Are E Collars Cruel? Dog Expert Explains Benefits and Risks!!!

[@coreymorrow5187]

Finally someone who gets what an “aversive” is….

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

👍

[@larry_9982]

My Service Dog and I were both trained in the proper use of an e-collar by a professional trainer. First my dog was trained for over 2 years at a Service Dog academy. She had all of the normal commands down very well as well as many specific tasks. I was told that e-collars should only be used to reenforce commands that the dog already knows when you want them to be able to be off leash safely and still insure that you can maintain control if the dog becomes distracted by a squirrel, a deer, or another dog. The collar is not to punish the dog for not obeying commands that it doesn't really have down yet. I use it as a "tap on the shoulder" type of correction to cause my dog to refocus on me, not that squirrel. I use a low setting, which is really all it takes, and my dog instantaneously responds and returns to my total control when distracted. No pain, no fear, and a safe dog that can do what she loves to do, run off leash. I use the Dogtra 1900S and love how it makes me feel like I am caring for my dog, not being cruel at all. I think many people just are ignorant of e-collar use. Thanks for doing this explanation on e-collar use. You are probably saving many dogs as you are making handlers informed on the proper use of the e-collar. I use the e-collar almost daily but often can go weeks without having to hit the button even once.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Sounds like you worked with a great trainer! I am happy to hear that your dog is able to help you as a service dog and run off leash freely and safely! Thanks for watching!

[@victoriafischer5874]

I rescued a Lab from Atlanta Lab Rescue at age 7. I was training with the e-collar and realized someone had abused the collar with him. I’m working with him now to hopefully change his mind set. When I rescued he was skinny and heart worm positive. It took a lot of love and time to just get him back to trusting and healthy. I’m going to try again now that he knows me and use your training. He’s 9 now. He’s great on a leash, but when he’s off he wants to chase everything. Work in progress. Thanks for the video!

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Hi Victoria! Your dog sounds lucky to have you! I would start by watching the video below on acclimating to the vibration. This is meant to be a fun step for the dog, but if it is rushed you can accidently scare a dog and make them think the vibration is a scary thing. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6nRc4BqbNibjKM Let us know what questions you have after watching it!

[@marybethangel1293]

I seriously love that you put the e-collar on yourself, any time someone mentions using one I usually ask if they would wear it. If you are not willing to put it on yourself then you shouldn't put it on the dog. I'm having issues training an Airedale Terrier puppy...he is a danger to himself because he does not stop. We live near a school and there are always cars, I'm still working on trying to teach him the basics of sit, stay, lay and coming from inside the house/the fenced in area of the yard into the porch. I know this is going to be a process but I'm afraid he is going to get hit by a car...just in the past two days I had to yell at a car to please stop because he takes it as playing. The person I got him from never taught him anything and gave us him because of the issue with him running. In my area the houses are close together so there is a lot of distraction including my own kids and now he is darting out the door (mainly when my youngest is near it), and the dog is an escape artist. Would it be useful if I put a ground stake in the center of the yard until he learns, or would that make problems worse?

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

HI Marybeth! If you are going to pursue e collar training I would start with this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6nRc4BqbNibjKM This will show you how to acclimate your dog to the vibration and start the process. Regarding the tie out, my main worry is that when a dog runs hard on a tie out they can hit the end at a high speed and really hurt themselves. I would go out there with him on a long line so that you can make sure he stays safe. Reach out anytime with questions!

[@tedkrush5661]

Great video on the reasoning behind the use of E-collars. I am considering one because my dog gets distracted by squirrels but mostly by scents where she is very determined to investigate the scent for however long or where it leads. If she is not distracted she comes running flat out. I will be sure to watch your other videos on the come command and e-collars. Thank you.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

I’m glad it was helpful! I would start with our recent video on acclimating a dog to the vibration function. When done right it is easy and a lot of fun for the dog! Let us know if you have questions!

[@LongGrovesAmeliaEarhart]

Very helpful. I was considering an e-collar for my 2 1/2 year old SUPER INTELLIGENT, HYPER VIGILANT, & EVEN MORE WILLFUL giant schnauzer whose recall is hardly great. Shes good at the game. I think i'll keep working her on the long line. using your corrections and we'll see what happens. She's the most difficult, frustrating puppy I've trained since 1969, but the best, sweetest dog ever at the same time. With the bears in this neighborhood, a teluable recall is essential. Many thanks.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

If you decide to use an e collar I would definitely start with the vibration. This is not a correction or threat and is meant to be a positive. Here is a video showing the process with a dog who has never had an e collar on. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6nRc4BqbNibjKM Once you master that you can move on to the stim function if needed. Best of luck and reach out with any questions!

[@LongGrovesAmeliaEarhart]

@@SuburbanK9DogTraining many thanks!

[@LongGrovesAmeliaEarhart]

Teluable???!!! Mercy. Betrayed by my fickle finger. I meant RELIABLE but you probably figured that out. I like your style of training a lot, BTW. Wish you were in CT.

