
06/06/2025
Keep seeing trainers recommend shock collars for separation anxiety and it honestly breaks my heart. So let's talk about why this is especially damaging for dogs who are already scared.
Those trainers will say "it just sends a message" but let's be real about what that message actually is.
The message is literally "something bad might happen to you." That's intimidation, not training.
Picture this - you're already having panic attacks about being in small spaces. Then someone says "every time you panic in here, we're going to hurt you." Would that help your claustrophobia? Or would you now be scared of small spaces AND scared of being hurt?
That's exactly what's happening to your dog.
Here's where it gets even worse - some trainers will tell you that your dog isn't actually anxious. They'll say your dog is "acting out" or "being manipulative" or "trying to control you." Then they use that as their license to shock your dog.
But here's the truth: dogs don't fake panic attacks. The pacing, drooling, destruction, and crying you see? That's real distress, not manipulation.
Trainers love to say "when used properly they don't hurt" and "we only use it once then put it on the lowest setting." But think about what's actually happening there. If you only shocked the dog once but they're still changing their behavior when the collar is on the lowest setting... that's a threat. The dog is thinking "this thing hurt me before and it might hurt me again."
That's not training - that's intimidation. You're teaching your dog to suppress their behavior out of fear of pain, not because they actually feel better.
Your dog with separation anxiety is already thinking "my person left and I don't know if they're coming back and the world feels dangerous."
Now add a shock collar and they're also thinking:
When will the next shock come?
What triggers it?
Will my feelings literally hurt me now?
Is this thing on my neck going to hurt me again?
You haven't solved the separation anxiety. You've just taught an already panicked dog that their environment is even scarier and that expressing their distress might result in pain.
What dogs with separation anxiety actually need is to learn that being alone is predictable and safe. They need their world to feel more secure, not more threatening.
If someone is telling you to shock your already fearful dog, please know there are trainers out there who understand that you can't intimidate fear away.
Your dog isn't being stubborn or manipulative. They're scared. And scared beings need safety, not more reasons to be afraid 💙
What can you do if a trainer recommends a cruel and outdated method? Look up one of my certified SA Pros or my Separartion Anxiety heroes memebship. Kind, gentle, modens mehtods - guaranteed.