Shock Collars

Hi R., we adopted two giant female shepards when they were a year old. The previous owners spent several thousand dollars in professional training. This includes very expensive shock collars that the trainers also used. (manual control used) They were actually sent away for a couple of months for the training. Our dogs are great dogs but very strong willed. The collars worked so good that they could leave the dogs on the front lawn on a busy street and they wouldn't budge. Our dogs now are mostly obedient and come right back if they ever run out. When we first got the dogs we used the collars for excessive barking problems and it worked. Until the batteries died and we couldn't afford new batteries. We've used the sonic one's and only worked a little bit. We now use the one's that are gradual, it allows them to bark, gives them a warning sound and then gradual zaps if they continue. We got these at PetCo. I believe they have manual one's that you can control. There are different sizes for smaller dogs. Definitely see a professional first and see if they can help and what would be the best course to take, whether it be collars or different training. The zaps really aren't that bad, my husband and brother actually zapped themselves to see how it was and make sure we weren't hurting the dogs.

I think shock collars are cruel, most animal specialists and trainers think they're cruel, and there certainly is no need for one. The important question is--why is your dog off leash outside your yard?? Keep her on a leash and your problem is eliminated, isn't it? Also, there are many, many excellent dog training books available at the library. Check a few out and begin some dog training on your dog. There are exercises you can do to teach your dog to "come"---in the meantime, when she does run away and you chase her--she thinks it's all a really fun game and can't figure out why you are so upset with her, so don't punish her. Get the books and read about what's going on and what you can do. Spend a couple hours a week training her, be consistent, practice, and you'll be amazed at how quickly her bahavior will turn around! Also, take her out for a long walk every single day, make sure you or one one of your kids takes her out in the (fenced) yard to play with a ball or tug every day. She will get the exercise and stimulation she so desperately needs and this will help a lot in the entire training dept. Good luck and stay away from those shock collars!!

we had a Queensland heeler who was barking way too much. she was always very loving to us but after we put the shock collar on her to control the barking (it worked) she started keeping her distance from us. she also became very depressed. we used that collar for only four days. i couldn't take how much it changed her. instead i started watching a show on National Geographic called "The Dog Whisperer". it helped tremendously and Cherry didn't have to wear that awful collar

best wishes, L. S.

R.,
When my dog, Xena was a 1 year old I got one. The good ones have a warning sound before you actually use the shock part. I only had to give her a very low shock once, then she always responded to the warning sound. I, of course, gave her my own instructions so I could eventually not have to use the collar at all. If you can take her through a basic obedience class where you can learn some of the commands and how to be "Alpha" dog, that is helpful too. There are some really good books out there too.
Best of luck,
M.

She's really a baby, still. I have two little dogs, one I got as a puppy. My best advice is, rather than a shock collar, go to a training class. They train the puppy as well as the owner.

V.

I know you love your dog but I think the best advice is to go to your local Petsmart to have dog training. Your dog should come on command and will not run if he is trained. We need to teach our animals to obey and know when it is fun time too.

Our dog trainer said that when our dog would run away from us, it was a game to her. We should look at her and then get her attention and actually run in the opposite direction from her and she would chase us! Maybe you should try to get a good dog trainer. He really helped us! Have you thought about getting her micochipped?

R., please consider dog training first. Shock collars can be so cruel. I took my little Mini Schnauzer(who was doing the same thing) into training for 4 visits(could only afford that many). After working with her at home she got so she would come when I called. I didn't worry about the other commands, just the one to come to you.

You might want to consider some training. There are simple ways to boundary train your dog so that they do not cross any threshold (door, curb, even carpet or tile in the house) without your permission. Here is a link to a website: www.dogproblems.com by a man named Adam Katz. He used to live and work in the area and helped us train our dog using the pinch collar. It was amazing and she has been a wonderful, well-behaved dog. We take her everywhere with us and always receive compliments on her behavior (restaurants, stores, hotels, etc.) I'm a big fan of his as his. But remember, good training is more about the owner being consistent and dilligent, and the dog will follow suit. Good luck.

