Conditioning a German Shepherd puppy to the e-collar / electronic remote collar / first lesson

www.pakmasters.com, Professional dog trainer Larry Krohn of Pak Masters Dog Training is known as one of the top e collar trainers in the United States. Here Larry shows how he starts every dog on the remote collar. This is the first time this puppy ever had an e collar on and it will be a positive thing right from the start

[@PawTreader]

Larry, thank you SO much. I started off as a 'purely positive' dog trainer several years ago(even though, purely positive isn't even a thing lol), but I've always been very open minded to other tools and knowing how to use them properly, even if I myself may not use them... however, the e-collar is such an amazing tool and in the way you explain it, I absolutely love it. Makes me wonder why people can't get over the stigma and see it gives the dogs more freedom in the end. I'll be ordering a mini educator tonight and following your videos real closely to properly condition my dog to it. I honestly am a little bit fearful, because I have worked with many dogs who quite frankly have been fucked up from the e-collar and owners *(and other trainers) using them improperly. Thank you SO much for the videos

[@lynnemurray7775]

The science behind e collars

[@CocoaMan]

Larry I have to give you the credit to be the best trainer out there cause you don't give any of the before & after videos.. You show how to train step by step.

[@CocoaMan]

You deserve it buddy,

[@chrisginoc]

Larry Krohn I second that. I love your other e collar video where you give credit to Michael Ellis. Legend and the trainer I most admire. You learned from the best.

[@kevinkryer9792]

Cocoa Man not only that but he have he’s comment section open for comments which I find hard to understand with other trainers but yeah

[@jackieperks8414]

Larry, using your method, I got through my first day of training with our 6 mo. GSD (mini-educator). He is super smart and as a side effect of his first lessons at level 4 (a.m./p.m. yesterday), he was really obedient throughout the night and again this morning. I think I will have great success with this tool if this is my first indicator. It kind of reminds me of the "tens" units used in human physical therapy when used at these prescribed low levels. He LOVED his training using this method and followed me everywhere afterward, full of kisses all night for us :-) THANK YOU!! One mention is that he wasn't fond of having a long leash on at all and was trying to eat it at first, but since he knows commands so well, we worked with it off leash in the yard instead and he came to me every single time and got a reward every single time. This is NOT a medieval tool everyone! It works and will provide all dogs with the clear communication so they can have the freedom they all deserve.

[@migmi006]

Larry - I have a 7 month old GSD and am into week #2 with e-collar training. I used this video to show my wife that we are not being mean to the dog and the soundbox made it very clear for her. What I learned in your video is that I am spending to much time and need to break down my time into smaller blocks. thank you.

[@crestflock]

that's an awesome video not stressing the dog at all.

[@felixquasne3327]

So you are useing the e coller for good behavior. That's cool. Everywhere I look on learning about the e coller this is the best.. thanks

[@monetmccain5301]

Starting my pup on the mini educator today and definitely needed this video to help.

[@hi-hosilver4403]

Hi Larry, I have to say your videos are extremely educational especially with the added sound box to help us follow along. You got my attention! :)

[@maggismith5308]

We had our German Shepherd trained with a E collar by a K9 officer. That exactly how he did. Only I was the one handling the dog,and he did the stimulation at first. I couldn’t even tell he was doing anything. Great tool for off leash.

[@lindal5843]

Such a helpful video ...the "sound box" helps immensely ..... Larry... I am watching your videos in addition to meticulously working with your wonderful book, "Everything you need to know - E collar training"... Both book and videos give me a much better understanding on how to introduce my german shepherd dog to the Mini Educator humanely....Thank you so for sharing ... Linda (from British Columbia , Canada).

[@longjohn19752003]

Thanks for fast response Larry! Like I say I been following you for over year. You have sent me in a great direction. You and Bart Bellon put a thought process in it that takes the pressure off the dog and puts the owner into a better perspective to teach not dictate. I'm a Mal freak and love the way yours works great dog. Once again thank you

[@rexjustis4287]

The sound box means a lot to me, I get confused by “give it a tap vs holding it down.”

