Posts Tagged ‘dog training collars’

Dog training collars have been around since the late 20th century. They have not gained wide acceptance at the early stages due to their limited options and quite often drastic measures of application. Over time collars have become more and more favorable as quality of the products drastically changed, spectrum of options grew, as well as the ease of use. As dog training collars were slowly emerging from the surface as a product that “works”, manufacturers continued on implementing better electronics, better material, and made these collars superior over majority of orthodox training techniques.

Dog training collars come in countless styles, from the most basic types such us choke collars, or otherwise known as “slip” collars, to multiple remote controlled dog training collars which aid in training more than one pet. Whatever the need, consumers have realized that options are endless in today’s society, and that can often be a troublesome experience. Not only are there tens of different types, but tens of various manufacturers for every type, with each developer promising the highest rate of training success. Not to mention the emerging hunting market which is growing very rapidly with new dog training collars for almost anything. With this in mind, consumers today face a much more difficult decision than ever before, with the growing popularity of training collars, they have to decide if to use them, and if so, which product is better.

Dog training collars can be somewhat broken up into a few categories. The first would be the simplest type, such as choke collars (slip collars). These types are exceptional for training a dog how to act and behave during a walk. Consumers have enough stress in their lives as it is, and the added stress of a dog jumping on people, pulling back and forth is something one should be able to minimize. The second type would be the basic training collars, which are in most cases controlled by a remote. These types are an excellent resource if one aims in teaching their best friend the simplest commands, such as sit, come, heel, or minimize barking etc. The third type would be the advanced training collars.

These are also controlled by a remote, but with a multitude of added options, have much more range, but in most cases are a bit more expensive. Advanced collars are an exceptional tool for those seeking for a more professional obedience training. Multiple dog training collars would be considered a fourth type. This product works in the same manner as an advanced or a basic training collar system, with the addition of more than one collar to a remote. With this type of system, a trainer can teach obedience of more than one dog, or as a matter of fact, use to control more than one hunting dog. This introduces the last but not least type, the hunting dog training collar system. Again these types are equipped with most of the features one would get from an advanced system, but with the focus of a few other options to aid in training a dog to be a good hunting partner.

Every individual that owns a canine knows the importance of having a well behaved and smart dog. An obedient and intelligent dog makes the experience of having a four legged best friend much more exciting and enjoyable. A well trained pet is one that can be taken anywhere, an animal that can be trusted anywhere. Dog training collars give that specific advantage of making ones loyal friend trustworthy, friendly and safe. Although there are countless of techniques of getting obedience training for a pet, from acquiring the needed skills from books and other information references, sending a dog to obedience schools, and teaching with the aid of training collars, the highly growing in popularity is the dog training collar system.

Dog training collar system tends to be a more expensive initial investment if choosing other than a choke collar, but one that pays itself off very quickly. For instance, books are a very inexpensive technique, but require a lot of time to learn and initiate all the required actions. Although books/videos tend to be the least expensive technique, they require a lot of time, and in these days, very rarely does anyone have the time to spend countless weeks in teaching a dog simple commands like sit, heel etc, let alone anything more advanced, and as everyone knows, time is money. Providing that necessary time to train a dog using orthodox methods usually referenced from books/vides requires eliminating that time from sometimes more important tasks such as work, or family time.

On the other hand, sending a dog or a puppy to an obedience school quite often requires the same amount of investment as a training collar. Not to mention that that dog will not be trained by the owner, but by someone else which often the dog will not be able to refer back to the owner. Even choosing obedience schools where the owner takes part in the training, again that can get expensive and time consuming. In addition, that style of training once is over cannot be done over again unless one is willing to pay more. Dog training collar system, although seemingly expensive at the initial stage, saves much precious time in comparison to other techniques, but also allows it to be used over and over, or even sold used, saving money. Although some believe that training collars are a very unfriendly form of dog obedience schooling, in reality these systems are very safe. Any equipment that is used in an abusive manner can be unsafe. Dog training collars are meant to teach a dog to behave rather than punish them, and if used in the manner shown, such collars will help teach a pet to be a very smart and obedient family member.

