Installation Guide
A word about leashes: There are many types and styles available. I use one based
on the design of a “piggin’ string.” The advantages of this handy little rope are
many. First, it’s a leash and collar all in one. Second, although it works on the
same principle as a pinch or choker collar, there’s a major difference: The moment
a dog gives, the lead releases its pressure, which rewards the dog for complying.
No pinch or choke collar can respond as quickly. It provides that all-important
instant reward when your dog complies with your command.
How can you give your
dog a dose of bitter
obedience and make it
think it tastes like sugar?
What does your dog gain
out of being obedient
that would encourage
its acceptance of the
commands? The answer
to both of these questions
is a positive reward.
As I mentioned earlier,
you should avoid using
food treats as a reward.
A dog that works for
food treats is working
for itself, and that
mentality encourages it
to challenge the alpha
position. Your dog should
neck so it stays in place directly behind your dog’s ears. Pull the strap until it’s
tight, back off one hole in the strap and fasten the collar. You should be able to slip
one finger under the strap without any trouble if it’s properly tightened. The collar
should remain in place without your dog struggling to breathe. If the collar slides
down your dog’s neck or spins out of its original position, you need to tighten it.
Both receiver probes must be in contact with your dog’s skin or the unit won’t
function properly. Congratulations, you have done the hardest part of e-collar
training: You had the courage to take control of your dog’s actions.
Now comes another very important point. Each time you place the collar on your
dog, do something fun. Throwing a ball or retrieving toy every time your dog
wears the collar is a great way to make your dog think that the collar is a ticket to
the amusement park. One of the quickest ways to have your dog think otherwise
is to put the unit on and push a button. Make the collar your dog’s uniform to do
something enjoyable by always doing something your dog likes after attaching the
collar. You should do this for the entire life of your dog and not just while training.
TRAINING YOUR DOG TO PERFORM THE OBEDIENCE
COMMANDS
It’s mandatory that you control your dog’s actions during every training session.
Initially, controlling your dog during obedience training sessions is accomplished
in two ways: 1) the leash and 2) the tone of your voice. While on the leash, your dog
does not have an opportunity to escape through the instinctive mechanisms all
canines possess. Bolting, biting, and quitting are no longer options. Your tone of
voice will later take the place of the leash. Later the e-collar will replace both and
you will be able to put the leash away until you train your next dog.
THE ELECTRONIC COLLAR
07/08
A TRAINING TIP FROM TOM DOKKEN: WHEN CAN I START USING
MY E-COLLAR?
One of the most common obedience-training questions I hear is, “How old does my dog
have to be for me to use the e-collar?”
Knowing when your dog is ready for e-collar training is important, but the determining
factor really isn’t about your dog’s age. You’ve heard it before and now I’m going to say
it again because it’s so important: The e-collar is for reinforcing commands your dog
knows. It shouldn't be used to try to teach a dog something.
The better your dog responds to commands while on-leash, the better it will respond
while wearing the e-collar. Before transitioning from the leash to the e-collar, your dog
must be 100% responsive to all of its obedience commands.
Dogs learn at different rates, and if you try to start too early, you'll have a disaster on
your hands. I've seen five-month-old dogs that were ready for the transition to e-collar
training, but I’ve also introduced seven-year-old dogs to the e-collar. In fact, an older
dog that has been performing commands for some time is probably easier to work with.
This is one area where the line about “old dogs and new tricks” isn't true.