Electric Collars - Tips Needed On How To Effectivley/Correctly Use?

3Beasties

3Beasties

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I am going to bite the bullet and buy two electric collars for my two naughty dogs. Main problems is re-call and more recently worrying sheep.
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I have used an electric collar on a dog at work but would really appreciate any tips or advise on how to get the best out of them.

Thanks
 
I feel for you, I had an incident with my female and sheep today, I dread to think what would have happened if she had been off lead, I hope you will get some good advice.

What is the context to the problem?
 
No help but will watch with interest, as it is something I have been considering for Otto for a while now. He is sooo much better than he was, but I just no as soon as he realises I can't get to him he will go straight back to how he was!

Any recommendations??
 
sorry which collar on that list are you intending on getting?!

I would like to see what the responses here are as I am contemplating one too, as my dog chased a SWAN today! i was like NO YOU STUPID MUTT!!!!!!!

good luck finding information, please pass it on!
 
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Where can I get some killer sheep and a 10 tonne cat?!

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I also have a headbutting goat, which has been rather handy!
The cat would be useful
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Although Otto has been viciously attacked by a cat (so he claims, the cat didn't touch him!
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) and it hasn't stopped him trying to chase them
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Ye id like the killer sheep and super cat as well please!!!

Id also like a fully trained dog that will retrieve Beau when he ignores the come command!
 
Please don't take this the wrong way but that is a very harsh reaction to a problem that potentially can be resolved without resorting to pain.

Really if you are having to ask for advice on the use of this type of device then should you really even consider using it? These are end of the line resorts and should be restricted to very experienced trainers and dogs that are at the end of the line.

The first thing I would do is put the dogs on a lead until the problem is resolved. Take them to a reputable dog trainer with experience in difficult dogs. They can work with you and the dogs to break the behaviour and can advise on the use of other training aids that will be just as effective. Please do not use these devices until you have sought help.
 
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sorry which collar on that list are you intending on getting?!

I would like to see what the responses here are as I am contemplating one too, as my dog chased a SWAN today! i was like NO YOU STUPID MUTT!!!!!!!

good luck finding information, please pass it on!

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Sorry the link didn't work properly. Try this

http://www.pet-supermarket.co.uk/erol.ht...3DGoogle+Search

If this doesn't take you straight to the product it is the Pet safe 400m.
 
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Please don't take this the wrong way but that is a very harsh reaction to a problem that potentially can be resolved without resorting to pain.

Really if you are having to ask for advice on the use of this type of device then should you really even consider using it? These are end of the line resorts and should be restricted to very experienced trainers and dogs that are at the end of the line.

The first thing I would do is put the dogs on a lead until the problem is resolved. Take them to a reputable dog trainer with experience in difficult dogs. They can work with you and the dogs to break the behaviour and can advise on the use of other training aids that will be just as effective. Please do not use these devices until you have sought help.

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To me these are no different to electric fences for horses, if used correctly I am sure it will not ' Hurt' the dog whereas I am sure being Shot by a farmer would hurt a lot!

My boss sent his naughty Springer to a trainer for over 7 weeks (cost of £700
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). What did the dog learn? How to heal on a lead which I really don't think was worth £700!! Even if I could afford it I wouldn't send my dogs of to a trainer!

Like I said earlier I have used a collar just not on my Own dogs so I am asking for advise on the best way to use it, any handy tips or useful information to get the best out of it.

I did not post this to be told not to use one as I have just ordered one and am looking forward to using it.
 
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nope that one still came up with the list! but I think I know which one you mean!

How old is your dog?

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The Labrador is 18 months, the Terrier is 11 years (hopefully not to old to learn how he should behave!
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)!
 
I would suggest you find a trainer who is experienced in using them to give you some advice. I used to be against electric collars but a friend used one on her very problematic dog and it soon sorted him. I have had the collar on my wrist and the shock is actually less than you get from an electric fence, so think they are fine in the right hands.
 
My brother uses them to train his gundogs if needed and is very careful about when and how to use them and this is how he showed me...
first test it on yourself so you know exactly how it's going to feel on the dog. Try it lowest first and turn the dial until it reaches something you know will stop them but not necessarily cause them pain. I was reluctant to do it but as my brother said, if your prepared to do it to the dog you should be aware of how much it hurts.

Set it the level you are happy with, when they run away or don't return shout STOP very loudly and if they don't give them a zap. Once they're out of the 'zone' (ie stopped long enough to think what the bloody hell was that!) you should be able to recall them. If they keep going turn it up a notch and shout STOP again and give them another zap if they don't. Never do it while they are out of sight as you don't know if they are on their way back or not, always do it just before they're in full flight and you shouldn't let them see it's you controlling the zapping. You want them to think they're coming back to you for safety.

If they get the hang of it you should be able to turn the dial down to 'tingle' or even 'beep' to get a reaction. This is what I did and it worked a treat.
 