[@brendadeas8840]

I had a rescued GSD who would "play the game" when called. I had chickens and goats. This dog would chase anything that moved, would harass the goats and actually killed a couple of chickens. I lived in a rural area with a lot of wildlife, especially deer. Although my property was completely fenced, he could sail over with little effort. An e-collar is what cured him. One shock and afterwards if he needed correction, the audible signal was all that was needed. I never had to worry about him chasing farm animals or wildlife again--or finding his way to the danger of the road.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

I am glad your dog was able to live a safe life and enjoy the freedom of living off leash! It makes us so sad to see dogs given to shelters or kept on leash all the time because they don't listen well enough. Thanks for taking the time to drop a comment!

[@phauser3817]

We use the e-collar on our GSP. We have 50 acres that we take her out on 3x a day to burn off energy. She comes to us 95% of the time, until she points on a quail or chases a rabbit. We use the locator horn, then a gentle (level 5 out of 15) buzz to remind her to return to our sight range.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Sounds like you have a lucky dog! I believe that off leash freedom is the greatest gift anyone can give their dog!

[@gergemall]

Depends on the dog , breed , temperament. With help I trained my 12.5 year old German shepherd Dog who is slowly down but works 8 to 10 hours a day . She’s amazing. She Never needed the stimulation training. Positive reinforcement, clicker trainer . It helps the dog handler / owner . Shepherds love to work and please their owners.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Totally agree that all dogs are different! I have trained a lot of dogs on vibration only with the collar. When it comes to the stim level, the variation is also huge. Some dogs respond quickly to an incredibly low level while others don’t notice low levels at all. The hardest part for some new dog trainers to learn is how to adjust methods for each particular dog. Thanks for watching and sparking a conversation!

[@renelong5135]

Thank you for doing. As 1 who added ec to field work for years id like to add few hints: Yes, ec are not used as subversive ( unless there's immediate danger, say street or pouncing on badger) it's actually a walkie talkie as u discovered so pretrain as touch/ return game. Ie vibrate means freeze/stay cause imagine your bud crossing traffick to get to you. Strong Beep return as safe! Soft beep means right/ gee, medium means left/ haw. I don't want my hunt bud hurt, so vibrate or raised hand means danger/freeze til I come. House fire alarm means go to safe place in basement. Strong vibrate in field means freeze & start barking/ howl as I need someone to hear I need medical help. Everyone must first use on self before put on another. As precaution use finger tips first, then more sense area, of your neck because many brands junkly miss fire, delay fire, or wrongly only 1 prong that needs to be returned. Never assume new or used is working correctly and never put on side of neck instead of soft fatty area because can cause neuro nerve damage same as a medical tens unit. Units that have too many levels is actually a false sales ploy instead of the communicating device. A good one should have simply 3 modes ( beep, vibrate, shock) waterproof, long range, multiple pets, and just soft, medium, strong) because dial gets moved and often mistakenly on too high before realizing dog is either paralyzed by trauma or simply tangled and cant come. So if not coming on medium beep, it's time to go see what the problem is instead of using strong as strong should only be to drop bud say he attacking a person or charging into street or bear. Ie, strong is only last resort. None of this keep dialing up, believe me pets are pro at body language and get it better than us. So 3 communication modes and 3 strengths can 6 different ideas including left/ right turns. Again, The 9th combo is reserved to render pet physically incapable that may result in brain damage even death in rare event a rot won't call off a bear attacking him. To save him, you need a clear shot or bolting toward traffick where you need to drop your buddy for their survival. Last no more dials, they slip when busy and don't realize. Need clear, large buttons that are minimal any model putting more than concise is just a money gimmick for prepies wanting to impress all the features they got over. This walkie talkie is about communicating success and shouldn't be thought of a the latest wrist watch gadget as it don't go on you but another's neck. It's a walkie talkie between u and buddy where 3 different tones, 3 different strengths means up to 6-7 different actions. Or one can just strap a waterproof walkie talkie to pet. If they not deaf your buddy is predisposed to follow their pack leader regardless of breed. Dogs even respond to owner from house machines with positive reinforcement training. Happy hands off communicating to All! Also trained horse on when letting them go in back field to come and was working on left/ right turns to find lost shoes in field as few realize horses have sense of smell equal to bloodhound, and can hunt/fetch yet there they sit only partially allowed to do stuff. Even horse can be trained to start calling if I'm hurt in field. It happens😂

[@renelong5135]

Ps saying you can't hurt a dog isn't correct. Many dogs including my own have gotten so much accidental pain. Calling it a scare is an understatement as see own fingers neck and a dog cowaring in absolutely physical and emotional painful punishment even if accidental so don't mix all these levels feeling a large margin, instead of comprehending 3- 9 intensities.

[@johncoates8757]

I had my first experience with E collars when working with a bird dog trainer in 1970. He was good but I was not a fan of "shock collars" and avoided them for years. In the 1980s I saw a lot of people misusing e-collars. Then in the mid 1990s I saw several better collars on the market but was still hesitant to use them. Even today e collars are not my go to tool but they do have their place if used properly.

[@alexanderchadesh539]

Had a similar experience. On our first camping trip my Golden Retriever puppy decided to hop in a lake and try and make friends with a group of Canada Geese. She couldn't hear me call her over the honking, but thank god I had just trained her on the E Collar! Got her turned around before they got to each other.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Glad you didn't have to swim out there and save her after she got tired!

