Unfortunately we had an awful experience with a trainer who thinks all behaviors get resolved by running a dog through a basic obedience program while correcting it continuously with an ecollar until the dog gets into desired position.
We only did one session with this guy and stopped immediately when we realized what he was doing.
How do I introduce the ecollar to a fearful dog after an experience like this? We will be seeing another trainer but I wanted feedback from people here so that if this new trainer starts doing things wrong again I know.
Hi Lenka:
Just a few questions for clarification purposes...what training/behaviors do you hope to use the e-collar for? When you say "fearful," do you mean the dog is generally/genetically fearful, or that the dog is fearful of the ecollar now after that one session (or both)?
the dog is both fearful of the ecollar and genetically fearful. I wanted to use the ecollar after I saw Ed's DVD to correct behaviors but I am afraid to do it by myself because of the dog's disposition and my inexperience. What I really don't like is his dog aggression and people aggression.
I wanted to add I have been trying to work on desensitizing but something out of the blue always happens and sets him off and we are back to square one or at least it seems like it.
Ana Kozlowsky Webboard User Reg: 01-21-2010
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Lenka, there are better ways to deal with aggression and correcting a fearful dog for aggression with an e-collar is a sure way to more trouble.
Forget about the collar for now and work on obedience. Motivational methods work best with fearful dogs. E-collar could be used in later stages to proof the OB. Use for this purpose is very much difference from using it as an aversive.
In his DVD Ed is using e-collar on temperamentally sound dogs. He is not trying to deal with temperamental issues.
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005
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Quote: Linda West
I wanted to add I have been trying to work on desensitizing but something out of the blue always happens and sets him off and we are back to square one or at least it seems like it.
It's crucial that desensitizing work starts outside the dog's area of reactivity. When I start, the scene is as controlled (by me) as it can possibly be.
No stuff out of the blue ....
I know that we can't control life, but desensitizing work for me is planned almost like military exercises (as if I knew anything about planning military exercises .... ). I start the focus and ob work in the house, in a room with no distractions. When we move to the next stage, we're still in a closed area, controlled by me. When distractions are introduced (outside the dog's trigger area), I control their nearness and level.
I forget whether we've provided you with any of the detailed desensitizing threads .... if not, I can look up a few.
This is gradual, methodical, calm work. IMO, there is rarely a safe and effective short-cut for desensitizing. OTOH, it's wonderful work because it's so loaded with opportunity for confidence-building (for both of us) and bonding. It's worth every minute you spend on it because the positive results are forever.
eta
Also, this necessity for planning and careful control really, for me, make this kind of work almost anxiety-proof. True, you're dealing with anxiety or fear or reactivity, but you're dealing with it in a way that gradually teaches the dog how to re-focus away from his trigger(s), onto you and what you and he are doing together ... not to mention the wonderful rewards he earns!
Edited by Connie Sutherland (09/30/2010 09:21 PM)
Edit reason: eta
what do I do in cases when I cannot control it? For example, about 5 seconds ago we were all resting and he was with me on a recliner. There was a gust of wind outside and he went berserk. When he realized that nothing was happening he calmed down and went to his crate.
Stuff like this happens all day long. People slamming car doors, people talking out in the parking lot, dogs barking outside, etc, etc, and there is nothing I can do with it.
Regardless where we are in our house it's the same. It's a condo and he is very reactive to all the noises. That's what I mean by out of the blue. What do I do about that? I just try to act as soon as see any reaction from him but I don't feel like we are getting ahead much.
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How to correct bad ecollar experience- fearful dog
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). I start the focus and ob work in the house, in a room with no distractions. When we move to the next stage, we're still in a closed area, controlled by me. When distractions are introduced (outside the dog's trigger area), I control their nearness and level.
True, you're dealing with anxiety or fear or reactivity, but you're dealing with it in a way that gradually teaches the dog how to re-focus away from his trigger(s), onto you and what you and he are doing together ... not to mention the wonderful rewards he earns! 
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