Remote Dog Training Collars

[Marco]

The discussion of remote collars will come, and go often in our chat room. Some really like them while others want nothing to do with them. My thoughts are with any tool, with proper use, and training it can be effective. It would be nice to hear from those who have had some experience using remote collars. Please take the time to give your thoughts, and share with other.

[Marco]

Someone had asked me awhile back about some of the best selling collars, and differences in brands.  I forgot about it till now so I wanted to list a few.  I also have some stuff written up at home but will have to try, and locate it.  Hope this helps some.

 

Brand Comparison

Best Selling Remote Dog Training Collars

2012 Dog Training Collar Buyer's Guide

[Lisa Tiro]

Great idea Marco! I think they can be very effective when used correctly. I do feel one needs proper training and instruction on how to use them. I started using the Dogtra on my Bella when she was a year old because she had aggression issues. It didn't solve her issues but I was in control of her. It benefitted us more when she was off leash around my home. We do not have any fences so it insured that she would come when called. I have to say after a few weeks we rarely had to press the button. She just knew when she had it on and she listened and she was happy to wear it because it meant she was going out to have a walk to have fun outside. My son even stopped using it on walks and just used a prong. I plan on introducing it to Axel soon as he is getting quite ornary lately in his teenager stage and the prong isn't quite cutting it. Now that he knows the commands I feel it appropriate to correct him for not obeying. I will use it mostly for recall off leash outside and if he mouths us. I think it worked wonders with Bella.

[JonP]

Does anyone have any advice (outside of going through a trainer) before using one? What are some of the do's and don'ts for beginning use? I would assume that you should leave it on the dog for a week or longer before ever trying to use it to avoid teaching the dog to only behave when it is on. I am considering purchasing one, but want to make sure I know what I'm getting myself into before I make a mistake. 

[Jennifer]

I would be very cautious using an e-collar if one is not experienced with one, without first consulting a trainer.  In my opinion and experience I think an e-collar is a very effective training tool, but there are steps that you must go through first and different techniques must be used if you are indeed going to use it for training.  There are just alot of areas with an e-collar that without professional help that you could wrong.

[JonP]

Good to know Jennifer. I will talk with my trainer and go from there. Do you use one, or have you used one in the past? What types of training have you had/seen success with concerning an e-collar? 

[Lisa Tiro]

Jon, I agree with Jennifer. I used a trainer with my first BB Bella. With Axel I already know basically what to do but I am brushing up on the techniques to start. I joined a training forum started by one of the members on here Dan Audet. It's called balancedtraining.com. It has been very helpful and I highly recommend it. There are many trainers on there and you can ask questions. Good luck!

Lisa

[JonP]

Thanks Lisa, I will go through my trainer and see what he has to say. I tried to check out that site and for some reason it seems to be under construction. Thanks again for the help to both Lisa and Jennifer! 

[Lisa Tiro]

No problem. You have to be approved for the site so if you want to ask Marco about the right link.

~Lisa

[Heather Dawn]

Cane, my BB is almost 18 months old and has had an e-collar for over a year.  She had some behavior issues and was just getting bigger and harder to handle.  We first started with puppy classes at a local pet store, which didn't help at all.  With reservations I contacted Sit Means Sit.  They did a demo using Cane and the collar.  I was amazed at how she responded to the collar right away.  She's been going to class ever since.  We don't really use it when she's in the house, but we will if we're working on a new skill.  She does wear it every time she goes outside though.  I have a 14 year old dog outside and Cane likes to "play" with her, but Pun-Kin isn't having any of it.  Cane and I are working on the fact that not all animals want to be her friend, with the collar I'm able to work on this while she is on or of leash.  She  Cane will listen with the collar and without it.  There are a lot of times I don't have to use it when we're working on activities outside.  The collar has also helped to keep her attention when we're doing some distant work and also on fun activities.  Her collar isn't used as a punishment, she see's the collar as something good, she gets excited when I ask her if she's ready to get her "necklace" on.  I've talked on here several times about all of the positive things that has been able to occur because of the collar.  

[Jennifer]

Jon, Yes I currently use it for my 12 month old boy..  Due to our training he like Heather's BB sees it as a positive device.  Which is why I stress finding a trainer to help teach you the way to make it become so!

[JonP]

Jennifer and Heather, what brand and type do you use, and how did you choose that particular product? If you can list where you purchased it from as well, that would be a big help. I am going to bring it up with my trainer this Sunday at our group session. I think I am going to hire him for an hour or two privately to go over the various methods of use. 

Heather, I have noticed that Cane is typically wearing her collar in your photos so you were next on my list of people to reach out to. Thanks for the input! Have you brought up the positive aspects you described in the chat or was it a discussion? 

[Heather Dawn]

This is the first time I've talked about this in discussion... I know that some people think very negatively of the collar and I don't want to be harassed for using it, so I don't usually say much about it.  I've talked on chat about the collar for the most part.  We use the sport dog collar that is used through Sit Means Sit (SMS).