In conclusion, dog training collars are an exceptional utility that is not only very safe, practical and effective, but also very time efficient and in the long run an investment that pays for itself. With the wide range of options and styles available on the market, every dog owner will have no trouble finding one for the required task. One should always remember, that before purchasing a training collar, one should acquire advice from an expert, not just a summer time student working at some pet store.

M.C.
Dog Training collar are an exceptional tool for anyone wishing to teach their four legged friends how to behave and be safe. For more information about dog training collars, please come and visit us @ http://www.smarts4puppies.com.

Author: Martin Czech
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Tags: 20th Century, act, added stress, Consumers, Difficult Decision, Dog Collars, dog training collars, Drastic Measures, face, Hunting Market, people, Popularity, Spectrum, Tens, Tool, Training Dog

In an era of high speed Internet access, cell phones, and palm pilot organizers, it was only a matter of time before dog trainer would adopt the electronic training collar as an acceptable and humane way of training dogs. Notice I did not use the term “shock collar”. The reason will become clear after a brief look into the evolution of “The Dog Training Collar”.

More than 30 years ago, electronic collars made their way into the dog-training scene. However, because the first generation of dog training collars were only capable of delivering one level of stimulation to the dog, they where appropriately nicknamed shock collars. These collars required the trainer to select the level of correction by inserting an “intensity plug” into the collar (before putting the collar on the dog for training, once the collar was on the dog they could not change the intensity level). This plug would then cause the collar to emit the same level of stimulation for all corrections issued during the session, regardless of how small or large the infraction – hence the nickname – shock collars.

The term shock collar had a very negative connotation that dramatically decreased their widespread acceptance in the dog-training arena. It was commonly stated that, “Only hard headed dogs that could not be trained by traditional means where run with shock collars”. As a result, very few professional trainers were public about their use of electronic dog collars fearing that clients would not entrust dogs to their care. However, some professionals, including legendary Rex Carr, where up-front about their use of electronic collars and worked diligently at developing a training program that utilized the collar in a way dogs could understand. Rex quickly became know as a pioneer of training retrievers with electronic collars. In fact, most if not all training techniques used today with retrievers are derivate from Rex’s original work.

Recognizing the limitations of the first generation of electronic dog training collars, manufacturers worked to refine their design. It was only until the release of the second generation of electronic collars that allowed the trainer to vary the level of intensity from the hand-held transmitter. The trainer could now select from one of three levels of intensity for a particular “intensity plug”: high, medium and low. This design still had its shortcomings. The trainer still only had 3 levels of stimulation to choose from and the lowest level of stimulation was typically inappropriate for simple corrections.

While the second generation of electronic collars was a great advancement in dog training collars, this technology was replaced in the last decade by collars that gave the trainer the ability to select multiple levels of intensity from the transmitter. This single advancement combined with customer education has done more for the widespread acceptance of the electronic collar than any other advancement in the collar’s history.

Manufacturers quickly recognized that a great design alone was not going to give their product the acceptance needed to support their newfound industry; it was only through education that new customers would understand how to use these training devices to advance their dog in a proper manner. The most significant form of education came when Tri-Tronics released a book written by Jim and Phyllis Dobbs and Alice Woodward, Tri-Tronics Training Retrievers. This book focused on incorporating electronic collars in all phases of training retrievers and walked the reader through a series of detailed steps, bringing a dog from A to Z.

As a result of the technological advancements and the educational support provided by manufacturers, the days of the “shock collar” are gone, giving way to the remote training collars. Today, like cell phones, its becoming more difficult to find someone who trains without an electronic collar.

The remainder of this article will focus on the technology found in many of the collars manufactured by the industry leaders and explain how each is applicable in training gundogs and your selection of an electronic collar.

Types of Stimulation – Continuous Stimulation vs. Momentary Stimulation
Let’s start by defining the two forms of stimulation available on the market today. First, there is continuous stimulation; this method of stimulation delivers an electronic correction to the dog for as long as the trainer presses the button on the transmitter. If the trainer holds the button down for five seconds the dog will receive five seconds worth of stimulation. However, most models on the market today will timeout after seven to ten seconds of stimulation has been applied to the dog.

The second form of stimulation available on some collars is momentary stimulation. Momentary stimulation, sometimes call a “nick”, is different from continuous stimulation in one simple way; no matter how long the trainer depresses the button, the dog will only receive a short electronic correction, the duration of which is measured in a fraction of a second.

