Use And Care Manual

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“SIT”
Next, it is time to condition your dog to sit and accept a correction while maintaining control in the seated position.
Have your dog do a quick obedience drill and command “Sit.” While the dog is seated, give a brief correction with the
collar and immediately command “Sit” again. If it moves around or gets up, return the dog to the seated position by
using the leash. Reward on the shoulder and verbally. Repeat the “Sit”-brief correction-“Sit” three to five times per
session. As before, move around so you do not stimulate your dog at any spot more than once. Use a positive reward
after each successful brief correction.
“STAY”
When your dog is comfortably accepting e-collar pressure while remaining seated, you can start to use the e-collar
for correction on the “Stay” command. After successfully seating your dog, command “Stay,” deliver a brief correction
and command “Stay” again. Watch for the acceptance response and do not move ahead until you get it. Call your dog
to you and repeat the process several times without e-collar stimulation. Repeat the “Stay”-brief correction-“Stay”
at other locations and repeat this process until your dog is the picture of perfection, remaining seated even when
distractions tempt it to get up and move.
“HEEL”
Your dog learned to heel beside you earlier in the program, and transferring this command to e-collar correction is
simple. Walk your dog on-leash and change directions. As the leash tightens, command “Heel,” give a brief correction
with the collar and command “Heel” again. It is important to apply the brief correction at the same time the leash is
tight instead of when the dog is coming to you. Reward with verbal praise and a stroke on the shoulder until you see
the acceptance swallow. Repeat this routine as you walk together in various locations until your dog is comfortable.
Your dog is now conditioned to accept the e-collar while coming, heeling, or sitting on command. It is time to mix
the commands into a full “Here”-“Heel”-“Sit” drill. Use your brief correction at varying times as your dog allows
and as before, avoid successive brief corrections or multiple brief corrections in the same area. You can increase the
number of brief corrections as long as you pay close attention to your dog’s attitude. Toss a few bumpers to chase
when necessary to relieve pressure and pour on the positive rewards as needed.
“DOWN”
Your dog understands the “Down” command and can perform it without any trouble by now if you did your homework.
Now you can easily add the e-collar to this routine in the same fashion as before. Place your dog in the “Down” position
with a verbal command. Command “Down” again, give a brief correction with the e-collar and repeat “Down.” Watch
how your dog reacts, looking for the acceptance signals. Praise with a stroke on the shoulder and verbally. As before,
you need to condition this with repetition.
KEEP THAT COLLAR ON!
At some time, you will get to a point where you feel like your dog no longer needs to wear the e-collar because it
never makes a mistake. Congratulations on a job well done! However, your dog should always wear the e-collar
when in environments that contain distractions. Would you drive your car across the country without automobile
liability insurance? You should now think of the e-collar as your insurance policy in case you and your dog get into
a wreck. It gives your dog a way out of trouble in an orderly fashion that it understands even when its instincts are
telling it to do something else. What does it hurt for your dog to wear the e-collar when you go to the park, Grandma
comes for a visit, it is time to go to the vet, or a million other unknown distractions? You taught that the e-collar
means the two of you are getting ready to do something fun, so keep the e-collar on.
ENJOY THE TRIP
You have now learned how to start down the road to a life of enjoyment with your dog. Some of these steps may need
to be covered again if your dog has repeated failures. That is no problem as long as you take it easy and enjoy the ride
together. Arriving is one of our goals but the trip that takes you there will be filled with memorable times that will
cement you and your dog’s relationship forever.
GOOD TRAINING!
Charlie Jurney of Terrell, North Carolina, is a professional retriever trainer and owner of Beaverdam Kennels,
producer of more Grand Master Hunting Retrievers and Master Hunting Retrievers than any other facility. Most
recently, Charlie authored the Finished Dog retriever training book.
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