[@twistedrc1]

sick video, thanks for the clarification on remembering to teach the dog to associate the sensation with a command, and not only when he's doing something wrong

[@hannahmccoy8336]

I hate to sound like a critical buttmunch but it's only because this information is so valuable and I send the links to my clients when we get started with collar conditioning: pleeeeease keep the camera on the dog! In half of your videos we miss the most important moments because it's pointed at your face like in this video the 2 times the dog "stopped on a dime" it wasn't on camera. Sorry if it's your daughter filming I don't mean to be a jerk! Free help is hard to come by, haha

[@wolfmoongirl]

Larry, GREAT VIDEOS. Are you holding the continuous stim or giving him nicks. Sound box is beeping 3-4 times til he is enroute. Does that represent 3-4 nicks or just holding straight stim 3-4 seconds?? Thanks for using the sound box for viewers. It helps with the learning. I am not familiar with this model of e collar, but it is getting popular I see.

[@TheChunjun]

New viewer to your channel which has been very helpful. Do you have any video of this dog being bomb-proof off leash after your training was finished? Would love to see the end result.

[@mikevajda4099]

Great video! I really like the positive reinforcement. It's the person who does not know how to use the collar correctly that gives it a negative review. It's a training collar, not a dispoline collar. Can I ask what you are using for treats?

[@jblo76]

I may have missed it, but is he vibrating/shocking as the tone is sounding? Or is it just the tone/beep?

[@wonderbubbles4092]

So age doesn't matter, it's all about the foundation in obedience?

[@rosiemontgomery2748]

Conditioning your dog to pain. Bravo. Thank goodness countries all over the world are banning these collars.

[@ColonelPapi]

Are you just tapping it once or do you hold it down till he comes

[@alexanca2814]

Thank you so much for the videos. Is the minieducator a special one for the sound box, or the usual me-300?

[@Lizzard2060]

Thank You for the videos. I am very excited to see how well your dogs want to be with you and respond to you. You must spend a ton of time with them. I am in the process of getting a puppy (spoke to and paid a very well vetted breeder). I have never used an e collar but I have heard great things and will be checking out an e collar and how to properly use it. I have had dogs and even shown before but this is an intense herding dog for my livestock and I feel an e collar may help me communicate better.

[@goodliving2171]

Elizabeth Becker I hope the collar comes with an in-depth video. Look it up on KZbin and Google

[@TheZakkmylde]

So I just got the E collar and trying to figure out working levels and they reached 20 and I didn’t see anything noticeable and yet all your videos the dog reacts at 6. 😳 I combed her hair as you suggested in your book I had it on fairly tight so I’m just not seeing the sign any suggestions?

[@joshuahaley4367]

TheZakkmylde Most likely you aren’t making good contact or the environment has too many distractions. Best to start this on pavement also since grass has tons of smells that can distract the dog

[@juliemorreale3249]

Your videos are great! I was so reluctant to use an e-collar. Now my dog comes when off-leash no matter what (even when there are rabbits)! Next I want to tackle the leash pulling issue. Do you have a training video to address this?

[@gabegarcia6676]

Thanks this really helped my German shepherd puppy comes to me now!!

[@RamiroHoyos]

Great Videos.. Question just tried my new mini educator on my 5y/o GS. Collar feels well positioned and I'm using the 3/4" probes, he has thick hair, however my dog does not seem to respond to it even up to the low teens.. I dont want over stimulate him so it unusual to go up that high. Most of your session are at on 6,7 or so. Any advise? Thanks again.

[@eternalnutrition3401]

Thanks Larry. My 55 lbs 4 month old Shepherd had a textbook reaction like all of your introductory videos. Great tool. Do you do PPD work?

[@chrisginoc]

Great explanation!

