sjdavenport
Well-Known Member
I'm hoping to get people's opinions on this trainer's obedience training program. Her website advertises an "off lead reliable program." This is the description of what is covered: "This program is for those who have the time to devote, and enjoy the process of training their own dog. Your dog stays in your home and you train him yourself, with our professional instructions
You will learn to train your dog the following skillsOFF LEAD:
"[FONT=georgia,palatino]Yes, all of my off leash programs require the use of the remote training collar. It is used to communicate what we want the dog to do, rather than what we don't want. In other words, people who go buy the collar at the pet store (they don't sell the collars I specialize in at the local shops) do so out of frustration and as a last resort, they are trying to teach the dog to STOP doing something. I use it as a GO collar, meaning, do this, not stop doing that.
If you complete a program somewhere else, you will only need to add one lesson to your training so that I can fine tune whatever you have learned and prepare your pup for the off leash training. I work with all breeds and have been doing so since 1996. If there is something you would like to specifically teach your dog to do, in terms of protection or bite work, I do not offer that type of training.
I look forward to working with you, if you decide my programs are right for you."
So then I emailed her again and asked if the collars use vibration, tones, shocks or what. I also said that it concerned me because my puppy is pretty soft, and that I'd only used reward based training for my dogs before. Her response to that:
"[FONT=georgia,palatino]The collars I use have a vibrate feature as well as a stimulation feature. They go have an intensity from 1-127, so even the most sensitive dog will be able to be "touched" to get their attention and then direct them in a manner that makes sense to them. If you would like to meet me at some time and feel the collar, I can explain it a little better.
Who will you be doing your initial training with?
Thank you, and let me know if you would like to meet later in time, before you decide what you would like to do."
The training options in my area are pretty limited. I was in a different town over the summer, so Rhaegar has already completed a puppy kindergarten class there. It was of course, all positive reinforcement, and he did very well. Now we are planning to take the next basic class with him at one of the very few training places in my area. They only offer the one basic/beginner group class, and nothing beyond that, so that's why I'm talking to the above trainer - I'd like to take him further than just the basics. My dogs all go everywhere with us, so I'm dedicated doing whatever it takes to help Rhaegar become a reliable, trustworthy, and well behaved companion in all situations. So what are yall's thoughts? Would you absolutely say no the the use of an e collar on a puppy, even with the guidance of an experienced instructor? I'm pretty dog savvy, so if at any point I felt uncomfortable with what was happening (or if Rhaegar seemed like he wasn't responding well to it), I would have no problem saying so, and stopping the training. She has tons of positive reviews, and she has tons and tons of photos and videos of her training sessions/polishing classes, and the dogs all seem to be pretty comfortable and non-fearful with the methods. Sorry about the novel, I was just trying to be thorough!
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You will learn to train your dog the following skillsOFF LEAD:
- Loose lead walking
- On and off leash heel
- Off (get off people, counters.)
- Sit for an extended period of time
- Down for an extended period of time
- Place
- Leave it
- Drop it
- Wait at the door and in car to prevent bolting
- Come when called from a distance every time!"
"[FONT=georgia,palatino]Yes, all of my off leash programs require the use of the remote training collar. It is used to communicate what we want the dog to do, rather than what we don't want. In other words, people who go buy the collar at the pet store (they don't sell the collars I specialize in at the local shops) do so out of frustration and as a last resort, they are trying to teach the dog to STOP doing something. I use it as a GO collar, meaning, do this, not stop doing that.
If you complete a program somewhere else, you will only need to add one lesson to your training so that I can fine tune whatever you have learned and prepare your pup for the off leash training. I work with all breeds and have been doing so since 1996. If there is something you would like to specifically teach your dog to do, in terms of protection or bite work, I do not offer that type of training.
I look forward to working with you, if you decide my programs are right for you."
So then I emailed her again and asked if the collars use vibration, tones, shocks or what. I also said that it concerned me because my puppy is pretty soft, and that I'd only used reward based training for my dogs before. Her response to that:
"[FONT=georgia,palatino]The collars I use have a vibrate feature as well as a stimulation feature. They go have an intensity from 1-127, so even the most sensitive dog will be able to be "touched" to get their attention and then direct them in a manner that makes sense to them. If you would like to meet me at some time and feel the collar, I can explain it a little better.
Who will you be doing your initial training with?
Thank you, and let me know if you would like to meet later in time, before you decide what you would like to do."
The training options in my area are pretty limited. I was in a different town over the summer, so Rhaegar has already completed a puppy kindergarten class there. It was of course, all positive reinforcement, and he did very well. Now we are planning to take the next basic class with him at one of the very few training places in my area. They only offer the one basic/beginner group class, and nothing beyond that, so that's why I'm talking to the above trainer - I'd like to take him further than just the basics. My dogs all go everywhere with us, so I'm dedicated doing whatever it takes to help Rhaegar become a reliable, trustworthy, and well behaved companion in all situations. So what are yall's thoughts? Would you absolutely say no the the use of an e collar on a puppy, even with the guidance of an experienced instructor? I'm pretty dog savvy, so if at any point I felt uncomfortable with what was happening (or if Rhaegar seemed like he wasn't responding well to it), I would have no problem saying so, and stopping the training. She has tons of positive reviews, and she has tons and tons of photos and videos of her training sessions/polishing classes, and the dogs all seem to be pretty comfortable and non-fearful with the methods. Sorry about the novel, I was just trying to be thorough!
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