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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
How do you feel regarding remote/electric/shock collars?
Our 3 year old boxer has discovered the bunnies in our back yard. She goes absolutely crazy, doesn't listen, and chases them for a good 10-15 minute before she decides to stop. It's like when she's in chasing mode nothing stops her. We live in the country on several acres, and a fence isn't practical. Were working with a trainer, but still having these issues. We were contemplating tryin a remote collar for correction. DH thinks we'd only need to use it for a few days to get the lesson across.
What are your thoughts on these collars, when used correctly?
Our next option is an underground fence, but we'd really prefer to not go that route.
Re: How do you feel regarding remote/electric/shock collars?
Unless used under the supervision of a trainer, I'm not a fan. Timing is critical, and you could possibly "correct" the dog for the wrong action.
Even under supervision of a trainer, the behavior would have to be severe for me to use a shock collar. It's just not my style of training.
In your case, I'd simply take my dog outside on a long leash. Gives them space to run around, but not be completely free to take off.
We have an 11 month old english bully and we use an attention collar...not a shock collar although I personally think its the same thing. Like the PP said, it took a trainer to show us and him how to use it, how to respond, etc. It has been lifesaver! We went through a training company, Sit Means Sit, that was probably too much $$ but we were desperate as first time puppy owners. But it was worth it. We take him to the dog parks and he just walks by all of the other dogs who are fighting or yapping. It's been great.
I second Sit Means Sit! $$$ but so worth it! It saved our dog from needing a new home. H was deployed and I was at a breaking point. Our husky mix is MUCH better with the collar and training!
We use them, and they work well. Our dogs now rarely need the shock because we use the page feature first and like PP they know the shock comes after the page if they don't listen.
One thing I can say that make it difficult for us is that we have very smart dogs that know when those collars are on...and when they are not. Meaning, they listen when they are wearing them to avoid the shock, but sometimes when they're not wearing them, all bets are off.
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My only concern with this technique is that OP might not be able to keep him under control. I know with our dobie, we can have him on a long leash but if he sees a cat, he ends up dragging me across the yard with him. I haven't resorted to a shock collar or anything, but we don't have a super huge yard and can easily see if there's anything he'll try to chase.
If he doesn't have rock-solid recall, he really shouldn't be off-leash in an un-fenced yard.
This.
I've seen dogs trained and trained again on shock collars and "electric fences" and then they see something they want- bunny, kid running, cookie, ice cream truck, what have you- and they bolt. Through the shock, through the jolt, they don't care. If you're dog has a high prey drive, it could mean disaster if they don't have a rock solid recall command ingrained. They should never be off leash if you cannot control them since a fence is off your radar. Its just proper animal care and responsibility. Sorry. Tethers are illegal in our county, but I know in many others they are recommended for situations like this where you can have working dogs on acreage. I'd never leave my dog out unattended, but if you have to, maybe look into a tether or a dog run of some kind. Be safe and good luck!