Electronic training collars

[kjones]

Doeas anyone have any experience with training collars? I am wondering if they work and which ones are the best. I have a two year old male who is an excellent dog and obeys perfect in the house and who is terrible when he gets out side. I am wondering if there is anything powerful enough to make him stop when he decides to go after something or not pay attention. He is alway on leash but it would be nice to allow him to run and play in certain areas and still have control of him. Thanks

[WorkinDogz]

I recommend a leash and a trainer :)

E-collars are ALWAYS a last resort. You have yet to begin :)

[AngelBunny]

kjones :

Your dog exhibits the *classic* signs of a semi-trained dog: Fido minds *perfectly* in the house or in the yard or in some other place familiar to the dog, but when Fido is taken someplace new, Fido acts "terrible" like he doesn't know sit from stay from come & as tho he doesn't have a brain in his head.

You need to start working your dog in places other than your house.

Don't even think of letting him off his leash until his obedience has been greatly sharpened. And absolutely don't use an e collar--it would be cruel for you to do so, since you haven't spent the time & energy to train him.

[Cope's Dad]

I know that most people prefer leash and collar training, but Cope and I are currently using electric collar training. It was the recommendation of the trainer, and she taught me the appropriate times and ways to use the collar. She also recommended TriTronic collars, because they are reliable in the "correction" given.
If you would choose to use a collar, make sure that you are properly trained to use it. Otherwise, it truely is a cruel type of training.
Kevin

[Echowe]

If the electronic collar is used correctly, it is also a great training tool. I have watched my trainer trains another dog using it. This dog was getting ready for his Schutzhund title testing. The e-collar is just another tool to fine tune your dog but your dog should be well trained enough to begin with. If you dog is 'terrible' off leash, sounds like he isn't ready to be off leash and definitely not ready for the e-collar.

[ February 21, 2001: Message edited by: Echowe ]

[Mattweiser]

I have to say that my boy has been (and still is) trained for the most part with the "AID" of an e-collar.
The resulsts have been incredible.

Now please read all of my response.

I have maybe had to give him 15 corrections over the course of the last 9 months. If used properly, and with the proper guidance, I don't see how this type of training could be bad. The best aspect (IMHO) of a training collar is that the dog (usually) does not associate the correction with the handler. This helps with the more sensitive dogs.
Not that any of our rotties are sensitive right ;) :D
probably the worst drawback is some dogs become "collar aware" that they know when the e-collar is and isn't on. But this also can be overcome with the proper trainer.

I guess my main point is, the proper trainer is crucial if the e-collar is to be used.

-Matt

[Mattweiser]

By the way kjones,

your problems were the exact same problems that I was having with my boy BEFORE the e-collar. Now he is as well behaved as any other dog his age ( he is still only 20months) so he still puppy issues..... I think he always will. :D

-Matt

[WorkinDogz]

Matt,

I don't disagree that an E-collar can clean up some untidy obedience or correct behavior (such as fence fighting) by using the "long arm of the handler"..... BUT...

A remote control in the hands of someone who didn't take the time to TEACH the dog; just jumped into "zapping" him or has no idea what a well-timed correction even looks like.....it nothing less than tragic.

More than a few dogs with potential have been totally screwed up in the head by someone with an E-collar and NO SKILLS as a trainer.

The E-collar shouldn't be available to the "general public" IMHO. It's a serious training tool that can and does MUCH more harm than good in the hands of a novice.

[AngelBunny]

WorkinDogz:

Agree with you 100%. An e collar should be the *last* device used.

Part of the reason anyone who knows anything about dog training is so insistent that owner and dog to to class together is to strengthen the bond between the two. There's no way to foster & support this bond w/ using an e collar right off the bat.

E collars are like calculus--you gotta do and know basic math first.