Neck Trauma in Dogs: Time To Ditch Neck Devices For Good!

Stephanie Zikmann
May 13
12 min read

Table of Contents

I ntroduction
What Science Tells Us
The Physiological Implications
The Behavioural and Physical Implications
Grooming Considerations
Conclusions of Findings
Professional Recommendations
Summary
Further Reading

Introduction

“All types of dog collar have the potential to cause harm when the dog pulls on the lead” - Dr Anne Carter, Nottingham Trent University’s School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences.

As professional groomers committed to holistic and ethical dog care, understanding the physical, physiological, emotional and psychological implications of not just our own tools, but training tools that are being used out-with the salon is crucial in achieving low-stress grooming results.

Conventional grooming processes often encourage the use of neck nooses when working with dogs on grooming tables and during bath time, as well as the use of slip leads for transporting dogs from one post to another, as physical safety devices in place to keep dogs free from injury and/or harm.

Meanwhile, The Holistic Grooming & Behaviour Protocol goes against this tradition and encourages students to ditch the neck devices entirely and opt for harnesses and/or cooperative methods of handling instead.

This article aims to explore the argument for the eradication of neck devices not only within the grooming sector, but beyond.

While there are arguments for the use of neck devices including a quicker solution to pulling (this may actually be true in many cases) and also the common belief that harnesses cause more pulling and are therefore less effective (which studies have proven is untrue), the long-term implications of repetitive pressure on the neck will eventually lead to more concerning problems including chronic pain and stress and should not be disregarded.

We might successfully "train" a dog to behave in a more desirable way through the use of positive punishment and negative reinforcement - for example, pressure when the dog pulls and a lack of pressure when a dog walks to heel - we know that chronic pain and stress can disrupt the quality of life and reduce the lifespan of a dog.

The question we should be asking ourselves is:

Do we want to achieve short-term solutions, or are we invested in the quality of care (and life) an animals has long term?

What Science Tells Us

A really interesting study involving the University of Nottingham showed that ANY pressure on the neck through the use of any neck tool, regardless of how padded it is, is harmful to a dog (Carter, McNally and Roshier, 2020).

While this study was focused on dogs walking on a leash outdoors, it's absolutely transferable to the context of professional grooming, and I would argue, that the potential to cause more harm is evident within grooming environments since dogs tend to find those spaces more triggering and intense in nature.

What we can expect when it comes to risks and the long-term impact of neck devices is significant psychological, physical, physiological and behavioural consequences that not only directly influence their experience being groomed but can also lead to more chronic, long-term health disorders.

In the Nottingham-based study it was concluded that collars and slip leads all contributed to pain in dogs, regardless of material, padding, thickness and/or pressure applied. While there were varying degrees of pressure depending on direction of movement and force, it was agreed that harm could still be inflicted nonetheless.

A study was also carried out to explore the potential pressure of three separate types of collar by researchers at Writtle University College in 2019,they found that the highest 'mean force' pressure on a dogs neck occurred when the dog was performing circles and/or resisting against the collar during walks (as we often see within a grooming context on the grooming table). In the same study, researchers also discovered that the more padded collar wasn't any more effective in reducing force and pressure to the neck but instead resulted in concentrated pressure to specific points of the neck (Hunter, Blake and De Godoy, 2019).

Dogs instinctively resist pressure from neck restraints and with this in mind, it has been shown that the use of neck tools has the potential to inflict harm on a dog such as nerve damage or temporary airway obstruction (AVSAB, 2007a, 2007b).

Research has revealed that as little as 2g of weight can obstruct a nerve's function by up to 50% (Kaufman, 2007) - pulling and/or tugging against a neck restraint can cause significant neck trauma to a dog, especially when considering that the spinal and cervical nerves are located just under where the pressure from a neck restraint comes from (Goody, 2013).

Given that the risk in harm is actually quite high, there is a strong argument for the eradication of all neck devices on the grounds of legislation and the law, specifically the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which states:

Keepers and caregivers of animals must allow an animal to exhibit natural behaviours. Keepers and caregivers of animals must also cause no unnecessary suffering to an animal.

On the basis that there is an interconnected link between physical and emotional safety - they are one and the same thing - and based on the evidence I've collected across various studies, it is clear that emotional safety drives physical safety and that the use of physical restraining devices alone are ineffective and potentially more harmful if an animal does not feel safe in their environment.

What does this mean for professional groomers?

An emotionally safe (or secure) animal is in a physiologically calmer state which results in a physically calmer expression of behaviour as a result - in other words, when an animal trusts their environment, there is little-to-no requirement for physical restraining devices in the context of a professional grooming environment, since the purpose of these tools is to prevent a dog escaping a perceived threat.

This is not the same as environmental safety - when risk-assessing the grooming environment, there will be various physical measures a groomer will have to take to ensure that a dog remains physically safe from harm including the securing of windows, a locked entry system with no unattended access outdoors, the proper storing of products and tools etc.

Therefore, the need for a reviewed and clearer description of what safety is in the context of a grooming salon is paramount to prevent confusion and ensure that a dog's needs are not ignored.

