Training Camp: Transitioning Dogs to the E-Collar

Sporting Dog Committee Members:
Avery Sporting Dog Specialist: Dave Weidner and Kirk Steffensen
Dog(s): Various Retrievers
Date: 8/15/06
Products Used:
TriTronics, and Dogtra E-Collars, Avery® Pro-Trainers Bag, Avery® 30' Floating Lead, Avery® 44", Dog Leash, Avery® Heeling Stick, and Avery® Transmitter Holster

Factors: None Intended

Introduction
Electric collars and their proper use often intimidate dog enthusiasts of all levels. This is primarily due to a lack of understanding or guidance. Many a dog has felt the unfair shock of an e-collar at the hands of an owner who has not taken the time to educate themselves' on its proper use. Yet, when a dog has been introduced to the e-collar through proper conditioning, the e-collar is a fair and humane training tool. In fact, the e-collar, when used properly, is a great tool to ensure that your dog is provided with timely corrections, enabling them to work through tasks more efficiently, and with more confidence. At this point it must be stated the e-collar is not a teaching tool, but only an effective tool for enforcing commands the dog COMPLETELY understand.

There are several ways to collar condition a dog, and each revolves around the concept of negative pressure. In Basic Obedience we used a choke/prong collar and heeling stick to create an uncomfortable situation. During the transition training we will replace the pressure of the choke collar and heeling stick with the stimulation of the e-collar to promote a prompt and dependable reaction to commands such as "heel, here, and sit" at distances greater than arms length.

When a dog is introduced to the e-collar for formal conditioning, a dog may receive one, two, or a combination of the three negative stimuli, upon given a command. Over a period of time and repetition, the prong collar can then be eliminated. Eventually, only the e-collar and heeling stick remain. One thing that dog owners often neglect, but should always remain in any training program is the use of praise and a pat on the head. Early introduction to the e-collar
The earliest of e-collar conditioning is as simple as letting your dog wear the collar during several training sessions without turning it on. This allows the dog to adjust to the additional weight of the collar. Once your dog is accustomed to wearing it, they should never train without. Let them think of it as a license to train.

When should collar conditioning begin?
Dogs like people all mature differently. Your job as their trainer is to make this important judgment. When in doubt, always err on the side of giving the dog more time to mature before taking the next step.

The e-collar should only be used when you are sure the dog completely understands the basic obedience commands they have been introduced to.

Proper Fit of the E-Collar
If your dog's e-collar is not properly adjusted for fit, the correction will either not happen at the appropriate time, or at all. As a general guideline if you can place two fingers between the collar and the dogs' neck the collar is tight enough. Always be careful to not impede your dog's ability to breath. Strap the collar on the dog's neck as close to the back of the head as possible. While holding the receiver pull the dogs' loose skin downward to ensure the prongs are making proper contact. Longer haired dogs my have to be trimmed or the collar may have to be worked though the excess hair to ensure proper contact.

Determining the level of intensity
Finding your dogs level of stimulation is not an exact science. Always start with the lowest level your unit has to offer. Slowly increasing the level until you notice the slightest reaction. This may be the turning of their head, a twitch, or a general look of bewilderment. This will for the foreseeable future be your base level of stimulation.

Formal collar conditioning
Reinforcing basic obedience commands should only be done after your dog is proficient in these commands. First with your dog on lead deliver the sit command and enforce the command with the heeling stick. Next, walk a few steps and again deliver the sit command. However, this time reinforce with a nick from the e-collar followed quickly with enforcement from the heeling stick. Quickly, your dog will associate the sting from the heeling stick with the nick from the e-collar and accept its replacement.

Now, your dog is beginning to understand the purpose of the e-collar. It is time to reinforce the basic commands with the e-collar as you did during basic obedience training with the choke collar and heeling stick. Immediately after delivering the verbal/whistle command, press the continuous button on your e-collar, at the level of which is appropriate for your dog. To properly teach the dog that complying with the command in a timely manner will ensure the release or discontinuation of the unpleasant pressure, continue applying the pressure until the command is fully obeyed. Be sure to provide your dog with lots of praise and then continue the training session. If your dog freezes or acts confused, return to the heeling stick and choke collar method along with a nick from the e-collar until your dog better associates the relationship between the e-collar and obeying the command.

In the beginning the stimulation from the e-collar should be mixed in with the use of the heeling stick and choke collar on three out of five commands. It's important not to over use the pressure available from any of the training aids (choke collar, heeling stick, and e-collar) to avoid a poor or nervous attitude from your dog. Only deliver negative stimulation during training to increase the promptness or willingness to comply with the command you have given. Once the dog associates its ability to turn of the negative pressure with a prompt response to your command, the collar should only be used in situations of a lagging response or failure to comply with the command given.

Conclusion
The e-collar can be one of the most valuable training tools to a trainer if used in the correct manner. However, if used incorrectly, it can ruin a retriever forever. A good rule of thumb is if at any time you question if the dog actually deserves the stimulation the answer is no. It's important that a dog understands why he/she is receiving the negative stimulation and also that it has the power to "turn off" the discomfort, allowing you to develop a confident and happy hunting partner. If you decide to incorporate an e-collar into your training regimen, please take the time to properly introduce it, before using it in any training scenario.

As always we welcome your questions and response. Stay with us as next month we begin the process of the "hold" command as a foundation for the force fetch training.

Thank you for allowing us to promote great hunting dogs worldwide.

Avery Sporting Dog Specialists