Electric Collar

Another controversial item in the trainer's kit. In my opinion it is important to educate yourself on all the training tools and make informed choices about what you are comfortable with and what suits your dog. An electric collar can be a very useful tool, it can also be used to completely ruin a dog's training (as can most training tools!). At it's most useful, it can help with distance commands such as positions and recalls, and it removes the hands-on element of correction which can help with sensitive dogs. It must be fitted snuggly and high on the neck like the prong, and the hair should not prevent good contact with the dogs' neck.

As far as when and how to use an electric collar, ideally an experienced trainer should be consulted. They can show you how to introduce a dog to the collar, the difference between using the collar for negative reinforcement and punishment and where those methods may overlap.

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