The Physiological Implications:

There are various physiological implications of neck pain that can often quite quickly be identified by a Registered Vet.

Neck pain can be expressed subtly or more obviously depending on severity of the pain, context and an individual's pain threshold therefore it's strongly advised to be aware of all of the potential symptoms to look out for including:

an increased body temperature based on what the dog's normal temperature typically is
neck muscle spasms
muscle tension, strain and spasms down the spine due to uneven weight distribution
gastrointestinal complications - typically a side-effect of medication to combat pain (Daniel, 2024)

A note on the Vagus Nerve

We could begin to support the argument against neck restraints through an understanding of the purpose of the vagus nerve.

The vagus nerve is often referred to as the "wandering nerve" - it is the longest cranial nerve in the body starting from the neck and extending down, through and into all of the major organs of a dog's body.

The vagus nerve plays a vital role in:

Regulating heart rate and blood pressure
Managing the fight-or-flight response
Controlling inflammation
Influencing emotional regulation and stress responses
Supporting digestive function

If we use shock collars as an example tool, we know that when a shock collar is activated, it creates several concerning physiological responses:

Immediate Effects:

Activation of the sympathetic nervous system
Release of stress hormones (cortisol and adrenaline)
Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Muscle tension and potential trauma

Long-term Consequences:

Chronic stress response
Compromised immune system
Potential damage to the vagus nerve's functioning
Development of anxiety and fear-based behaviours

There are also physical and behavioural consequences to consider as well.

Author Opinion: Though neck pain can often be mistaken for back pain, it is worthwhile remembering the internal link between the neck and other major organs of the dog's body since it is all connected. It's not an overreaching statement to say that a dog experiencing significant neck pain will also be experiencing back pain, and I believe it would be worthwhile for Vets to explore the relevance of neck devices when reviewing potential causes of neck and back pain in dogs.

The Behavioural and Physical Implications

During my research I was lucky to interview some groomers in the United States who had been unlucky to come across various cases where a dog was suffering extreme physical complications as a result of shock collars.

It was clear from the various photos that were shared, that there are severe welfare breaches happening in various parts of the world, where both professionals and carers seem to totally disregard the wellbeing of dogs for the sake of having them behave a certain way.

Their observations were clear - these dogs were demonstrating obvious signs of physical and emotional pain and distress that was having a negative impact on their grooming experience. Many of these dogs required immediate medical care, while others were displaying behaviours systematic to PTSD - you can read my technical analysis of these cases here.

An observation on shock collars - a groomer's perspective

Upon carrying out my own investigation into the behavioural impact of shock collars specifically within the grooming sector, I identified some significant similarities when discussing the experiences of various groomers around the world, including:

Increased difficulty handling dogs around the neck area
Heightened stress responses during grooming sessions
Trust issues that complicated the grooming process overall
Physical tension in neck muscles affecting overall posture thus a lack of ability to withstand prolonged grooming sessions
Physical skin abrasions and sores that was causing the dogs considerable pain leading to hypersensitivity of the affected areas

Interestingly, the same behavioural observations were made when asking holistic groomers to observe the behaviour of dogs who had previously been groomed in a more conventional way where neck nooses and/or neck restraints were also used with many dogs instinctively resisting the use of neck nooses almost instantly.

Unfortunately, the implications of alternative neck devices, such as neck nooses, aren't so easily identifiable, especially to an untrained eye, but that doesn't mean that they aren't there for all of us to observe when we learn what to look out for.

Physically, a dog experiencing neck pain will display one or more of the following symptoms:

body lameness
body stiffness/tension
arched spine
unnatural head positioning/lowered neck
coat changes around the source of the pain
limping and/or holding one limb up and off the ground for a period of time
lack of appetite

Behaviourally, a dog experiencing neck pain will display one or more of the following behaviours:

a reluctance to go up and down steps
a series of vocalisations (growls, groaning, whining)
anxiety and/or stress
quicker bite response
sudden resistance to otherwise normal tasks
hypersensitivity to physical touch
hiding behaviours when approaching walk time (if collar or device around neck is used)

Grooming Considerations

Question Time:

Can you identify the physical and behavioural signs that the dog below is expressing?

You should be able to identify:

whale eye
pinned ears
jaw tension
closed mouth and slight teeth baring
curved spine
tail down/tucked
weight distribution leaning back towards hind legs

Photo Credit: Shutterstock, BearFotos

When we consciously observe grooming photos and videos we can quickly begin to identify and collect evidence of dog's experiencing discomfort and distress. Upon closer look, we can pinpoint elements of the approach and process, including tools used, that could be contributing to the behaviours and response we are seeing.

In the above case, the groomer has the dog attached to a neck noose, which doesn't appear to have any slack in it (see h-bar above in the photo), one of her hands appears to be holding the dog's head from behind while the other is being used to hold and attempt to brush the dog's neck using a metal matt breaker.

It's easy to identify that this dog is displaying anxiety as a result of both the neck noose, additional hand restraint and tool.

