01/07/2026
E-collars are very powerful dog training tools and with great power comes great responsibility!
This tool is often throw at owners as a “fix for all” but improper use can result in less than desired results and you don’t even know it!
We are positive that if you love your dog, you don’t want them only behaving on the premise that if they do not listen, they will be corrected.
So how do we fix this?
We first have to address the manner in which the dog learned their basic skills. Many trainers skip the positive foundation and go straight into “command and correct” as learning technique. So for example, if they are teaching the “sit”, they tell the dog to “sit” and correct on the prong collar with pressure until the dog sits and the pressure stops. In this instance the dog does not have an idea of what it means to learn as a means of mental enrichment using positive methods. We have to start from square one and reteach behaviors. Often we will even suggest changing the cues to a different language so the dog has a fresh word to pair with the behavior and doesn’t drag in the negative association they have with the old cues.
If the dog did have a great foundation but life so has it that it that it is EASY to press that e-collar button and skip positive reinforcement, we just get back to basics with the dog and the owner.
We can breathe life into the dog so they are happy to follow a cue opposed to forced by fear.
Every dog and every owner are different and have different needs and abilities when it comes to training, the use of tools, and the ability to use positive reinforcement even. It is our job to find a sweet spot where we can all meet in their middle to fulfill the dog’s needs as best as we can! Rebuilding the bond and trust!
