Interesting article?

[Contender]

And whilst we've been discussing moving gundog training forward, I've just learned that Mr Martin Deeley is doing a clinic over here, teaching people to use an e-collar when training a gundog....

Natasha

[trekmoor]

Personally, I think it is a good thing that someone is at last prepared to openly offer training in e-collar use in Britain. I do not see this as a step backwards. Whether or not M. Deeley is the best person to teach e-collar use is a whole different question. There are many and various ways of using e-collars. His "way" is only one of them and it may not be the best.

I never try to hide the fact that I have an e-collar but it is very seldom used as I do not train gundogs or any other dogs while using it for anything else other than a very good, the best in my opinion, sheep chasing deterrent. That is not the way in which Mr.Deeley or any other even halfway good gundog trainer uses an e-collar. If classes were held in my area on proper e-collar use by a really good trainer, I would go to them. I like to keep tools that may be useful even if I never use them.

Wullie

[Springfield Pointers]

And whilst we've been discussing moving gundog training forward, I've just learned that Mr Martin Deeley is doing a clinic over here, teaching people to use an e-collar when training a gundog....

Natasha

e-collar use seems to be a hot topic of conversation over there. I wish him luck, he's going to need it.

[Stacia]

I think it is a step backwards as I am sure we could all train gundogs really well with an e-collar and I am talking the American way of training, well the ones that don't fry the dog!

The art of dog training is to get the dog to enjoy training, using his natural instincts and by co-operation between man and dog. Using an e-collar is the dog responding to a brief electric shock to show him to turn off the pressure by doing what is required.

However, I do agree with a good blast if the dog is chasing sheep, better the blast of a collar than the blast of a gun.

Jelinga

[Judy]

For those of you who wish to pursue this course further, havea look at this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2109&hilit=Ecollar+m+Deeley
No doubt there are links to his current course if you want to attend, just google.

Now can we get back to subject please? Punishment, I believe it was? Not routine nor daily but occasionally if and when the dog requires it. Although some might say the shock collar is part and parcel of the punishment routine for some people we aren't going to go there, are we?

[Stacia]

Hope not Judy as we have all been there before

Jelinga

[trekmoor]

Amen to that !

Wullie

[Helmsdale]

I'm really glad I didn't read this thread before training a dog - it would have scared me to death. It's as if a PhD in animal behavioral theory is needed. Is this really rocket science, or just a way to enhance the mystique of professional trainers?

This is just my way, but I reckon dog training is mostly down to being clear with realistic demands, using kindness and good will towards the animal and applying common sense. Get the dog to understand what's required, and if it does well, give it a reward - if it does badly, give it a rollocking. If one thing doesn't work, then do something else until you find the thing that does.

Mind you, I've never had to train a dog that was prone to chasing sheep or being aggressive. If I had one that chased sheep, I'd keep it away from them, or at least on the lead if they're nearby. If I had one that was persistently aggressive and therefore potentially dangerous, it would be over the rainbow bridge pdq.

[Springfield Pointers]

Keeping a dog that chases sheep, away from sheep, is not going to sort out the problem. But I agree with the sentiment of your post.

[James]

sometimes I wish it did take a phd, that way I would have a bit more cash in my pocket and so much more spare time to do other things because im never going to be bright enough to get one