This is my first time on the forum and I wanted to post about usage of the E-Collar. I purchased a Dogtra 1700NCP at the recommendation of the Leerburg staff. Excellent choice. Mainly due to the higher end power and digital adjustments. What you wind up having to find out yourself is as the dog gets keyed up, they will ignore a normal setting and a higher one may be needed. For my dog it was 5-10 higher. From what I understand this would not have been possible with a lesser collar that was not digitally controlled as they do not provide the minor adjustments. Anyway, this device has taken my dogs training far beyond any expectations. Does anyone have any advice on the type of training they do with their dog. I'm looking for something else / new to work him on.

Oh yeah, he's a 20 month old Blue Chow with in home agression issues around food and when he's sleeping or resting. Other than that he minds incredibly well, especially during training.

DZ

I also have a Dogtra 1700 for use with my GSD/chow?lab? mix. At night, when there are very few dogs around, I can now take her on off-lead walks in the park, all due to this collar. I trained her the "here" command first, then used the collar to reinforce the recall if needed at night. After a very short time, she has learned to come very reliably when I call. I have not yet been successful in curbing her agression, because the only time she is now agressive around other dogs is when they suddenly appear before her, and at that point I am using two hands to control her. I think I need to arrange with a neighbor to desensitize her slowly, at a distance at first.

 Quote:

What you wind up having to find out yourself is as the dog gets keyed up, they will ignore a normal setting and a higher one may be needed. For my dog it was 5-10 higher. From what I understand this would not have been possible with a lesser collar that was not digitally controlled as they do not provide the minor adjustments.

I think that information is in the Leerburg training video "Electric Collar Training for Pet owners".

I too have this collar but have NOT used it on my dog yet I've had it 3 weeks or so, and am still working to get the dog used to the collar, and watching the video when I can to retain as much info as possible on proper use (also a bit nervous about first use if truth be told).

I have tested this collar on myself (as I do with all training tools I buy) and have found it to be very effective at stopping me from being a bad bhoy :-). Also the correction levels/adjustments available are outstanding, as was the service/advice I recieved from the Leerburg staff before and during my purchase.

If you don't already have it the DVD I mentioned, along with the DVD "Dealing with dominant and aggressive dogs" are good to have.

Be very careful when using this collar on an aggressive dog as your timing has to be perfect, AND the dog HAS to know the correction comes from YOU otherwise your dog may flip out and associate the stim with the "target"/"prey"

John

Actually I already have both videos, dealing with dominant/aggressive dogs and the e-collar training dvd. From what I remember the advice on aggression toward other dogs was to stim the dog on the highest setting at first when it's aggressive toward other dogs. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not do this just from me saying it. Read for yourself and watch the video and do what the experts say. This is just what I remember. I've used this method for his aggression toward family members in the home (The only time he's aggressive) and had good results every time. He stops immediately and comes to the feet of the person he was aggressive toward. He usually does not have the collar on in the house so we mostly stick to re-directing him when he gets nasty.

It's cool to see others going through the same thing I did when I first used the collar. I've been using it for about 2 months now and take him out regularly to a local state park. I send him after animals that we come across and practice the out command. He is very good at stopping his assault immediately. I let him chase waterfowl and everything. He loves playing in creeks chasing leaves or whatever floats by. Then we go to an open meadow and work on 200 ft recalls. I'll give him a stop enroute and he'll stop. Then we work on sit, down, stand etc then finish the recall. He also will sit or down on command while I continue walking away. He obeys all commands no matter what the distraction (so far). I think a deer running by may break the camels back. It's fun to show him off at petsmart or any other place that allows animals. People are so amazed and don't even realize how easy it is if you put forth an effort.

I remember sort of fumbling with the transmitter at first but I've gotten used to it well by now. I use the pager in conjunction with heal, to far, or come when we're out. Works vey well

Let me know how things go. DZ

Be careful sending your dog after animals at the State Park & allowing him to harass birds there -- If a Ranger sees you, he might not like your explanation & could slap you with a HEFTY fine (!)

Also, dogs like Chows, Akitas, and Basenjis (or mixes of these breeds) do NOT react well to the frustration of being teased -- Sending a Chow-mix after live game & then calling him off can get tricky IF your reward for his obedience isn't as high-value to the dog as killing its prey would be...

Your dog will comply with the commands because of his shock collar, but he will NOT consider your behavior fair -- then depending on how much of a Chow he really is, this dog may form a resentment toward you & plot his revenge for a later time when you LEAST expect it...

And if anyone reading this post imagines that I'm just "anthropomorphizing" here, let me guess: you've never owned a Chow, Akita, or Basenji, LOL

I have used the e-collar to keep her from charging other dogs when we are off-lead at night. It worked well, she only ran off once, and I incresed the stim and she decided to come back. She now declines to go for other dogs in that situation. I wouldn't take her anyplace where there were more then 1-2 dogs, at a distance, and I would not rely on this collar with certain dogs in the building that she despises. I once used the e-collar (and a leash) to keep her with me when a guest was over. The problem is that I can't really use guests as guinea pigs for my behavior modification experiments, because I know she has real potential for biting.

It sounds like you are making great progress with the collar. You are ahead of me, so I think you will have to give me pointers. So far, I use it mostly for recall off lead and to keep her at heel. She is one stuborn dog, and if I give her an inch she will take a mile. I do have one question. If he does so well with collar in stopping aggression, why not leave it on all the time? It seems he really needs to unlearn certain behaviors.

Excellent points! Thanx! I guess I was so impressed with his reaction and progress I overlooked your points. I think I'll go with cheese as his "Ultimate Reward" or maybe a Kong with the cheesewiz dog squirt stuff inside. When he gets excited he spits out the treats I use but I have never had a problem with him disobeying my commands. Not to mention he's my buddy! I want to be as fair with him as I can. It kills me that I can't let him on the couch with me. Our first chow (rescue from 8 years of neglect) was not a typical chow. He was NEVER aggressive to anyone or anything. Man I miss that dog. I made a video of him and Susan said she'd trade right now, no questions asked. We miss our Pivo.

As for leaving the collar on him, the video says you should only leave the collar on your dog for no more than 2 hours at a time or it may irritate him. I try to put it on him when I'm going to use it as well as when I'm not in hopes he does not get collar wise. They say the contacts are what can irritate him. Not to mention it has to be pretty snug to be effective and I'm sure that's not the most comfortable feeling for him. I had my first case with a weak battery. The light was yellow and I didn't get a reaction even at full power. The batteries last about a week or 2 before they need recharging but once the light changes to yellow (maybe orange) charge it.

I'm in no way an expert. In fact we have probably made most, if not all, of the common, and not so common, mistakes with this dog but if I can help anyone else that's awsome. I have continued Bruno's training since his frist obedience class and pretty much, that is our time together. He seems to absolutely love it. When I started using a prong, he linked putting the collar on to going outside to train. Man, I get that prong out and he gets all fidgity and his tail starts waggin and he goes right to the door. Even as keyed up as he is, he will not go out unless he sits and I release him. Pivo was awsome but Bruno is way way better trained. It's now past 03:30 so I better hit the sheets. Thanx all!

DZ