[@kathoproductions]

I subscribed to you because you admitted to being wrong about something. I love that you learned more information and experience and that changed your mind! I just got a 11-week-old Great Dane I've had many but now I'm retired and although I certainly trained them well in the past sit stay things like that but come was always a problem so now I'm watching your videos. Also my daughter's property is gigantic and I want Lucy to run free and I also want to know if she's coming back to me LOL so thank you!

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Congrats on the puppy! At this age I would definitely focus heavily on socialization until Lucy is 16 weeks. The critical socialization period is something you definitely don't want to miss. I would also spend some fun time doing handling exercises to help prevent future aggression. Loose leash walking would be another great thing to tackle soon. When you are ready for e collar I would start with the vibration function and use treats or tons of praise to make sure Lucy knows it a good thing. We have videos on each of these topics to help you out. Thanks for taking the time to drop a comment and reach out with questions any time!!!

[@David-hm9ic]

We got a training collar for a very headstrong Jack Russel/Yorkie mix that was 4 years old when we got her. We know little about her past life. The collar has audible alert, vibrate and shock modes. I've never installed the shock points because she responds to the vibration very well.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Hey David! I am thrilled to hear that the collar is working well for you! A lot of people are scared off by e collars and don't realize how well the tone and vibration work for some dogs. Thanks for taking the time to drop a comment!

[@kathleenblodgett7508]

I use the Garmin Delta e-collar which goes from 1-18 for my German Shepherd and her normal setting is a 4 for stim. I don't use it for off leash walking, I use it for leave it, off and heel commands and I use the vibrate when taking her outside to potty. She feels the vibrate each time I say "go potty" and damn if that dog doesn't produce something for me every single time on command. We started using them with our German Shepherds at about 8-9 months to keep them from chasing squirrels, the cat, jumping on the tree or the fence. When they are in the backyard and are being naughty (digging, barking at neighbors in their back yard next door, chasing squirrels or temptation of eating poop) I give them a single stim to give them the correction and they don't even know it's coming from me. I watch out the window so they think the behavior is causing the stim and they stop. When on walks, if they become reactive in any way, I use the stim with leave it and heel commands. It usually only takes one stim to correct. They wear the collar all day and it re-charges all night. I use the longer contact pins because of their thick fur. The e-collar was recommended to me by my trainer when I was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel in both of my wrists and she thought it would keep my GSD's focused on the walk and stop them from pulling. She was right.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Sounds like you have done some hard work Kathleen! Garmins are definitely great collars! We generally use Dogtra because they go from 0-127. Some dogs are very sensitive and the additional levels let us fine tune it a little more. The Garmins are well built though and seem to last for a long time!

[@idonteven18]

I only just started watching you but I like your videos, i have a 5 year old border collie and a 4 1/2 year old Australian shepherd, both dogs i've had since babies, my border has a very high prey drive and I used to live out in the middle of nowhere country in Ohio, if he could hear me he would come to me even as a super little puppy of 3 months old, problem was his prey drive was so high he would even chase the trains that would come by my house and i was literally 1 house from the train track with no fence on my yard. Before i tried an e-collar i tried a dog whistle i used to use his favorite squeaky toy to get his attention well the dog whistle didn't work he never paid attention to it and his toy eventually he was just too distracted by the deer or rabbit or train or whatever it was, I finally tried an e-collar, that was the only thing that worked where he would stop and look at me, it was almost like as soon as that prey drive kicked in he couldn't hear me. My aussie doesn't have nearly as high of a prey drive and I only stick him on an e-collar off leash if i take him to a dog park or something, otherwise he listens without one. Every dog is different and requires something different.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

I am glad to hear you found a tool that worked for your dog! Many people give up and then their dog never gets the joy of running off leash. You have lucky dogs!

[@tiarramitchell1877]

I have definitely seen people miss use them. I worked with a very good trainer in my area when I first started using them and we usethe E collar technologies. I love this brand because I have many and toy Aussies and the mini collar and the micro work well on my small girls now my smallest one is only 13 pounds but boy can that little girl move it is just that little bit of extra control when they are off leashed and my girls get to go hiking they go camping with us where they get to run and the fact that their collars are waterproof. And that they have 99 levels so that I can dial it in for each individual dog, Two of my four use e collars the other one after speaking with the trainer, she said not to use on her because of her personality and that it would do more harm than good so I think if people use them, they need to be working with a trainer if they’re not used to it

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Totally agree that working with a trainer is ideal. That being said, we know a lot of people just buy a collar and get started, so we hope they at least watch some free KZbin videos first. Thanks for taking the time to drop a comment!