[@VinnyBully]

Im confused if you dont give the command, then in the future anytime he feels it would he just come to you and not do the actual command like sit etc ? Thanks

[@ianrogers2131]

Truly amazing, thank you. Wonderfully honest and inspiring video, thank you.

[@mshikhma]

Larry, I wish I lived in Nashville because I absolutely love your training. I signed up with a local trainer here in MI and they also use ecollar. I really hope their technique is close to yours! I have a 5 month german shepherd.

[@goodliving2171]

Max Shikhman You want to find out what their methods are. Maybe they have a video to give you the best idea of how they work with a dog. Good luck! How is your dog doing now?

[@mshikhma]

Hi Larry, Michigan Dog Training is the name of the facility and they use very similar methods as you are - taking their time, reward based. Once the dog know command they introduced her to ecollar. Ava’s working level is 14 with no distractions and 16 in the park. We’re teaching place command, and they refuse to put ecollar on her to get her to absolutely know the command first. I think you would approve! Also would love for you to do a video or your opinion on young dogs doing obedience training and then separately working Schutzhund - drive, bite work. Conflicting? Complementary? Good idea, bad idea? Would love your feedback!

[@haudensteiger7599]

Nice GSH

[@avagilligan1466]

are you using a viberate or stim?

[@martezsmith2896]

Just how I train my 🐕

[@jcro7918]

I am curious as to why you are tapping instead of holding the button down? Is there a difference training wise? Is it better to tap when first conditioning, and then make it continuous? Or stick with tapping

[@bpicchena]

Thanks for the great video! Do you have any tips on using this method with litter mates? We have two 6 month old Labrador retrievers. Thank you!

[@yvettecharron9033]

Good afternoon Mr Krohn I have a young GSD 8 months .I have been working on her recall off and leave it right at 8 weeks old ,I love to work her at the dog park.I get tones of people impressed with her training .I went today to the park and just out of the blue she seems to have forgotten all that I taught her ,I am a little confused .I have the dogtra 1900s it does not have sound but a pager it has a vibrating sound .Can I fallow your instruction with the dogtra/pager ?

[@raralove39]

Hi Larry, Love your very informative videos. Just 1 question here. Step 1. Momentary Stim without command. Step 2. Momentary Stim with " Come" Command. Step3. Continuous Stim before command. Do we repeat all 3 steps as the training progesses after Day 1 introduction everyday? Or do we only use Step 3 once the dog knows step 1 and step 2 after maybe the first couple of sessions? Cheers buddy

[@Sophie-re2yi]

What do you do if your dog runs away from you instead of towards you when teaching recall? My dog responds to a level 2 on the mini educator. Even with leash pressure it’s like he tries to ‘run away’ from the stim. He doesn’t seem scared or nervous so I don’t know if this is fear or not. 😅

[@esbliss]

Very good oriented!!!

[@GetMeThere1]

Not trying to argue with you -- you obviously know what you're doing and have confidence in it. But I still don't understand what's really going on here. If I imagine myself as the dog, and imagine myself trying to figure out what's really going on here, it would be something like this: 1) This buzz means that a command is coming so I should pay attention and do what I've been trained to do, and 2) I eventually start to feel that commands are "important" and, because I associate commands with that visceral signal the e-collar gives me, I now feel "compelled" to pay attention to commands and do what I've been trained to do. Does that make sense?

[@haileyservicedog4337]

I have a 3 month old English Mastiff/ Great Pyrenees mix. How do you teach heel? I've watched several training videos but I would like to see how you do it. Love your videos!!!

