One phrase that frequently comes up in conversations with dog people is: “I am not a fan of [insert] tool.”
Predictably, the tool in question is usually a prong collar (spiky things on it—horror!) or an e-collar (electric shock—torture!).
Also predictably, when people who claim to be “not a fan” are asked whether they have any practical experience with the tool, the answer is almost always: “I would never.”
That raises a simple question: what does it actually mean to be “not a fan” of something you have never used or taken the time to understand?
Most objections come down to this: the tools look cruel, must inflict pain, and one should not do anything to a dog that one would not do to a child.
But that comparison breaks down quickly. Dogs do not interact with other dogs the way humans interact with other humans.
Of course, I would not put a prong collar on a child—but I would also not grab a child by the neck to correct biting. I would not eat the placenta after giving birth. I would not hump my guests’ legs. And I definitely do not pee around the block to let my neighbour Steve know this is my territory.
Dogs are not humans, and they do not naturally understand human ways of communication. Dogs do not use words when they are unhappy—they set boundaries with each other using their teeth.
One specific way is grabbing and shaking the skin on the back of the neck. For instance, a mother dog will grab and pinch her pup if it does something she considers unacceptable. This is the behavior a prong collar is designed to mimic: a clear, immediate correction a dog instinctively understands, unlike a verbal reprimand that often lacks clarity from the dog’s perspective.
An e-collar is conceptually different. It does not mimic a natural canine behavior. Without careful conditioning and gradual introduction, it can confuse or startle a dog—not because it inflicts pain, but because it produces an unfamiliar sensation that stimulates transcutaneous nerves. The dog needs to be taught what that sensation means and how to respond to it.
Interestingly, physiotherapists use electrical stimulation in a similar way to treat injuries—TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation). Many people have experienced it themselves. The sensation is unusual, but not inherently painful.
Returning to the “not-a-fan” position: I understand why these tools provoke strong reactions. I encounter this every day. But when properly fitted and used, a well-manufactured prong collar is designed to distribute pressure safely and does not puncture or cut the skin. Likewise, e-collars, when introduced correctly, do not torture dogs—they can create clarity, reliability, and ultimately more freedom.
Of course, anyone has the right to choose what tools they use or do not use. That applies to food, clothing, and dog training alike. No justification is required.
But saying “I am not a fan” implies something more: it suggests experience, understanding, and an informed decision, rather than a reaction based on appearance or assumption.
If you have never used a tool, never learned how it works, and never seen it applied correctly, then you are not “not a fan.” You are unfamiliar.
And that is not a problem. Not knowing something is not a moral failure. Refusing to learn, while holding strong opinions, limits better outcomes for both dogs and their owners.
Dog training is not about human emotional comfort; it is about clarity and fairness for the dog. Tools are just that: tools. In the right hands, they guide, clarify, and create freedom. In the wrong hands, even a flat collar or leash can cause harm.
So instead of saying “I am not a fan,” a more honest starting point might be: “I do not know enough about this yet.”
That is where better training—and better conversations—begin.