Your dog’s shock collar is getting a high-tech makeover

With the promise of wearables identified by big consumer brands (think Under Armour), it’s no surprise that pets would be seen as a potential market. In fact, a Harford County startup wants to leave the shock factor out of the equation completely.
Chord is creating a collar that uses sounds instead of jolts to get dogs to behave.
“It’s not a shock collar. It’s not an underground invisible fence,” said founder Jared Marmen.

Jared Marmen @chordcollar presenting Chord Collar at Baltimore @TechBreakfast pic.twitter.com/V8Qgu14gtr

— TechBreakfast (@TechBreakfast) May 25, 2016

The app is designed to guide owners through four basic commands. It also technology that allows owners to mark off boundaries, such as away from indoor furniture or a specific outdoor area.
Along with sensors to track location, the collar has speakers that communicate commands from the owner’s voice whenever the pet goes outside that area, and also contains vibrations.

“The pet hears the owner’s voice even when they’re not around,” Marmen said.
The company is working on its prototype out of the Harford Business Innovation Center in Havre de Grace. In April, they picked up a giant check at the Shark Tank Susquehanna competition at Towson University North East. The prize was worth $31,000.

We won Shark Tank Susquehanna!! pic.twitter.com/KHKEKunLRK

— Chord (@ChordCollar) April 22, 2016