I think e-collars can indeed be a great tool.

I'm just not seeing it in this situation.

I truly believe that better proofing of the marker-training and much better management of the dog are Job One.

This dog has been subjected to out-of-the-blue physical punishment around behaviors that he has not been trained for and from people who are not his trainer.

I'd sure hate to add confusion on top of confusion for him. Corrections added to un-proofed (or poorly proofed) commands --- and/or imperfect timing with an e-collar ..... for me, this is confusion on top of confusion.


All JMO, and probably not universal.

Connie, you said it much better then I could.

Steph, you say he's somewhat trained and nicely engaged with you - have a taught a "NO" command?

We've got an "uh uh" and a softer "nope, try again" for learning commands but an emphasized "NO" has a strong meaning. Stop the independent action immediately.

"NO" here has never been rewarded with treats. They get a good boy for focusing on me and my energy goes down.

For simpler things inside the house, setting boundaries, off limits stuff, (garbage, plants, stuff on shelves, food on counters, etc.,) we're consistent with the "NO" and they get it quickly.

I do use e-collars, mainly for off leash hiking, but have never used one indoors. Static electricity is another story.

Pups new to our home are crated when they can't be supervised, until we know they know the rules and have earned the right to be left alone.

The "NO" is a pretty clear command and in your situation could probably be made consistent in its use for both your husband and his father as well.

Train it, train it well. Train it in front of them. Let them know your plan and that you need their cooperation.

A lot better than a smack if he happens notice something you don't.

And like others have said, nowhere near the damage you could do with an e-collar. And trained properly, IMO, just as effective.

bump

I guess the money I was going to spend on the e-collar would be better spent on getting some one-on-one time with a local trainer who can help with my timing. I don't want to be unfair to the dog in any way. This is the first dog I have trained myself. Will most trainers let you come watch first before you spend money? I would want to find the proper match for us.

"Will most trainers let you come watch first before you spend money?"

Absolutely yes. If one refused, you'd run like heck in the other direction.

It's also useful to meet the trainer's own dog and see his/her training in action.

For me, I would probably start by narrowing my search down to marker trainers (also called "clicker trainers," even though many may use a verbal marker).

My main goal with simple basic ob would be to learn from the professional how to train my dog myself .... including, as you say (very wisely, IMO), "help with timing."

If I were you, I might also want a simple command right away (perhaps the "sit" command) so I'd be coming home with a demonstrable result.

I'd also make it really clear from the outset to everyone else in the house that the success of the training (even if you have to phrase it in terms of wasting or not wasting the money you pay) will be directly affected by any interference from household members. In other words, a slap or hit by someone else can and will waste the money you pay and the time and energy you spend.


There have been a few threads here about what to look for in a basic ob trainer. I can't search right now, but I can tomorrow.


And I know others here will have valuable suggestions for you .... much more valuable than whatever threads I can find, in fact, because they will have the individual background.

All JMO!

There is a large group of trainers part of a certain franchise that will offer you a "free demonstration" and proceed to put an e-collar on your dog. Run like hell from those folks. If you want the name of the franchise PM me.

In my area the e-collar only trainers have gotten very sneaky and there's a ton of them. Their websites have no mention of their method other than calling it "force-free". Look for specifics. Read the testimonials and look at equipment used in the pictures. Sometimes you can't see the e-collar but you can see the remote in the trainer or owners hand. You should see a mix of equipment not just e-collars or all head halters.

If a trainer says you don't need food to train and dogs should work for praise only I'd not use them. I'd look at one who uses head halters constantly a little more critically than one who does rarely.

You might have an easier time finding marker trainers if you look for trainers offering agility.

Post the website here and people can tell you if they see big red flags or have personal experience with them.

"Post the website here and people can tell you if they see big red flags or have personal experience with them."

This is a GREAT suggestion, Cathy!

Connie said
"It's also useful to meet the trainer's own dog and see his/her training in action. "

Absolutely! Just telling you how to do it doesn't mean the trainer can do it him/herself. It can not only tell you how effective the trainer is but look closely at the attitude of the dog. You don't want a dog obeying just because it's been forced to do so.

Another thing to add to your trainer search/evaluation. Pay close attention to what they do when their dog isn't at his best. Sometimes even the best demo dog acts up, do they get angry and start taking it out on the dog? Or do they perhaps adjust a bit and help their dog perform properly and get them back on track?