Arguments against e-collars

There are organizations out there that seek to ban various forms of dog training equipment. These organizations are Truly Dog Friendly (TDF), No Shock Collar Coalition (NSCC-also a website under baddogsinc), and the International Association of Positive Dog Trainers (IAPDT). Just to name a few, I am sure. These people want to limit dog training to clickers, treats, and haltis. The real art of dog training is being lost in the translation. Here are some of their arguments against both e-collars and traditional training collars (prongs and chokes et).

Argument 1) There must be pain in order for it to work.
a) Not true, in a training situation. It works because you train them or teach them what the response is. It’s a collar that you can signal to them without a leash. Treats, for instance, don’t “work” because there is pain associated with them.
b) A loud voice doest “work” because there is pain associated with them.
c) This is a tool that is correctly used in an overall training plan to develop a partnership of respect and trust.
Argument 2) Opposition wants to try it on then on high not the low levels they.
a) Well, it hurts on high levels. We all know this already; nothing is being proved by this. Except that it starts of the circular argument that these groups use when sensible points are made in regard to training. When they acknowledge that low levels do not work, then they will insist on the high levels.
b) There are higher levels due to distraction level and adrenaline level increases during highly excited moments (i.e. a dog fight). To test this properly and in the right context, you should be in a fistfight at a bar brawl LOL. Something that is more than likely if you get enough dog trainers in the same bar, but still…
c) Why do members of Truly Dog Friendly, No Shock Collar Coalition, or International Association of Positive Trainers members not want to try it at low levels? Because most are honest enough to admit that it does not hurt on proper working levels, and that answer does not serve their purpose.
Argument 3) They are inhumane and cruel.
a) The human in charge would need to have the intent to be inhumane and cruel to do so.
b) Any piece of equipment can become inhumane and cruel in abusive hands.
c) Good training with appropriate tools is something that opens up the whole world for your dog. This is positive and dog-friendly.
Argument 4) They cause aggression.
a) Any equipment used either incorrectly or is not right for that particular dog can cause aggression.
b) Treat training has caused aggression in some dogs that just can’t handle the responsibility of it.
c) Lack of training can cause aggression.
Argument 5) They are too complicated for the general public.
a) Someone inexperienced with the modern uses of this equipment should have an experienced trainer show them how to use it in the context of obedience training.
b) Properly introduced, this equipment is far easier to get correct timing down without the distractions of a long line, or needing to properly work the collar attached to the long line.
Argument 6) They burn the neck.
a) Most collars operate on two AA batteries. Think about that, while I look up an article on the possibility of that happening LOL.
b) All dogs coats and skin would burn and/or catch on fire if this was a possibility. You would also smell the hair actually burning (think about your hair curler or iron). It does not happen.
c) Due to the metal rubbing up against the skin if it’s on loosely, can cause skin sores to develop. The collar needs to be on tightly in order to work correctly and not rub up against the skin.
d) Tri-tronic’s collars metal prongs have been known to trigger an allergic skin reaction in some dogs. It becomes an itchy and bumpy rash, not a burn.
e) Since these collars go into the water, a wet dog’s coat compresses making the collar looser until it’s dried. Loose and damp, not a good combination to be against the skin.
Argument 7) They are used as punishment.
a) They are used as a way to communicate timely with a dog sans a leash on low levels, and so the dog knows they should be paying attention. This is not punishment any more than a tap on your shoulder would be a punishment.
b) They are used as a great way to get your dog off leash and enjoying the great outdoors. This is considered a huge reward to a dog.
8) They are only used for stopping problem behaviors in an aversive way.
a) They are used to train a language of communication and partnership between a dog and their owner.
b) They can be used this way, but many trainers personally recommend that obedience training under a proper training plan is the way to go, except in extreme life threatening circumstances.
Argument 9) They are used as positive PUNISHMENT only (see definitions of punishment in this article.).
Argument 10) Your dog can not be rewarded using this.
a) Freedom is a huge reward. Playing in the woods, not needing to be called back immediately when galloping after friends, and running those long legs all over the place. This is huge to most dogs.
b) Being able to be out and about with the family in different places and environments that allow dogs is a huge reward.
Argument 11) Science is against shock collars.
a) The "science" they used are based on flawed studies with dogs being shocked (not stimmed) at random instead of with a purpose of communication. Yes, that will make a dog neurotic and scared.
b) Note, there is no real big source that is funding studies on dog collars LOL. The biggest and best aren't out there outlining the perfect scientific study for this. When they are called upon for their expertise, it's normally at the request of the AR movements or these fanatics that are against training their dogs.
Argument 12) Traditional and electronic collars are designed to work through application of pain.
a) No that's absolutely not true with the exception of invisible electronic fence systems. Traditional collars are designed to not slip off the dog, to hold them in place, and give them a correction that need not be painful for not performing the command or for bolting et
b) Much the same way, but with benefits, the electronic collar is designed to be used at low levels in a training program. The low levels can be worked so they are barely felt, and the reward is the increased freedom.
