Our Favorite E-collar Question: What Level?

Okay. This is the most common question, at least after "when can we take the e-collar off?"  Neither question has a straight answer, either. But I think the most succinct response is you can take it off when you can take it off (might be never) and the right level is the one that works (in most cases).

Most people don't realize that we can use our e-collars (aka big, scary shock collars) in a variety of ways. We have 100 levels, and I cannot feel it until it's on a level 12. I can tap it quickly, or I can apply constant stimulation. This means I can be very gentle with an e-collar, but I can also make it very uncomfortable. 

But then you also have to consider that what is uncomfortable to one dog might not be to another. Every dog is unique, and genetics play a major role in what dogs perceive and how they respond. As if that isn't enough to consider, you need to break it down even more because even the same dog will have varying degrees of sensitivity depending on the state of mind at the time (usually  impacted by environmental factors).

Using the most appropriate level is a skill to be built by the human. If you try to set it and forget it you fail. The number on your e-collar usually gets far more attention than it deserves, and you might be getting in your own way by putting too much emphasis on it.

I'm going to break down the various functions of an e-collar and how we select a level at any given time. We also cover what it means (or doesn't mean) when your dog does the dreaded vocalization and makes you cry yourself to sleep after.