I think he has a very good temperament that is a balance of dominance and submissiveness. He is confident, outgoing and seems eager to please. He has pretty good drive and is very food motivated. He is easily excitable though. He does well on a leash and prong collar. He usually only needs small pops for correction. Sometimes when he gets fixed on something, another dog close by or someone he knows, I needs a little more correction to settle him down. When on a leash, he seems to understand who's in control. Off leash is a different story, and typically where his dominant side starts to show. He knows his commands and knows what is expected, but does not always respond immediately.

He does have one behavioral issue as well that we are trying to work through. If he does not think you are showing him enough attention he will begin to bark and growl at you. He even tries to nip at you sometimes just to get a reaction out of you. He will get down on his chest with his front legs out in front of him with his rear up in the air. If you even move he takes off "butt tucking" around the house. I am trying to fix this by giving him more exercise and am now making him wear his leash around the house all the times. I have listened/read some of Ed's teachings and am trying to incorporate them so he knows I'm in control and the pack leader.

Other than the one issue he is a great dog. He is the first dog that I have owned, and have learned some very good lessons. I wish we could go back in time so I could do some things different, but I can't. So I am trying to fix the problems that I created. I am hoping that an e-collar will help me stay in control when he is off leash.

Thank you, I appreciate your help!

Roni, just wondering if you have had a chance to read my previous post and could give me any suggestions.

Thanks,
Dan

Dan;
I think the 280 would be just fine for your dog. It's not about how strong the collar is, if you teach the dog what the stimulation means, and what to do when he feels it. That's why
the dogs I work with are so successful with such a low level of stim. Usually, 18-24 on the 280 (little lower on the 200) in a low level of distraction environment.
Hope this helps.,
Roni

PS Dan, when your dog lowers his front with his backend in the air and barks at you, he is asking you to play. Of course, you can't let him dictate when the game starts but I would certainly,
take this a compliment and engage him in something really fun. Perhaps, asking him for a sit and then getting a toy and playing with him!! What a great relationship you are forging with this dog, please go easy on the corrections, we want to keep his mind open. Happy Training!!!

 Quote: Roni Hoff

It's not about how strong the collar is, if you teach the dog what the stimulation means, and what to do when he feels it.

You keep saying this. When are you going to put out a video already?

Amber;
Thinking about that, but why don't you come and see me sooner than later!

 Quote: Roni Hoff

Amber;
Thinking about that, but why don't you come and see me sooner than later!

Well, if you have that seminar in MA then it'll save me the plane fare!

Dan, the "behavioral issue" you mentioned is not, to me, an issue at all. I don't feel that a dog that is interacting in a playful manner should be corrected for it or have the behavior changed. A dog wanting to engage you in play is normal. As Roni said, give a couple of commands, then play.

If you can't play right then and there, give a few commands, which will be "your" form of interaction at that time and the dog will have fun doing that. It's attention that the dog wants. You would rather have him come to you for play than have him begin to realize that all his attempts are futile and then he'll go off and lay down somewhere and feel that no matter what he does, he can't get your attention. Since this is your first dog, you've probably never seen that look in a dog's eyes. If his attempts are continuously thwarted by corrections, he may end up despondent. That's the last thing you want.

I love a dog that feels alive in every way and is interactive with his owner.

 Quote: Roni Hoff

Dan;
I think the 280 would be just fine for your dog. It's not about how strong the collar is, if you teach the dog what the stimulation means, and what to do when he feels it. That's why
the dogs I work with are so successful with such a low level of stim. Usually, 18-24 on the 280 (little lower on the 200) in a low level of distraction environment.
Hope this helps.,
Roni

Thank you. I will look at ordering one of these sometime this week. With the price difference I can get Ed's DVD.

 Quote: Roni Hoff

PS Dan, when your dog lowers his front with his backend in the air and barks at you, he is asking you to play. Of course, you can't let him dictate when the game starts but I would certainly,
take this a compliment and engage him in something really fun. Perhaps, asking him for a sit and then getting a toy and playing with him!! What a great relationship you are forging with this dog, please go easy on the corrections, we want to keep his mind open. Happy Training!!!

I see your point. I definitely don't want to discourage him wanting to play. But I want it to be on my terms and not him dictating it. I think the main thing is setting boundaries as to when playtime is over (for now). I think by only giving him the toys to play with and then taking them away when it's over he will realize those boundaries. I appreciate all of your advice. Depending on how our e-collar training goes, and when in September the seminar is in Mass. we might think about trying to attend!

 Quote: sandy moore

Dan, the "behavioral issue" you mentioned is not, to me, an issue at all. I don't feel that a dog that is interacting in a playful manner should be corrected for it or have the behavior changed. A dog wanting to engage you in play is normal. As Roni said, give a couple of commands, then play.

If you can't play right then and there, give a few commands, which will be "your" form of interaction at that time and the dog will have fun doing that. It's attention that the dog wants. You would rather have him come to you for play than have him begin to realize that all his attempts are futile and then he'll go off and lay down somewhere and feel that no matter what he does, he can't get your attention. Since this is your first dog, you've probably never seen that look in a dog's eyes. If his attempts are continuously thwarted by corrections, he may end up despondent. That's the last thing you want.

I love a dog that feels alive in every way and is interactive with his owner.

I see your point, and being a first time dog owner I might not have realized this until after the fact. I now see that it isn't a behavioral issue, he is just crying out for attention. He knows that by acting a certain way he will get it, because it worked in the past. I need to change my approach/reaction and make him do what I want (i.e. sit) before he gets my attention. He is only 15 months old, and sometimes I think I expect too much out of him. Being a little more patient might go a long ways.

What types of commands would you suggest I give him when I can't give him the attention he wants? He knows the basics, but when he gets in this frame of mind he does not always comply. If he does this should I just be patient and wait until he does what he is supposed to before giving him the next command in the series? I like this approach because it's mental interaction when we can't physically interact by playing fetch or tug.