There are some GREAT responses to your inquiry here. No matter what, you will need to TRAIN your dog - whether you chose a training collar or not. Simply shocking your dog will not teach him to come to you or not run away. He might actually freak out and run faster and farther! Start by working with your dog on a long check cord in a confined area - even inside your house. Keep your commands simple and consistent. Say "Fido, come" and if the dog doesn't come reel him in. Once he's next to you praise him, "good boy" - rub him up and down -- make the cause and effect part of the training equal IF he comes he gets positive reinforcement; if he doesn't he gets forced to come....pretty soon he'll come on his own. If he's a treat hound use foood rewards if you want. I have trained four highly active hunting dogs with this method and it works -- you just need to invest the time and patience.

Here's a link with more info: http://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/the-check-cord-Page1...

GOOD LUCK!!

I hope this is not to harsh but ... if you need to get a shock collar maybe you should'nt have gotten a pet. There are so many ways to get your dog to listen to you. Remember she's still a puppie. Would you get a shock collar for a child that is not listening?. Well good luck it takes time.:)

I don't know if someone already said this (I didn't want to read 22 posts!) by my friends have a shock collar that works really well- it beeps first, so eventually if you do need to use it you just have to make it beep, and the dog will respond ususally without having to be shocked. I consider myself a humane person, and I think that shock collars are the lesser of two evils- which is more humane, a weak shock, or getting hit by a car? But like the previous post said, you also have to train- dogs are like kids and a LOT of responsibility, and just like with kids it really makes me angry when people just assume their dogs should automatically behave (my MIL is like this- they have a Westy and never even bothered to house train it, and now it is exiled outside to this short little leash behind the house, and they almost never let him off it, it breaks my heart- I'm not saying you're like this, I just had to vent!)

R.,

I had a dacshund (wiener dog) and I had tried the shock collar till I realized what it actually put the poor little thing through. It started shocking her when she wasnt doing anything wrong. My sisters friend put the shock collar on his neck to feel what it did to the dogs and he said it actually stung him pretty good. just an fyi on these things...to this day I feel guilty for putting that on my dog :(

I have a 25lb Bull Terrier/Jack Russell mix. She barks non-stop. We broke down and got her a shock collar. You'd be amazed on how quick those dogs learn. She knows that the minute we put it on her she shouldn't bark. We don't keep it on all day, just when she is going in the backyard. It's the best thing for her. Hope this helps.

Try training her instead either through a private trainer or group training.

We shake a soda can filled with a few pennies-that gets our dogs attention and he backs off the unwanted behavior.

have you seen a trainer? a good trainer will provide you and dog with skills needed to solve these problems.
my pup is 10 months old. we are on our way back to beggining obedience. we went to pupply class at 4 months .she needs brushing up with her come skills and not to jump. I have a great trainer in encinitas, if you are in the area.
A.

R.:

Why don't you contact an animal training instructor in your area (usually Cities offer classes) and see what they recommend. I do know from experience that any animal is trainable and it is not the animal-it is our fault when they do not behave. Every dog needs rules, boundries and limitations. Look up Ceasar Milan - the Dog Whisperer- he is amazing. I have learned alot from watching his show and reading his books and there is absolutely NO need for a shock collar. No animal should have to be suffer to behave.

I have a pug that does the same thing. I have gotton a shock collar because of it. It does work. He listens when it is on but we have yet to find out if he will listen when it is not. I figure with the right reenforcement and praise for doing what we ask of him that he will continue the good behavior.
Good Luck

Hi to RoZee ! Before you resort to a shock collar please try other avenues such as:

1.Bring her to puppy training classes. This will socialize her to other dogs and people and teach her (and you) basic commands like sit , stay, come etc.

2. Keep her leash on her while she is visiting. It's easier to catch her with her leash attached.

3. Always reward her for coming back to you, with affection and a small treat. Call her name and then "come" and reward her when she gets to you.

4. as a last resort, there are collars , called citronella collars, that give a small spray of citronella. Dogs hate the scent and it will stop he in her tracks. I use them on my dogs and its been very effective. One of my dogs has only had to be sprayed once and now when the collar is on she behaves beautifully.

Good luck. Remember both the dog and the owner need training:)

A.

Hi R.- I'm a professional dog trainer. I do not advocate or belive in shock collars. Your dog can associate the "shock" with childres, cars, or anyhting else in the environment at the time of the punisher. Have you tried a basic obedience class??? The more exercise you get her the better, Please feel free to contact me directly for more suggestions and tips- I couls type all night www.dreamdogs.com

R. - I think you should look into a training program rather that opting for a shock collar at this point. As a puppy she is definitely going to see chasing as playing, and she will always be at risk until she is more formally trained. Terriers have pretty strong personalities, so it will be really helpful for you all around.