[@aliblul2997]

I liked this video, I have an E collar for my dog and I love getting information on it. I have tried it on myself, :), that was the first thing I did! I have a miniature American Shepherd. He is smart and is, without a doubt, the sweetest, most affectionate dog I've ever had. BUT he's willful and stubborn, and soooooo energetic and hyper. He WILL NOT listen when he doesn't want to. He loves people, especially kids (my neighbor has a 6 and 7-year-old), and when they are outside, he goes nuts! I don't have a fenced yard, but I have a big open space, field, and pond behind my house, and I keep him off leash most of the time out there because there's nothing back there. But I can't get him to calm down when he's around people or hears people up front. I can't get him to come to me. It's like his ears quit working. Even the first collar I got him didn't get his attention if people or children were around. That collar was very weak. Honestly, I got a cheap one the first time. Now, I've gotten a quality collar, and I want to make sure I'm using it correctly. Can you give me a tip or two for dealing with a dog this excitable and intelligent? I've had dogs all my life, and this one is in a completely different realm than the others. I've never had trouble training a dog until now. I love him, but he's just three handfuls. :)

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Sounds like you have a fun pup! I would suggest watching a few e collar videos to make sure you have a plan and method for how to use it. People use them in a variety of ways and it is easy to confuse your dog if you don't have a clear method that they understand. Here is a video on how to acclimate and use the vibration. This is never a threat, it is a positive. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6nRc4BqbNibjKM Here is a video on how to introduce and use the stim. We believe in attaching the stim to the word no. That way your dog understands it is you correcting him and the word no takes on meaning even if the collar isn't on. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nH_XYZtsnc53h9E We spent a good amount of time talking about our e collar methods on a recent episode of our podcast. It is on Spotify and Apple music if you are interested. Let us know if you have any questions!

[@aliblul2997]

@@SuburbanK9DogTraining He is definitely a fun pup!! I'm sure you're familiar with the breed, so I'm sure you know the challenge...and the love! He's a blue merle and is up to about 40 lbs; if he gets any bigger, he will be an Aussie. Haha. Thank you, I'm in the process of catching up on your videos; I just found your channel, and I will try to find the podcasts. Thank you again for your response!

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

They are definitely busy pups! One of mine is an Australian Cattle Dog/Catahoula mix that is always ready to work! Here is a link to our Podcast on Spotify. open.spotify.com/show/0u4lIDhvmK17EBbp7VfXZ5 Reach out any time with questions!

[@weloveups831]

I have hunting labs. All have been trained with e collars. When they see the e collar and whistles. They do their lab circles, drool, and get amped up. They know this means fun times ahead. The e collar is mosting used for their safety. There are times in the field that situations arise that you need instant attention to keep them out of trouble they do not see coming their way!

[@andrewshepherdson14]

We have a gsd, and we support this message.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Thanks for taking the time to drop a comment Andrew! Have fun with your GSD!

[@Toni_Snark]

It’s the folks that mis-use them and don’t know what they’re doing who are giving the e-collar a bad rap. It’s an amazing tool used properly.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Absolutely Janice! A good trainer can do wonders with an e collar, but unfortunately a lot of people use them without educating themselves on how to use them properly. When done right, a dog will be incredibly excited when they see their e collar because they know it is time to run and play! Thanks for taking the time to drop a comment!

[@markremmers7990]

This is exactly how I feel about it

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Hey Mark! Thanks for taking the time to drop a comment! We definitely believe every training tool has its place as long as you know how to use them properly.

[@Csoery]

Thanks for the video, very helpful and informative. My dog is very smart and does come when called most of the time but there are times when he decides he'll do what he wants to do. This is the kind of thing where I need to have zero tolerance because as you said, it's dangerous, he might be barking at a kid on a scooter or running in front of a car while out of my sight. I don't want to use an e collar (he's got a huge mane so contact would be a problem, I also don't want to bother with a device unless I absolutely have to) but I'm desperate, so learning about this option was helpful. I'm going back to the long line for now. I have a thin flexible plastic one which is super easy to clean so dirt is not an issue, thankfully. However my experience with the long line is that it doesn't help much - long or short, the dog knows he's on the line or not, and as soon as it's off he thinks he's free to do whatever. Nevertheless, I'll try again.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

If you consider the e collar route I would start with vibration and make that a fun/positive thing. Here is a video on how to do that. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6nRc4BqbNibjKM Regarding the thick fur, check out this set of contact points. It is much different than the normal contact points or even the extensions a lot of people use. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4G3hJ2blJ6CopI Reach out with questions any time!

[@jeffreytaylor6083]

I have a beagle who loves to dig. Can you recommend a good collar?

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

I would recommend the Dogtra 280x. It is brand new and is a great collar. Here is a link to a video we just released comparing it to the 280c. They are both great collars but I think you will see why we prefer the 280x if we watch it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/npnLYZiLfd5sps0feature=shared

[@ttropp]

Thanks for the informative video - I am considering getting an E collar in the future for our pup for long-distance recall when we are hiking or biking for example. Could you give me an idea of roughly what the real world effective distance is for the Dogtra unit? I see a bunch of cheap ones on Amazon stating long distances and realized that for the price the Dogra units must be much better.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Great question! Definitely get a good brand for biking or hiking. We always tell clients to trust a Dogtra for half of its stated range just to be on the extra safe side. The Dogra Arc is a 3/4 mile collar which corresponds to almost 4000 feet. If you cut that in half you are still left with 2000 feet which is incredibly far. Here is a video we did on the Dogtra Arc discussing range, use, buttons etc. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqO2g6elqNisfqs Let me know if you have any other questions!

[@ttropp]

@@SuburbanK9DogTraining Thank you! Will definitely check out the video you noted. Appreciate the response.

