Evolving from ferocious predators to ultimate best friends, dogs undergo meticulous training to become service dogs and help people with various needs.

Trainers use e-collars to support this training journey. But what are e-collars?

Beth Lama, a local trainer who works with dogs using both traditional and e-collar methods, explains these devices.

“I put the e-collar on the dog and set it to the lowest possible setting,” Lama said. “When the puppy comes to me, the dog quickly learns that coming means the sensation disappears.”

E-collars stimulate muscle movement. “It doesn’t hurt,” Lama said. “The collar has two other functions. It also has a beep sound that startles them at first.”

While e-collars can send auditory and physical signals that humans can replicate without devices, they influence training differently.

“Bear accomplished in two or three months with the e-collar what would have taken over a year otherwise. It speeds up the process,” Lama said, referring to one of her dogs. “The communication is clear to the dog. Dogs respond to the e-collar’s stimulus by performing the taught task because they seek comfort.”

Despite the benefits, e-collars still deliver electrical stimulation to dogs. Some trainers misuse them.

“They tell a puppy to ‘sit,’ and when it doesn’t, they shock it. This can really hurt the animal,” Lama said. “But when used properly and with appropriate force, it becomes one of the best training tools available.”

E-collars offer up to 137 levels of stimulation, and most people can’t feel anything until level 20. The tool doesn’t harm dogs “as long as trainers use it mindfully,” Lama said.