E-collar training for Dogs- Serious discussion only!?
What methods do you use for e-collar training?
Do you think your dog knows it is you causing the stimulation?
Personally, I use the stimulation as an exact replacement for for a prong/leash pop. I began training my dog on recalls with a long line and prong collar. Then I kept her on the long line and started using e-stim instead of a prong correction. We have not started off lead e-collar training yet (I’m taking it slow). I’m sure my dog knows that the stim comes from me, and that is the way I wanted it.
Does anybody still use "escape" method e-collar training?
Yeah! I ain’t scared of no thumbs… LOL I did collar conditioning with my dog and continue to do it at random even when we are not training, so while I believe my dog knows it is me giving the correction, I do not believe she has become "collar wise" in that she associates the collar going on with, "Now I must obey." It’s just another collar to her.
Lisa K- Yes and e-collar used to be called a shock collar. They are also known as remote training collars now. The technology has improved so much since the days the collars were called shock collars! Now there are "nick" buttons that deliver a burst for a fraction of a second. I can take the highest setting on my arm on nick no problem but only nick my dog at about a quarter of that setting.
Lioness- Do you know if there are dummy collars for collar wise dogs that can be left on longer than you would leave the real thing on with the metal prongs? Like, are there dummies with plastic prongs that would not irritate the dog’s skin?
greekman
28 May, 2010
Very good question Ingrid. I have been using the E collar for well over 20 years and I have indeed used the "escape" method which I find very useful for some dogs.
I have also used the belly and the base of tail E collars and I have had spectacular results with all of them.
I DO NOT want my dog to know the stim comes from me, therefore I condition the dog to the collar for about a week before I use it.
It is sad when a great question like this gets posted and gets one or two answers and stupid questions get 25-30!!!
I have found that when a dog gets "collar wise", bad things happen when I compete and when I work the dog on the street.
I rather him think that HE caused the correction, much better communication this way between us.
Depending on the dog I am training and on what I am doing, I have used the E collar as a correction or as a motivational tool.
I am at the point now that I can make a dog "sing" if I chose to.
Let’s see how many thumbs down we can score here today???
ADD: Oh Ingrid..I think we are going to be alone on this one, really!!!
You did not really expect serious discussion here from people who have no idea what a good correction can do to a dog and how it can benefit one, did you?
It is a shame when a great question like this gets 2 answers and stupid ones generate 27!
ADD: Ingrid, there are dummy collars that the dog can wear, look at the place you bought your collar from.
Lisa K
28 May, 2010
I know you posted this for answers to your question, but after reading I am very interested in what e-collar training is. Is this the electrical shock collar? Sorry for the questions where an answer should be, it is hard to get serious intelligent answers on here sometimes!
Prya's Riot
28 May, 2010
Ive used this tool for years and years. Ive yet to find something that matches its effectiveness. The dog doesnt know its me giving the correction. He did it to himself. Ive used a e collar to train recalls and reinforce them. Ive used them to prevent a dobe from chasing a tractor (dog could have killed himself doing that). Its a great tool! Ive used them for years and I will continue to use them for years to come.
~Prya’s Riot
animal_artwork
28 May, 2010
Fantastic question. The only time I’ve used an e-collar was wayyyyy back when I was a novice and I farcked it up royally. Sadly, I was attempting to train a dog not to bark but didn’t have a good enough trainer to do it correctly… however, this is one of the things that led me down the road to learning more.
I have nothing against e-collars and absolutely, given the right circumstance (and now that I know more) will use one.
I like looking at the e-collar from the dog’s point of view as being "the hand of god" that smote him for straying from the path of being a good dog.
Lioness
28 May, 2010
I cannot imagine NOT using an e-collar.
I honestly don’t know what people do with a dog who has not been trained with an e-collar at least for recalls? Just never allow it off leash?
I mean, seriously, how on earth can you be confident you can call your dog off the chase of a rabbit, etc without having proofed your dog with an e-collar? When somebody shows me a way to do that, then we’ll talk about whether or not an e-collar is necessary.
One of my dogs is collar wise – that was my fault, and I don’t intend to let it ever happen again. I’m being VERY careful to condition my other dog so she never figures it out. Nothing makes me more furious than having a dog who will test me because he knows I can’t "get him" b/c his collar’s not on.
I personally only use my collar for recalls b/c I don’t find I need it for anything else. However, I will not hesitate to use it if I need it.
(I’m seriously considering a bark collar right now. I’ve had about enough foolishness from one of my dogs and his big mouth lately – he knows better)
frostypanda337
28 May, 2010
i have many experiences with dogs/animals. i currently have 14 dogs. i beileve tht e-collars are abusive. with all my dogs we used one and my dog was sooo scared of everything. after 2 days we took it off. dogs cant help wut they do. i think e collars are for impatient people. take ur time with dogs. how wud u like to be shocked around not knowing why? um yea so i think they are abusive and no one shud use them on there dogs for any reason. dogs are inncoent.
Labradoodle
28 May, 2010
I am so glad these collars are not used in my country