Argument 13) Affective kinder and gentler methods exist than traditional training collars or electronic collars.
a) Here is a listing of what Truly Dog Friendly, No Shock Collar Coalition, and International Association of Positive Trainers find kinder and gentler, along with why some results based balanced trainers do not use these exclusively:
i) Treats-These can cause some dogs to be neurotic, while other rewards are more beneficial for them. I have personally owned dogs with heart conditions that can not eat a lot of treats. These same dogs reacted better to the benefits of a partnership, soft praise, and a pat on the head than to a treat.
ii) Haltis-Not good for training your dog off leash due to injury. Off leash training provides more control, socialization, and overall enjoyment for your dog. The halti also never stops correcting your dog. Not considered dog-friendly in those circles.
iii) Clickers-Good for initial training, but not well for distraction off leash training. Great for trick training and agility.
b) Another solution that these members have come up with is they would rather euthanize the dog if the above methods do not work. There are, after all, so many “good” dogs out there.
i) Just because a dog does not respond well to treats, clickers or halti type “training”, does not mean the dog is a bad dog.
ii) Other equipment and training works more due to the control over stronger and bigger animals than we are used to managing in our more sedentary domesticated lives. They mimic the kind of correction another dog would give them, without the injury or long term consequences! Also without the pain that an actual dog bite would inflict.
iii) Dogs are not disposable (or should not be), though for safety reasons of the owner, family, and other humans and animals; I would possibly recommend that this solution be looked into. However, many dogs that are out there simply respond to a good training plan with a responsible owner.
iv) A dog already in a home with a loving owner should definitely have a chance to continue their life there. Their lives are not devalued just because they have not been taught how to respond appropriately in our environment.
Argument 14) Kinder and gentler equipment exists (head haltis and other haltis or citronella collars).
a) Haltis of the head or under the arms and citronella collars are all tools where the dog can not get away from the negative stimulus.
b) As someone who gets headaches from strong smells, I would think the citronella collar would be torture for a dog.
c) Not only is the stimulation for a traditional collar or electronic collar completely controlled by the owner/handler, it is not used much at all if the dog is trained. Not only can it be used lightly, but the sensation can be as light as a tap on the shoulder. That tap goes away once the dog is again focused on you.
Argument 15) They must always continue to wear the traditional collar or electronic collar to behave.
a) If you have not done your training work, that would be true. However, even so, the traditional and electronic collar are off more client’s dogs much sooner than is comfortable for me, so I can’t see how that can be true.
b) All my dogs have been trained on traditional and electronic collar tools, and this has provided them with the ability to be off equipment most of the time. We run a daycare here without fences, and during those times the dogs on the property have their e-collars on in case of an emergency, because I am not going to risk health and safety to anything to make a point.
Argument 16) People do not have the timing skills to use the traditional collars or electronic collars.
a) You do need to learn skills to do anything well. I would not have learned to do calligraphy even horribly without lessons. Thank goodness though that there are teachers out there willing to give you their knowledge.
b) Balanced results-orientated trainers call this the “dumb down” of the general public. More and more people do not know how to train dogs, as the better trainers creating less homes for dogs with simply solved problems.
c) It is not brain surgery or rocket science, and it is helpful to have a professional there to show you an efficient and effective way to train a dog for the inexperienced.
Argument 17) They do work, but……see above.
a) This is the argument that is used by members of Truly Dog Friendly, No Shock Collar Coalition, or International Association of Positive Trainers right before the “train with pain” motto is initiated. See point #1.
b) Low levels as used in training plans of knowledgeable trainers do not hurt. Dogs do not learn well in response to real stress or pain as a training method. They do not need to hurt in order to work, anymore than any other training method or tool needs to pain to work.
Argument 18) They don’t work.
a) This is the argument these groups use for euthanizing any dog that can not or is hard to train with treats, clickers, and haltis. The argument is that it's false to assume that other training methods actually work, especially in order to make a hard to manage dog a safe family member.
b) They do work in training plan, just as any other piece of equipment does and can.
Argument 19) Clicker training is a more perfect and scientific choice.
a) Scientists discovered that it was useful in training Dolphins, Whales and Bears for medical procedures et. However, one does not often live with Dolphins Whales or Bears.
b) Training focuses on how we learn to build a language between ourselves and our dogs for every day living. For many of us, our dogs spend a large amount of time in our lives, where more exotic animals would not.
Argument 20) The traditional training collar or electronic collar is not “dog-friendly” and certainly not “truly dog-friendly”.
a) That depends whether you are defining it using the version of "dog friendly" as used by the political dog training groups of Truly Dog Friendly, No Shock Collar Coalition or International Association of Positive Dog Trainers. Or are you using the more reasonable definition of dog friendly, as in the attached article?
Argument 21) The e-collar works on the “dominance theory” only.
a) No it works based on partnership and communication that is initiated by a successful training plan.

