Sports dogs and e-collars: A controversial topic
A couple columns back, I wrote about finishing up the training of your working dog. Several people reacted negatively to the picture of my dog wearing an e-collar.
The last 15 years or so, the use of e-collars has become very common in working breeds. I have used them for several years, and find them quite useful. Many oppose the use of such equipment. Most likely they have never seen one used properly or have seen or heard of someone who has abused and ruined a dog with one.
I have to admit, I had reservations myself about using a collar that shocks my dog. My opinion was the e-collar was a tool used to punish an animal. There have been so many horror stories of dogs made vicious or useless due to improper usage. I was fortunate enough to see the collar used properly, and realized it wasn't a tool of punishment, but of reinforcement.
When I first saw an e-collar or electric collar used, it was obviously causing the dog pain. I freaked out on the handler using it on his dog. His dog would yip every time he pushed the button, which infuriated me. I asked him how he would like it if I put the collar on him. I wanted to see his reaction when I shocked his neck until his hair stood on end and smoke came out of his ears. I remember being so put off by this piece of equipment, that any handler using one on their dog was seen as abusive. A few years later, I met a guy using one on his dog. The animal seemed rather unaffected by it.
I realized that my view of the collar was impaired by a handlers’ misuse of the tool. I was informed by the man that the dog should never give a pain or negative response. He took the collar off his dog, and said put it on your arm. With some hesitation, he finally talked me into it. When he pushed the button on the controller, I only felt a slight buzz. It caused a shock that was nearly imperceptible. The controller had a dial on it, and that enabled him to set the level of stimulation as to not hurt the dog.
I still didn't understand why and how they should be used. He informed me that the collar is best used to get the dog’s attention if out of hearing range. He also said it could be used to stop the dogif it was about to be endangered by going into a road or something else hazardous. He also taught me how to stop a dog from committing unfavorable actions with one. His final word on the system was that all his future work dogs would wear one, and that he didn't know how he ever trained without one.
I decided from this new understanding that I would try one on my next dog, and I tested it on myself first. It was able to send a stimulation level so that I couldn't even feel the shock. I set it to a level that was perceptible, but still painless. I tested it on my dog, and found it had to be increased when he stopped reacting to it. I only had to increase the level a few times, and have never had to touch it again. I tested it again on myself, and found that the shock is less than that of a normal static shock. After initial training, the most stubborn dog will typically become a perfect angel.
My dog, Chester, rarely has to be checked. When he does for committing unfavorable actions, he avoids that behavior in the future. On one such instance, he was following me through a field. It was nearly pitch black out, and being a black dog, I wasn't able to see him at my side. He kept lagging behind, but would return immediately to my side when commanded. I didn't feel the need for a collar correction until he got into the blind and licked my face. He had been eating cow poop, and I had to fight the smell the entire hunt. On the way out, he tried to go for a couple more piles. I gave him a zap, and said no in a loud voice. To this day, he avoids cow piles at all cost.
I chose not to mention e-collars in my training columns, not because I feel bad that I use one, but because of their poor reputation. I will continue to use one in the future, and can't judge those who don’t like them. I felt the same way until I was taught how they really work and tested one on myself.
Root Fishing Clinic
On a side note, Jim Root will be holding another fishing clinic on Sunday, Aug. 25 at Millbrook Town Park in New Berlin. Children 12 years and up are invited to attend, and the clinic will run from 2 to 8 p.m. For additional information, you may contact Root on his website at www.jimrootfishing.com.
Good wishes and have fun fishing.
The last 15 years or so, the use of e-collars has become very common in working breeds. I have used them for several years, and find them quite useful. Many oppose the use of such equipment. Most likely they have never seen one used properly or have seen or heard of someone who has abused and ruined a dog with one.
I have to admit, I had reservations myself about using a collar that shocks my dog. My opinion was the e-collar was a tool used to punish an animal. There have been so many horror stories of dogs made vicious or useless due to improper usage. I was fortunate enough to see the collar used properly, and realized it wasn't a tool of punishment, but of reinforcement.
When I first saw an e-collar or electric collar used, it was obviously causing the dog pain. I freaked out on the handler using it on his dog. His dog would yip every time he pushed the button, which infuriated me. I asked him how he would like it if I put the collar on him. I wanted to see his reaction when I shocked his neck until his hair stood on end and smoke came out of his ears. I remember being so put off by this piece of equipment, that any handler using one on their dog was seen as abusive. A few years later, I met a guy using one on his dog. The animal seemed rather unaffected by it.
I realized that my view of the collar was impaired by a handlers’ misuse of the tool. I was informed by the man that the dog should never give a pain or negative response. He took the collar off his dog, and said put it on your arm. With some hesitation, he finally talked me into it. When he pushed the button on the controller, I only felt a slight buzz. It caused a shock that was nearly imperceptible. The controller had a dial on it, and that enabled him to set the level of stimulation as to not hurt the dog.
I still didn't understand why and how they should be used. He informed me that the collar is best used to get the dog’s attention if out of hearing range. He also said it could be used to stop the dogif it was about to be endangered by going into a road or something else hazardous. He also taught me how to stop a dog from committing unfavorable actions with one. His final word on the system was that all his future work dogs would wear one, and that he didn't know how he ever trained without one.
I decided from this new understanding that I would try one on my next dog, and I tested it on myself first. It was able to send a stimulation level so that I couldn't even feel the shock. I set it to a level that was perceptible, but still painless. I tested it on my dog, and found it had to be increased when he stopped reacting to it. I only had to increase the level a few times, and have never had to touch it again. I tested it again on myself, and found that the shock is less than that of a normal static shock. After initial training, the most stubborn dog will typically become a perfect angel.
My dog, Chester, rarely has to be checked. When he does for committing unfavorable actions, he avoids that behavior in the future. On one such instance, he was following me through a field. It was nearly pitch black out, and being a black dog, I wasn't able to see him at my side. He kept lagging behind, but would return immediately to my side when commanded. I didn't feel the need for a collar correction until he got into the blind and licked my face. He had been eating cow poop, and I had to fight the smell the entire hunt. On the way out, he tried to go for a couple more piles. I gave him a zap, and said no in a loud voice. To this day, he avoids cow piles at all cost.
I chose not to mention e-collars in my training columns, not because I feel bad that I use one, but because of their poor reputation. I will continue to use one in the future, and can't judge those who don’t like them. I felt the same way until I was taught how they really work and tested one on myself.
Root Fishing Clinic
On a side note, Jim Root will be holding another fishing clinic on Sunday, Aug. 25 at Millbrook Town Park in New Berlin. Children 12 years and up are invited to attend, and the clinic will run from 2 to 8 p.m. For additional information, you may contact Root on his website at www.jimrootfishing.com.
Good wishes and have fun fishing.
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