The shock collar, also known as E-collar or electronic collar, has been designed in such a way as to enable the wireless commanding of your dog. This dog training collar has been there since the late 60s when it was initially used to train hunting dogs.
But today, dog owners use shock collars to train pet dogs and restrain them from different obstinate and unwanted behaviors. The “shock” is not meant to hurt your pooch but works as a deterrent for unwanted behavior.
An E-collar is fastened to your dog’s neck just as any ordinary collar. The collar carries a receiver, which receives the electric signals transmitted by the remote control transmitter in your hand. These signals are conducted to the dog’s neck through the metal contact points present on the inner side of the collar.
Thus, it works as an adequate training tool during the off-leash activities of your pooch, even at a distance of many miles. However, in case your dog is suffering from nervous issues, PTSD, or he’s particularly sensitive to shock, you’ll need to find a different way to communicate with him.
If you’ve been considering buying some training collars for your dog, a shock collar must have clicked your mind, and you must be thinking, “Are shock collars waterproof?”
Or, if you’re already using one for your pooch, you must have thought of the same question when your dog tried to jump in a puddle during a walk with you.
Since dogs love water, they’ll always try to jump into it whenever they are taken out on a beach, near a lake, or a swimming pool. So, let’s see if shock collars are waterproof or not. Is it true that all shock collars are waterproof?
What Is a Waterproof Shock Collar?
Waterproof shock collars are those in which the internal hardware is not impacted by water, even if they are submerged in a water body. In other words, we can say that the efficiency of these collars would not be reduced, or they wouldn’t stop functioning if they come in contact with water.
Despite being an electric device, the waterproof shock collar is made of or is covered in a material that doesn’t allow water into its sensitive parts that manipulate the electric signals. Even if the water seeps down from the superficial surface, it would not be able to affect the delicate machinery of the receiver since it would have been covered internally too.
Such a collar will allow your pooch to play and learn outdoors on a rainy day, in wetlands, on beaches, or near a pool in a dog park, without causing you extra care not to get the collar wet.
But! the most important thing to keep in mind is that you must not allow your dog to swim for longer periods of time since any waterproof collar cannot withstand being submerged in water for an indefinite period.
Although the extent of waterproofing may differ from one shock collar to another, any available electronic device is not resilient enough to tolerate a water test for as long as 10 to 12 hours. It is determined on the basis of IP rating, which will be discussed in a later section of this article.
Are Waterproof and Water-resistant Shock Collars the Same?
No, both are entirely different types of collars. The terms “waterproof” and “water-resistant” are sometimes used interchangeably in common practice. But, confusing these terms here for shock collars can cost dog owners a considerable amount of money.
Therefore, while buying a waterproof collar, you must not search for water-resistant options. Understanding the difference between these two is important to save you from any regret later because shock collars are usually expensive.
There are a lot of differences between waterproof and water-resistant shock collars. Being water resistant simply means that the material used on the surface of the collar is water repellant.
This material can be anything like biothane, polyurethane, neoprene, or PVC. When water will fall on the surface of the collar, it will roll down in the form of droplets. In case the water seeped down the surface of a water-resistant shock collar, the collar would no longer be protected.
On the other hand, a waterproof collar is covered in a protective material both internally and externally. Even if the water seeps down, the internal material will remain intact, and the collar will continue functioning properly.
It will continue to work if submerged in water, whereas a water-resistant collar may stop working underwater. Suppose you’re training your pet near water. In that case, it is essential that the collar is completely waterproof because a merely water-resistant dog shock collar is less durable than a waterproof one.
Are All Shock Collars Waterproof?
Not all shock collars available in the market or online are waterproof. Some may only be water-resistant. In these collars, the manufacturers may have used a water-repellant material for the belt, the purpose of which is to prevent the collar from being wet so that it can control the production of smell or harboring of bacteria.
In some other water-resistant shock collars, the transmitter or receiver will only withstand water to a certain limit. When submerged, such a collar will begin to malfunction or may entirely stop working. Therefore, a dog’s shock collar must operate normally even when submerged in water for being waterproof.
Some other collars come with waterproof collars but have no waterproof remotes. It is always recommended to use a collar in which both the collar and the remote are waterproof. This is because when you are training your dog near a water body, the transmitter may accidentally slip out of your hand and fall in the water.
