Without a doubt, the electronic collar has done wonders in helping pet owners achieve obedience from their dogs. Unfortunately, an improper introduction to an e-collar may take many months to undo. It’s better to start things out on the right foot.
When we introduce dogs to the e-collar, one rule never changes, and it’s a good one for you to remember as well, regardless of the breed you’re training: Introduce your dog to the stimulation at the lowest level available. “Fine, but how do I know what that level is?” you might ask. Simply put, the lowest level is one that the dog responds to without vocalizing. If a dog cries out when you use electronic stimulation, you’re using a level that’s too high.
To find your dog’s level, start with the lowest one available. We use SportDOG Brand™ collars from Radio Systems because their stimulation starts out so low that it’s virtually impossible to overcorrect a dog. With the dog wearing a properly fitted e-collar and sitting or standing at heel, and the transmitter set at Level 1, simply press the continuous button while closely observing your dog. Watch for an involuntary muscle twitch in the neck area. If you see this, you know your dog is feeling the stimulation.
Dogs vary greatly in their responses. Many dogs won’t feel Level 1. In this case, move up to Level 2 and repeat the process. When you reach the level that your dog acknowledges the stimulation with the telltale muscle twitch, your research is completed. You now know which level to use in your training.
If you think this method of finding your dog’s training level doesn’t provide for enough “punishment,” you’re missing the reason for using an e-collar. Whether you call it “getting his attention,” “distracting him” or “correcting him,” the important thing is that you’re communicating with a dog that is happily performing the job for which it has been bred. If your dog is cowering or hesitant because it’s wearing the collar, something’s not right. Most of the time when we see such a situation, it’s the result of someone not taking the time to properly introduce his or her dog to the e-collar.
Once you’ve established the dog’s training level, you can use the e-collar to reinforce commands.
A remote trainer that starts at a very low stimulation level and lets you increase the level in tiny increments is a must for properly introducing a dog to an e-collar.
If you can accomplish so much with low-level stimulation, you might wonder whether there’s a need for the higher correction levels. The time to use higher levels is when you truly want your dog to associate punishment with a place or object you definitely don’t want it near. For example, if your dog was running toward a busy highway and ignoring your command to stop or come back, using a high level could avert a disaster. The same goes for encounters with snakes or porcupines.
