shock collar?

Question

my dogs are very disobedient, to the point that they will not listen to anyone in the family, or a trainer.
My doberman, jumps up on stuff, doesnt come when hes called, and drags the whole family down the street when we take him for a walk.
My dacshund barks uncontrollably 24/7, also runs away, and starts huge fights with other dogs around the neighborhood.

I dont know if we have to resort to a shock collar, and please dont freak out at me for considering it, i was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions.

Answer 1

You need to call the Dog Wispherer in to help you,

Dog shock collars do work. Also shock collars are not that bad. I put it up to my neck and it is just a shock. It does not hurt, it just freaks you out a little bit. Don't worry it is not hurting the dog. Try it on yourself first if you are that worried.

ALSO, EVERYONE WHO SAYS IT HURTS HAS NEVER TRIED IT ON THEMSELVES. IT DOES NOT HURT THEM.

Answer 2

If they won't listen to your trainer, you need a BETTER trainer. Dachshunds BARK a lot - that's normal for them. If you didn't put a stop to it early, it's going to be very hard now.

Shock collars are only a tool, and they won't solve your problems if the dogs don't understand what you want. Don't waste your money on a shock collar - you can train them without one. Read some great books on training. (Try not to pick books randomly - there are a lot of bad books out there also!) These are some of my favorites and you can get them on Amazon.com
What All Good Dogs Should Know – Volhard http://www.volhard.com/
Good Owners, Great Dogs - Brian Kilcommins
Don't Shoot the Dog - Pryor
Training Your Dog: The Step by Step Method - Volhard
Dog Problems - Benjamin
The Koehler Method of Dog Training - Koehler
Cesar's Way - Cesar Millan
Also, watch the Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel. Cesar Millan is the best trainer I've ever seen on TV.
http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/

Many of the people charging big bucks as "trainers" are not very good and may have no more experience than you do - especially with problem dogs. Ask your local vet for a recommendation. Make sure you check out references from their satisfied customers. Check with the BBB for complaints. Look for a trainer who is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals web site at www.dogpro.org, which allows you to search for trainers in your state. Their requirements for trainers to join are very stringent. And DON'T send your dog away to be trained. It's a waste of money - you can't build a relationship with a dog that doesn't live with you.

Answer 3

You have two breeds both are assertive dogs and can be a handful.
You will need to spend TONS of time training with them especially the Doberman. (I have had dobes for 17 years)
Get one on one and work with a trainer who does behavioral work and get working. Start with walking learn how to walk the dog and be in control of the dog when you walk. Just by doing this it will teach the dog that you are the leader and the one making decisions and he will learn to look to your for guidance.
If you let the dobe push you around he will take over the entire house.
As for the doxie a shock collar or a bark collar activated when the dog barks would be a great place to start.
The bark collar you turn on in the am and put on the dog and leave it on. It will shock the dog if the dog barks. Mine will no longer bark at nothing but if someone is around they will bark through the shock. Most dogs will do just that.
Shock collars are great for certain things and they work very well. They do not hurt the dog. Test it on your arm before you put it on the dog. It does not hurt but it sure does get your attention right now. Like a static shock in the winter from the carpet.
When looking for a trainer look for some who has experience with large assertive type dogs who does behavioral work. They will be able to give you the tips that will help you the most with your dogs.
I work with a doberman rescue and do most of the behavior consultations for problems.

Answer 4

Instead of resorting your frustration to a shock collar, you might want to look into a choker (or prong collar). It doesn't harm the dog, it just pokes at him gently whenever he's not walking right. It's good to train a dog who doesn't walk or heal well.

Here's a great link on how to use a prong collar:

http://www.leerburg.com/fit-prong.htm


As for your Dachshund, you need to show him that you're the boss and him since he's the little weener dog, you know. You and your family have to be more assertive with him. Everyone who walks or takes care of him can't be a softy...they have to be the one in control and not have the dog control them & you.

If he's barking in the house, next time you can try this. If he starts barking, spray him with some water right in his face. Don't yell, but say calmly, "Quiet." Repeat this a few times. It will soon associate that water & the word "quiet" comes together. And hopefully he will stop barking. You can read further about this below:

http://placervillevet.com/training_your_dog_to_stop_barking.htm


Again, there's no need for a shock collar. Just be more assertive, pick up a prong collar and show your dog how to walk properly...Be the boss but have a good time together without losing your hair and getting stressed out.

