While e-collars are one of the best tools to train dogs, if you misuse them, the consequences may be enormous, and this is one of the main reasons why many dog owners disapprove of using an e-collar. Make the process more effective and check the following mistakes in training and find out exactly how you need to get around problems.
Mistake #1: Not reading the manual
Most professional e-collars come with a manual that clearly describes the steps you should take for every training session. Also, they may have safety guidelines depicted in the manual. However, owners still commit many mistakes when they start using remote collars on their dogs. This could be avoided entirely if they read the manual instead of chucking it aside.
Solution: Read the manual carefully!
Mistake #2: Lack of familiarization phase
This problem is closely linked with the first mistake. Some owners tend to jump right into the fray when using the e-collar rather than getting to know it with themselves and the dog. Such attitude towards training will lead to misuse of the device, which increases the risk of pet injury.
Solution: We strongly recommend that you introduce yourself and your puppy to an e-collar. This is a relatively new device for a dog, and you need to bring it up to them, give it a sniff, and remember to reward your puppy for being patient. Repeat this for a few days before even trying to put the receiver on your dog.
Mistake #3: Treating the e-collar as a solution to all problems
In most cases, owners will decide to purchase the remote collar, hoping to fix whatever they face with the dog. Yes, the remote collar can technically help in more ways than one, but it will be wrong to treat this tool to solve all problems. You may be stressing the pet too much, which will lead to ignoring you in the long run.
Solution: Not all issues require an e-collar. Use alternative techniques to train the dog. Don’t forget about your voice and body language as a tool too!
Mistake #4: Using the e-collar as a quick-fix
Some owners might consider the e-collar as a quick-fix and demand immediate results just for a few sessions. This is not possible, given that you will need to train the dog before they understand the commands associated with the stimulation. For this reason, when owners start to demand that the pet speed up their learning via the training collar, the results can be terrible. For example, it may result in a pup developing an aversion towards the remote collar. In other instances, damaging the dog’s physiological behavior is possible.
Solution: Never demand an instant fix to all problems. Always be patient with your four-legged friend.
Mistake #5: Dog responds to you only when wearing e-collar
The "collar-wise" dogs are only responding to you when they are on the e-collar. It just means that the practice given to them is not sufficient enough. Either that or you have become too complacent and inconsistent with the usage of the tool. This will result in your dog being dependent on the training collar to respond to commands.
Solution: Always be consistent in every session! Ensure always follow through with your actions.
Mistake #6: No training sessions with the dog before using e-collar
You will need to conduct various practices with pets not to develop aggression issues when first use the remote collar. Also, if things are done wrongly, you might get a dog that is only adhering to commands when the receiver is on.
Solution: You must conduct working with pup all the time. This is even more important if you are using the e-collar for the first time. For starters, we will encourage the owner to conduct at least a few grounding sessions before start on the e-collar training itself. Ensure that the sessions are fruitful, with an end in mind.
Mistake #7: Long training sessions
While training is indeed necessary, the duration of each session is equally important too. Some owners tend to conduct practices that last for hours. This can create an issue of the dog finding each session boring and may grow immune to your methodology. The dog may lose focus when the session gets more extended or become a routine.
Solution: Always break down the training sessions into chunks. Never practice for hours straight as it might cause the dog to feel bored. I recommend fast and positive 10-15 minutes classes.