Shock collars

[JenBKR]

Ok, thank you for clarifying that for me Roscoe likes his toys, but I'm not so sure that would work either. We are about to go to intermediate training with him, to work on distractions. I should mention that the treats seem to work when we are inside at training class, but when we are outside he has no interest (especially on walks).

[Dixieland Dancer]

I should mention that the treats seem to work when we are inside at training class, but when we are outside he has no interest (especially on walks).

This indicates to me that he is NOT ready to move on. Treats should be gradually faded after the dog understands what you are asking it to do so that it will gladly do what is asked even if there is no treat involved. Until the dog can do what you ask at least every two or three times without a treat, it is not ready to advance. Moving outside where there are more distractions only makes it worse.

As a trainer, the number one frustration that I have with owners is moving on without the dog fully understanding what you are asking it to do. It is repetition, repetition and more repetition which most handlers find boring so they force the dog forward when they really should be starting over with fundamentals. Don't be in a hurry to advance. Make sure you have a solid basic foundation before building anything more complex into the mix. You will be glad in the long run that you did!

[JenBKR]

This indicates to me that he is NOT ready to move on. Treats should be gradually faded after the dog understands what you are asking it to do so that it will gladly do what is asked even if there is no treat involved. Until the dog can do what you ask at least every two or three times without a treat, it is not ready to advance. Moving outside where there are more distractions only makes it worse.

As a trainer, the number one frustration that I have with owners is moving on without the dog fully understanding what you are asking it to do. It is repetition, repetition and more repetition which most handlers find boring so they force the dog forward when they really should be starting over with fundamentals. Don't be in a hurry to advance. Make sure you have a solid basic foundation before building anything more complex into the mix. You will be glad in the long run that you did!

He is getting pretty weaned off of the treats during lots of basic commands. Actually, him and one other dog in his basic class were the only ones approved to move to the intermediate class. We had planned to take him for the spring class, but I think we are going to have to wait for either the summer or fall class anyway because of my volunteer schedule conflicts.

[catnapper]

Ok, here's my take on shock collars. If the dog is going to die or wear shock collar - I'd recommend the collar just to try and SAVE THE DOG'S LIFE in the short term, while working on the dog using positve training methods for the long term. What qualifies as saving the dog's life? The dog runs and chases cars.... chase car = get run over = death. If your dog does not have a firm grasp on stay or come (and you're too moronic to keep the dog leashed when outside), use the collar when he's somewhere near cars until you are able to get a consistent come or stay... and the training for come or stay is to be done WITHOUT the collar and using all positive training methods. It won't happen opvernight - training requires patience, timing, and consistency.

All I've seen with shock collars on a friendly, excitable dog is that they turn the dog agressive towards what the dog was trying to play with. So if she knocks over your daughter in what she deems as play, if you were to go shock her, she'll think your daughter hurt her, and not connect that HER jumping prompted YOU to push a little button that delivered a "pulse". If you deliver a shock a half dozen times as she attempted to play with your daughter, she will then start snarling and growling at your daughter the next time your daughter comes near because she associated the shock with YOUR DAUGHTER, not HER OWN actions.

[Kosy]

One thing I've learned over years of being on various dog forums is that dog people are very passionate about the use/nonuse of shock collars and prong collars. If you use a shock collar you must make sure that the dog realizes he is self-correcting rather than have him associate the "pulse" coming from you or a child.

I use a remote citronella collar to keep my standard poodle's high prey drive in check when she is in the yard with my oversized toy poodle. It works for us. When she has the collar on, she is very well behaved. I don't have to click the citronella at all. If she starts to get overrambunctious, click the warning button and she calms immediately.

Would I shock my beloved girls? Not on your life. But I couldn't condemn anyone from using one as long as they were educated about the collar.

[4theloveofzoe]

Okaaaay.... You ladies/gentlemen... have confused me even more.

Needless to say, I'm going next week to buy her something called

The Gentle Leader

[Cat's Meowm]

No comment on collars - but gotta say absolutely love picture of baby girl and puppy! Too sweet!