Using an electric shock collar to try and control a dog could actually have the opposite effect, the DSPCA has said.
The question of whether the use of shock collars should be banned in Ireland is currently under consideration with a public consultation from the Department of Agriculture.
Electric shock collars are designed to give shocks to pets by way of metal conductors which contact the neck, with up to 6,000 volts emitted for up to 11 seconds at a time.
DSPCA Head of Media Gillian Bird told Newstalk Breakfast she believes they should never be used.
"We think shock collars, whatever the purpose they're used for, are potentially incredibly cruel and dangerous to animals," she said.
"They're often used as training devices, they're sometimes used as a barrier device instead of somebody actually having a secure garden.
"They use these shock collars to control where the animals can go.
"Apart from the fact that they can be very easily misused, they can sometimes cause major problems when it comes to the behaviour of the animal because they're just not really used properly".
Ms Bird said the collar itself can also cause problems.
"You've got a very heavy, chunky collar on an animal with things that can actually cause skin irritations and sores and things to develop.
"We're very much opposed to use of electric collars on pets".
A Sheepdog watching sheep from behind a wire fence. Image: Paul Carter / AlamyMs Bird said shock collars do nothing to build up trust between pets and their owners.
"When you're training a pet you want to build up trust between yourself and your pet," she said.
"Giving your dog an electric shock because they're pulling on the lead or because they're barking... that's really not something that is going to be useful in the future for training your pet.
"The big ones that we're always concerned about are the barrier ones.
"They used to be used as a training device... these days half of these collars don't come with training anymore.
"It's just like if your dog approaches the fence it's going to get a shock.
"But if your dog is running they're going to get a shock, they're going to keep running and they'll end up through the fence.
"We've seen so many animals that have broken out of gardens arriving in the shelter with collars on".
Ms Bird dismissed suggestions that shock collars could prevent attacks by larger dogs.
"If you had a dog that was not under effective control - off the lead, not muzzled and in a position where it can actually attack somebody - do people really think that giving their dog a shock using a remote control is going to stop that dog from seriously attacking somebody?
"It could do absolutely the opposite," she added.
People can make submissions by email to animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie before January 26th 2024.
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