what are your experiences with remote collars for training?

Question

What's your opinion on remote collars? are they everything they are cut out for? whats your experiences with them, good or bad? Give some details please. I'm debating on buying one and want others opinions on them.

Answer 1

They certainly work, if that's what you're asking. I have had a lot of experience with these, however, and don't recommend them except as a last resort. Too many lazy owners use these to punish a dog for normal dog behavior instead of taking the time to train it. The after-effects can be horrendous, from a dog that no longer barks but screeches and a dog too afraid to budge from a corner. We have one each at our rescue shelter, and their stories are horrible.

These cases are the fault of the owners, who did not read or follow the directions provided.

IF you use it as a training method, and not punishment, it can be an alternative when all else fails. I do recommend them if you have no other way to confine a dog to a yard. It can also be used effectively when a hardheaded dog just refuses to listen and endangers itself despite all your best efforts, or if you have one dog among several that ignores you and you need to get its attention specifically without upsetting the other dogs who are behaving.

Shocks can be adjusted, and there are different sizes, although most are very bulky, even the small ones. If it means the difference between keeping the dog safe, or taking it to the pound, then go ahead. But please please be responsible.

Answer 2

I use these collars and have had great success w/them but I will have to tell you that I do alot of training first. I only turn to these collars when there is a persistant error on the dogs part or a safety issue, like running after animals and going into the street. These collars are only as abusive as you make them. Just like bits in a horses mouth is only as abusive as you use it. These collars send a short electric shock. Lets mention the toothed training collars for leash work. How many have abused those. Anything can be abused but for some who truely wants to train and use them in a troubling situation is fine. Now some dogs are sensitive to these and I dont suggest daily use. Word of advice....dogs remember...so as soon as that collar comes off that dog goes right back to doing what it was doing before. Like digging...put collar on the dog stops...take it off and dog gone another hole. This is why being persistant and thinking of other avenues work great. The collar will only work if you use it correctly. Let me mention the biggest positive response to training is a good trusting relationship w/your dog. Charlotte M brings up alot of good pts.

Answer 3

I think they work great, they are a nice training aide. I felt bad when I bought mine but honestly my dog received the shock two or three times at the lowest number and after that he gets the warning beep and that is sufficient. The only time he wears it now is when we have company over. He gets overly excited and has a very large dog no one appreciates him jumping all over them. Once the collar is on he is back to be the greatest dog and his attention is on me an the commands I give him. They are also nice out in the field, this way you still have control and they get their freedom. My dog is very obedient unless he decides he needs to chase an animal, with the collar I can get him to stop. They are no different then the electric fences that are so popular, so they are not cruel.

Answer 4

I have had several dogs and each one took a lot of patience, time and hard work to train properly. I recently got a Shepard/Lab mix and she was so damn stubborn. I broke down and bought a collar, after being very anit-collar for a long time. It was the best purchase, I only had to use it with her for a month and she progressed so well. I always exercised caution and restraint. I would always try shocking her on the lowest level, and raised the level only when she continued to perform the unwanted behavior. Usually I only had to raise the shock level up by 2, so I never had to hurt her too much. Good luck and I hope you find something that works!

Answer 5

Honestly, if you listen to anyone here, listen to Charlotte M.
She gives good advice. I cannot add anything to that!
Use remote collars as the last resort! I train my GSDs in Schutzhund and there has been times I have used them. Other methods work better, honestly, but if the dog does not listen, this will work. It will only work as well as your timing is, though! If your timing is off, your dog will not know what the 'zap' is for!!!!!

Answer 6

Some dogs just need that little "extra" to drive certain points home. They are an effective tool when used properly... properly is consistancy!

Nothing beats taking your dog to training classes. The classes aren't to train your dog, they are to train you. I would suggest a class first and go to the collar if the training just isn't giving you the results you're looking for.

Answer 7

IT DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU WANT IT FOR, FOR BASIC SIT AND COME WHEN CALLED AND LEAVE IT METHODS A TRAINING CLASS CAN HELP YOU TRAIN YOUR DOG IN THAT WAY. NOW FOR BEHAVIUOURS LIKE CINSTANT BARKING FIND UT WHATS THE DOGS BARKING AT FIRST DIGGING, MOST LIKLE ITS A BUG OR SOMEHITNG YOU CANT SE A TRAINER RECOMENED FOR ME TO BUY A SAND BOX AND PUT TREATS IN IT. IF ITS FOR BASIC TRAINING TRY A CLASS FIRST PET SMART HAS 4 DIFFERENT ONES. IF ITS FOR BIG THINGS GO INTO A PETSMART AND ASK A TRAINER ABOUT THE COLLAR AND EXPLAIN WHAT YOUR ISSUES ARE WITH YOUR DOG FIRST

Answer 8

we have one for our dog, because he likes to chew pillows, and run out into the street. The collar worked really well (just turn it up as much as you need, not too high) for running into the street. However, he still chews pillow when we are not home. go figure. good luck

Answer 9

I tried one before and the dog didn't even know it was on. Hard headed he was. So I tried it on my neck at first it gave me a shock but after that first time it wasn't that bad. Go figure, I think they might only be for small dogs.

Answer 10

if you prove to your dog that you are the alpha male then you won't need a radio torture collar

a dog cant understand an unexplained pain that doesnt seem to have a source. it can understand its master, the pack boss, giving it punishment if needed. if you consistently reward good behavior and punish bad behavior then your dog will learn what is expected and accept your role as pack leader