Now let's look at another example:

Photo Credit: The Holistic Dog Groomer - A Cooperative Based Approach Builds Emotional Safety and Physical Safety — Photo Credit: The Holistic Dog Groomer - A Cooperative Based Approach Builds Emotional Safety *and Physical Safety*

Compared to the first image, there's very little to observe in regards to behaviours with this dog. Based on the context and approach, the dog is showing no signs of distress and appears to be relaxed in a comfortable position while the groomer carries out the grooming session.

A closer look at variations of tools...

Cable Braid Neck Noose with Foam Cushion Padding for extra support and comfort

This tool has been designed with the best intentions with the foam section there to help comfortably protect a dog's neck but as we discovered from the research published by Writtle University College, padded collar tools were ineffective in relieving pressure and instead resulted in concentrated pressure as a result of the inconsistent material around the circumference of the loop around the neck.

From my experience using this device very early on in my career, I noticed quite quickly how easy it was for the foam part of this tool to travel around to the top of the neck exposing the dog's thyroid to be exposed to the thin, braided cable of the device.

All dogs displayed signs of distress and discomfort while wearing one, and I quickly ceased using them based on my own observations.

Grooming Bath Choker with Suction Cup for Safe Bath Time Experiences

The name of this device alone is enough to deter most people from using this tool however, the let's look at it more closely. This is a similar cable braid tool used during bath time to prevent a dog from escaping - it's designed to not only inflict pressure onto a dog's neck but also tighten, further intensifying the potential to inflict harm on a resisting dog.

Considering that most dogs will reflexively shake their bodies when wet, this additional sudden jerk of motion will put immense pressure onto the dog's neck thus making it one of the most dangerous restraining tools in the grooming industry today.

Alternative Approaches

Instead of neck devices, I would recommend:

Positive reinforcement training that focuses on consent-based grooming tasks to create an emotionally safe environment
Proper desensitisation to grooming procedures that consider the needs of dog's at any given moment
Regular low-stress grooming visits that help a dog gradually adjust to the environment and process
Use of appropriate handling techniques that consider a dog's right to initiate contact and move away
The careful introduction of suitable harnesses that help to keep dog's safe while supporting them physiologically for minimal pressure
Free-roam grooming processes for dogs who are better suited to a zero-restraint approach
Introducing games-based training exercises to shift grooming tasks to something fun and engaging

Impact on Grooming Success

When dogs are groomed without neck restraints you can expect:

Grooming sessions to become more cooperative
Recovery time post grooming sessions to decrease (quicker return to parasympathetic state)
Overall stress levels will remain manageable throughout grooming sessions
Long-term relationships with caregivers and dogs will improve over time

Conclusion of Findings

There's various scientific reasons why neck restraints are harmful to the physiological, physical and emotional wellbeing of dogs that caregivers should not ignore.

Whichever way we look at it, research has established that neck restraints are ultimately aversive tools that can and will inflict pressure onto a dog irrespective of how a tool it's used and/or what sort of neck device it is, and even more so in Brachycephalic breeds (Bailey, Packer and Wills, 2025).

Since there are also studies to support the use of harnesses as a safer alternative, it makes sense to utilise properly introduced and fitted harnesses into grooming salons and beyond instead.

To summarise:

Research has shown that dogs trained via aversive methods have higher cortisol levels overall (Ziv, 2017)
Research has shown that positive reinforcement methods lead to better learning outcomes and emotional stability (Vieira de Castro et al., 2021)
Research has shown that any neck device can inflict harm on a dog causing pain and/or distress
Research has shown that properly fitted harnesses result in a more evenly distributed pressure across the dog's body causing less harm overall
Research has shown that a dog will instinctively attempt to resist neck restraints - this is a biological, reflexive response that goes back to an animal's innate need to survive (Ogburn et al., 1998)

Professional Recommendations

As a holistic groomer, I advocate for:

Early and positive exposure to grooming tasks
Shorter sessions more frequent until successful desensitisation
Forging fruitful relationships with local positive-based pet professionals
An advanced education in canine body language, communication and emotions
The implementation of stress-reduction techniques and methods that consider a dog's individual needs
An active investment into ongoing professional development to ensure knowledge remains up-to-date and supported by science
Synchronised approach at home - caregivers ditching collar and leash for walking, specifically if their dog pulls and only if they can and instead opting for a properly desensitised and suitably fitted harness that doesn't restrict a dog's shoulders
Open communication between caregiver and groomer to ensure approach remains consistent and positive at home - offering a grooming masterclass to all carers to learn the basics of holistic grooming protocol, and offering carers to assist during grooming sessions where appropriate

Summary

The scientific evidence against shock collars and other neck devices, particularly regarding their impact on the vagus nerve, strongly supports The Holistic Grooming Academy's stance against their use. As professional groomers, our priority is creating a safe, low-stress environment that promotes trust and cooperation. By understanding the neurological impact of different training methods, we can better serve our canine clients and support their overall well-being.

To learn more with The Holistic Grooming Academy, visit our sister website here: https://courses.holisticgroomingacademy.com