I bought a collar for my two dogs (5.5 months) and I know that there is a desensitizing period so that they don't associate the collar with the shock. I have heard different approaches. What do you recommend?

Thanks ahead of time!

Are you able to purchase the ecollar video as well?

Unfortunately I'm tapped out right now. I hope to buy it in the next month.

I totally understand. Before we get into HOW - can I ask why? You have two 5.6 month old dogs, so lets talk about the behaviors you are trying to train or correct, okay?

I have two Great Pyrs and need to teach them not to chase the chickens and goats.

What type of training have you been working on up to this point? How is their basic obedience?

I have been doing mostly marker training. But some corrective training for not entering garages when the doors are open. Their basic obedience is alright, I have been moving so I haven't been able to train them as I might. I am going to start again. They were at the point where they could follow my hand and go to touchpads and watch me as they were sitting and walking. But I haven't work with them in a month, so I don't know what they have retained.

I do know that I need to get them into the same area as the animals soon so the "don't touch the birds and goats" lesson may have to come before the down-stay.

Mostly what I want to know is what is the best way to desensitize them to the collars.

David, I have and use the ecollar, so please don't think I'm "anti" ecollars.

IMHO, it would be unwise/unfair to "correct" a dog for a behavior he does not understand. To desensitize your dogs to the collars and then begin using them PRIOR to training and teaching the commands could backfire big time. It is not simply "desensitize to the collar and then zapp for the wrong behavior". (Not that this is what you intend to do...)

WHILE you are desensitizing the dogs to the ecollars, I recommend you devote some serious time to getting their obedience in line. They need to understand LEAVE IT / OFF, COME, NO! etc...

An ecollar is NOT to be used to train a behavior we don't have time to train. (If I spoke to you in French (and you didn't understand French) would it be fair/wise for me to shock you for not doing as I asked?)

My recommendation would be to put on the uncharged ecollar, along wth their regular collars off and on during the day. Sometimes one collar, sometimes two or three, etc...

This should take several weeks, during which, you sell something on e-bay or work overtime to get the dvd on how to train this tool.

I wouldn't put one on you without understanding how to use it, nor would I put one on your dog without that understanding.

Barbara,

They understand come and they understand "No." Thanks for your advice. So you are saying it will take several weeks before I can use it?

Tammy,

They were introduced to our friends flock a month ago out of necessity because we were between houses and had no other choice. They both male and female got their mouths on chickens, even after some initial training to teach them not to go after the chickens. This is with both short and long leash work. But I can't trust them until I have them off leash and I am not near them. But I can't have them eating my chickens or goats. They don't seem as interested in goats.