b) Some groups are using "dominance theory" of their definition to define other methods such as the Dog Whisperer's methods, because their business is threatened by his popularity.
Argument 22) No one can explain exactly how the e-collar works.
a) Actually most results orientated balanced trainers can tell you how ALL of the equipment that they use works.
b) This is meant to be the same argument as "train with pain" on point number one. The implication being that if it can't be explained, it must be painful no matter what one's own senses and observation tells them or not.
c) The e-collar works in a training plan, the same as any other piece of equipment in a training plan would work, except that you don't get bogged down with a leash, and your timing can be much better, when used properly.
Argument 23) Traditionally or e-collar trained dogs are so calm, because they fear doing something wrong
.a) They are calm because they have been trained. Training provides a dog with a sense of safety, because their owner is looking out for them and all their needs. They have nothing to worry about.
b) Play time is still exciting, but a responsible owner always has this happening to challenge and entertain their dog. Dogs who lack this in their daily lives become over excited about the prospect of playing.
Argument 24) Used by people who simply can not be bothered to use patience to train their dog.
a) Haltis are the most often used equipment that such people would use.
b) An e-collar is not going to work well for training purposes for someone who lacks patience. Abusive and irresponsible people can find any number of things to abuse their dogs with.
c) It is used to quickly reward the dog with the freedoms that can be experienced once trained. It’s true, some people do not advance farther than a off leash “let’s go” command with their dog, but on a halti people, generally, advance even less than that.



Need your dog trained? Visit the http://www.mannerlymutts.com services page. Or contact me at 207-809-6300 in York Maine. Ask for Robin Rubin, Dog Trainer.



Say no to HSUS, PETA, No Shock Collar Coalition (NSCC), International Association of Positive Dog Trainers (IAPDT), or Truly Dog Friendly Organization (TDF). Articles and information on why I do not support these organizations is on here and here.







Need your dog trained?  Visit the http://www.mannerlymutts.com services page.   Or contact me at 207-361-4395 in York Maine.   Ask for Robin Rubin, Dog Trainer.


Say no to HSUS, PETA, No Shock Collar Coalition (NSCC) or Truly Dog Friendly Organization (TDF).  Articles and information on why I do not support these organizations is on here and here.

Small Electronics in Dog Training (Republished)

Small Electronics
By Robin Rubin, Owner and Training of Mannerly Mutts
http://www.mannerlymutts.com/

A controversial sector of Training equipment are the electronic training tools. These tools combined with all other tools of dog training (consistency, reward, correction, praise, motivation, ET AL) are what complete the entire training plan. There must be a training plan in order to train your dog to the level of acceptable obedience that I want from my human and canine client teams! Electronics are one option of tool, but not a requirement by any means.

A remote collar is one where the remote collar goes with you remotely and the transmitter and receiver go with you and your dog, respectively. You control the collar; a trigger of any sort other than your finger does not control the remote collar. Before we get into why anyone would ever consider using something electronic on his or her dog, let’s go briefly through the history of the remote collar. The technology of this collar has changed drastically in the 1950s.

Can you imagine, in the 1950s we did not have so much in electronic technology that we take for granted now! There were no cell phones. If there were computers at that time, they took up entire floors of large corporation, with huge spools of tape running all the time. Well, guess what, the remote electronic collar took the same journey in advancement that the rest of the electronic world took. When remote electronic collars were first produced, they were manufactured to be used as an aversive to stop the chasing of deer and the like. They would not have been able to be used gently as an obedience-training tool. First of all, you wouldn’t have had a choice in intensity to change it to. Later on in the early 90s or so, you could change the intensity, but only by changing the prongs on the collar. So you couldn’t change a remote collar’s intensity “on the fly”, you were stuck with the level that you attached to the collar. Now, you can have levels that go from 1 to 100, if you want that. Most humans and canines do not feel the lower levels. The technology of the remote electronic dog-training collar has greatly changed with time. It is now an effective and efficient tool that is used in obedience training, hunting, dog sports, and overall gift of fun and freedom for the dog. I will explain more the process for this later, for now; I just want to go over the equipment in summary.

