shock collar

[mel07]

i'm interested to know what the prevailing view is on shock collars.

it was actually recommended to me by my breeder when i explained i was having some difficulties walking izzy - we weigh about the same and i was losing confidence in my ability to control him under all circumstances.

now, before you all lambast me, let me say that i would in no way condone its use as an aversion measure on or an untrained dog, but as reinforcement it has proved invaluable.

within one week he was walking to heel off-leash and there appears to be no further need for the collar. we were only using the "page" option in most instances anyway. we replaced it with the "dummy" shock collar, and now i have no genuine need for either.

btw: i also zapped myself on "continuous" to know precisely what i was inflicting, and i could not describe it as pain, though it certainly got my attention.

also does an e-collar legally count as a real leash when it's just as effective - i guess that's a state-by-state issue ...

[GypsysMom]

I have an e-collar I purchased it from my trainer for $175 she taught me how to use it and use it correctly, I used it to help Gypsy with her distractions in class and it did wonders, now all I have to do is put it on her and she has a different attitude I barely use it anymore, I think in the past 5 months Ive used it twice.. but if you are trained correctly how to use it it can be effective, but what I did notice is that if used for aggression it can make the dogs aggression higher..

[debbiej]

I know that many people don't really approve of them or see the need for them. I had a one on one trainer who suggested I use it to train Boris. what you say is true about the sensation. At the level one uses to train the dog, if you hold the pronged part tightly on your skin and zap yourself, it is a bit like someone poking you to get your attention. I very seldom use it above 15-20. I literally cannot feel anything at 15. the page freaks him out...he jumps like there is a bee on him. He wore the collar for a week before we ever even used it. not day and night, but when he was free in the house or yard with us.

What I have to say is that there is tremendous potential for misuse and damage to the dog. One trainer I took Boris to for a while said one day "maybe we should try the e-collar". She put it on and proceeded to just zap him. I told her to stop and take it off. It was a year later that I signed on with this other trainer. the difference was mind boggling.

We spent many weeks going over basic obedience again, using the collar on a very light stim, and using treats and praise. I received a lot of help working on consistency of my commands and my body language. I learned a lot more about how dogs learn, how to communicate, how to build on behavior and how to teach what behavior I was asking for. I never realized just how many opportunities I gave him to make his own decisions. A person can learn this from a good trainer no matter what the tools. The good trainer I finally found just happened to think this tool was right for him.

I would never have used an ecollar without the right trainer. Using what I've learned, I thought I might start Hilda on the collar. She is spunky, sassy and in need of training. She did not respond well at all, and I wouldn't use it on her.

I am no expert, clearly, or I probably wouldn't have needed the ecollar. But with a dog like him, it was the collar or a very restricted life for the dog.

Now he only wears it when we go for a walk or to class. If we are going to have company I will put his collar on. Not because he is aggressive, but he just loves people and he can forget his manners in a most bombastic manner. But now he is well behaved, loves to obey on walks and will finally turn his attention from other dogs while walking or in class.

[mel07]

thanks, guys. so true that it's all in the detail. i have had zero problems from izzy since we've used it - i actually find the prong collar more distressing - in fact, he comes racing to us - if we say "walkies" - to have his collar put on.
like i said, we rarely "hit" him - i think we did it a few times, once when he decided the guy on the skate board was worth wrestling with, and another when he would not leave the pretty young bitch alone.
anyway, i would by no means use it on an untrained dog - all zap, zap. zap - but on a finely tuned dog with no other issues i think it's fine.

[Maulyn]

I use an e - collar with our trainer on Nui. He's about 18mo's and ever since he turned 1 we've had terrible problems with him lunging at people and moving cars. Since the e-collar it's gotten much better , BUT it's still work in progress and i think i found myself nicking him as he would fixate on a person approaching, since i talke to the trainer and i tell him to heel as we walk past it's helped a lot. I take nui to group classes every sat so this is a lifelong commitment that we're making.

I want to mention that Nui graduated from his first obedience class but they didn't offer a second intime for a rottweiler... so we had gone to 2 other trainers before going with the Dog Squad who we use now.

[poohbearsmom]

As with any other training device, one must be taught proper and humane use of the tool.

Research trainers carefully, and make sure that the dog is taught how to "control" the device.

To be fair to the dog, an adequate obedience foundation should be the first step. So... if you're having trouble with your dog walking on leash politely, I would recommend that you work on teaching your dog in a less distracted environment, and take things a little slower.

I would recommend finding a trainer that can help you get your dog under better control first, and then move to the ecollar for off lead control.