There are a variety of reasons people consider the use of an e-collar, but one that I hear most frequently is the desire to allow the dog off leash freedom while feeling confident that the dog will come back when called.
Even dogs considered very well trained by competition standards can use a bit of help. Case in point, Maddie, a Siberian Husky owned by Pat Robertson of Due North Kennels. Pat shared her story with The Truth About Shock Collars. Thanks Pat!
I had a Siberian that had a CDX and was very well trained. She was #2 Siberian in Canada in Competitive Obedience in 2006. But being a Siberian I never trusted her off leash. That is until I discovered ecollars. Then she was free to run with my Flatcoats. I once was out walking when my friend noticed my girl in full pursuit of a small herd of deer. Thanks to ecollars she was back at my side in a second. If anything could convince me of the value of an ecollar that was it.
Pat
heyy, i have a sibe that i don’t trust off leash and i am thinking of getting a shock collar, but i will only use it if nessercery (if i don’t think she’s going to come back) would you recommend it for me ?
Hi Luca,
The remote collar can work very well for building a reliable recall. I have trained many Siberian Huskies and other northern breeds this way. If you chose to get a remote collar make sure you get on with contact point long enough to get through the thick coat (usually 3/4 inch) and then get some help in learning how to use the e-collar properly.
Find a trainer to help you or feel free to try my dvd which can guide you through the basic obedience, including the recall.
all the best,
Robin
My dog comes on command off leash if there are no other dogs around. She sees a dog and off she goes. She will come eventually. I’m thinking of getting an e-collar for her. Do you use it when they don’t follow a command?
Thanks.
No, generally that is not the way we encourage use of the e-collar. It is preferable to collar condition the dog by using the stimulation AS you give the command and the stimulation stops as soon as the dog begins to comply. However, it is VERY important that you use a leash when to help the dog understand what it is you want. Don’t make ANY assumptions that the dog should understand. Even though she has some idea of a recall with no distractions it is different when you add them in and the stimulation is a new sensation for the dog as well, so she will need help learning what you want. I strongly encourage you to find a trainer help you introduce the collar to her. You can find a trainer at http://www.thatsmydog.com/trainers-school/graduates or you may want to purchase my DVD Just Right Training which can guide you through the early steps. You can purchase the DVD here, http://www.thatsmydogstore.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=5 Let me know if I can be of further help.
Hi I have a 3 year old siberean husky very smart. Doesn’t sneak out of places, but when he has the chance to be free he does, and he deff. doesn’t come to me when I call. Eventually he comes back to me after a couple hours of running around the neighboorhood, and he knows hes in trouble.
any advice, so I don’t have to chase my dog around the neighboorhood anymore? I was thinking about getting an e collar.
Hi Derek,
A remote collar is the fastest way to achieve a reliable recall. However, if you are not familiar with how to use one, get some help. You can check my website ThatsMyDog.com to try to locate a trainer near you or check out my dvd’s. Of course if your dog is outside unattended, the e-collar is not the solution, you should have a good fence to fix that problem. The e-collar is great though for working with dogs who like to bolt when they get the chance or for having an “invisible leash” when you want to give the dog supervise off leash time and hikes.
We are taking care of our grandpuppy, Gustav, who is a Sib/Husky. Very well mannered, sweet, leash trained, (sit, stay, free dog, etc.) Probably 16 months old. We will have him for at least 2 years. We live in MT and have wonderful wide open places where I have run my other dogs, off leash, for an hour at a time and have never run into another person or vehicle. A perfect place to teach Gus to run but stay close by. A normal shock collar does not work on him and I’m wondering what an e-collar is and if you think it could work for Gus.
Our dogs are a part of our family and I get tremendous satisfaction training them. My desire is to let this beautiful dog RUN! What do you think?
Thanks so much for your time everyone.
Hi Valerie,
An e-collar is an electronic collar. Unfortunately some people still refer to them as a shock collar. I am not sure how to advise you unless I have more information. If the collar is malfunctioning in some way it needs to be replaced or repaired. If your dog is just not responding correctly to it then it most likely a problem with the technique being used to train the dog. If you have not received help or instructions on how to train with the tool I would suggest finding a professional in your area to help you. You can check my website for a list of people that have studied with me http://www.ThatsMyDog.com look under the graduates tab. Or if there is no-one available try my Just Right DVD to guide you through the steps of how to properly fit the collar, find a level appropriate for your dog and how to teach a solid recall.
Robin
Thanks Robin…..I will order the DVD right now.
Gus comes on command. I’ve used a sport’s whistle and blow 2 short calls along with saying, “come”. I started with a long lead, used those calls and slowly pulled him in and praised him when he arrived. Now he comes without being on the lead. I also put a bell on his collar. There is no problem when we’re in the wilderness until he sees any other animal and must be our collar is not strong enough because it didn’t work. I retained my info from my dad who had trained Brittney’s with e-collars since I can remember and has had tremendous success.
So, one last question before I order the DVD….what brand of collar would you recommend? We will order it right away. Are there one’s especially made for bigger, tougher dogs?
Thanks for taking time for my questions, Robin.
Val
Valerie,
It may not be that you need a stronger collar, but that you need longer contact points to insure good contact with the skin. Husky’s can have such thick coats that you may not have a good fit with the collar. Write to me at Robin@ThatsMyDog.com and we will see if we can figure a solution.
Thanks, Robin. Will do.
I have a two year old husky of sum sort he is also not nutered. I have set up several electric fences in my day around different rental property me and Samson have lived at and he has done great with that. He learns the yard and associates the beeping and vibrating that he is about to get shocked. So he has never even really been shocked by this newest fence. But wherever i go i cannot have him off the lease he will be gone just like that. I was trying to see which e-collar would be best for my case. I wanted one with the longer prongs as that is what i have now for my fence collar. Also wanted alot of range and the option to just beep and vibrate. Just tryin to get a better idea of what i need specifcally for the husky breed.
Hi Ed,
There are a number of good manufacturers on the market, however, to my knowledge there is not a collar that offers both vib and tone in addition to the stimulation features. So you will probably have to compromise and select which is more important to you. Do make sure you can get at least 3/4 inch contact points for the receiver, this will give you good contact with the skin through that thick coat. If you take a look at our store you will find both Dogtra (offers vib) and Tri-tronics (offers tone) available. Most all of the collars have at least 1/2 mile range which is what I recommend. Let us know if you have other questions.
http://www.thatsmydogstore.com/SearchResults.asp?searching=Y&sort=13&cat=3&show=10&page=2