[@goodliving2171]

Hailey Service Dog A choke chain collar is a good tool, starting out, until your dog is trained. Never yank them unless unless its the only control you have in a dangerous situation. (Charging a person or another animal) If you use an ecollar, be sure you know exactly when to give the vibration as a distraction from unwanted behavior. The choke chain collar is NOT for choking the dog, rather to give a small, quick yank so the chain makes noise to distract them from walking ahead of you, or any time they need to be distracted from what they are doing. Watch lots of these training videos & CesarMilanDogWhisperer videos on walking your dog. Training for most thing is using the same method, a quick distraction and show the behavior you want. While heeling, the dogs shoulder should be next to or behind your leg. Be VERY patient. When the dog walks ahead of you, stop and wait (or) change direction, walking back the direction you came. The dog wants to move forward for new adventure so he learns quickly to heel. Never train when you feel the least bit upset. Take a deep breath, calm yourself completely or walk away until you are ready. Work with your dog in 15-20 minute increments so you keep the dogs attention. First thing to teach is "come" by using a 15' leash or rope, giving a healthy treat, like small piece of turkey jerkey. Always work with your dog in a happy, positive way. Watch video and immediately work with your dog. Next day, repeat.

[@longjohn19752003]

Hey Larry been watching you for awhile. Like your training and I would like to know in this stage of training do you increase any stim or is it all leash pleasure with first noticed stim until he is conditioned at this level?

[@mattystewart8]

Larry have you done a video on WHY you use the e collar? This video is very clear as to HOW to correctly use it but i am more interested as to why you would actually need it if your dogs are as well trained off this like they clearly are. Please dont take that in an insulting way i am just trying to understand what the actual need for it is if your dogs are already trained

[@mattystewart8]

Nevermind i found your why video haha

[@larracey2b413]

I have watched almost all of your videos and feel confident in starting the e collar training. I know you always use the mini educator, but is there any other brand, maybe a little lower in price range that you would reccomend?

[@henkfelix6109]

Awesome! Congratulations on a great job. I am so very proud of you.

[@nenadmandich378]

Larry, needless to say great videos and lessons. I tried the collar on myself; put it around the neck and tested a 'nick' on 17; no pain but rather involuntary body twitch :) A question on 'educator'; you mentioned it's water proof but does water and wet skin affect the strength of the impulse and does it matter?

[@Autumncraftz]

Hi Larry, would you say 7 months is a good age to start ecollar? My pup knows basics but is hard work off leash, due to distractions. She is 6 months and really want to get a solid recall. Where do I start??

[@Joy-ne8sj]

Great video!

[@BudtheGSD]

Question - what happens when the dog doesn’t come? My GSD often gets tunnel vision when he sees a squirrel or chipmunk. I just started introducing the e collar to him. But what happens when he goes after a squirrel and won’t come?

[@servicegemsapphire4593]

Minis have an emergency button, if you have it on continuous and press the red buttons it goes 5 above the level its on but you can set it to go as high as you want, mines on a 14 rn.

[@seachangeau]

thx awesome tutorial video.

[@banmuff9597]

Are u actually using the shock function or the sound button? I have a one year old GSD just started the e collar. I know mine has a sound, vibration and shock function. Please clarify.

[@goodliving2171]

banmuff Larry did clarify in the video or some of his videos that he turns the sound on so viewers can hear exactly when he uses it. He ALWAYS starts on "1" which is the lowest vibration. He goes to "2" if there was not a "subtle" response from the dog. The small vibration is to distract the dog from what it's doing so it does what you tell it to do.

[@goodliving2171]

banmuff He is using sound & starting with the lowest vibration & then lowest vibration until he sees a "subtle" movement from the dog, showing that it feels the vibration.

[@goodliving2171]

banmuff It's extremely important that the e collar is used the proper way or you will confuse your dog. GSD's are VERY sensitive. Watch a lot of videos until you are really confident you know how to use it properly.

[@dogtraineronwheels3300]

clearing my name is Christian and I recently started using the mini educator on my pitbull it seems as if when I use it she is shut down how do I combat this and what did I do wrong in the beginning

[@eitosj]

dog trainer on wheels Try a lower settings perhaps?

