e- collars

[corgipower]

I have seen dogs spook and RUN AWAY when shocked. So while I do understand how some people would want them for 'extra' help when off leash... I have seen it back fire if the dog is not listening cause its spooked (vs chasing a squirrel)

That's why it needs to be taught to the dog, not just throw a collar on him and zap away.

And the fact that some dogs can ignore the shock just as much as a recall when they are prey drive. If I don't think I can call my dogs back.. I don't let them off leash.

True...but what do you do then when the dog routinely gets out of the leash and collar? And again, yes, if you just throw a collar on the dog and hit the button when he's in prey drive and chasing the prey, you're doing it wrong. It's no different from if you expect the dog to come for a cookie when he's chasing prey. You build up to that level of distraction.

With Alley, the ecollar work was taught on a long line. I taught Nyx an ecollar recall, but really haven't taught her ecollar for crittering. I'm not sure whether or not I will. So far, I have ended up not needing it. But I don't fully trust her off leash. So the ecollar is on her in case she gets away from me and doesn't come. If she's chasing something in prey drive, I don't know that I would use the collar, since she hasn't been taught it in that context. But when she's gotten loose, it's been to go do laps around the yard, not to chase. She did once get loose when there were geese in the yard. I grabbed a tug and she saw that. She decided mom and tug were more interesting than running geese. I was very happy about that, but I'm not yet ready to trust her enough to take the ecollar off. I really would like to get her to herding training and show her how to properly use her drive instead.

 

[Dekka]

I never said don't use them in this way. I just said that assuming your dog is now perfectly safe because they wear one is silly.

I spent a year training Snip's recall after he learned the neighbours barn was full of tastey cats. For a while he went out wearing an e collar.. just in case. But I never assumed it was perfect, nor was it a long term plan.

My comments weren't really directed at you or Sizzle, more at the JQ Public types who assume because they have one on their dogs they have as much control as if the dog was on leash.

 

[Romy]

That's why it needs to be taught to the dog, not just throw a collar on him and zap away.



True...but what do you do then when the dog routinely gets out of the leash and collar? And again, yes, if you just throw a collar on the dog and hit the button when he's in prey drive and chasing the prey, you're doing it wrong. It's no different from if you expect the dog to come for a cookie when he's chasing prey. You build up to that level of distraction.

With Alley, the ecollar work was taught on a long line. I taught Nyx an ecollar recall, but really haven't taught her ecollar for crittering. I'm not sure whether or not I will. So far, I have ended up not needing it. But I don't fully trust her off leash. So the ecollar is on her in case she gets away from me and doesn't come. If she's chasing something in prey drive, I don't know that I would use the collar, since she hasn't been taught it in that context. But when she's gotten loose, it's been to go do laps around the yard, not to chase. She did once get loose when there were geese in the yard. I grabbed a tug and she saw that. She decided mom and tug were more interesting than running geese. I was very happy about that, but I'm not yet ready to trust her enough to take the ecollar off. I really would like to get her to herding training and show her how to properly use her drive instead.

Just out of curiosity, why not use a martingale to walk her? I've never once met a dog that could slip a properly fitted martingale.

 

[corgipower]

Just out of curiosity, why not use a martingale to walk her? I've never once met a dog that could slip a properly fitted martingale.

1. One of the ways she gets loose is by rolling on the ground and having the clip on the leash pop open. Accidental on her part.

2. Another of the ways she gets loose is me accidentally dropping the leash due to lack of grip strength and loss of feeling in my hands.

Neither of those would be helped by a different type of collar.

 

[Dekka]

I have the niftiest leash made by OC.. the clip locks closed. It wouldn't help with the lack of hand feeling, but it could help with issues #1. (and its a gorgeous leather leash)

 

[Romy]

1. One of the ways she gets loose is by rolling on the ground and having the clip on the leash pop open. Accidental on her part.

2. Another of the ways she gets loose is me accidentally dropping the leash due to lack of grip strength and loss of feeling in my hands.

Neither of those would be helped by a different type of collar.

Thanks for clarifying!

 

[corgipower]

I have the niftiest leash made by OC.. the clip locks closed. It wouldn't help with the lack of hand feeling, but it could help with issues #1. (and its a gorgeous leather leash)

That'd be cool.

