Search the Community

... but I made the decision to try out an e-collar, and wanted to share my experience so far with it. It has options for tone, vibration, and static/shock(7 different levels) I actually got two but both are set to the same remote and respond at the same time. Jinx wears one and I wear one(seems mighty silly, I know) so I am very aware of the amount of stimulation he gets if/when he gets a correction, and I definitely tried it out on myself before putting it on him. Starting out with the vibration then going from level one shock to six. One I could barely feel, two was mildly irritating, three got my attention but still didn't "hurt," four is only slightly worse than three, five didn't "hurt" but I didn't like it, six I really didn't like and didn't go past that. Every time I put it on him we have a lot of fun, play his favorite games and do fun trick training. He thinks the collar is a lot of fun and very willingly puts it on. And there are certain things he doesn't like putting on, like boots and harnesses and tries to avoid putting those on, so I would know if he didn't want to put it on. I have also really only used it for "come" and "leave it." But before every correction I say "no" and he definitely has associated "no" with a correction from the collar, this is after a week of having it all it takes is the vibration setting, and I haven't needed to go past that, he hasn't actually been "shocked." And all corrections have only been done when he has blatantly ignored a command, "jinx" to get his attention, then once I have it "come" or "leave it." If he ignores it/walks the opposite direction he gets a "no" then vibration then a repeat of the original command. It has worked really well, and he is way more responsive even without the collar on. After the first couple days 80% of commands were being listened to promptly even with distractions and "no" was being listened to immediately even without a vibration and is also being taken more seriously in all other contexts, like with other commands. Everything is kept very upbeat and he actually seems to be a happier more obedient dog. We've gone on a few outings without the collar and he still has the same level of responsiveness. I know how these boards feel about the use of e-collars but I definitely don't feel like I have been abusive with it at all, and like I said earlier, I get every correction he gets and I don't feel like I've gone over the top with it. It is just another training tool, but I could see how in the wrong persons hands a dog could become a quivering mess. But someone could also be just as abusive with a flat nylon collar and leash, or any other training tool. And it's never used if there's a chance he didn't hear a command or might be confused about what I'm asking. If Vibration is all it takes to correct him I can't imagine what a 7 or higher would do to him, I think it would probably really freak him out, I didn't even want to try it on myself though I'm sure it wouldn't harm me. It doesn't cause him any more discomfort than a tug on a long line would. He's not fearful or broken after a correction, no cowering or tail between the legs, just a lot more attentive.