Why Is My Dog Not Phased By A Training Collar?

Last Updated/Info Checked on August 6, 2023 by Linda Michaels

Dogs have different capacities for shock levels or stimulations delivered by a shock collar. You’re right; some are not phased by what we consider the hottest level. But it’s not the dog’s doing. It’s not that it comes from Krypton, and nothing works on it. The blame entirely rests on the type of collar you’re using.

Read on to know why your dog isn’t phased by the training collar you’re using.

5 Reasons Why The Collar Doesn’t Work On Your Dog

As you read, it’s not the dog’s fault but the collar’s. Here are the reasons that may be the case why the collar isn’t working.

1. Not The Right Size

Collars should have the right size to be effective. Too loose or tight collars do not yield the results you want. So, you should keep them snug enough for the prongs to work. 

Go through this checklist to ensure the snug fit:

• Look if the prongs touch the skin or not.
• Insert two fingers between the collar and the dog’s neck. They should go in easily, indicating that the collar isn’t too tight. The collar’s too loose if you can insert more than two fingers.

If you have no idea how to find the right size dog collar, check out my chart.

2. Not Using The Bigger Prongs

Another reason why the shocks don’t phase the dog is not using the right-sized prongs. They are the contact points that deliver the stimulation from the receiver to the dog’s neck. Each product these days comes with two pairs of different-sized contact points. Make sure that you’re using the right ones.

3. The Receiver Isn’t Working.

The collar may be faulty in the first place. You may have bought a cheap product where the frequency of receiving a faulty product is more. But we can’t judge any company because I’ve even received faulty ones from big names in the industry. 

No matter which one you have right now, there’s an easy way to see whether the product’s working. 

Each one has a tester in the box. 

• Take it out and turn on the product. 
• Then, place the testing light on the prongs. They fit in like a jigsaw puzzle.
• Now turn on the receiver and the transmitter.
• Keep the tester on the prongs and hit the shock button. 
• No matter which level has been selected, the lights in the tester will turn on or start blinking. That’s when you know that the product’s working.

4.  Not Using The Right Product

Despite everything, you may have bought the wrong product if it doesn’t affect the dog. You may be using a collar meant for small dogs on a big dog. Using the right product matters because products for big dogs have higher intensities. The hot levels are what phase a dog. So, you may reconsider your purchase in case even the higher level on the current collar isn’t working for your pet.

5. Not using the right stimulation

Some dogs don’t feel anything on vibration or beeps. Their bearing capacities for these two are way more than smaller breeds, or they are plain stubborn single-minded beings. Try using different levels of stimulation on them and then decide if the product’s worth it. You may buy a product with more than one level for each stimulation type should the dog not respond to the initial levels.

What To Do To Make A Collar Work?

• Check its battery level before using it. Some collars do not have any battery indicator, but you could use the light tester to see whether it’s working. You should typically do this exercise before every session.
• The collar still may not work despite using the bigger prongs. In this case, you may want to shave the dog’s fur a little to get the job done.
• Make sure the fit is snug enough for the contact points to reach the dog’s skin.
• Make sure you’re using the right product for the right dog.

How Do I Get My Dog Used To A Shock Collar?

Getting your dog used to a shock collar even before trying it on him is important for not only its overall well-being but also the efficacy of the equipment. To get your dog used to the shock collar, follow these steps.

• Familiarize the dog with the new collar by keeping it in your hands all the time when you’re interacting with the dog.
• Allow the dog to sniff the collar. The idea is to let it guess the safety of this new thing that’s going to be around its neck.
• Put it on its neck for a few minutes and gradually increase that time until you and the dog both are comfortable.
• Before using the collar, check if its working on your arm and also take a good measure of its shock intensity.
• Select the level that’s just below the one your dog cannot bear.
• Start by training the dog with beep and then vibration, only resorting to shock when there’s need.

Why Is My Dog Not Phased By A Training Collar – Conclusion

A dog’s response to a shock or training collar depends on many aspects other than just size. Some of them may be the intensity of shock levels and other stimulation, using a faulty receiver, and ignoring the bigger prongs. Root out the problem by checking them one by one. The problem may persist. To that end, you may return the product and buy another one.