Such collars are also not appropriate if you want to train your dog for longer on a rainy day. There are many different shock collars available; you must confirm it first whether the one you are buying is waterproof or not. If it is waterproof, it must be mentioned on the packaging, the manual, or in the product description when buying online.
Why Do You Need a Waterproof Shock Collar?
Your dog will probably not want you to remove his shock collar when you’re outside. If it gets soaked, you’re the one to be in trouble. Therefore, it is always preferable to get a collar with waterproof receivers so that you don’t need to replace it if it goes out of order after being soaked in water.
Apart from the collar being non-functional, sometimes the dog may suffer from electrocution due to the conduction of electricity through water; it is rare.
When your dog is being trained near an aquatic body, you should opt for an ultra-secure device that has a waterproof surface both inside and outside so that its internal elements are fully protected. You’ll surely not want to buy an expensive shock collar again. Many dog shock collars feature only waterproof receivers, which are good for general use. But if you’re training your dog out on a rainy day, the permeable transmitter will certainly go out of order.
Are Shock Collars Safe in Rain?
Yes! waterproof shock collars are safe for dog training on a rainy day. Although water-resistant shock collars may also tolerate a little amount of rain, waterproof shock collars are more suitable for use on rainy days. It is because the waterproof shock collars have a higher water resistance rating.
These are normally sealed to prevent water from reaching the delicate parts of both the transmitter and the receiver. The waterproof shock collar can also be effective in heavy rain since the vertical flow of water cannot cause damage to it. If your dog is wearing such a collar, you can let him play in the rain and roll in the mud.
On the other hand, simple shock collars that do not have waterproofing should never be exposed to rain. In case the water gets into the collar, it will probably damage it. The collar will start functioning abnormally, or the function may completely halt.
Can You Use a Shock Collar in Water?
You can test the shock collar for being waterproof by submerging it in water for a few minutes. All you need to do is wear your E-collar and get into a bathtub or a pool.
Keep the collar around your neck dipped in the water during this time. In the ideal case, after being removed from the water, the collar should work perfectly like before, as though nothing has happened to it. Remember one thing; you should not test a shock collar by making your dog wear it.
If a shock collar has been tested against water and is confirmed to be completely waterproof, it can be used underwater for the time being. However, it’s absolutely worth examining whether the shock collar you are using is waterproof or not.
Since shock collars come at relatively high prices, you should always go for a waterproof option so that you can use your dog shock collar anywhere, anytime.
Can You Use Shock Collars While Swimming?
If your shock collar is tested positive for being waterproof, it can be worn by your dog while swimming. But it will be one of your greatest mistakes to leave the dog with a collar in the swimming pool for indefinite periods of time. Every collar has a specific IP rating, which means that a waterproof collar can be left in water for a specific time period. Usually, it ranges from half an hour to one hour.
Leaving the collar submerged in water for longer than this will surely render it inoperative. Another key consideration when using a shock collar in water is the resistance to corrosion. Sometimes, the dog may swim in saltwater; the salt is likely to deposit on the collar and may also be able to penetrate into it.
In such a case, the collar will end up being corroded, or it may completely degrade your collar. Therefore, if you want your dog to wear the collar during swimming, it must be waterproof and corrosion resistant at the same time.
Thing’s to Consider While Using a Waterproof Shock Collar
While using a waterproof shock collar, you must consider the extent to which it can resist an aquatic environment. This is decided by the IP rating of the shock collar. Yes! this is the same thing you may have encountered while buying a smartphone for you. Like the different smartphones have different IP ratings like IP67 or IP68, the different types of shock collars have different IP values. So let’s see how this system works.
IP stands for “International Protection Marking” or sometimes “Ingress Protection.” It is an international coding system that defines the capacity of a product, especially an electric or electronic device, to withstand dust or water. The International Electrotechnical Commission introduced this system. It consists of a 5-unit code, IPXYK. IP stands for ingress protection, X is any number from 0 to 6, and defines resistance against solid objects like dust. The current value of Y ranges from 0 to 9, with 9 being the highest. This is what actually defines the waterproofness of the product.
For a bark collar or an E-collar, the IP value is usually IPX7K or IPX8K. Those with IPX7K rating mean that the collars have been waterproofed against a depth of 1 meter for a period of 30 minutes. While a collar with an IPX8K rating can remain intact at a depth of 3 meters for slightly longer periods. One or two brands are presently manufacturing shock collars with IPX9K; these are protected against water jets at high temperatures and pressure. These can withstand deeper water submersions, but not for an inordinate length of time.
