Does dog training get you down? Do you have an adult dog and just can’t get him to “come” on command? Does your dog jump on people? Have you tried the latest collars and training books and still can’t trust your dog? You clearly have a problem and if you can’t trust your dog to listen to you, he could get hit by a car. He has two options, he can give it to a trainer or he can spend time and money on an electronic collar.
While dogs jumping on people are embarrassing to the owner, not coming back is worse. There are many dangers in the world and a dog needs to be obedient to survive. Your pet needs to be able to run around and get enough exercise or you’ll have other problems on your hands. Training your dog to be on a leash is very different from having him run off-leash. Your pet wants to be nice, but maybe she just isn’t getting the message? You have options. You can find a trainer to take you home for a week or so and train you, or you can buy an electronic collar also known as an e-collar.
What you discover about your dog might surprise you. The trainer can quickly train your dog. Having no emotional ties to his dog, the trainer comes from a different perspective and the dog understands early on that he is not going to get his way. What you perceive as stubborn behavior that the person who now handles your dog cannot even present as a challenge. However, once the new thing has worn off for your pet, over the course of a week or two, his bad habits will show up and the trainer can address them.
If you have chosen the e-collar route, this also requires training for you. If you go out and get a necklace and try this on your own, you may feel as frustrated as you were before your purchase. Instead, buy your necklace through your training and take at least 3 classes on how to wear it. Be prepared for a lot of criticism from other dog owners, some who have well-behaved dogs, some who have dogs they can’t trust any more than you can trust yours. Everyone seems to have an opinion on this subject. E-collars get a bad rap because owners don’t know how to use them and never went the extra mile to take a class. Reading the instructions is not the same as hands-on experience. This collar is worn in addition to your dog’s normal collar and is put on in the morning and taken off at night. Look for one that has a vibration button as well as a button to send a quick shock to your dog. It should also have a dial that can be turned up or down depending on the degree of shock your pet receives. You won’t gain anything by hitting your dog until he barks.
Find a trainer to help you with your dog’s training. Many will take them home and train them for a week or more. This can include riding in the car and going to dog parks, or curbside training, to teach them how to behave on a leash. If you prefer to try an electronic collar, take lessons from your trainer on how the collar works. Our dogs want to please us, but sometimes we have to understand that our best intentions are not going to get us the pet we hoped for.
