Reluctantly going to try the e-collar | Thread profile

After this morning's foray into the fields I think I am going to have to break down and use the e-collar to solidify Milo's (see avatar) recall. I've been very reluctant to use it as he is so soft and shuts down at any negative pressure. I think mild stimulation should work okay with him. In the yard he comes when called without fail. In the field he gets so excited that he only comes when ...

The e-collar is an excellent tool. It is not cruel. Try the lower settings on yourself.... they are not much more than the equivalents of taps on your shoulder. Also, heavier zaps can prevent your dog from chasing an animal or something into the street where it can be killed. When my dog sees the e-collar she gets all excited because she knows she is going out for a walk or run. I ...

Thanks, I planned on zapping myself with it before I ever put it on my dog. I know that used responsibly it's a good tool and will do more good than harm but I guess there's the subconscious fears of turning my dog into a helpless pile of fur peeing all over himself. I've done a good deal of studying on the best way to use it and overall feel like it's the best way to go for this situation....

Don't be afraid to get the collar on tight. Not tight enough and no effect. You shouldn't get two fingers under the collar. This is important because at low settings it needs good contact. So in the yard give a whistle, "come" (or 'here'), with a constant stimulation, as soon as he takes a step to you, off the stim. Get that good in the yard and move to the field, whistle, come, with stim. Then ...

Its frustrating, I know when the pup just doesnt want to come back. But you are right, a collar will take that frustration out of it for you. Its just another tool dont worry. K.T. is very sensitive and I even had to take the collar off her in the hunting pix's I posted with the pheasants not to long after we got there. She just wouldnt leave my side with it on. She was six months then....

I also have the Tri-Tronics Sport G3. I was the same way, I didn't want to hurt Grace my female Chocolate lab, but you have to have your dog under control or it will control you. My dog gets excited when I put it on her and tends to straighten up and knows it is time to get down to business. In awhile you will find you won't have to use it as much. Every once in awhile they get excited and...

Thanks everyone. It'll be on him this afternoon just to get him used to wearing it. If it works out well I'll be getting some for the kids as well John

with my old lab (just had him put down for health reasons) I had the sporter that had a buzzer on it as well. that worked well after he got use to the collar he knew he would hear the buzzer and the next step was a the zap. made all the difference in the world with him.

Quote: Not tight enough and no effect It has bad side effects. If your dogs run hard a lot, the collar will move and the electric probes will rub on the dogs neck and this may even lead to bleeding/soar spots. Also, you do not want branch/stick to get caught between the collar and the dogs neck. Finally, always attach the collar right behind the head...

I enter this discussion with a degree of hesitation. I know that e collars are the rage and most dog owners can not comprehend a hunting dog with out one. The fact is that some where along the way your dog (and it sounds like a heck of a nice dog) has missed a step in training. An obedient dog is obedient all the time. Unless you are really good with a collar and most folks are not, the dog ...