A few months ago, I won a dogtra e-collar on the Leerburg auction. I have put it on (and off) without turning it on. My original idea was to use it when Maggie got overly interested in a car, which was turning into a real problem at the time.

Well, when the collar is on I have the perfect dog (well, not really advanced, just not naughty). I really don't think that I have actually ever "nicked" her. Perhaps once or twice when she was outside throwing herself against the doors - but I wasn't even sure, turns out when I tried that level on my arm, it was just a tickle...she did stop jumping on the door, however.

Anyway, I have never really moved to any next level of training with it.

As far as her interest in cars goes, I've been making more headway with "leave it" and a call off that I have been using: "wait". All on the leash.

I have found it helpful just to put the collar on in the evenings from time to time when she becomes extra frisky and obnoxious. It has magic, for sure, even when turned off. Of course, the long drag line has a similar effect.

I guess that I got the collar for control of negative behaviors. But what are ways that people use an e-collar for general training?

I would suggest that you buy the dvd on e collar training, it'll show you the correct way to use it in all of the situations described.

I bought an ecollar nd the DVD months ago and have yet to use it. I'm glad you posted this question.

My plan was to use it as a backup for when Tasha is off lead to reinforce "leave it". Her off lead obedience is REALLY good, but there are those random occasions that she just blows me off if something is too enticing to resist. I have done so much long line work with her that I don't see it getting better without an e collar.

I just don't want her to get hurt by chasing wildlife or mixing it up with a nasty little creature like a fisher cat or coyote when we go hiking.

I also plan on using it for precision in our advanced obedience work. For example she knows a distance down, and I have downed her from up to 100 feet away, but I can't get the timing right to reinforce with a correction without the e collar. So it hasn't become a behavior that has any practical application because it is completely unreliable.

My third reason for wanting to use it is for situations that she gets in high drive and the prong is stimulating to her. For example she gets in such high drive at the sight of one of the neighborhood cats that it is very hard for me to give her a well timed correction that snaps her out of it. I have given her corrections in this situation that were so hard that if she were a different dog it would be borderline abusive.

She doesn't even care! Sometimes it actually gets her more amped up!

My problem is that she is so good in most situations that I'm not sure how to go about creating a fluency with the e collar. We have many, many training sessions that she never needs a correction.

How much practice does it take for the dog to understand the correction? I want to be fair to her by making sure she understands it completely before using it IRL, but IRL is the only time I would really need it.

I can tell you first hand going to the collar was like night and day. I would watch the dvd on training from this web site.

And take the time and watch it again, and again.

Good luck

I think I need to bite the bullet, save my $, and buy one!

I’ve been using e-collars for a little over two years now and I can’t remember the last time I actually had to activate one.

Other than those deadly behaviors (chasing cars, livestock, etc) which are sometimes very difficult to train out, personally, I’m always sure the dog is fully aware of and performing the command fluently before I’ll use a mild stimulation (serious blow off where I’m not able to regain focus or speeding up a particular behavior).

We do a lot of off leash hiking and anytime we leave the confines of our property, the two young ones have theirs on. They wander a bit but are never to be out of sight. I think these collars just give me the added confidence and back-up should some unforeseen circumstance present itself and I need to reach out and touch them.

As tight and awkward as they are, the boy eyes' light up and they get wiggly when it’s time to put them on. To them, these are the fun collars that they get to go out and play in.

Definitely watch the DVD. I can see where a lot of damage could be done if used incorrectly. You’re doing great, just keep putting it on her and getting her used to it for a few hours at a time. I don’t think I would be activating it until you’re 100% clear on how you want to be using it.

My dogs wear theirs whenever we leave my property. IN 6+ years there have only been a few times that I have had to use it. When the prong & e-collars come out my dogs get silly with excitement 'cause they know we are going somewhere that they can have tons of fun. Nothing negative about it. I have actually occasionally used the vibrate instead of the stem, as a 'reminder' to my dogs & this will eliminate the use of the need to stem entirely. I would rather have the collers on & not need them then to need them & not have them.

Since dogs don't generalize....I have suggested, to a couple of friends that I helped with their dogs, that using a drag line on your dog when off property with the e-collar the first few times can be helpful. Or you could find an enclosed area (tennis court) to introduce the collar for the first time off property. You just don't always know how a dog may react when you first use it out & away from home. I didn't feel that I needed to do this with my female but I did with my male, just 'cause he is a jerk sometimes about things. You need to be able to read your dog.

Maggie is still on a leash or line the entire time she is out near a road. Ever since her interest in cars, she is completely restrained except at the park or on a trail in the forest where I can let her off lead - no distractions and great recall. Maybe that is why I haven't really tried or relied on the e-collar yet. I am worried that a car will be too high interest still and she will run even with e-corrections.

She is getting better with leave it, as I said. I am trying to be patient and work on this till she is totally ignoring cars on leash before I do anything else. Lots of desensitization to do yet.

I just think it is interesting that I don't have to turn it on for simpler behavioral expectations.