Training young dogs with a shock collar

[Jaybird67]

I have 2 pups a year old that I am putting in a puppy pen for 2 weeks to start them and want to take them to the woods after that.I have never used a shock collar before so I am just curious as to how long does it take to train them.Thanks!!

[prairie]

Start by having a dummy shock collar for both pups.
Get them used to wearing it in and out of the kennel, and having it put on and off. Every time you take the pups out the dummy collars need to go on.
Once you have them accustomed to the dummy routine, usually at least 3-4 weeks, just slip the live collar on when you are ready to do some training. But when not training, still use the dummy collars until you feel they are fully trained .
The key is to not let them know they have a live collar on. The collar is just a part of their regular routine.
Not following this routine will generally create dogs that are collarwise and/or collarshy.
Your dummy collars should look used and abused, and your live collar should show only light wear.

[Jaybird67]

Thanks for the advice.That should make for a smooth transition.

[RiverBottom]

Good advice Prarie. I used to do just that. One day I realized that the dummy collar SMELLED different than the regular shock collar. Dogs depend on their sense of smell more than anything. If I could tell the difference, I'm sure all those dogs I trained all those years knew darn well when they were wearing the real thing. I quit using a dummy collar that day and never looked back. They don't even sell dummy collars anymore, so I don't think I'm alone.

I just use the real collar, but I don't turn it on the first 3 or 4 days I use it. That removes all temptation to USE it. The dogs get so they WANT you to put that collar on them because they associate it with getting out of the kennel.

[dave g]

jaybird, good advice so far. i take it you are going to be using the e collar for handling purposes. before any dog feels any sort of shock it needs to know what the commands mean. put those pups on a check cord and work them with that while they wear the collar or dummy collar. the first time you give them some electronic stimulation make sure they are on the cord. if they dont know what a command means when you hit the button to reinforce there is always the chance they might turn and run straight away from you to the next county. this is a reason why the check cord can be your best training buddy. you never know you might never need to hit the button. it does not take long sessions for a dog to learn, it just takes consistency. when working on handling i usually only spend 15 minutes or less a day.

riverbottom, you are right on. my dogs tails start waging when they see me walking towards them with collars.

good luck and have fun, dave

[Jaybird67]

Dave,

I am a newbie to the shock collar world so you guys will have to work with me.I do want to use them for just handling loading and getting them to come to me.What is a check cord and does it come with the system?I'm going to borrow my brothers shock collar but he has just used it on his house dog so I'm not sure what he has.Thanks for working with me on this and please keep the advice coming as I learn something new each time!!

[JackalNeck]

My dogs love to see the shock collars coming, even more so then the food bucket.

[dave g]

jaybird, no problem at all. we all have to learn sometime. heck, i am still learning. a check cord is just a long rope leash. i have used any type of rope from clothes line to nylon cheopo stuff to expensive thick comfortable rope. for beagles clothes line works good and is cheap but tangles easily and you may have to use gloves depending how tough your hands are. i just tie on a snap at one end to put on the dog then at the other end i tie knots. i tie big knots so when a dog is running around on it you can let it pull the rope freely while using a loose grip but you hand will catch the knot at the end instead of the dog pulling it right out of your hand. i like a long check cord about 50 feet or so. but make sure you have a nice open area to work a dog on it so you dont have it getting wrapped around trees and such. you will use the check cord when teaching your pup to come. you tell the pup to come and if he doesnt you can reel him to you with the cord while saying the command. the cord you will have to buy yourself or like i always did make my own.

you cant rely on a shock collar to train a dog in my opinion. it is just a tool for reinforcement. consistency is what will train a dog. and remember praise goes a long way too.
some dogs catch on pretty fast and some seem like they will never handle for anybody.

good luck and have fun with your pups.

later, dave

[Jaybird67]

Thanks Dave,

I have 2 that are great and will jump right in the box and I have 2 hard heads that I have referred too early that are giving me an ulser.I love working with them though and it will be a pleasure when I get them where I want them knock on wood.I have a 2 or 3 acre field I can take and work with them on with the check cord though. Thanks Again!!

jaybird, no problem at all. we all have to learn sometime. heck, i am still learning. a check cord is just a long rope leash. i have used any type of rope from clothes line to nylon cheopo stuff to expensive thick comfortable rope. for beagles clothes line works good and is cheap but tangles easily and you may have to use gloves depending how tough your hands are. i just tie on a snap at one end to put on the dog then at the other end i tie knots. i tie big knots so when a dog is running around on it you can let it pull the rope freely while using a loose grip but you hand will catch the knot at the end instead of the dog pulling it right out of your hand. i like a long check cord about 50 feet or so. but make sure you have a nice open area to work a dog on it so you dont have it getting wrapped around trees and such. you will use the check cord when teaching your pup to come. you tell the pup to come and if he doesnt you can reel him to you with the cord while saying the command. the cord you will have to buy yourself or like i always did make my own.

you cant rely on a shock collar to train a dog in my opinion. it is just a tool for reinforcement. consistency is what will train a dog. and remember praise goes a long way too.
some dogs catch on pretty fast and some seem like they will never handle for anybody.

good luck and have fun with your pups.

later, dave

[Joeyman]

I have 2 pups a year old that I am putting in a puppy pen for 2 weeks to start them and want to take them to the woods after that.I have never used a shock collar before so I am just curious as to how long does it take to train them.Thanks!!

take your time and go easy on them. level 1 to start off with and see how they react