REMOTE ELECTRONIC DOG TRAINING COLLARS (also known as shock collars, although this term is recognized more for the old fashioned ones, which are not sold anymore)

Some Pros: 1) Most dogs adapt well to the collar, especially when a foundation in training is put on first. 2) In my opinion, this is the perfect companion to positive training. I know, I hear the gasps from positive only trainers around the world too. However, I get many positively trained dogs that are just not reliable enough, and are able to use that training to make this a cue type of tool at the lowest levels for the dog. 3) Once trained, gets rid of the awkwardness of working with a long line. 4) Does not put a strain on the neck or back of the dog.  5) Improves timing of communication with the dog, thereby making training easier on most clients. 6) Rewards the dog quickly with increased freedom to do fun things with their owner. 7) Waterproof receiver (collar) on all quality models. Waterproof transmitters are available for additional cost from certain companies (Dogtra models for instance). 8) As long as you live outside the city, these can replace invisible fences as long as you supervise your dog when they are outside (which I always recommend no matter what). 9) Range of collar varies from ½ mile to 2 miles on the quality made remote collars.

Some Cons: 1) This is not the right collar for every dog, although it’s a small percentage that will not work on it, if the training is done correctly. 2) Like any equipment, in careless or abusive hands this collar could be abusive to the dog. 3) Like any training equipment, professional help is strongly suggested before venturing out and using it on it’s own. Why reinvent the wheel and stress out your dog? There are many trainers out there that can help you. 4) The good ones are from 180-240 for a one-dog model, and you want to get a good quality collar. So in other words, this is an expensive training collar. 5) Pressure sores can develop on the neck due to collar not being tight enough, collar going into water and not tightened or coat not dried, or movement of tight collar during play with other dogs. This is not often, and when it happens once it usually does not recur again.

Uses: 1) Once training is done correctly, this collar provides the safety of a leather leash without the leash attached to the collar. This makes for very enjoyable and safe off leash walking. 2) Many hunters do not want to loose their highly trained dogs. These collars let those dogs know when it’s time to look for their owners. 3) They can be used as an emergency measure to stop a dogfight, with a dog trained to know what the stim means.

Types/Brands: 1) Dogtra is made overseas (Korea, I think). They are the more affordable unit with 100 levels of stim (also known as shock). Dogtra can come with either a beeper or a pager (vibrate only) function. 2) Tri-Tronics is American made and the more expensive of the models. The newer models have 12 levels and the collars can come as one, and be built on to up to three at the owner’s convenience.

INVISIBLE FENCE TYPE SYSTEMS:

Some Pros: 1) When done properly, safe way to keep dogs in a boundary area. 2) Allows people with a view, to keep their view without putting up a fence. 3) Generally cheaper than wooden fence systems, and some chain link systems (depends on the square footage). 4) Unlike other non-electronic fencing systems, your dog can’t dig out of it or open the gate to get out. 5) Portable non-fixed (i.e. movable boundary systems) can be brought with you to places like campsites. 6) Nice for city situations where houses are close together, and there is a busy street nearby.

Some Cons: 1) The general public does not understand that this system requires a boundary-training program for the dog in order for it to be efficient and effective (and not abusive). 2) While this keeps your dog inside an area with the proper training, it does not keep loose dogs or other critters outside the area. 3) Dogs should be supervised at all times whether inside a wooden, chain link, or electronic fence for their own safety. 4) In addition to the boundary training, dogs should be trained so as not to alarm the general public walking by their house (as a trainer, I consider this a pro, but the public at large does not understand this). 5) If the electricity goes out, so does your fence (in one type of system, it will cause the collar to activate). However, if your dog has known the boundary for a significant period of time, they aren’t likely to test it. 6) The non-fixed fence system (it has movable boundaries) can cause some duress to your dog, as the boundary is movable even by accident. 7) It hurts, as it’s meant to completely dissuade your dog from crossing the line. However, if training is done properly, your dog may only try it once (after proper boundary training has been done) to find out. Flags and the audible warning also help with this.

Uses: 1) To contain dogs in a defined area outside. 2) Sometimes used to keep a dog outside of defined areas inside (i.e. the kitchen or dining room).

Types/Brands: 1) Fixed wire underground system. This is one in which a shallow trench is dug around your yard where the wire is laid. The collar going over or a specified distance near the wire first causes an audible warning, and then a shock warning. The key is here though that the signal from the wire turns on the collar, as opposed to the movable boundary collar. 2) Systems that have a movable boundary. These are hard if not impossible to set up with the flags, and often have a circular area. They also have warnings of an audible nature, before the dog walks into the shock. However, the signal sent out for the boundary, keeps the collar OFF. So that means, if the electricity shuts off, the collar is turned on to shock the dog. I am not sure, but I believe there is an emergency shut off in these collars.

BARK COLLARS:
I won’t go into these much here, as I have never used them. I use the command quiet (with a metal training or electronic, and I haven’t yet had a dog that was so resistant that I felt the need. That being said, some people summer or live in campgrounds where your dog barking is not going to make you a welcome guest. Many people use this type of collar for those packed in situations. However, I can’t go into much personal detail, never having used the equipment myself.