Now...can ya fix my hands? Please. Considering that problem happens more often than the other...And it also makes me drop my cup of coffee too often. :madgo:

 

[BostonBanker]

Animal control don't always take time to check collars every day to make sure they are functioning properly and they also might use iffy collars. Most owners check their collars before putting them on and we don't use worn out collars.

Just to clarify, I was the animal control officer. The person who owned the collar and was using it was a well-respected breeder/trainer of hunting dogs in our area. Super nice guy, called me after it happened because he knew there were going to be complaints made and wanted to give me his contact information so we could talk, and I have no doubt cares very much about his dogs. He seemed distraut by what happened.

1. One of the ways she gets loose is by rolling on the ground and having the clip on the leash pop open. Accidental on her part.

Another idea that might help (not the hands, unfortunately) is one of the martingale/leash combos. I have one I use for agility since they have to have their collars off in the ring. No way for the leash to come off, because the collar and it are connected, and the martingale makes it pretty impossible (I'd never say never where dogs are concerned) to get out of.

 

[corgipower]

Another idea that might help (not the hands, unfortunately) is one of the martingale/leash combos. I have one I use for agility since they have to have their collars off in the ring. No way for the leash to come off, because the collar and it are connected, and the martingale makes it pretty impossible (I'd never say never where dogs are concerned) to get out of.

Yea, and if that was the only issue, I'd be looking into alternate leashes.

But since the hands are the biggest issue for keeping her on leash, there doesn't seem much point in buying leashes and collars that can't be slipped. And I will not tie her to my waist. That'd be too dangerous. I'd rather lose the dog than break my neck.

 

[dr2little]

1. One of the ways she gets loose is by rolling on the ground and having the clip on the leash pop open. Accidental on her part.

2. Another of the ways she gets loose is me accidentally dropping the leash due to lack of grip strength and loss of feeling in my hands.

Neither of those would be helped by a different type of collar.

How about a front clip harness and a waist leash? I've never seen a dog slip a halti-harness....EVER. They have a secondary up to the collar anyway so you'd still always have your dog.

I always have my dogs around my waist too. My grip strength isn't great but honestly, I just find it very handy. I started waist leashing Sophie so as not to give any unwanted leash signals when I was desensitizing her.. I never stopped using it...Love the thing!

edit - I didn't read that you wouldn't tie her to your waist...sorry, must not skim..
Why do you think you'd break your neck with her tied to you?

 

[corgipower]

edit - I didn't read that you wouldn't tie her to your waist...sorry, must not skim..
Why do you think you'd break your neck with her tied to you?

LOL - I was about to point that out to ya...

Uh...she's a psycho malinois.

And I'm already about 85% broken. She wouldn't have to do much to finish me off.

 

[dr2little]

LOL - I was about to point that out to ya...

Uh...she's a psycho malinois.

And I'm already about 85% broken. She wouldn't have to do much to finish me off.

Yikes, sorry to hear that. Yes, that would make the waist leash a non-option...

 

[sprintime]

That'd be cool.

Now...can ya fix my hands? Please. Considering that problem happens more often than the other...And it also makes me drop my cup of coffee too often. :madgo:

You know Corgi after reading your posts about your hands I think you have the same problem as I do, and tying around my waist would definitely not be an option for myself either.
Like you, my e-collar is on only (in case)...after teaching the dog about it I've never had to use it so far. My trick it to always have tennis balls with me, my dogs will always forget anything tempting for a tennis ball...lol.

 

[corgipower]

You know Corgi after reading your posts about your hands I think you have the same problem as I do, and tying around my waist would definitely not be an option for myself either.
Like you, my e-collar is on only (in case)...after teaching the dog about it I've never had to use it so far. My trick it to always have tennis balls with me, my dogs will always forget anything tempting for a tennis ball...lol.

I always have a tug with me. Nyx actually chose me and tug over geese a few days ago. And she has been allowed to run geese on several occasions, so she knew what they were and that she could go chase them. She looked at them, looked at me with the tug, and came to me. Maybe I'll end up never needing the shock collar, but I'm nowhere near ready to take her out without it on her.

 

[sprintime]

I hear you - no use taking a chance , especially if one doesn't have to use it.