Training in the age of “e” by Roger Hild - CAPPDT

Does a “remote trainer” or e-collar have any place in a dog trainers toolbox? Are there any new techniques, that can be used with this tool, that enable a trainer to work more effectively and efficiently with a dog? These were just a couple questions I hoped to get answers to when early in April of this year I took the opportunity to attend a three day “No Limitations,” seminar on “remote collar training.” Two of my students (one with many years training experience and one with very little training experience) came with me to observe and learn. The featured speakers were Fred Hassen and Behesha Grist.

As the participants arrived, I noticed it was a very typical group of dogs and their owners. A few dogs had some training already and were well behaved while some were clearly not trained at all. Some dogs were lunging at other dogs and were needing to be restrained by their struggling owners. Some dogs were wearing remote trainers, some regular collars and some had head-halters on. There were at least two dogs present that had very serious aggression issues and both were muzzled and crated.

Before collering any of the dogs all participants were given the experience of feeling the collar. It was set at the lowest setting and the levels were gradually increased until the participant first noticed it and then increased a couple levels above that. Everyone agreed that the “stim” (stimulation) was not untoward and felt rather like the “TENS” unit one might experience at a chiropractors or physiotherapists office.

Any dogs started on the collar were put through a similar process. The collar was set at the lowest level and gradually increased until the dog first noticed it (usually evidenced by an ear twitch or sideways glance in the direction of the collar). The lowest level noticed by the dog became that dog’s working level.

What was most fascinating was the application of the “stim” and the role it played. It was not used, as some might suppose, as an aversive (though, as was explained, it could be if necessary). The approach was not corrective or punishing but rather motivational and the first thing the dog learned was “the language of the collar.” The dog (guided by a long line) learned to move toward the handler at the “touch” of the collar (in much the same manner that a dog on invisible fencing learns to move toward the house). Once the dog learned to move with the touch, the commands were given at the same time as the stim. The command/stim combination could be repeated, if the behavior was not performed, until it was performed. Sometimes the stim was applied in the midst of the performance in a prodding or encouraging manner (similar to “motivational leash pops”) that seemed to increase alertness and desire. At this point there was no evidence of any distress noted, indeed the dogs seemed quite relaxed.What blew everyone away was when Fred worked with the aggressive dogs that I referred to earlier. The first aggressive dog was a mature GSD male. I had talked to the owner who confirmed this dog was very aggressive toward people as well as other dogs. Even with the muzzle on, the fiery temperament of the dog was evident. Fred couldn’t get close enough to the dog to put on the collar and therefore had the owner put it on the dog. In addition to the long line, he had a second leash dragging from the collar in case the owner had to assist.

Fred got the dog moving with him using the collar (as described above) and praised the dog when ever he was in close. Within two minutes he had the dog walking calmly with him and after another five minutes or so, everyone was shocked to see Fred reach down and remove the muzzle. The dog performed perfectly and acted like Fred was his best friend. The dog was worked in this way for quite some time and then remuzzled and worked closely around the other dogs and people. He performed flawlessly and by the second day he no longer required a muzzle and worked all the exercises in the group along side everyone else. The second aggressive dog made similar progress, though the initial stages took a few minutes longer.

Both Fred and Behesha have worked literally hundreds of dogs just like them. The results are a matter of public record - both work with all kinds of dogs in the local pounds and shelters. Both have ample references from these places of the results they have achieved. Aside from the astonishing results that everyone saw was the fact that even the pure novice trainers were able to quickly catch on to the technique and work confidently and well with their own dogs.

I corresponded with another participant after the seminar. He told me that before the seminar, his dog had been to puppy class and basic obedience class but that the family had had little success in controlling his energy and strength. He was spending increasing time in the crate and got fewer and fewer walks. In his exuberance, he had injured a child who required emergency dental surgery. The participant wrote to me that, “This was not a dog that was neglected or left unsocialized as a puppy. He DID do obedience training, he DID get A LOT of practice using the leash and cookie method.”

Since the seminar, this owner reported that in just three days of work, the dog had rejoined the household. The weaker family members are now able to walk the dog, and he’s getting much more time out of the crate and with the family. My correspondent wrote, “The e-collar puts control BACK in our hands.” And he also wrote, “I shudder thinking the many people who have purchased these off-shelf, without training, to use as a strictly punishment device.”

I got the answers to my questions at this seminar. This piece of equipment, like any tool, must be used properly, but when it is, the results are very impressive. Is there a place for it in a dog trainers toolbox? That’s for each trainer to decide. I know I have a place for it in mine.

Regards,
Roger Hild

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Originally published in the Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers Newsletter. Roger Hild is the owner of Tsuro Dog Training, A Personalized Approach to Training Your Dog. Visit his web site at www.tsurodogtraining.com