[@goodliving2171]

dog trainer on wheels What setting did you use? Never let the dog see that you are using the control. Start by using "1" and if no subtle response, use "2" and so on, just like he described. It is extremely important to use this tool properly. If you don't feel you can grasp it, do NOT use it. You need to always be positive and work the dog only in 15-20 minute increments. Give a treat as soon as the dog "begins to do the correct behavior.

[@NalyoGaming]

Awesome

[@rang20300]

thanks allot larry awesome video!!! :D

[@emgrasso]

Question, my dog is not motivated by treats, but instead, a ball. How can I apply the same method? With ball not treat

[@ConnorLipke]

The ball isn't motivation. Your dog is high prey drive. He rather chase and hunt vs eating treats handed to him. He'll be motivated by work. With plenty of exercise, your dog will listen to you better. A tired dog with high prey drive will listen much better than a dog with a ton of unused energy and high prey drive. I have 2 large dogs. One is a GSD puppy, he's motivated by treats, and I have a rottie pit mix. The rottie has a much much much higher prey drive, he'd kill anything without a second thought. He likes to herd, chase, tackle, etc. The shepherd not so much. A ball doesn't interest him. With these 2 dogs I have to train them differently. Although the Rottie is not exactly motivated by the ball, he's motivated by working. In order for him to work, he obviously needs the ball. I make him run through every command he's trained to perform before throwing the ball. The shepherd just needs the treat. I hope this all makes sense.

[@emgrasso]

Connor Lipke thank you so much for the response it really makes a lot of sense. Thank you for the info .

[@jeffmorie865]

I have a German Shepard and what model are you using on halo in this video?

[@dogtraineronwheels3300]

Jeff Morie he's using the mini educator 300 series it is an awesome e collar I would recommend it to anyone I spent the money and it is well worth it

[@archiedarcy4845]

Larry, when do you phase out the treats?

[@lklencho]

CLBerts pretty quickly. We use food a lot to teach a new behavior but quickly start to spread out the reward further and further

[@papoumkl7118]

Thank you Larry. I use the e-collar to make my dog stop barking ! How can I turn the collar to a positive sensation ?

[@dogtraineronwheels3300]

sorry about the typo I meant Larry

[@Alpha-zd7sc]

i dont have a sound box? i have a boss... how do i condition without a sound?

[@Weirdanimalboy]

reine melnick The soundbox isn't for the dog. It's mainly for trainers. It allows them to show clients and viewers when the ecollar is being used.

[@Ndags23]

Thanks so much! I have subscribed ☺️

[@swlhonda1]

What do you reward with larry?

[@azizsharif6498]

You are using treat....i thought you didnt fancy that in one of your videos!..

[@muffintop420]

What do you mean by "recall"?

[@kmonzon1996]

Muffin Top. Its when you’re asking the dog to return to you, the handler. Saying “come” “here” etc

[@joanmarieshepard6969]

PIPER IS ALMOST 5 MONTHS SHE DOESNT COME WELL , VERY STUBBORN ..

[@rebandmike]

Soooo, you do train with the e-collar, because this is training technically, I can fully train a dog without this though I don't feel it is bad for the dog... I use one for an emergency at a dog park with my large pitbull

[@allygarrison4385]

Grand Champion Bella when he said he doesn’t train with the e collar what he meant is that he doesn’t use the e collar to teach (ie train) the commands. The dogs already know and obeys the commands he wants to use before he moves to the e collar. Here he is simply conditioning the dog to the feeling of the collar and starting to pair the stimulus with commands that the dog had already been “trained” to understand. The dog should be conditioned to know what the e collar sensations means before going off leash with it.

[@ColoradoKid32]

what about a 6month old that knows these commands but chooses not to listen

[@adamm2716]

gotta find their motivation, then have that on you when you recall. practice the recall on your walks when they are distracted, give reward every time they come. do this ~200 times then start with e collar training.

[@GrammaShirley1958]

Is three months to young to use an e collar on a totally spastic Siberian husky puppy.? Everyone wants to pet her because shes sooo cute but she goes nuts, whining, biting, jumping on screeching and flipping.