[@WR4SSE]

​@SuburbanK9DogTraining yeh so seems like you use it for +P but they use it as -R. I guess you could do both. Perhaps pager vs stim. Thanks for the reply.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Exactly!!! Doing both is certainly an option and some trainers use the pager as -R and the Stim as +P! I prefer to use the pager button as a fun thing and use it to replace Name+Come. We usually start the pager with lots of praise and often use treats because some dogs are scared of the pager at first. Then when the dog is far away and they feel the pager they don't think they did something wrong, they get excited because they know I want to check in with them and they will get praised. The cool thing about dog training is there are lots of methods out there that work and can be modified based upon your dog.

[@watchmoivies123]

I also use a long line. I use a long line the biothane And I cut the handle off. My yard has no poop in it. It gets cleaned up when my dog goes so there’s no chance you can get stuck in dog poop either and eventually I do take the long line off when I really know he’s gonna stay at my side but as you know, and I know all dogs are different some dogs stick at your side, no matter what , and some dogs were Bread like hunting dogs and some strong dogs do need to remind them not to chase or run

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

A clean yard makes a long line a lot more fun to use!!! Biothane is great and totally agreed on cutting off the handle. They are a safety risk in my opinion. Thanks for taking the time to drop a comment!

[@brieanastraiton3665]

The bousnic e-collar i ordered just arrived for my very stubborn and way too smart texas heeler. She just turned 1 yo and is a pretty good pup so far. But recall disappeared a few months back. Did good for the first 4-5 mo with coming when called but she hit her teen phase and everything had to be challenged. Just like a toddler they have to push all boundaries lol. We have a handful of bad/undesirable habits that need to be broken before she gets any older. I very much want her to be able to be off leash so she can run. As a working breed she can go for hours non stop so i do hours per day of exercise and or dog park time every day. She needs that freedom but i need her to listen when need be. Started just playing with the settings with her next to me and she got spooked. Any ideas how to help her with being comfy with the collar? I even used treats but she wasnt feeling be near it at all.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Check out this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6nRc4BqbNibjKM It shows how we acclimate dogs to the vibration function and to teach them that it is a good thing. I would start there and then move to the stim function later on if needed.

[@leef8063]

I see a lot of people evaluating the collar on themselves. Thats great, but they are in the house wearing rubber soled shoes. Now try it outside with bare feet. I had an electric fence around my garden. And occasionally I would touch the wire and get a small shock. Then I thought how this little shock was going to keep a cow or horse away from the fence. So, me being me with some knowledge of electricity I placed my hand on the dirt and touched the wire. It felt like someone hit me across the chest with a baseball bat. After I recovered, I checked myself for burns and all my body parts were still functioning, including my lungs and heart. Now the fence was rated for ten miles, and I see how a large animal would learn fast, just like me! But I will test the dog collar on myself with bare feet of my hand to ground.

[@mandylaurila1119]

I have multiple dogs on a farm. Last rescue likes to bark at people as they walk to house. He barks close to people and it’s threatening. Can I train him that he will get a zap if he threatens people. He has never bitten anyone.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

We don’t ever use an e collar simply as a penalty without leash training first and then acclimating to the collar. The reason is you can create fear or anxiety rather than fix it. I would train the dog outside on a long line and have people practice passing while you create good behavior. Work on heel, sit, stay etc. Once the dog has learned to behave you will rarely need the collar and won’t need many corrections.

[@WR4SSE]

Whidh trainers would you recommend for ecollar training? Who did you learn from?

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

I think that Tom Davis and Larry Krohn both make good videos and seem like they treat dogs fairly and approach e collars in a sensible manner. That being said, they train quite differently than we do. They are believers of low level stim training where the stim is given when you call the dog and turned off when the dog starts coming. We don't do that and use the stim only as a correction for not listening. Our experience is that dogs are less likely to become collar wise when trained in our manner. Their method does seem to work though and they have many satisfied clients that have gotten good results. We just started a podcast (its on Spotify and Apple) and our second episode talks about this distinction between training styles. Let us know what questions you have!

[@marsituhidi6916]

Thank you so much for the video, My husky have a really good recall. When he is offleash I use also a e-callor on him. But.. when he see another dog he ignor me and the e-collar, even I put it in the high level. What can I do ? My e-collar was like 50 euro maybe its not a good e collar ? I buy the cheap one too try it 😅

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

It could be the e collar itself or it could be an issue with making good contact. Huskies have such thick fur that often the e collar doesn't make good contact and then it will need turned up way too high. Here is a link to a video showing some e collar extensions that can make a world of difference. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4G3hJ2blJ6CopI We often see that a dogs working level drops dramatically when using extensions. Let me know if you have any questions after checking them out!

