May 18, 2011
My dog minds when he has a prong collar on, but not when it is off. Do I need an electric collar?
Full Question:
I would like to start by thanking you. I purchased your video Basic Dog Obediance and it was wonderful. I did what you said on the tape and my dog realy responded will to it. I have to say that when my pup was little he was very good at home, but just awfull on a leash in public. Now, after your video and a pinch collar, he is very good out in public and on a leash, but just awful at home. He is now eight months old and my problem is that he will be well behaved as long as you have his leash in hand, because he knows he will get a correction. I let him drag a leash and he will misbehave until I pick up the leash. As soon as he knows that I have his leash in hand he stops the unwanted behavior. He does everything that I ask when he is wearing the pinch collar. Take the collar off of him and he does as he pleases. He is smart and does things when he knows that he my get away with it. I have turned off the vacuum and the lawn mower to give him a correction, but the biggest problem is that unless he is in pinch and on lead, he will not come when he is called. I am wondering if the next step should be a shock collar, so that he learns that will get a correction no matter what. I have a great respect for your opinion and will not use a shock collar if you think it is wrong or will not work.Stephanie
Lake Geneva, WI
Cindy's Answer:
You do not need an electric collar - you need to learn what an "automatic correction" is.
When the dog has a drag line on and does not perform a command that you know he understands (its important he must know it) then you calmly go over and pick up the leash and automatically correct him - even if he tries to mind once you pick up the leash.
This problem is a handler problem and not a dog problem. You have trained him that he must only mind when the leash is in your hand and the collar is on. Now you must teach him that he will be corrected for not minding - even if you do not have the leash.
The key is to be calm. Calmly walk over to the dog when he will not come - don't chase - just walk to him and pick up the "LONG LINE" (if you can not get it - make the line longer next time) then reell him in and correct the snot out of him. Even if he comes when he sees that you have the leash give him some very very strong "pops" line along with the "come command."
He must learn that he has to mind all of the time and if he disobeys he will be corrected.
Automatic corrections are a very important part of obedience training. Maybe I should have stressed them more.
When the dog has a drag line on and does not perform a command that you know he understands (its important he must know it) then you calmly go over and pick up the leash and automatically correct him - even if he tries to mind once you pick up the leash.
This problem is a handler problem and not a dog problem. You have trained him that he must only mind when the leash is in your hand and the collar is on. Now you must teach him that he will be corrected for not minding - even if you do not have the leash.
The key is to be calm. Calmly walk over to the dog when he will not come - don't chase - just walk to him and pick up the "LONG LINE" (if you can not get it - make the line longer next time) then reell him in and correct the snot out of him. Even if he comes when he sees that you have the leash give him some very very strong "pops" line along with the "come command."
He must learn that he has to mind all of the time and if he disobeys he will be corrected.
Automatic corrections are a very important part of obedience training. Maybe I should have stressed them more.
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