(Yet another) Milo the rescue spaniel update

druid

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Well, we have had a miracle today....we walked off leash the entire length of the beach! We've been working with a gundog trainer on his recall, hup, etc. and as he was recalling perfectly in our own field despite distractions of dummy's/other dogs etc. the trainer felt he was taking the pee a little with the lack of recall on walks. As he was a serial bolter before we got him the trainer felt he was self rewarding when he ran away. So after a long discussion we introduced an ecollar. I was very wary about their use but I could see how they could be useful in select circumstances. Well the transformation was amazing, he got a shock on a very low setting a total of 4 times after we had spent several days conditioning him to associate the beep with a recall in areas where he always came when asked. Today was d-day, walking without the trainer and with another dog...he was fab, came when called and chose to stay fairly close by instead of just running off ignoring us completely. I only had to use the beep function on the collar, never the shock today. So proud that he is working out what is expected of him.
 
Excellent, well done.

Hope you don't get flamed for using a much maligned tool, intelligently and under experienced guidance. It's about attention grabbing, linkage and positive association (IE reward and/or release of low-level pressure for correct behaviour) and for use in very particular circumstances, not zapping a dog willy-nilly in punishment.

There's a lot of people who would like them banned but I suppose it would be preferable to have your dog lost, dead on the roads or by a gun, or for you both to struggle on for months with no improvement.
 
If I get flammed so be it. Milo was headed to the pound before we took him on, so I imagine we as good as saved his life. He's a happy little boy now and certainly doesn't seem unduly upset by the collar. He was so happy to be off lead and running today!

Thanks for the support guys!
 
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Off lead in a snow storm at the beach today!
 
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