[@marsituhidi6916]

@@SuburbanK9DogTraining oké thank you so much 🥰

[@oaken8]

Fantastic video👍 I got an 18 month old lurcher from rescue centre. He came with good basic training but could not resist deer and would have total focus on the deer chase. After several months of basic training all was good until encountering a deer. Where I live deer encounters are too infrequent to enable consistent training so I got an e-collar. Initially I only used the beep function to gain his attention at distance which worked well. Then a deer encounter and the inevitable chase, two beeps failed to get his attention so a shock followed which stopped the chase instantly followed by his returning to me for reassurance. Same happened the next day, perfect. Result is, over the last 10 years, when this dog sees a deer he now takes a moment and looks at me first giving the opportunity for a controlled recall. For all the e-collar haters out there, please try to see the positives. Two zaps have given me control and a happy free running dog. Btw, I set the zap energy level on my own neck guessing at a level that would get a positive response ie. a high level tens machine which can in no way be described as electrocution.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

@@oaken8 Great work with your pup! I believe that off leash training is the greatest gift anyone can give their dog. The ability to run and explore is priceless. I am sure your dog enjoys all the freedom he is now able to have!

[@jyau2337]

For another reason I'm considering e collar over long line is that my dog knows when she's on leash and off leash. Even when she's on leash but she knows I'm not holding it, she would not listen.. should I consider e collar or should train more on the recall foundation with leash? Thanks a lot

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

That is a great question! I would definitely master the long line first. Here are a couple videos that will really help. In one of the videos we have trained the dog with treats and in the other we have not. You'll notice that the process is basically the same regardless of whether or not you use treats or just praise as your reward. Either route is great! The first one is a lot of very important theory with us showing how to work with the dog on a line. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hl7bmmmejs2nq8k The second video is a follow up video to the first and shows a similar process along with the dog making more mistakes. kzbin.info/www/bejne/inmZi4JmgbtqfcU

[@jyau2337]

@@SuburbanK9DogTraining thanks for your reply! I've watched these two videos before. But as you said in the video, She understands the command but sometimes chooses whether or not to respond. When she's on a leash and know I'm holding it, she seems to know that I can control her. However, when the leash is off or just lying on the ground, she seems to realize that I can't control her at a distance. I'm considering using an e-collar, specifically a vibration collar, to assist with her recall. I would appreciate your thoughts on using an e-collar for this purpose. Thank you for your help!

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

@@jyau2337 The vibration on an e collar can work very well. That being said, I would definitely master the long line first. Spend a week or so practicing on the long line until she listens super well with it on. When you start the vibration you need to decide if it is a warning or is it a good thing. Here is a video of ours where we show how to train a dog that the vibration means "come" and is a good thing. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6nRc4BqbNibjKM Notice we use a lot of treats in the video because many dogs are scared of the vibration at first and we want to avoid that. Let us know what other questions you have!

[@jyau2337]

@@SuburbanK9DogTraining thanks for your reply! "Super well on it (long line)" means even in distracted area?

[@suburbank9-dogtrainingnearme]

@@jyau2337 Yep! Getting her to listen well with the long line in an area with distractions is ideal before starting the remote collar. Even if she is only listening because the line is on, this is a good time to build her skills and ensure she is ready for the remote collar. Once she is doing very well on the long line it will be very easy to add the remote collar and make a lot of progress within a couple of days.

[@geostorm9351]

Should e collars be used to correct behavior issues like reactivity with levels of 30-50. Had training with a trainer that used e collar and had my dog get close to dogs and use the e collar around 40-50 when he reacted to stop the reactivity. But once away from the training he seems to be worse towards dogs now. Nothing was fixed just suppressed I believe during the training sessions. What are your thoughts on that?

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Without knowing more it is hard to say. That being said, if the trainer simply put the collar on the dog and corrected each time he reacted to another dog that is definitely a problem. We believe in teaching a calm heel first and then practicing leash passes while the dog is still under threshold. Once the dog is calmer and has made a lot of progress we will phase in an e collar if needed. Trouble shooting the level is tough because all dogs are so different. A lot of German Shepherds have a working level around 10 while some very high drive dogs will need a much higher level. Overall the correction should be seen as something to break their focus rather than something to scare them. I hope this helps!

[@drummer4hire12]

I am not a trainer, but I have experienced throughout the years that e collars can actually create aggression towards whatever target you are trying to get your dog to ignore, be it another dog, squirrel, deer. etc etc. Kinda tricky to understand sometimes. If the dog is extremely strong willed(steps into a challenge rather than backs off), it may be better to find another tool......

[@Flower9433]

Do you think its very good for a pit bull ?

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

An e collar can be useful for any breed. It really just comes down to your goals. What are you looking to accomplish with your pup?

[@Flower9433]

@@SuburbanK9DogTraining She is an emotional support pups and she is starting to bark and growl at people and also not get along with other dogs so she has not been socialized like we were suppose to so we need to have a distraction for her in order to redirect the agressiveness to re program her brain and she feels my edginess about her biting making it worse.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

@@Flower9433 An e collar can work very well for that, but it needs to be paired with a good training plan. Otherwise you can end up scaring the dog or making it very frustrated. I would practice a lot of loose leash walking first and make as much progress as possible on a physical collar. Feel free to reach out with any questions!

[@wallacerose7499]

When using a long line in woods or field 20/25 ft in length Max stiff core like a horse 🐎 lariat , less likely to Tangle!

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Great advice! The length and type of the long line make a huge difference. Thanks for watching!

[@NoOne-hg1qc]

@9:57 but .. aren't there a few cases where e-collars literally left burns on the dog's neck ..

