Does your dog have a delayed or unreliable response to Come, Down, or other commands? Do you see certain stress signals, like lip licking, looking away, sniffing the ground, moving slowly, or yawning? These responses indicate a poisoned cue.

Many people are lured into using a piece of equipment or a technique that’s aversive. If an electronic collar, for example, actually works as advertised to stop excessive barking, jumping up, leash pulling, or lunging and doesn’t really hurt the dog, what’s so wrong with using it?