When might you use continuous or momentary stimulation?
Continuous form of stimulation can be used in training when you need to extend a meaningful correction to your dog and re-establish control of a training situation. A great example of a training scenario where you might need to apply continuous stimulation is when you need to gain control over your dog on a runner. In this situation, a simple “nick” or short burst of stimulation may do nothing to stop him on that illusive cock pheasant. Often, a dog might just run through a short burst of electronic stimulation because he is too excited about the prospect of fresh scent to listen to your sit or “hup” whistle. The continuous level of stimulation is what is required to stop him in his tracks. Because the correction is applied to the dog for as long as you hold the button down the effect to the dog is a stronger form of correction. Another example of when continuous stimulation would be a valuable training tool would be when teaching a flushing dog to turn on the “come around” whistle. Here you would use a much lower level of stimulation and apply the stimulation in conjunction with the “come around” command/whistle, only releasing the pressure when he complies with your command. In both training scenarios, the dog has to be taught the way out of the pressure (or the correct response) before utilizing a collar.

Momentary stimulation can be used in training when you need to apply a short, light form of correction. A classic training scenario where we would use momentary stimulation is when utilizing “indirect pressure” during training. With indirect pressure, you want to apply a short, quick correction for not compiling to a command after you have gotten control over him through attrition. For example, if your dog refuses to take a “right-handed angled back” command on a blind retrieve, momentary stimulation can be used after stopping him with a firm “sit” whistle, “nicking” him once he is sitting for refusing to take the “right-handed angle back” command, then re-issuing the “angle back” command. In this case, the momentary stimulation applies a short less intense correction that does not “rock the boat”.

Range
Upon first consideration, you may not think that you would need an electronic collar that has a range of one mile. However, if you are hunting over a big running pointer, in the thick backwoods of New England, you might be better served with a collar that has an effective range of a half-mile or greater than a collar with less range. Most manufacturers quote “line-of-sight” range for their collars. However, the effective range of an electronic collar can vary according to terrain and environmental conditions. For basic obedience and most yard work, a collar that is capable of extending to 150 to 300 yards is more than adequate. However, if you are training in the field or working in any type of cover, more range is needed to produce a reliable signal.

Intensity Levels
Maybe the most important advancements in the electronic collar in the past ten years has been the change in the design of the electronic collar to allow a trainer to change levels of stimulation at the transmitter, rather than at the collar. In days gone past, a trainer could only change the levels of stimulation by physically changing the “intensity plug” and/or contact points on the collar itself.

Today, virtually all quality dog training collars on the market allow the trainer to select the level of stimulation from the transmitter. The old term, shock collar is no longer accurate, the term “electronic training collars” has since replaced this term primarily due to this single design change which allows a trainer to select just the right amount of stimulation necessary to correct the dog making the electronic collar a humane approach to training dogs. Now you can select a mild level of stimulation (barely noticeable by human touch) or a severe level of correction that would make even the toughest man take notice. The responsibility is now with the trainer to select the appropriate correction for the dog.

Transmitter Design
Probably the most important factor in regards to usability of an electronic collar rests within the transmitter design. Most transmitters on the market today fit easily into your hand. However, differences exist in the design of the transmitter. Some manufacturers make transmitters that are small, lightweight and can be hung on a lanyard. Other manufacturers make transmitters that are larger but extremely easy to use. Like most things in life, it comes down to personal preference. In order for any collar to be an effective training device it must be easy to use and be able to apply the correction at the exact moment it is needed. The last thing you want to be doing is fumbling for your transmitter, setting an intensity level when you should be delivering a firm correction that the dog will understand.

The last feature to take into consideration when evaluating the design of a transmitter is the resistance of the transmitter to weather. Some transmitters are water resistant while others are waterproof. If using an electronic collar while waterfowling you might want to consider a transmitter that is waterproof and can endure a “fall in the drink”.

Collar Design
The final consideration when choosing an electronic collar is the design of the collar/receiver unit itself. Some earlier models of electronic collars, intended for upland use, had external antennas that extended beyond the body of the collar and often became caught up on or became damaged by heavy brush. This design has since been replaced with antennas that are self-contained within the body of the receiver unit.

