E-Touch / E-Collar training

[Lynn]

[Thank you for buying the book Lynn. No e-collar in it though.
Martin

Just like what I'm hearing of your approach and attitude to training,so want to read more.

[Martindeeley]

I would never use it on a 10 week old puppy From about 5mnths old my dogs have their fun exercise in the same fields as my horses. If they start to go too near the horses and a voice command is not enough to curb the curiosity then I put the e collar on and wait until they are in the area around the horse where they will associate the "sting" with the horse. I have rarely ever had to do this more than once, and all my dogs have a great respect for my horses and no fear of the collar.

My dogs have no fear of the collar either. Just because you put it on a dog does not mean you use it all the time and certainly not only for punishment. A distraction to an unwanted source can have you catching their attention not punishing. Unfortunately minds get fixed on punishing with the collar. Hence the thought that ten weeks is too young. We all put tehm on a leash and give them a tug, we may even grab a scruff and give a light shake so what is wrong with a tap to catch attention. No, not a ZAP, a tap, enough to catch attention, not so much that it creates fear. Communicate and make it easy because you can gain attention. Not fear. Fear does not train - fear drives them away. Fear confuses and looses trust. You can still let pup run and have fun, you can still have them loose in the paddock and you can teach them very gently to avoid horses, and you do not have to panic. You can distract their attention with the collar and get the focus back on you when they go too close and their intensity on the horse or whatever is so much the voice does not work.

Martin

[Martindeeley]

Martin,

Please can you explain how you phase the collar out?

Rascal

As I say, I do not use the collar all the time to catch attention, correct, encourage, create focus etc. I use me (Voice, hands, body language, face) and other tools such as tennis balls, dummies, leashes etc Plus the good old whistle. So the e-collar helps me as a tool but I am the trainer. Fairness, consistency, follow through etc and helping and guiding the dog is all part of the routines, with and without using the collar. They have it on every time they come out during the foundation stages and once introduced and understood we use it to help them understand and learn many different exercises. Gradually I stop using the collar even when he is wearing it, except when there is confusion, to help and guide, and yes where there is a known resistance to do as asked. Sometimes we allow dogs to slip back on the foundation, so it can act as a reminder but you can have the dog wearing the collar in every training situation and then use it less and less. The training creates understanding, the control develops and builds on the acceptable and wanted behaviors, and the actions then become so ingrained the dog does things as required – a habit. Train, control and guide and then create habits. Once the consistent habits are there then the collar can be removed.

What if he goes wrong without the collar – well that is why your own personal relationship with the dog has to be strong enough that it is you not the collar that makes the difference to his behavior. Hence once more I say, don’t use the collar as the only way to train, guide, correct or even punish. It is only part of you as a trainer.

Martin

[Martindeeley]

[Thank you for buying the book Lynn. No e-collar in it though.
Martin

Just like what I'm hearing of your approach and attitude to training,so want to read more.

Hope you find it helpful. And thank you for teh kind words. Thank you all of you for being gentle with me.

I know how emotive this subject can be.

Martin

[cornishman]

Many thanks appreciate you taking the time to answer all the questions , and maybe dispel some of the myths surrounding the modern e collar Brian

[Lynn]

[Snicklefritz]

I would like to extend a personal thank you to Martin for responding to my request and for taking so much time to advance our knowledge about dog training. It can't help but benefit many dogs in the future.

A very sincere thank you,

Chuck

Oh, yes! I goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway. Martin, I owe you 'big time'

[trekmoor]

My thanks to both Martin and Snick for making this thread happen .....and also to all of those very much against e- collars for letting it go ahead unhindered.

Wullie

[scotsgent]

Hear, Hear Wullie,

It says much for the maturity of folks here, some of whom we know hold a moral standpoint view in not using an e-collar.

My thanks to them too, for as you say, letting this thread run without disruption.

Cheers, Terry

[Martindeeley]

I would like to extend a personal thank you to Martin for responding to my request and for taking so much time to advance our knowledge about dog training. It can't help but benefit many dogs in the future.

A very sincere thank you,

Chuck

Oh, yes! I goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway. Martin, I owe you 'big time'

My pleasure Chuck. Send cash not check!!!

Martin

P.S. If anyone at the Game Fair next year wants to come and talk training - let me know. How about a workshop???? Too afraid to come?