Good luck.

Answer 5

A shock collar should be a last resort in training. I am sure that many people are going to tell you not to get one, but I am going to assume that you will do it anyway.

Make sure you start the shock at the lowest amount. You will be surprised how little it will take to get the dogs attention.

The dogs need to know that you are the leader of the pack. If you are not acting as the leader of the pack, one of the dogs will assume that role. Dogs need to know that you are in charge.

Training takes a lot of hard work and consistancy. Strapping on a shock collar is not a magic wand. You will get his attention but he will still need to be trained that his behavior is not acceptable and you will have to teach him what you are expecting. Train the dogs seperately and use treats to reward them.

Good luck. I am surprised that a trainer could not help, you should consider looking for another one.

Answer 6

Shock Collars are okay if used intelligently and supervised. I have a red DoberGirl that would not cease her barking. She barked herself hoarse. I used to think she was mildly ADD. I worked with a trainer and spent thousands of dollars with this trainer to have us both decide monitored use of a shock collar was our last resort. Mind you, this is a dog that emptied the canister of a Citronella bark collar and kept going. Used properly, the electronic stimulation from a shock collar serves as a distraction that the dog will find undesirable but it does not -- repeat -- DOES NOT harm your dog! The electronic stimulation (aka shock) is a static shock that is no different than walking on the carpet and than touching your furry friend. By obeying, your dog quickly learns to shut off the stimulation, thus gaining confidence in response to commands. My girl no longer barks. Between the use of a shock collar and taking her through protection training, she has learned the proper use of her voice.

Hope that helps!

Answer 7

My dad has always had 6 dogs. We lived out off of a major highway my whole childhood and lost many dogs because of it. I would DEF suggest shock collars. Although to some that might seem cruel & unusual punishment, It works and fast! Even after a few times, they learn to act better. We used the electric fence to keep them from getting out into the street or driveway and Before it shocks them it starts to buzz and they KNOW not to go any further. Even after only 6 months we could take the collars off and they would NOT go out side the boundary set. I highly suggest it, just make sure the settings are right for the size of dog, You dont want a HIGH voltage setting on such a little dog, or TOO low of a setting on a big dog (he wont even notice) good luck!

Answer 8

Some friends of ours own a hunting dog, and he's a tad disobedient; (keeps sniffing at other people's privates, jumping on people, etc.) Also, hunting dogs need to be disciplined to not tear up the birds that they retrieve. So these friends put a shock collar on him and it's very effective. His shock collar also emits a beeping noise before the actual shock comes, so that beeping noise can serve as a warning. I tried it on him while I was babysitting the friends' kids; he wouldn't leave me alone, so I gave him the beeping warning and he ran away every time.
Would also help to set up an electric fence to keep your daschund inside the yard. There's a house a few blocks away from where we live where they have two Alaskan malamutes. Even though there's no visible fence or leash to keep them in, they stay right in the yard, and I'm sure it's because of an electric fence.

Answer 9

I will use a bark collar as a training device for a barking dog. You can also get the kind that is cintronella spray. I used a shock collar with a remote control to train my lab, as he was a hunting dog and not always within the sound of your voice. The collar I had, had a microphone on it, so you could give a command before using the shock part to get action. It only took once for him to listen to the commands after that. As for walking your dobie, there are many devices that help with that, you may want to start with a Halti collar. This is what happens when training does not start from day one as a puppy, you get out of control dogs.

Answer 10

You wasted your money on classes at Petco. Those trainers don't know their head from a hole in the ground. I suggest that you call your local kennel and sign up for some of their obedience classes. Their trainers are experienced, not someone who took a 2 week course. This dog should have been trained from the day you got him as a pup. My dogs learn to walk, politely, on a plain leather buckle collar from the time they are puppies. A choke chain, or prong collar, when used correctly, is not inhumane.

Answer 11

While a shock collar may be in order for the Dobie, you need a professional to help you with this.

Sign up for some training!! Many pet stores and humane societies offer it at reasonable prices.

Like the other poster said, if you ever watch Dog Whisperer, most problems are PEOPLE problems not dog problems.