Balanced Training Methods

This is a topic I felt I needed to write about so people understand the thought process behind our training methods. There is negative mindset out in the world when it comes to using training tools such as prongs, e-collars, choke collars, etc. I truly feel the biggest reason for this is due to either being misinformed, lacking knowledge in the area, or simply preferring a different training method. Regardless of the category you fall under, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

E-collars and prongs can cause harm to dogs when used incorrectly. When someone isn’t informed and decides to purchase and apply one of these collars to their dogs, there’s a good chance they are planning to use it as a strictly corrective tool. When this happens, the dog now has a very negative perception of the tool. There are even cases where a dog can begin to show signs of aggression due to its improper use. It is for this reason we always tell our owners to allow us to introduce the tools properly.

We always begin introduction to the prong or e-collar with commands the dog can succeed with. By doing this, they are feeling the pressure effects the e-collar/prong provide, however they also will immediately feel the release of pressure once the command is executed which should be followed by praise/reward. A dog will begin learning the tool is now a reinforcer for their commands as opposed to being strictly a correction tool for all their wrong doings. Initially, we aim to minimize the number of corrections the dog experiences so apositive association with the tool outweighs the negative. Once a dog understands the language of the prong/e-collar, corrections can begin to be implemented so they realize their actions have both positive and negative consequences. We believe our dogs should understand right from wrong as this provides, clarity, structure, and a balanced training approach.

Can a dog be trained completely through positive training methods? I do think they can. The problem is this will take much longer and requires a huge amount of dedication, and the reality is most dog owners work eight hours a day, so time is limited. It’s this same reason we as owners should not feel ashamed nor embarrassed of using the various tools available when it comes to training our dog. At the end of the day, their success should be the only thing that matters to you.

- Jeff