Remote Training, the Wave of the Future
E-Collar or Remote training has been around for almost fifty years. The original collars were used primarily for hunting dogs as way for the handlers to control their dogs in the field at a greater distance. They were what are called a "Clean Up" tool. After the dog had learned the commands and brought into off leash training, the collar was then applied not as a learning tool but a corrective one.
Compared to the products of today, these collars were unsophisticated single level units, with a one size fits all mechanics, which lead to the commonly misused term: Shock collar. The dogs were never actually shocked as one would think in terms of grabbing a live wire, it was more their sensitivity level was lower than what the collar produced. None the less, Shock collar became the catch all term to describe something that produced a stimulus. Over the years, collars have gone through technological transitions much the same as: PC, cell phones and microwave oven have, in order to bring the product to the average user.
I have always liked and used the collar on my own and with a few clients dogs over the years but never brought it into the class setting for these reasons: 1) most clients were not looking for the distance work associated with the use; 2) the size of and cost of the collar had always been prohibitive and 3) the levels were not suitable for a variety of dogs. Times have changed and remote collar technology along with it! The remote collar is now used to teach all the basics commands to a high level of competency, as well as along with the of ease of use to get dogs into advanced levels of training as part of the basic package. This means as a trainer, I can give you more in a shorter amount of time.
The size and cost of collars have dramatically changed. Collars now fit the smallest of dogs and cost has been brought down so much, average dog owners can now afford them.
The levels have gone from just one to one hundred, so there is a level that meets with any and all dogs' level for learning.
A few years ago, I went to a seminar on the use of Remote collars as a teaching tool. This fascinated me, use the collar to teach rather than correct. Having been to several seminars which promised new ways to train dogs, I always left disappointed to find the techniques the same only marketed with new names.
I went prepared to dispute and argue these new claims!
The speaker, Fred Hassen of Sit Means Sit Dog Training in Las Vegas, brought the first untrained dog out and began to work it. I sat with my mouth open as I watched him take this green dog to recall, heel and sit at a distance. What would normally take a few weeks to get a dog to this point was accomplished in about a half and hour under his expert abilities. I could see the dog thinking and responding. There were no dramatics! No dogs screaming in pain, running away, becoming aggressive or falling apart. Just a steady stream of concentrated thought took place. As he explained the use the collar as teaching a language in this new format, I knew I was watching the wave of the future in dog training. The collar was being used to teach the dog how to understand and respond to this new language and we as handlers were learning how to mark behaviors, not correct. My mind was reeling about all the applications in my classes. The ease of use in conjunction with the tremendous response in the dogs learning was a kin to a magic wand in my mind. There was no problem or dog that could not benefit from remote training. He trained dogs in various areas of use and level of ability through out the weekend: Police, ring sport, field, hunting, problem solving, companion dog training. I sat fixed upon everything he did, watching good dogs become great and great dog become unbelievable.
So I packed my bags and headed off to Las Vegas to learn and study his techniques and become the first Honors Graduate certified from the No Limitations Remote collar training school in the tri-state area. Remote training can do so many things. What is important to me is that it can save lives. Dogs that would normally run away come back when called.
Fearful and aggressive dogs that might have been put down now run and play off leash in class with other dogs. Owners, who were so frustrated and about to give the dog up to the shelter, now have well mannered dogs around the house. As more and more dog owners become familiar with the benefits of remote collar training, more will seek it out. An important thing to remember is there are many collars and trainers who use them. There is no collar that trains a dog, it is the training process used. If used improperly, the collar will actually drive the dog away, creating more of a problem for the owners. Be sure you are training with someone qualified and certified in these new techniques through the No Limitations Remote Training School. Many use the collar but only a few around the country are trained in the use of these innovative techniques.
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