April 29, 2011
Is it possible for a dog who was previously oblivious to the ecollar to become collar wise?
Full Question:
Hi Cindy,Thanks again for all your wonderful support in the past. I have a wonderful, well behaved dog that I truly enjoy and I can honestly say it is due to the information I have gotten from you and your website. I do have a question about e-collars. I have a 2 year old boxer mix that is wonderful.
I have trained him in the past with a Dogtra e-collar to solidify his recall and added security when we visit the mountains of Vermont and he is off leash. He was always oblivious to the collar (I had put it on and off for several weeks before beginning training) and he has always done very well while training with it on. I still put it on occasionally in the house (without training) to keep him oblivious to the collar. In the last couple of months, he walks around with his head low and stays very quiet if he is wearing the e-collar. Maybe I have gotten sloppy with training and he has realized exactly what the collar means. Is it possible for a dog (who was unaware of the collar in the past) to develop a recognition for the e-collar and what it does and is it possible to retrain him to ignore the collar? I keep the collar on at all times when he is off leash and have no intention of changing that policy but I am convinced he is becoming too smart for me and will eventually take the collar off and put it on me in my sleep.
Thanks again,
Beverly
Cindy's Answer:
It's possible for dogs to become aware of equipment, for sure.
The way to get around it is to put the collar on every single day, whether you plan on using it or not. Also be aware of how you are handling the remote. I keep it discreetly tucked in my hand or in my pocket with my hand on the button so I don't need to make a big production out of getting it out of my pocket, looking at it, etc.. this draws the dog's attention to it. Don't use it like a tv remote control (which a lot of people do).
If you only are handling the remote when the dog is getting a stimulation from the collar they pick up on that very fast.
I have a young dog right now, she gets the ecollar on every morning before she goes outside the first time around 6 AM and it comes off at bedtime. EVERY DAY. The collar means nothing to her other than "it's time to start the day" :)
Cindy Rhodes
The way to get around it is to put the collar on every single day, whether you plan on using it or not. Also be aware of how you are handling the remote. I keep it discreetly tucked in my hand or in my pocket with my hand on the button so I don't need to make a big production out of getting it out of my pocket, looking at it, etc.. this draws the dog's attention to it. Don't use it like a tv remote control (which a lot of people do).
If you only are handling the remote when the dog is getting a stimulation from the collar they pick up on that very fast.
I have a young dog right now, she gets the ecollar on every morning before she goes outside the first time around 6 AM and it comes off at bedtime. EVERY DAY. The collar means nothing to her other than "it's time to start the day" :)
Cindy Rhodes
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