Are prong collars and shock collars cruel?

What the evidence actually says

The AVSAB's 2021 position statement concludes that reward-based training is at least as effective as aversive methods for teaching new behaviors and modifying unwanted ones, with significantly less risk of welfare harm. The AVMA's literature review on electronic collars notes that improperly used e-collars produce documented welfare harm, and that proper use is harder than manufacturers suggest.

Several jurisdictions have responded to the evidence with outright bans: Wales, Germany, Quebec, parts of Australia, and others have prohibited e-collars for pet dogs on welfare grounds.

Documented fallout from aversive tools

• Generalized fear, the dog becomes wary of the contexts in which the punishment occurred.
• Suppressed warning signals, a dog punished for growling may bite without warning the next time.
• Redirected aggression, toward other dogs, joggers, or the handler.
• Learned helplessness, "calm" that is actually shutdown.
• Damaged relationship with the handler, measurable in cortisol and avoidance behavior.