[@lazypuppo]

Shirley mauer lentini Yeah, 3 months is too young. The youngest a pup can use an e collar is 6 months old at the very earliest. You can fix your problem by not allowing anyone to meet your puppy unless your puppy is calm and sitting. Until then tell people they cannot pet her and use leash pressure and your voice to let your dog know that being hyper is wrong and listening to you is right. There are training leashes and collars to disrupt/"snap her out of" her crazy behavior and you can ask for her attention while stationary or in motion and reward her with lots of praise or food or a toy. Until then, you should mostly rely on positive reinforcement training and building your bond with your puppy and few leash corrections to get her attention if needed.

[@Sadows12]

Think e collars are that bad? Look up Michael Ellis and I'll let the rest speak for itself. The man has legendary Malinois.

[@kevinkryer9792]

Hi Larry what am i supposed to do when I live in a so called “animal welfare” thing ? They ban certain breeds but unfortunately here in my little silly ugly country called (Denmark) it’s illegal to use an e collar but have a law that says all “stereotype” of dogs that haven’t done anything in this “fine country” I live in shall wear a muzzle or I will face a ticket worse Part can be the dog is going to be taken down so what can I do ? With such a retarded country ? Would also point out unfortunately the breed I have is a German breed ( Doberman ) which all is afraid of almost I find it racist actually but yeah I have many troubles around here dogs can’t be dogs they almost have to be a statue or something idk but what I do know is the dog doesn’t socialize well and training tools here is to weak for working dogs so do u have any advice ? Many regards Kevin :)

[@goodliving2171]

Kevin Krøyer So sorry for your troubles and even more sorry for the dogs, especially those that are most discriminated against. Maybe you don't want to move... So this is your big chance to work towards making changes, no matter how long it takes. Watch as many training videos as possible. KZbin//DogWhisperer Cesar Milan shows how to quickly & efficiently teach in a positive loving way. Be firm, shoulders high, confident, consistent Leader of the Pack. You can do it. I'd love updates and would love to be your mentor!

[@jenn2439]

America f*** yeah. I’m sorry for your troubles dude. But I can’t see any way to get around those laws but moving to another country.

[@supremosyndikat8488]

Too bad e collars are banned in Germany alot of dogs could be helped but people are ignorant...

[@HailLuzifer]

sind die wirklich verboten? kann man doch online kaufen z.b. bei elektro-halsbanderPUNKTde

[@supremosyndikat8488]

@@HailLuzifer eine Bong und andere Dinge Growzelt, Papers sind auch frei verkäuflich und kiffen ist trotzdem illegal. Sie können sich ja informieren sie müssen nur (Deutschland Teletak) eingeben :) LG

[@supremosyndikat8488]

@@HailLuzifer Wird sogar mit bis zu 25.000 Euro Bußgeld geahndet wenn man erwischt wird.

[@HailLuzifer]

@@supremosyndikat8488 oh, das ist ja richtig scheisse. gut zu wissen. werde es wohl trotzdem machen, aber mich damit aus der Öffentlichkeit fernhalten ;)

[@supremosyndikat8488]

@@HailLuzifer Wichtig ist einfach der richtige Umgang damit bringt nichts ein Elektrisches Halsband anzuziehen und Knöpfe zu drücken so funktioniert das ganze nicht 👍 Und was bringt es dann wenn sie damit nicht in die Öffentlichkeit gehen? Das Training eines Hundes muss sich in realen Situationen abspielen! Weil ein Hund z. B Zuhause hört, hat das nichts über das Verhalten draußen oder in ungewohnten Situationen zu bedeuten! Man muss das Tier in den verschiedensten Situationen konditionieren!

[@tosiyamato8992]

Not a fan of ecollar

[@Sadows12]

then dont use one, easy!

[@youtubespy9473]

Tosi Yamato And?....