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

It is impossible for an e collar to burn a dogs skin. They don't have the power to do that even if used improperly. They can create pressure sores if they are left on too tight for a long period of time though. The manufacturers recommend moving the placement throughout the day if you are going to use it for a long time period.

[@DougHinVA]

Real professional dog handlers teach that an electronic collar is NOT a punishment device. In the 1990s there were only electric collars and that was very different and they were aversive devices. Electronic collars are very different and that explains why we need a real pro to explain their use....

[@RickSurrette]

Andrei

[@watchmoivies123]

I totally was with you until you said you cannot hurt a dog with a knee collar and that is not true. It can be very painful if you put it on an extremely high-level. When I see people demonstrate like you just did they only go up to where they think they feel it but no one ever puts it on 100 that for sure will hurt and possibly burn your skin but again I’m out against them, but that’s not a true statement what you just said about it could never hurt or injure the dog not to say what it mentally can do to the dog and also the relationship with the person

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

I think it really comes down to the definition of "hurt". An e collar on high definitely "hurts" and can be cruel, but it can't injure a dog. It can't burn them or cause any real physical injury. It could easily terrify a dog though and create lasting issues. Hopefully I made that point well enough in the video.

[@ronportillo3851]

Training dog since six. Lmao😅

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

He said 2006. 😊

[@nadinabbott3991]

I am fully against punitive training. Period. We got a one-ish year old pup. Slightly younger than we intended. He is getting his commands with positive reinforcement. The goal is for him to become my next diabetes dog. We know it’s a good two years. We are up to go to a restaurant that is dog friendly. Training is an every day thing. We are still working on recall. He is on a training lead, we just ordered a longer training lead so he can be a dog with the dogs. He is a mixture of a Chihuahua Rottweiler. He is a rescue. I know forty percent of dogs don’t make it as service dogs, even with intense training. So we get a well mannered dog? But using purely positive reinforcement with this guy. We have trust. A few of the neighbors use ecollars. One local trainer calls it a shortcut. Lobo’s aversive is the word no. Since he is so young we are still having some potty issues. But we are working on it. And yes, crate is a friend.

[@debracisneroshhp2827]

What I would like to see is when someone buys an e collar they are required to take a class for using it responsibly. My downstairs neighbors have a pug(Buddy) and another little scruffy dog(Oso). We have a small front yard where the dogs are let out to do their business and enjoy the outdoors a few times a day__but because they've never been trained, every time someone walks by they bark incessantly at them. I don't even think they were a yr. old when I saw the teen daughter outside with an e collar on Buddy. She would sit on the front step and every time he barked she'd 'zap' him. And, yes, I mean ZAP! I almost yelled at her out my window because she had that thing dialed up so high poor Buddy yelped when she did it! 😢 To me, that's not only abusing the collar, but animal cruelty! 😣 And I still say that affects their brain__like someone getting low dose shock treatments a few plus times every day! She hasn't used it on him for awhile so I don't know what happened__now she sometimes stands out there with yardstick to scare him with the noise. So, regardless of the 'safety' of said collars, I see waaay too many people don't learn the proper way to use them. 😒 My hubby just told me last night the neighbor thinks Buddy is going blind because sometimes he doesn't recognize a particular person he knows and likes, and lunges at her like a stranger. He can't be more than 5 or 6, too young(I think) for cataracts, etc. so, who knows__maybe all that 'zapping' did something to his brain. Not kidding! 😢

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

I totally agree that people should take the time to really learn how to use an e collar before giving it a go. That is one of the reasons we started making e collar instructional videos. Our goal is for everyone to be able to quickly find the knowledge to use one properly!

[@kaywhite1554]

You talk too much! Get on with it 😳

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Something tells me you talk too much 🤔🤔🤔

[@kaywhite1554]

@@SuburbanK9DogTraining .. No, seriously, I’m not being ugly! You ramble on .. just get to the facts of teaching and don’t tell “stories”.. people can use their own imagination 🤔.. Just tell and show what to do and not to do! You do that well! Just saying 🤗..Would me lots more interesting 🤗.. Thank you for the thoughtful reply 😳.. God Bless and have an awesome day!

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Hi Kay! I didn't take you comment in a mean way and was just trying to have some fun with the reply🙂 This video is meant a meant to serve as foundational information if someone is considering using an e collar. The goal is to provide some on thoughts on e collars rather than explain or educate on how to actually use one. We have multiple instructional e collar videos that are meant to be watched after this one if someone decides on doing e collar training. Thanks for taking the time to drop a comment!

[@kaywhite1554]

@@SuburbanK9DogTraining .. hand shake 🫲🏻.. In a world that is so rushed nowadays, I’ve turned in to a get to the point kinda person .. I meant no harm .. just a thought ➡️ might give a little more video time to teaching 🥰.. I appreciate trainers sharing information for “dummies” like me (77yo female) that has never done much training except basic stuff.. I used to have a farm where I could turn mine loose but now I live in an HOA townehouse so I’m trying to teach my 60 lb , just turned 9 months, GoldenDoodle a little more! I’m scared to turn him loose to play fetch because .. just what you said, of something else catching his attention and him taking off! Lord knows I can’t run after him! Plus, my tiny SS check doesn’t go far so I can’t afford a trainer 🥲.. Lord knows I wish I could 🙏.. Keep on teaching 🙏🙏🙏

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

No worries. I'm glad you started a conversation! Here are two videos that will show you exactly how to train your dog yourself for free. Here is one on starting the vibration/pager. It is unedited and shows the process from start to finish. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6nRc4BqbNibjKM Here is one showing how to start using the stim function. It is very lightly edited to just cut out the parts where nothing is happening as we dial in the correct "working level". kzbin.info/www/bejne/nH_XYZtsnc53h9E Let us know if you have any questions once you get started!

