E-Collar Communication Training
With technology pervading most aspects of our lives these days, it's no surprise that electric radio collars have become quite pervasive. They can be very effective tools to meet our need for clear communication at a distance, but like any tool, they can be misused with the wrong mindset. I've heard many stories of them being used strictly for punishment, which is quite unfortunate as it gives them a negative stigma. There is also a small margin for error when implementing them, and the whole process can go south quickly. For these reasons, we never lead with this offering, but at the same time, we are truly big fans of them! We love showing our clients how to introduce them in a positive way, so that they can be compassionately and efficiently instituted.
What are your goals?
Some of our clients use them to communicate while hunting in the field, while others simply want to be able to reliably call their dog back when hiking on the Greenbelt. Depending on your exact needs, you can expect to need 3-5 private training sessions in order to complete the E-Collar Training process. All trainings are done in your home and on your schedule. We truly enjoy engaging the whole family in the process and believe that learning can be fun! Drop us a line so we can tell you more about how the process would work and what you can expect.
Why the Garmin Delta XC?
Through the years of working with various brands and models of E-Collar, I have found that the Garmin Delta XC gives you the most bang for your buck. The range is great at half a mile, it’s very durable and the cost is reasonable at about $170. The most important thing though is its “beeping functionality.” The XC can do long beeps, short beeps, repetitive beeps, etc. This is important as we use them as a way to communicate our version of “doggie morse code.” Different beep/vibrate sequences mean different commands, and this ability allows us to teach a multitude of commands via a single device.
Do you ever use the “zap” function?
That’s a great question! As they are commonly called shock collars, it might be surprising to some that we very rarely use this function. About 99% of the time we use the beep and vibrate buttons for communication purposes. At the same time, the ability to apply a firm but humane electro-shock can be a great “emergency brake” when our pups have found themselves in a dangerous situation. A couple of examples include wandering into a busy street, as well as counter-surfing to access things which have proven to be fatal for unfortunate pups in the past. It is rare, but we will use the “zap” function to teach our curious pups which things in life are to be avoided at all costs!