet parents over the years seriously wish Petco hadn’t waited until 2020 to experience this epiphany.
On the other hand, since 1999, the Petco Foundation has done truly remarkable work in countless arenas of animal welfare. Funded in large part by the public, The Petco Foundation is given the highest marks by Charity Navigator, as is Petsmart Charities. A large Foundation or Charities with a large budget can make a huge impact for good. However, at the same time, both corporations were selling millions of dollars of products that the Petco CEO now labels “inhumane.”. Victoria Stillwell, who promotes purely positive training, worked with the Petco Foundation in 2018, 2019 and 2020. ( 7), (8), (9). This is a pet industry version of greenwashing. In 2019 alone, Petco sold ten million dollars worth of electronic collars. This sounds like a lot of money but it isn’t for Petco. In 2019 Petco made $4.4 billion. $10 million comes to .2% of sales. Mr Coughlin continues, “When some people witness how their dog reacts to a shock collar, they never use it again. A recent Petco study that found 59% of pet parents surveyed would rather shock themselves than their dog, and Coughlin said shock collars are one of the most frequently returned products.” (10). So, let’s go figure. Sales are .2%. Customers are unhappy and feel they are hurting their pets. Products are “frequently” returned. Maybe it didn’t take a whole lot of courage to unfurl the banner of positive reinforcement atop corporate headquarters.
It is now March of 2021, five months after Petco ceased the sale of shock collars and assimilated positive reinforcement. (11). What are other retailers selling shock collars up to these days? Have they responded to the clarion call to “drive positive change beyond just Petco?” Petsmart, a major competitor of Petco, shows only two models of remote collars available online. A quick look at the reviews supports the “low quality” assessment by the professionals. (12). There are a number of bark collars also available at Petsmart. Chewy, an online retailer, owned by Petsmart, displayed 214 results in a search for remote collars. By the third page of displayed products, a GPS collar shows up and later pages start to show accessories. But don’t despair. There are still plenty of the devil’s devices to choose from. Walmart touts 1000+ items listed under shock collar. This is 25 pages with 40 items per page! You will find prong collars, a “Stainless Steel Choke Dog Collar” (page 9) and even a Gentle Leader in the shock collar search. This is the place to go if you are on a budget. Of the numerous collars I viewed on the last two pages, 24 and 25, none had been reviewed! I may have been the first person to explore so far in the search. Amazon had 2000+ results available. And you can have it shipped and begin using it tomorrow! Enough said.
So what can be taken away from all this? First, trainers on both sides will continue to squabble at each other like two unruly dogs running up and down a fence line. Secondly, the “balanced trainers” are correct that the public is/was being sold inferior equipment that they are not qualified to use. Is it possible they could be right about anything else? Definitely, but that is for another time. Thirdly, Petco did the right thing by dumping the shock collars. They should be commended for taking this step. But doing the right thing by not selling harmful equipment does not give Petco the right to co-opt positive reinforcement. Fourthly, the Petco Foundation will continue to do wonderful things. Victoria Stilwell will continue to be adamantly anti shock collar. She will persist in her pursuit of the Grail Of All Things Positive, wherever it may take her in her peppy red car. But now, she is no longer affiliated with a company that sells $10 million of instruments of affliction per year. Fifth and finally, we will all look forward to Victoria’s next episode. She drives up to her destination in that sporty red car. The background music sets the mood. “If Victoria had a hammer, she’d hammer in the morning, she’d hammer in the evening, all over this laaand...” Music stops. She dramatically exits her car. We now see the hammer in her hand. She strides purposefully, full of rectitude, towards the entrance of the Petsmart store. Purely positive!
(1). “Shields Up!” was in every episode of Star Trek I have seen.
(3). Petco stops selling 'inhumane' shock collars and calls on others to join them
(4). Stop The Shock: Discover Positive Dog Training | Petco
(7). The Petco Foundation & Victoria Stillwell Celebrate Unsung Heroes | FIDO Friendly
(8). Petco Foundation - Unsung Heroes - Season 2 | Facebook
(9). The Petco Foundation & Victoria Stilwell Positively Honor Unsung Heroes - Petco Foundation
(10). See footnote # (3).
(11). Assimilated, also from Star Treck. Borg - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Borg
12). Reviews from Petsmart. Search Results | PetSmart