These types of electronic collars that work on a trigger (such as the vibration of the throat). Some dog figure out how to either move the boxes so they can bark or bark at the lowest level that doesn’t trigger it. I have heard from some people that these work for them.

VIBRATION ONLY REMOTE COLLARS:
I tried one made by Unleashed Technologies.   I like the concept, and wish the collar was made in a quality way.   However, this company did not take the advice of many dog trainers who were curious and ordered it.   Some of the features are automatic, and can not be fully controlled by the handler if the dog is doing the correct thing or incorrect thing.   The vibration is sketchy and inconsistent.   I find the Dogtra receiver put on backwards is a fine tool right now, if you don't want any chance that the electronic stim button might be pressed.   This is what I use on dogs that need only vibration as a remote signal.



Need your dog trained? Visit the http://www.mannerlymutts.com services page. Or contact me at 207-361-4395 in York Maine. Ask for Robin Rubin, Dog Trainer.



Say no to HSUS, PETA, No Shock Collar Coalition (NSCC) or Truly Dog Friendly Organization (TDF). Articles and information on why I do not support these organizations is on here and here.

Need your dog trained?  Visit the http://www.mannerlymutts.com services page.   Or contact me at 207-361-4395 in York Maine.   Ask for Robin Rubin, Dog Trainer.


Say no to HSUS, PETA, No Shock Collar Coalition (NSCC) or Truly Dog Friendly Organization (TDF).  Articles and information on why I do not support these organizations is on here and here.

Spencer Pyrenes X Old Training Footage of Day 2 and 3 Electronic Collar

This was taken in the beginning of December 2011.   Where is Spencer now?   Enjoying a full life with his family, not attacking dogs that come near his family, and being able to enjoy expanded and freedom due to this:)


It is important to train dogs in different areas.  This is why Day 2 is on the beach, and day 3 is in the woods off lead with other dogs.  The beach was a particularly calm day with no one else around, so it was a bit easier for Spencer.   The woods was full of new smells and friends, so it's not that it was really harder for Spencer so much as his adrenaline levels were elevated so he did not feel what was the working stim the day before.   When the dogs do feel it, they are usually trying to figure out what kind of bug is on them at first that is pestering them LOL.   Sometimes being in a different environment makes generalizing harder for a dog as well.  

Someday I am going to go on a walk with Spencer and family and show you all the finished product.   However, I do like to keep the beginning steps visible for clients and the interested parties.   So many times if you are showing the finished product, or training with an already trained dog as an example, a future dog trainer/owner (who will train) will think that they are experiencing something unusual when it does not go the same as the demo with the already trained dog .

I like to show where the learning begins, happens, and ends.   The full story if you will.  Spencer's owner reports that he is doing well, and it is much easier to walk him in public with their growing (human babies) family.

http://www.mannerlymutts.com/
http://mannerlymutts.blogspot.com/

Tri-Tronics Tracer Light Review

Tracer light fits in the
middle of the receiverTri

Recently, an old customer wanted to update their electronic collar to the expandable series. They have two dogs, and the Tri-Tronics Sport G3 is expandable to three dogs. They have two very old model non-expandable Tri-Tronics and need to use two separate transmitters.


Generally, I prefer the Dogtra collars, and here is why by importance to me:

1. Dogtra has 100 or more levels of stim that start lower than Tri-Tronics but are also seem to go as high as Tri-Tronics if you need that.

2. Dogtra’s distance between stims is more universal, where Tri-Tronic’s stim takes big leaps at about level 3 (out of six or seven now). Many times you are up the dial not be adverse to the dog, but because they work at a higher level naturally. Therefore you would want a more standard jump in levels than to suddenly be very high.

3. The metal on the Dogtra collar is less likely to cause an allergic reaction or irritation on your dog’s neck.

4. You don’t need to change a separate toggle button from dog to dog, there are just two separate buttons on the Dogtra collar.

5. Dogtra has a pager or vibrate only to alert your dog that you are looking for them. Very helpful if you have a deaf dog OR a dog later goes deaf due to old age. Tri-Tronics has a beeper, which obviously won’t be heard if your dog goes or is deaf.

6. Except for the more expensive long distance or digital screen Dogtra collars, the receiver and transmitter units are more compact.

Tri-Tronics does have some benefits however:

1. They have a six-dog model, which I find very helpful for use with daycare and boarding clients.

2. The cheaper Sports series has a two-hour charge vs. an eight-hour charge.

3. They tend to hold their charge longer than Dogtra does.



However, now they have another benefit that I love, albeit quite expensive to purchase. The Tri-Tronics Dog Collars now have an accessory called a Tracer Light. My customer wanted to buy the collar with these. Alone they cost about 44.00 without shipping. These lights attach to the receiver with the removal of two screws between the battery and receiver guts of the collar. This allows you to see your dogs out in the dark. My client lives right next door to me, so I get to see his dogs with the collars on. These work fantastic! I was dubious as to how they might be able to be seen, but they are quite visible while they are on their property in the pitch black.