The Best Ways to Know if Your Shock Collar Is Waterproof
First of all, you can check it with your shock collars’ manual, as most of the collars come with manuals that have all the information on these training devices; some even describe the training tactics you can apply while using the collar.
Secondly, the product must have a clear label stating WATERPROOF on the packaging itself; you can easily know just by looking at it.
Finally, if you neither have a manual nor the original packing, you may find out whether the collar you’re using is waterproof or not by searching on the web. All you need to do is enter the name of your shock collar (along with the model number and the brand’s name) and then check if it is waterproof or not. You can also confirm it by contacting their customer service.
For testing, you can spray the collar from a distance of 3 meters with a nozzle of 12.5mm as long as for 3 minutes. If the collar continues to work properly, it has passed the waterproofing test successfully.
Do You Need a Water-resistant Shock Collar?
If you’ve already purchased a shock collar having all those waterproof features, what’s the point of considering buying a water-resistant shock collar for your pooch? A merely water-resistant shock collar is far less durable than a completely waterproof one.
Although a water-resistant shock collar can withstand a few water splashes if you are training your dog at your house, it is not appropriate for outdoor training sessions. If and only if it slips out of your hand and falls into a pool, you will have to wave it bye forever!
But, if your dog doesn’t like to be trained outdoors and you carry out all of his training sessions in your backyard, there is no need to opt for a highly-expensive waterproof training collar. Instead, a water-resistant static shock collar will suffice as long as you are confident about your dog not going near a water body.
What Other Qualities Do You Need in a Shock Collar?
In addition to being waterproof, pet owners must consider the following properties when choosing the appropriate shock collars for their dogs:
A Broad Range of Control
Range refers to the distance from which the remote control will transmit the electric signals to the receiver on your dog’s collar. It is the distance between you and your pooch.
Most of the off-leash training requires dogs to be supervised from far away. Depending on the surrounding where you are training dogs, multiple hindrances may affect your shock collar performance by reducing its range and requiring you to stay close to your dog. This is why a shock collar needs a broad range of control.
Beep or Vibrate Mode
Look for a collar featuring all of the three training modes; a standard beep, vibration mode, and static mode or shock mode.
You can use the vibration or beep to warn the dogs before giving them a static shock. Some dogs may show aggression when they experience a static shock. Depending on your puppy’s temperament, you can use beeps to attract his attention and communicate with him.
Multiple Levels of Stimulation
Multiple stimulation levels allow a shock collar to emit different intensities of vibration and static shock. It’s one of the important factors for dog training because each dog has its individuality.
Some dogs respond very well to the slightest vibrations and don’t even require the shock function. While some trainers may use quite strong static shocks to get the dog’s attention.
Therefore, customizable shock settings allow for different static shock modes to handle the dog’s behavior individually.
Safety Lock
One of the most important safety features is a keypad lock on the remote. You will definitely not want your dog to be shocked or vibrate constantly when a button gets stuck on your remote.
The keypad locks can help prevent such incidents. Several Remotes also feature “protection mode,” which is designed to shock the dog for ten seconds, after which it turns off permanently.
Multiple Receivers (Optional)
Multiple receivers are highly effective if you are training more than one dog at the same time. It is especially useful for professional trainers. Several dogs wearing the collars can be controlled from only one remote. All the dogs must be in the same place, though.
Adjustable Size
Adjustable shock collars eliminate the need to measure your dog’s neck size before buying a collar for him. Most of these fit all neck sizes and shapes. Both the large dogs and the smaller dogs can wear the same collars. If you bring another pet home, you will not need a second collar for him.
Large Battery Life
Most of the collars have a perfect arrangement that allows for the charging of the remotes and collars simultaneously. You must charge your collar at least once per week.
The collar’s battery life should be long enough to last for the whole week when fully charged. One charge should last for at least 50 hours of training, so you don’t have to worry about charging it before every training session.
Conclusion
All shock collars are not waterproof; some are simply water-resistant. Waterproof dog shock collars are more durable than others. These come with different IP values and hence differ in the extent of waterproofing.
It is worth checking whether the collar you have is waterproof or not if your pet likes to swim or is training near water. If your dog isn’t allowed to wear a shock collar near water, then a water-resistant collar is sufficient.
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