Best of luck!

L.

I work at an Animal Hospital and shock collars are not there all cracked up to be. #1 take her to training, #2 don't let her run the front yard, esp. if she is not on a leash. Take her on a leash for walks. Train and work with her even in the house or backyard.

Any questions feel free to email back.
R.

We used to live in Missouri and the dog laws there are a little different than here. We had a very large yard (almost 1 acre) and if you had a dog he had to be "contained" either by a fence, an electric fence or had to be on a lease anytime he was outside (even on our property). It would have cost over $7000 to have the property fenced so we opted for the electric fence. Anyway one of the things we were told when shopping for the electric fence was that the smaller dogs (especially ones that run away from you or are chasing something) do not respond well to electric fences. We bought ours from Kennelwood (not sure if they are out here in CA) but they were really great and provided training and everything. We have a large Mastiff and once he was trained never even went close to the fence line. I would make sure that you talk to a company that has trainers for the system. Even if you don't buy one from that company talk to the trainer to see if they recommend one for your type of dog. We spent almost $800 for ours and I would have been extremely upset if we spent even 1/2 that and the system didn't keep the dog in the area we wanted to. All of that being said, once you do your research, and find out if it will work with RoZee, you may want to see if there is a used system available on Craigslist or Ebay. I know that our system has a "transmitter" that costs about $300-$400 from the company; however, you can find the same thing on craigslist for $100-$200, and I the company would come out and put the line in for a nominal labor charge (again this is all based on info from Kennelwood in MO...). We don't use anything out here because the laws are a little different and he isn't the type to run away (he's too big and lazy!!!).

I have one for my dog, I didn't have to use it very much. Actually the first time he felt it, was pretty much the last time I needed to use it. It gives them a feeling like you get from touching a tv, just enough to take their attention away from whatever behavior is negative, then to give them re-direction to a positive behavior. Like anything else though, you have to work with your dog consistantly, for good behavior. I would also suggest a trainer. I don't know if you watch the dog whisperer on the discover channel, he is amazing. Good luck!

R.,

Get her treat can and shake it - call her to you, grab her collar and give her three treats in a row. Let her go. Do that every day at least three times a day for a week. Now you have a pretty reliable Recall.

When you chase her, she really does think it is the most fun in the entire world. She honestly doesn't know you are annoyed by it.

Please please please do not get a shock collar. It could be one of the worst things you could do to your dog. Please contact a trainer. Please enroll in obedience training. Look at SmartDog in Ocean Beach - Jamie is AMAZING...one of the best in town.

R.,

My husband and I own and operate one of San Diego's top dog training businesses. We do use remote collars because they are a very effective tool to use in training and a gentle way to communicate with your dog when used properly. I would highly suggest hiring a trainer instead of trying to teach yourself; that's when a lot of problems arise & it is used improperly. Also, I would suggest not listening to a lot of these comments on here (not to discredit these wonderful, intelligent women) but these types of questions should be for a professional. I'm not writing to you to solicit or promote our business as we are very busy and do not "push" our training philosophy on anyone but wanted to give you the best advice possible since we have been in the business for 8 years. The age & weight of the dog is perfect to begin training. Do some research on professional trainers in your area & feel free to contact me if you have other questions.

A.

wow thats pretty drastic but i understand why you need one its not safe that she bolts like that. i wouldnt use a shock collar (they do come in different sizes the smaller the dog the smaller the shock) have you thought about using the dog run (the wire leash with the steak in the ground) heres what i found on wal marts website.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=202085&amp...

I have an 8 lb min pin, we bought him a petsafe little dog remote trainer, and I don't recomend that one...I am taking it back today to exchange it for the innotek little dog trainer. Its for dogs 5 lbs and up. He responds ok to the collar. I have little experiance with little dogs and shock collars, but I have had big dogs in the past where the shock collars have been a blessing. The collars I used in the past were innotek collars. I bought the petsafe one because it was less expensive, but the battery only lasts a week, and costs 10 bucks. Not worth it. Good luck!

I would suggest that you get a 'training' collar. You can shock the dog as well as just give her a warning noise. So, at first you will give her the warning & then the warning w/ the shock but then once she gets the picture you may only have to give her the warning noise. Let's face it, we would all rather just have to give the warning noise vs. shocking our pet.