E-Collars Explained

Posted April 27, 2026 in General

E-collars for dogs use Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) technology, which is similar to what is used in TENS machines for humans. Both use electrical impulses to stimulate muscles, but TENS machines are used to treat pain, while e-collars are used for training dogs.

How they work:

• TENS machines: Use electrical impulses to treat muscle and nerve pain in humans.

• E-collars: Use electrical impulses to train dogs by stimulating muscle contractions.

How they feel:

• TENS machines: Feel like muscle stimulation or pulses running through the body.

• E-collars: Can feel like a prickling sensation, higher levels can be unpleasant.

How they’re used:

• TENS machines: Used by physical therapists, chiropractors and during childbirth to treat pain.

• E-collars: Used by dog trainers to communicate with dogs and modify their behaviour.

Advantages of E-collars:

• Can be used to stop a dog from doing something dangerous, like running into traffic.

• Can be used to communicate with a dog even when they’re well-trained but distracted.