[@dalepres1]

For thousands of years, dogs were perfectly trained without ecollars or any shocking collars. It doesn't matter if their cruel or not; don't use them. Whistles are the answer to hearing in challenging distances or environments. See what sheep dog handlers use for a whistle. Small, fits in the mouth (edited to correct spelling of mouth), easy to use.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Humans also trained and live with dogs before whistles or leashes existed. Why does the fact that e collars are newer make you not like them?

[@dalepres1]

@@SuburbanK9DogTraining Wrong. Humans always knew how to whistle and I guarantee you that no wolf was trained for a human without a leash. Put on an eCollar, and every time you're supposed to do something have your wife trigger it and keep that up for a year and let us know what you think of eCollars after the year is over.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

I would do some research on the history of the human domestication of dogs. Humans trained dogs before leashes existed. That being said, I don't see the point of judging a tool based upon its age. It really comes down to its effectiveness.

[@dalepres1]

@@SuburbanK9DogTraining Dogs came from wolves. Humans would have used leather straps to restrain them or they would have been eaten. You lose credibility as a trainer with each post.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Early training was done solely with food. Trust was built over a long period of time during the domestication process.

[@Heather-hy5hi]

Yeah, but MOST "ecollar" trainers use them wrong. MOST! Using a cutsie term like "ecollar" doesn't change what it is. It is punitive, and you know that punitive training, as a whole, is not effective. Why ever use something that has more potential for harm than good, especially something like this where it is abused by the trainer most of the time? If the "shock" feature was removed from all ecollars, that would be fine. But they aren't. There is no excuse for this. Please stop pretending this is an acceptable training feature. And before everyone hates on me for this, there are collars that do not shock but use vibrate, scent, and lights to get the dogs attention instead. So it is a CHOICE to buy the ones that shock.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

E collars can be great training tools as long as a trainer knows how to use them fairly and appropriately. Most good trainers that use e collars use them to simply break focus and the level is never high enough to scare the dog. We believe that off leash training/freedom is the greatest gift anyone can give their dogs and e collars help make this possible for many people.

[@EpTyrannical]

What an ignorant comment. 🙄 e collars enable a level of freedom for dogs they are not allotted in your narrow view of cruelty. What's cruel to me is having to secure a dog with a rope for their entire life.

[@asmrmetalman1061]

anyone who has their dog off leash in almost all cases with few exceptions should also their dogs properly to a shock collar, its common sense and responsible ownership I worked on my dogs recall everyday for a long time and the dog would constantly blow me off because of competing motivators My dog needs to be ran off leash multiple times a week to get her needs met would you really sentence my dog to being on a six foot tether for her entire life because you think shock collars are abusive? Conditioning your dog clearly and effectively with a shock collar in my opinion is not abusive what is abusive is not meeting your dogs needs because of your own feelings, lets face it, the vast majority of owners neglect their dogs physical (and mental) exercise needs, which is absolutely abusive shock collar training opens the world to dogs that otherwise would be stuck for their whole lives on leash, it allows dogs to safely enjoy exploring the world without being attacked by a wild animal, being hit by a car etc

[@showingpig01]

Many dogs find the vibration of the collars to be much more offensive than a “working-level” “shock”. Do more research

[@EpTyrannical]

You don't know what your talking about. Typical ignorant comment from people who haven't got a clue. There is nothing wrong with punishing a dog, or for that matter a kid when they do wrong. They are animals, and will do things that are wrong and do need a balance of positive and negative positive training. An e collar is a crucial tool to expanding the freedom of the dog.

[@dalepres1]

Before being allowed to use an ecollar on an animal, the owner should be required to wear the collar for a year and have someone use it to get their attention. Done with your videos and channel

[@christinehotmama8529]

I have wireless fence one. Can I use ecollar for when out training in fields? ALways think he will get confused. He is a beagle, so when he gets a scent he ignores me and I am trying to train come.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Great question Christine! You can definitely use an e collar even with an electronic fence, but you need to have a set plan and take the acclimation process slowly. I will link two videos here that will show you exactly what to do. Acclimate to the vibration first and make it fun! Don't worry about how clean his obedience is at that point. We often use treats and just want the dog to learn the vibration is good and not bad! When you start the stim function I would start with the heel command rather than come because it allows you to redirect the dog's attention better and make it less likely that he associates the stim with your electronic fence. It is also important to use the word "no" with the correction so that he knows it is coming from you and that it feels very different than the fence training process. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6nRc4BqbNibjKM kzbin.info/www/bejne/nH_XYZtsnc53h9E Let us know if you have any questions once you watch the videos!