I use the same one on my rottie bitch. We had 2 main problems. 1. she started nipping at the horses heels when turning them out. I could not stop her and hold the horses at the same time. 2. more seriously she started attacking my other bitch. Whilst the collars are not recommended for aggression it was a last resort for both problems.
Imo it is a very effective way to stop unwanted behaviour IF you have tried everything else and the dog is causing danger to itself and others.
I say sharply NO and if ignored she gets a zap. I used it twice and she no longer thinks about nipping. The second problem was also resolved until recently so we now go back and reinforce perviously learned lessons!!
I have felt the shock as I feel I should feel what she is going to feel. It is a sharp short shock with no long lasting tingling or pain.
Not everyone agrees with them but I also use the freedom fence to keep my dogs safe in the garden. They soon learn and that keeps them safe.
 
Thanks for that.

Does your brother find that the dogs know when they have the Electric collar on - by that I mean if he takes it off would they start to misbehave?
 
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...I also use the freedom fence to keep my dogs safe in the garden.

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Is your freedom fence wired or wireless mattilda?

My JRT is just coming up for 6mths and is getting braver by the minute about crossing the boundary of our property. We don't really want additional wires as we already have electric fencing for the horses (problem being that puppy fits under bottom wire without getting shocked) but the wireless fence sounds ideal.
 
It is a wired fence but you bury it or run it along a fence line so you don't even knoe it is there. They are a marvel and one of my dogs hasn't worn the collar for years. She learnt that if you cross it it hurts and never crossed it again! The wire is very thin nothing like horse electric fencing.
 
We have a wired freedom fence - have found it to be great with my Weimaraner - she doesn't even need the collar, but my Lab just saunters through with the collar on the highest setting!! Both were trained to the fence, and it worked for a while with the lab, but his roving stomach took over!
Going back to the OP - my vet used an electric collar to train her greyhound - worked wonders. I have never used one, but woud guess that you need to train with it the same way as the electric boundary fences - start with the lowest setting and work it up to what your individual dog responds to, also make sure that your timing is right, so you reprimand unwanted/ignoring behaviour, and really re-inforce wanted behaviour with praise/treat/game
 
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Thanks for that.

Does your brother find that the dogs know when they have the Electric collar on - by that I mean if he takes it off would they start to misbehave?

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You should get them used to wearing them for at least a week before you actually use it so at no point should the dog be aware that it's you or the collar that's doing the zapping. In their minds they should be coming back because when you say STOP something bad happens when they don't, not mum or the collar will zap me if they don't. They may well 'forget' the lesson so if they start playing up again just get them used to the collar again for a week before using it again.

I used to feel so sorry for a springer who's garden had freedom fencing. The owners used to put the collar on if he was mucking about in the house because at a certain point the fence went round the wall of the house and he got stung if he went in that corner of the room. He was aware that if he was playing and got shouted at, he got the collar on which gave him a nip if he kept running around. The poor thing cringed away when the collar came out and it completely changed his nature.
 
Having lost my 2 dobermanns after they killed a sheep I would say definately get one.

The sheep in question had escaped out of their field and we met them on a walk. It was the absolutely worst time of my life. They were my babies, one was 8 and the other was 3.
I suffered extreme post traumatic stress after loosing them both at the same time. Almost 3 years on and I still miss them terribly.

I now have 2 pet sheep that i got as orphan lambs and have got another dog. These sheep chase dogs and sort them out, my dog is terrified of them. I've had people with dogs that they were worried about chasing sheep ask if they can come over for a serious battering from my sheep. Has worked with every one yet. Would never want anyone to go through what I've been through.

This hasn't really answered your question but thought I'd just say that if it involves livestock then you've got to nip it in the bud.
 
How awful Chevs
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I actually met the owner of the sheep I met yesterday and he was a bit arsey with me, said he's seen me walking 'Alsations' and was worried about it. I told him I never let them off the lead in that area so I hope that is good enough for him. They are allowed to roam in the forest apparently...
 
If anyone lives near me and wants their dogs beaten up by sheep I can easily provide some very stroppy Scottish Blackfaces! I've put working collies who have taken to grabbing in pens with them and it doesn't take long to reaffirm a healthy respect. I do know of one story with an electric collar where the dog freaked out and took off, fortunately out on open hill so no harm done. The collar we had came with an instructional video which was very helpful.
 
I havent read any of the other comments in case there are some really "anti collar" people here, and if they are i would like to ask if they have ever actually tested a collar on themselves.

I have a PAC (google search it) remote collar and it is the best thing i have ever bought. I learnt by using the training video and training Angus to respond to voice, then the "beep" and if he ignores that then "zap". However, the zap os on its lowest setting and feels no more than just a tingle (i tested it on my neck).

Now i hardly ever need to use the zap as he responds to the warning beep 9.9 times out of 10!
My dog never runs off now, doesnt eat his own poo, doesnt chase sheep/pheasants etc, doesnt harass my older dog, chase the cat, whine, raid the bin etc etc so it is amazing!

My collar and remote works up to 1 mile away
 
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