Pros and Cons of E collars for NEWBIES - Page 2

Thanks clee27, that is what I think my sister doesn't understand. I have never done any other training with an e-collar, not anything specific as in routine training. Just fun stuff and good manners, really, He didn't understand the training part as well as my other dog, (who had busted through after "prey"). I was forced to zapp him sooner than I wanted because he ran into the road and came out with tire marks on his side but otherwise unharmed. I said NEVER again. He is so "trained" now, even if the collar is off him, he won't go outside his zone. We can walk him off, but only with him wearing a leash.

I love that moment when I'm working with a new pup/dog and I realize that they have become bonded in a way that they want to please me not get a toy or a treat. I'm not experienced with training for sport or other more intense training, mostly I just like to do the basics and manners. After they have that I like to change it up like instead of down, I'll say make yourself comfortable or get your red ball instead of bring me your ball. I love the thinking look my GSD gets on his face. My daughter is grown and in college so perhaps I have too much time on my hands, lol. I have a new pup and boy is he strong willed and hard headed which equals a bit more work but it also will make the end result amazing to me.

A think it is relevant to this topic  - "E-collar works miracles" http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/bulletins.read?mnr=472817

Niesia, thanks for posting that because some of the posts are so interesting. I read it after she first posted but I do not want to post on her threads because she gets upset if you do not agree with her even if you post in a nice manner. Mostly she seems to just want to hear that she is doing right even if someone who has mad professional experience suggests otherwise. Mostly I think she's probably a nice young lady with good intentions but doesn't understand how to read her dog.

Clee27,

My girl is a GSD, so as a puppy she would pull forward and bark at everything/everybody approaching us. She’s got a very deep bark that sounds quite threatening, a bit like “I am going to rip your heart out”.  Since we agreed who makes rules here, she doesn’t do it anymore. My rule is: You (the dog) ignore other dogs/people while we are on the walk and she obeys. It doesn’t matter if the other dog barks at her or not.  If I stop to chat with the other dog’s owner, I will tell her to “say hello” so she can sniff his butt. That’s it. And about that ‘dog aggressive dogs in a trailer park’ – they bark as would any dog when you pass his property (especially if she’s got puppies).  I think that her dog thinks that he’s the boss and he’s quite a big fellow (even still only a puppy) so maybe an e-collar is the only way for her to fully control him. But still her comments make me think, that even she doesn’t believe that e-collar gives her full control over her dog… http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/bulletins.read?mnr=472377

I do have problems with stray/run away dogs coming in too, but my dog knowing the rules allows them in, so I can catch them and get them back to their owner or call our Animal Control Officer to pick them up. That works for me, because people in my town know that my dog is OK and if some hiker complains about my GSD barking/charging to Animal Control Officer, she will ask: “Are you sure you are talking about Suzi? Did you enter their property? She is a very good and well trained dog. We never had problems with her.”

BTW, I love my dog too but she is a German Shepherd and if they don't respect you or your rules…you know what I mean.

Niesia, EXACTLY! I'm not one to think I know it all or think my way is the only way. I think that most training, used properly, can be effective. In another of the young lady's post she said she never saw his aggressive behavior coming, to me that is someone who doesn't have a bunch of experience. That is not a criticism or bashing, that's just the truth. I am constantly learning about dogs and specifically GSDs, I open to learning and listening to different ideas. I feel that often people think that because GSDs are smart, they do not require a lot of work and I feel like because they are smart it can be just the opposite. I hope she gets the situation under control, he is a big, handsome boy and I bet he would make a great dog if he has clear guidelines that he understands. I agree, training and putting time into your dog is love. I often think people should be required to have a license to have kids and pets, LMBO!

Clee27,

Just the other day I had couple of people approach me in the park to ask me a question: "We were just discussing dog training and we were debating if smart dogs (i.e. GSDs) are easier to train". My response was: "Smart dogs learn faster but are more difficult to train." I don't think they got it...

Niesia, hehe... they probably didn't!