I have other collars that go around dogs’ necks, and the lights are very weak and the collars do not last long. My customer reported that turning the lights on and off with the remote is very easy as well. Tri-Tronics advertise they should be visible for one half mile, though my dogs nor my clients’ dogs are ever that far away to test!

This is a product that gets thumbs up from me!

NOTE: Mannerly Mutts in York Beach Maine never sells electronic collars to the general public. We only sell to training clients who train with us. They must prove that they can train with basic equipment first, and then that they can understand and implement the concepts of electronic collars before being allowed to purchase from us.


http://www.mannerlymutts.com/
mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com

About "Scientific Studies" on Electronic Collars

A member of the professional organization that I belong to, International Association of Canine Professionals, wrote an amazing article that highlights the problems in "scientific studies" on electronic collars.




http://ruthcrisler.wordpress.com/2010/03/30/remote_control



People hear the word "scientific" and it is assumed that very professional and scientific protocols have been put in place, perhaps by world renowned panel of scientists who are impartial to the dog training debate. One would also assume, therefore, that they would have picked helpers that actually understood and knew what they were dealing with, rather than people who would randomly torture dogs on the highest level of the little known brand of equipment that was selected for the study. Ruth makes it crystal clear what much of the dog training community on both sides is well aware of. There is a sense of humor present in this writing that gave me more than a few chuckles.



This is some one's blog that I have started to follow.

Maine and New Hampshire Dog Trainer
Mannerly Mutts Blog
E-Mail Mannerly Mutts With Questions

Balanced Training/Positive Politics/Postively An Example of Abuse

http://www.dogstardaily.com/blogs/walking-fine-line#comment-2118

Dogstardaily.com is allowing for conversation of Balanced Training (and why this site is not balanced). I think this is excellent. There are many great examples here of what balanced training is from posters like thinkdog, allgooddoggies, and dogrealist to name a few.

What did pop up though from poster user name, reflxyon, is an example of real abuse by a positive extremist? First of all she/he got an idea to use hot sauce as a replacement for an e-collar or prong collar to test on her dog. I am frankly horrified! Why? Because the actual punishment (not correction) does not go away even when the dog is in compliance. You are teaching the dog nothing other than to be uncomfortable for a twisted argument that doesn't even make sense.

The danger in this, and this site, is the complete lack of understanding of other training methodologies and equipment, that allow for people who have not studied them to put their dogs deliberately through this kind of abuse. Rather than learn about the equipment and why it's kinder than hot sauce, instead they deliberately chose to torture their dog. This is the kind of scary "science" that goes on to prove something. It's the complete lack of knowledge that leads to these sorts of things, never mind the total myths out there that everyone takes as fact without further investigation.

However, reflxyon does make one very important point that I am sure was not intended. When a prong or e-collar is used correctly, this can be seen by the dogs happily working state. If the prong or e-collar was used abusively as was done with the hot sauce, the dog would neither be happy to see the collar OR go on a walk.

Similar stories abound on other trainers misuse of equipments, and now their dogs are scared of them. This usually happens when people decide to use equipment on their own (and according to the myths), and use it abusively with their dogs. They did not research the methods and true use of the collar. That is something that I never condone.

Mannerly Mutts Dog Training
Mannerly Mutts Blog
mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com

Day 1 Video-Training Begins as Gigi and Jack Meet

This is Gigi's very first morning after her owners left us. I set it up so Gigi and Jack had never met. Jack, my dog, was not expecting to meet an unfriendly crated dog in the sunroom, but I wanted Gigi to see (not Leon as she had met him) but one of my dogs for the very first time.

You will see that Jack is surprised at the greeting he gets, and talks back to her a bit before sitting and helping me. Jack hasn't started many aggressive dogs with me, so this was a first for him being involved from day one. Leon is the calmer of the two, and Jack is the one that usually will get even the nicest dogs to reacte.



Gigi did, and then we commenced training her on crate behavior while here. It's important to get Gigi used to all the rules of the house. The first rule being that you don't aggress in the crate. We are introducing the quiet command here while using the e-collar on very low levels for a correction when she does not quiet.

You can see her twitching her neck as if she thinks there is a mosquito on there. She's very ramped up at that point, and whether it was the metal training collar or the e-collar or a flat collar, she wouldn't be very happy that she's being told what to do, when what she really wants is to go after the other dog. We have another video where she is calming herself down and realizing she is not getting away with it today.



The thing is Gigi has gotten herself in a circular cycle because of her fear. She hasn't given the other dogs a chance to show that it really is possible to be with other dogs, and NOT be attacked assuming you aren't attacking them first. This is a gradual step by step progression that starts in the crate, and ends (depending on time) with the dog being able to be off leash around other dogs and distractions.

