E Collar Just Want Some Opinions

suzuki7502k · 06-11-2008, 12:27 PM

i was referred to a professional trainer by numerous amount of people. i heard nothing but good things. i called him and he came to my house and did a free in home consultation/demonstration. my dog is extremely stubborn and he recommended an E collar. i just wanted to get everyone's opinion and previous experiences if any thanks

WorkingInSTL · 06-11-2008, 12:47 PM

An e collar is a tool and is only as effective as the person using it. I've used this analogy before...a hammer can be used to build a house in the hands of an experienced carpenter. In the hands of my 4 year old daughter, a hammer will be ineffective at best, and possibly downright destructive.

I do not consider an e collar to be cruel or unneccessary, other do (and I can guarantee that there will be many to come along behind me and completely disagree - I am not trying to start and will not participate in an argument on this) but an e collar used ineffectively or inappropriately can do serious mental damage to a dog. If you can be sure that the trainer is competent in using an e collar, and it is absolutely neccessary, then the situation is what it is.

I do not advise AGAINST an e collar, but I do advise EXTREME caution before the decision is made to implement one.

DobeSpell · 06-11-2008, 01:32 PM

I consider it very cruel.

It's banned in some countries.

Rosamburg · 06-11-2008, 03:03 PM

I disagree that it is cruel if used properly. That said there are probably a relatively low percentage of trainers that use it properly. If you have ever had electric stimulation during physical therapy that is the sensation of a collar used at low levels.

It can however definitely be cruel, as can any type of correction, if used incorrectly. The fact that it is banned in parts of the world means nothing to me. So are prong collars and ear crops. You can also receive a death sentence in certain places for drinking alcohol, having sex outside of marriage, or what have you.

faber · 06-11-2008, 03:29 PM

I used one on Faber (not the little pup in pic- my last dobe). It worked to get him to come at the dog park and other excited situations (PLEASE use the correct stimulis setting...). He would get to excited and absolutely wouldn't listen...It worked well enuff that after a very short time - I didn't even have to charge the batteries(he knew when it was on or not- stinker) , then eventually didn't even have to use it. (just gave it away to a good friend) I was afraid if we were in the wrong situation he wouldn't come from danger if I called him. (tho of course he shouldn't be in the wrong situation- but accidents happen. ) hope this helps. I agree completely that it depends on how you use it- it may take time, let downs in training and etc. DON'T mean crank up the juice.- obviously.

tosca · 06-11-2008, 04:16 PM

Try it on yourself first, then see what you think about it.

DobeSpell · 06-11-2008, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rosamburg

The fact that it is banned in parts of the world means nothing to me. So are prong collars and ear crops.

You can also receive a death sentence in certain places for drinking alcohol, having sex outside of marriage, or what have you.

You cannot compare the countries that are againts the cruelty (banned e collars, prong collars and ear cropping) with one that's promoting it (death sentence for an affair). Think something else

.

Anyway the point is how many people will use it properly and how many animals will suffer because it is not used properly?

For proper use try all collar setting on yourself. That's a must

.

**K9Jarko** · 06-11-2008, 06:15 PM

Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but I would hope that one would educate themselves concerning various methods of training (ie., humane uses of the E-Collar) before judging or ruling them out completly. As several have already stated, E-collars in and of themselves are not cruel if placed in the right hands. I have personally used them on occassion with my PSD's when I needed to remind them that yes I can reach out and touch them from far away especially when they become "line smart". Usually I would only have to use it once at a low setting then put it away for months at a time. IMO it was more humane to set it on a low stim once - then have to collar correct/leash correct numerous times for several days to get the same results. My dogs knew and understood the command, but decided at times while in drive that they rather not obey the command - wrong answer especially for police work. Alot depends on the dog and the trainer/handler KNOWING/being able to read that particular dog. I would never use one on my girl Coda, even on the lowest setting or tone, as I am very confident that it would do more harm then good for her.

secretz · 06-11-2008, 06:32 PM

I have an e collar and it was my last resort. My girl likes to chase after the horses when I go down to feed and didn't have a solid "come" command. I worked with both a lunge line and an e collar at various times and found that she's improved greatly within the last 3 months.

I'll also point out that the model that I have has a page button, which just vibrates. I find that it works the best in most situations. I've only had a handfull of situations where I actually had to use a low level nick, which was only when she was extremely excited and in prey mode.

As with most of the other posters have mentioned, it IS only as good as the person holding the device. It can create damage and certain steps should be taken in using it. When I started out, I bought a dvd from the Leerburg site on the basics.

Also, I wanted to point out that if you have a skittish dog it can possibly do more damage than good if you're not careful.

hrd2gt · 06-11-2008, 06:37 PM

I wish I had one just for certain situationss. Karma gets in her 'annoying little kid' mode and will harass my italians. They are amazingly patient, but she will sometimes trap them outside, putting herself between the house and them... and like try to play keep away. I yell at her from the house, but the most I can do I can do in that time frame is distract her then she goes back to it... until I actually start going towards her to get her... then she runs to me like nothing happened all happy g lucky. I think a strategically placed zap would teach her that this action will result in a negative pop. I wouldnt use it for the rest of her life, but just til the habit is broken.

I also have a friend with 4 dobies! She does have a shock collar, when I went to visit her, her young intact male was being so honory and harassing Karma that he was completely blowing her off... she used it of course at certain moments to get his attention off my apparently completely adorable attractive Karma, and he would then listen and come to her when she called him. Of course she was all GOOD BOY GOOD COME encouraging the behaviour she wanted.

I personally dont think its cruel, I think if its used properly can be very effective for certain situations to discourage behavior.

(p.s. I have felt the shock of the collar before, TRUST me the electric line for back yards is way worse!!! My friend had that... bad idea to grab the wire after you just plugged it in!)