11/03/2026
Recently, a Kickstarter campaign caught my eye for a new remote training collar. It was marketed as a gentler alternative, using vibrations and varied whistle tones instead of traditional shock functions to manage behaviors like leash pulling. It even featured a boundary setting that would automatically whistle to call the dog back when they wandered too far away. While it sounds nice in theory, this device, like countless others on the market, is attempting to solve the wrong problem. Because the collar cannot deliver positive reinforcement, it must rely on an aversive startle or negative reinforcement to stop a behavior. Instead of getting to the heart of the issue, we are simply looking for more ways to control our dogs.
The underlying issue with these devices is that they treat dogs like robots we need to program, attempting to force them into a cohesive, tight little box. This approach stems from a "colonizer mindset"—a controlling, "me versus the dog" mentality that persists no matter how gentle the tool claims to be. We are so focused on controlling our animals that we fail to ask what is actually going on for them. For example, setting arbitrary boundaries and relying on automated whistles doesn't teach your dog anything meaningful, nor does it make them like you more. Instead of asking why a dog might naturally range further than others, we apply a tool as a band-aid.
When we rely on these band-aids, we ignore the emotional reality of the animal. Dogs and other animals do not act out to spite us; they are simply surviving. Unwanted behaviors, like aggression, barking all day when left alone, or soiling the carpet, are energetically expensive, indicating that the animal is struggling and not feeling calm, comfortable, or confident. Leash pulling is a prime example of this struggle. Most leash pulling is caused by underlying states of anxiety, overstimulation, and overwhelm. If we eliminate those factors and help the dog feel confident and comfortable, the dog stops pulling. In fact, it is often the human who is pulling on the leash, not the dog.
Furthermore, we cannot wrap our animals in bubble wrap or use tools to prevent every potential danger. Having a relationship with a living, breathing, sentient being that makes their own decisions involves inherent risk. Animals will do things like chase deer or run away, just as a well-trained horse recently went missing despite having a good relationship with its owner. The blame placed on that owner was ridiculous because, ultimately, life happens.
I experienced this terror firsthand when my free-flight trained bird landed in a high pine tree and stayed there for nine hours. I was scared out of my mind, but a training tool wouldn't have helped me in that situation. What got me through was the emotional support of friends and family who birdwatched with me as we moved from tree to tree, ultimately relying on the foundation of the relationship and training my partner and I had built with her. Similarly, I once almost lost my strongly bonded dog to a waterfall due to a poor decision on my part. By the time I saw the danger, she was already on her way over. Thankfully, she survived, but no tool was going to save her in that moment.
Owning an animal is a risk to our hearts, much like having children or navigating any deep relationship. When you are frustrated by a behavior, remember that your animal is likely having a hard time too. The solution requires real-life action and supporting the animal through their struggles, not applying another tool. By getting to the bottom of their discomfort and helping them feel better, you inherently improve your relationship.
Relationships are messy and complex, and if you are struggling, you should absolutely seek out qualified trainers and behaviorists. Gadgets might act as a temporary fix, but tools are not the answer.