The e-collar is a great tool for starting off leash training quickly. Off leash is a reward first of all that a dog recognizes. It is a reward for listening when told to do something. Or not do something as the case might be. This also allows the dog to take on responsibility for themselves, while also able to transfer the responsibility for protection to their owner/handler/trainer. Then the dog isn't worrying all the time and on the look out.

Gigi Day 1-Lessons 1-5

First thing in the morning, right after Gigi was dropped off and allowed a bathroom break:

1. Lesson length was about 15 minutes or so.
2. The goal and objective of this lesson was to learn to calm down as dogs approach her crate and are around her. Also to introduce her to the concept of the "rules" in our household.
3. Technique that were used were the introduction of the quiet command to decrease the aggressive behavior inside the crate. Also, made sure the crate was wide open on two sides, to allow for "safe space" but also make avoidance almost impossible.
4. Equipment used for this was the e-collar and the crate. The e-collar was used at the very lowest level as a distraction from the aggressive behavior, and to correct if after "quiet" or "easy" was given any aggressive response. Three trained dogs and additional daycare boarders who listen were used as well.
5. As the client's aren't involved yet, there is no homework for them as yet.
6. Gigi did very well after initially trying to make her presence known. She figured out how to calm herself down, and listen to the directives. She also learned that the dogs were not free to poke their noses into the crate, and were under my direction and so she was safe. We have video of the first greeting which wasn't pretty, but she got the message and point very quickly after that.

Later on in the morning:
1. Lesson length was 1/2 hour.
2. Goal and objective of the lesson was to have Gigi understand that she was to follow ME and pay attention to where I was going.
3. Method is "Koehler Influenced" longe line work and the last 15 minutes used heeling as the techniques to do this, (not Koehler or Bedrock training plan, as we have condenced period of time to work on these) quicker than one would in obedience training due to the time constraints on this case.
4. Equipment used was metal training collar, electronic collar, leather leash 6', and long line of 20 feet.
5. Client's aren't involved yet, so no homework was assigned.
6. Gigi has a not bad non distraction heel. For the "let's go" or loose leash portion, she would try to not follow. She grabs the leash when she does not want to do this. Sometimes she lies down. She does want to fight the correction, but as long as you are firm and consistent with her, and remain unimpressed with her "biting and snapping" show, she learns and comes right along with you. When we got to the heel portion, she was able to sit in the proper position with command, and follow you with her shoulder to your thigh and turn when you told her to heel so she knew it was coming. The loose leash (longe line) work was probably the most difficult with her in the beginning, but at the end she caught on very quickly.

Early in the afternoon:
1. Lesson length was 1/2 hour.
2. Goal and objective was to have Gigi in an open space with other dogs and not aggressive.
3. Bedrock Method training technique of "sit on the dog" was used (not Bedrock training plan, as this is all happening in a three week condensed period of time).
4. Equipment used was metal training collar, leather leash 6', chair, and three trained dogs.
5. As the client's aren't involved yet, there is no homework for them as yet.
6. Gigi within minutes went into her down, where she remained for 28 minutes. She got up once when Leon got up, but then settled down once I told Leon to go back into a down. She did try to face with her back towards the dogs and avoid looking at them at all costs. However, no aggressive behavior other than the fact that she was clearly uncomfortable being in a room with so many dogs around her.

Late in the afternoon:
1. Lesson length was 1/2 hour.
2. Goal and objective was to start Gigi heeling around her biggest distraction "other dogs", but these dogs would be stationary while she was in the room heeling.
3. Method used were the corrections on either the e-collar or metal training collar when failing to heel, and reward and praise when in position and not trying to avoid heeling around stationary dogs.
4. Equipment used was leather leash 6', metal training collar, electronic collar, and three trained dogs.
5. As clients are not involved in training sessions yet, there is no homework for them.
6. Gigi tried to either 1) fall into a down rather than heel past dogs or 2) forge ahead or 3) pull the other way on the leash. All of this is avoidance and fearful behavior. We were in very close proximity and she did not try to attack or aggress at the dogs. She was just pretty sure something would happen to her if we walked through them. After about more than six tries where she tried to refuse, and I kept walking her through it, Gigi became more comfortable heeling past the dogs.

Early evening:
1. Lesson length 1/2 hour.
2. Goal and objective of lesson is to have a nice crisp heel, and more of an understanding of the auto sit and attention from Gigi. To have her focus on me for preparation into very low key public walking past dogs tomorrow.
3. Technique and method used were Koehler influenced long line (or longe line---Koehler Training Plan would only be doing this at this point, but the condenced period of time makes other exercises mandatory) for loose leash walking and the heel command introduced this soon due to time constraints in the training plan.
4. Equipment used was long line of 20 feet, leather leash of 6', metal training collar, and electronic collar.
5. As client's aren't involved yet, there is no homework assigned.
6. Almost no resistance from Gigi, just mainly attention and focus. She eats up the "good girls" and so the auto sit is starting to form as a result. Better positioning in the heel both from the side and front, but slight forging. No attempting to down or sit and pull. She is becoming more comfortable with the e-collar now that she is beginning to see that she controls it, and what the rules are for walking.


