I've been doing a far amount of reading about ecollars on this site and am thinking that I should get one.

Here's the rational, and please feel free to pick this apart and set me straight if need be. Kaiser is STILL alerting when there is no reason to alert. For example, we are outside and he is doing his business - someone walks out of their house across the street and his hackles go up slightly and barks. I want this to stop. I've tried "enough" with a pop on the leash - doesn't phase him. I tried the same pop with a prong, doesn't phase him. IMPORTANT** I don't know if I correct him to hard if it will cause other issues later in terms of not alerting when he should be. Or with Schutzhund training.

Second issue, Kaiser continues to jump on the back of my other dog - our 10.5 year old lab. I give leash corrections and he submits for the moment - as soon as I have my back turned he pounces again - yes puppy behavior - but I don't want him pouncing on my lab.

I'm thinking that an ecollar can help correct these two behaviors.

In addition, I'm thinking the ecollar could become a great training tool to help guide Kaiser in the right direction during obedience.

Am I WAY off base here or what?

Thoughts please!

I would do what I actually did with a senior rescue who did the same thing. I would get him involved in doggie pushups before he was even aware of the barky event (the second YOU see that the event is going to happen), before he can fix his gaze on the thing/person/car. I always had rewards in my pocket while this barky stuff was being worked on. (Good timing is going to serve you well, BTW.)

I would not allow him the freedom to jump on the back of the Lab.

And I would order the e-collar video. http://leerburg.com/318.htm


There. That's MY list of steps. LOL

In a sense, corrections are corrections whether its an ecollar or a prong. I personally wouldnt use it for either of the points you listed. The alerting and hackling I would give more time for him to experience more so he kind of grows out of it. And the jumping on the lab you can do better by preventing it consistantly.

Points well taken!

Thanks for setting me straight.

And thats just me Peter. Someone else may think differently.

It makes sense though. her's still young and I often thought that time would be self-correcting this issue.

I was shocked the first time I saw a truly effective leash correction. If you aren't getting a response you aren't giving a hard enough correction.

I don't allow Duke to show any dominant gestures to Rasta, like trying to put his paws on Rasta's shoulders/back. I give a "no" immediately followed by leash correction. I also had to make absolutely sure that both my wife and I were doing things first with Rasta so his pack position was solidified by us. Now Duke shows signs of active submission like belly/Johnson licking, chin licking, teeth chattering, posture, and invitations to play. Of course, Rasta answers those invitations with a bark like, "Get outta my face you hyperactive kid! And get off my lawn, too!".

This Topic may or may not help with the aggression issue.

 Quote: scott garrett

I was shocked the first time I saw a truly effective leash correction. If you aren't getting a response you aren't giving a hard enough correction.

Maybe you could describe it well by saying that it's sharp and quick and works via startling and kinda seeing who is in charge, without inflicting pain. At least, that's my definition and JMHO.

Seeing someone who is excellent with their timing and totally calm do this is enlightening, and it makes many of the leash "corrections" you might see look ridiculously ineffectual.

I think you could use a prong and an ecollar for these situations, but might want to try the other suggestions you've gotten first. Hans was younger than that when he got his first prong and it fixed his pulling.

He is dog aggressive and it crept up on as all of a sudden. So if you can nip that in the bud, by trying Connie's idea, that might work.

I agree that you should order the ecollar DVD first. Educate yourself as much as you can about it before you put out the big bucks. You'll be able to make a more informed decision that way.

 Quote: Scott Garrett

like belly/Johnson licking,

This Topic may or may not help with the aggression issue.

Hahahahahahahahaha