February 29, 2012

Would an ecollar help me get my dogs focus back on me while around other dogs?

Full Question:
I have a 5 year old intact male Shepherd (30 inches at the shoulder and 110 pounds)who is aggressive toward other dogs, both while we are walking and when he is in the yard. Part of our yard is well above street level and Liam uses it as a vantage point to watch for dogs and to a lesser degree, other passers-by. He will become totally focused on the approaching dog and will charge in their direction, so I keep him on a long line to be sure he stays in the yard for that reason. When we are walking (I use a prong collar), he becomes hyper focused on any dog we encounter, and no matter what I do (including very strong collar corrections) I cannot get his attention back on me. My thought is that an ecollar would be helpful, and I wanted to know, if you agree with my thought on this, if you could specify two or three you think would be my best choices. Thank you for your help!

Wendy
Cindy
Cindy Cindy's Answer:
I would change the way I allow this dog to behave in everyday life. I WOULD NOT allow him to fixate on other dogs when he’s out in the yard, this only feeds this behavior. I would take him outside to do his business and right back in. You can’t fix this if you allow him to continue with this same behavior in the yard.

I would start by using a dominant dog collar, I see you already have the dominant dog video so I would follow the work in there.

I’d also change the way you live with him in the house and set up some very firm rules. Start with our groundwork program and I’d recommend Pack Structure for the Family Pet.

The ecollar may be a good tool for in the future, but I think some bigger changes need to be made in the dog’s everyday life first.

Once you are seeing some changes in his behavior around the house and yard, then you could start collar conditioning him (away from any distractions and especially away from other dogs).

I’d recommend Electric Collar Training for the Pet Owner and the Dogtra 7100H would be a good model for your dog.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Rhodes

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Expert Dog Trainer Cindy Rhodes
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