e-collar.. When to use and for what?

Stubby · #1 12-03-2003, 03:23 PM

I have a question surrounding the use of an e-collar. I don't know if my situation would be right for the use of an e-collar, but I want to ask the questions and see what the response is.

TJ is progressing fairly well with his OB training, and "most" of the time on lead he is a model student. However, I am working with some off lead stuff now. And find that in an open field, he is very easily distracted. For example, if I put him in a sit stay and walk 20-30 feet away and call him. He will come, but "on his own time", and if there is a nice tree along the way, he might stop for a pee, or, if there is a squirrell around, he'll want to bolt for it.

At this point, I was thinking that if I could "reach out and touch him" with a gentle zap, and get his attention again, maybe he would catch on..??

Does anyone think that this would be an appropriate use for the e-collar?

I don't want it as a crutch, as a matter of fact, I only want to use it until he understands that he must pay attention, and then put it in the cuboard..

If you think the e-collar is not the answer in this case, please let me know what other training method you would employ.

Thanks for listening!

Rott-Wiley · #2 12-03-2003, 03:45 PM

I sounds like he is simply not ready to work that far off lead with the distractions you described. How old is he and how long have you been working with him on a recall? If he's 2 or 3 years old and you've been working with him for a couple of years now then I would say, yes - go to the e-collar. But if it is just a couple of months of training then I would think you are trying to progress faster then he is willing to learn at. Try going back to shorter recalls, like on a 10 foot lead. You can also try to speed up his recall by your moving backward and building some enthusiasm in him.