***Note, Gigi has heeling already. We are doing longe line after sit on the dog. In the meantime, we need to move Gigi from one place to another, so heeling is used although this would not normally be the lesson plan for "Koehler" or "Bedrock" training program. That is why the exercises are called "Koehler" or "Bedrock" influenced.

Introducing Gigi, Case 1 History

A little something different for at least the next week, I am going to blog on an in-house case.

History:
1. General Information:

• Dog's name is Gigi.
• Her breed is mixed, owner thinks Lab/Doberman. It's hard to tell, sometimes her profile almost looks Great Dane to me, but from the front their are similar characteristics to a Doberman face, and the squareness of the jaw line could come from lab origins.
• Thought to be about 4-5 years of age.
• Gigi is spayed.
• Socialization with other dogs and men has not been going so well. Also children are thought to perhaps be a problem for Gigi.

2. Health problems: None known of.

3. Problem behaviors: 1) Aggression to other dogs. 2) Wary of men. 3) Not trusted around children.

4. Goals and objectives of training program: Gigi is staying for one week, and a minimum of three weeks was suggested. Owners' would have a problem paying for the three weeks. Therefore are goals during one week are 1) to show improvement in handling and obedience around other dogs (and other general distractions, but a focus around other dogs) and 2) to concentrate on the let's go command and heel with auto sit during this week. Anything else that can be fit into the program, will also be fit in, but these are ambitious goals.

5. Length is one week board and train, and then coaching the owners on a go forward basis from there for three follow up lessons that are included in the board and train, and then hopefully a weekly obedience coaching program at a minimum of six weeks. It's really important to be able to show the owners what can be done in the one week time period in order to gain their confidence in their dog.

Board and Train has been suggested as owners have been battling with this for the last 8 months. We want a nice start to Gigi's training in the most effective and efficient way possible. It will be hard for the client's to get to the learning curve needed quickly, and meanwhile Gigi's behavior has been on a downward slide. So once we have a foundation instilled, it will be time to bring the owners into the training program.

6. Both written evaluation form, and in person consultation to view the behavior and client's interactions with Gigi.

Gorgeous Day

I forgot to bring my camera.........of course. Leon had to be left behind during the beach and play portion of our walk. He was plenty perturbed when I left with Moose and Jack. He did have his dad and Jazz to keep him company though. We did the loose leash walking all the way to the beach. It's a cool but sunny spring day, and you can feel a briskness in the air combined with the warmth of the sun. Birds are chirping from the shadowy pines looming overhead. And just as you are thinking, does life get any better than this, you see the beach approaching down the road. We had plenty of playmates on the beach today. There was Lilly, who hasn't warmed up to Jack yet, as he is a bit too familiar for her. Jackson was there, interesting tri-color hair pattern, a collie who has lupus but still likes to have a bit of fun with his ball. Blaze and Sophia, both very sweet dogs. Blaze is very much like his name and likes to race around after his ball and other dogs. Elvis, one of my favorites, a incredibly sweet golden retreiver who barks for attention and nudges me when I am neglecting him. He also allows the other dogs to roll on him or step on him. He is a very maternal male dog. An akita mix was there, and I still haven't learned her name, but she is a lot of fun. Showing her teeth at other dogs makes them hit the ground fast LOL. Wish I could learn that technique myself, because for her it works each and every time Ed, the wild boy German shepard, chasing his balls that his owner throws to him repeatedly. . Two beautiful golden retrievers hung out by the stone wall, and I let Jack and Moose periodically go up and play with them, then I would call them back. Poor Moose is beginning to confuse many a pony tailed girl for me though. I usually have to make it fairly obvious where I am or her starts following other people thinking it's me LOL. Such a Great Dane puppy. Jack found a seaweed ball down there, and I realized he was going to try and swallow the thing whole, so we got to do the out command, which I need a level three on the old tri-tronics sport 50 model. Then he was much more obliging in the future. He's very fast. Faster than Brie the stafforshire that lives at our tenants house. Faster than Ed, the German Shepard, running after his own balls. I think we may have actually tired Jack out today. That's the beginning of many a dog training day here. Horrid, I know. With the e-collars, this really helps the dogs understand the freedom that's allowed them. Not having to be tied to a long line when playing with other dogs is so huge. And realizing that as long as they obey the command, there are no dire consequences, and there really aren't if they just don't come on the first time either.