Like the transmitter design, collars also come in units that are water resistant and waterproof. If you intend on using your dog in or around water I would highly recommend purchasing a collar that is waterproof. These collars can be fully submerged in water while in the field without harming the internal electronics, a must for most hunters.

Final Note

Used correctly, the electronic collar can be an invaluable tool when training your gundog. There is no other tool that can help you effectively apply a correction to your dog than one of the many electronic collars on the market today. The days of chasing down your dog to apply a traditional correction (only have lost the significance of the timing) are long gone. Now you can effectively and reliably apply the correction at the moment when it is needed. Do your homework, if you have any questions regarding the selection an dog training collars a.k.a. shock collars, please don’t hesitate to visit us at Gun Dogs Online.

Geoffrey A. English is the Founder of GundogsOnline.com, the internet’s premiere online magazine dedicated to bird dogs. If you have any questions regarding choosing an electronic dog collar or shock collars, please don’t hesitate to visit their site.

Author: Geoffrey English
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Cellphone news

Tags: Developing A Training Program, dog trainer, dog training collar, dog training collars, Electronic Collars, electronic dog collars, Electronic Training Collar, Evolution Of The Dog, High Speed Internet, High Speed Internet Access, Infraction, Intensity Level, Matter Of Time, Negative Connotation, Palm Pilot, Pilot Organizers, Professional Trainers, Shock Collar, shock collars, Training Dogs

There are many exceptional breeds that make wonderful hunting dogs, but not all are categorized solely as hunting dogs.  Case in point: hounds hunt undersized prey such as jackrabbits, and raccoons, animals that like to live in thickets.  However, not every hound hunts wholly by scent, as some make use of their well-developed vision too (sight hounds).

Gun dogs are another common category of hunting dog.  Remember, not all hunting dogs are gun dogs.  Gun dogs are primarily used by hunters who hunt with shotguns, mainly those hunting for various types of fowl.  They encompass retrievers, pointers, setters, and spaniels usually.   Terriers and feists are also types of gun dogs and have been known to squeeze into rabbit holes and other hideouts to chase out game.  Curs are larger hunting dogs and are able to hunt bigger game, such as cougars.

There is a broad range of breeds that are classified as gun dogs.  They are the best dogs to choose when you are seeking those to retrieve or even track down prey.  Each one has characteristic skills and some are similar in a few ways:

Retrievers

Not only are retrievers a good choice as hunting dogs, but they also make wonderful family pets.  They are excellent swimmers and like the water.  If you are intending on hunting ducks or other fowl close to the water, you should choose a retriever, as he will have no problem grabbing birds, whether they are on land or in the water.  Retrievers also learn the command “fetch” easier than most other dogs, as their natural instinct is to retrieve items.

Spaniels

Although spaniels do not mind water or swimming, their main talent can be found in locating hidden game.  They are not unlike retrievers in that they are more than willing to retrieve prey.  Cocker spaniels are very popular as they make excellent pets, but they are also talented hunters.  English springer spaniels and cocker spaniels are two of the most well-known spaniel breeds categorized as hunting dogs, but field spaniels are growing in popularity each year.   Spaniels will retrieve prey on land or in the water.

Pointers

Pointers, such as the German shorthaired pointer, discover the prey for the hunter and point at it, thus their name.  This breed will traverse a much larger region than spaniels, but are dependent on the hunter to draw out the quarry.

Setters

Setters, similar to pointers, will both find and point at game, but will also track prey using excellent smelling abilities when ordered to do so.  Setters, such as English setters, are very skillful at tracking upland birds such as quail and pheasants.  They are very popular hunting dogs in places like Ireland and England.

Water Dogs

When we hear the word “poodle,” we often think of a lap dog with a convoluted hair-do.  However, the poodle is a sort of retriever that enjoys the water and is, in theory, a hunting dog.  Big traditional poodles are superior dogs to use for hunting when hunting close to the water.   Different from other hunting dogs, poodles have actual hair in place of fur and must be clipped every so often.  An odd aside: they are excellent hunting dogs for those with dog allergies.

The sort of hunting you plan on doing will influence the type of hunting dog that is suitable for you.  Try to plan for this in advance, so that when you hunt for your prey you have the proper expectations for the dog. Knowing what your dog is capable of in the field will help you train him to be the best hunting dog he can be.

When purchasing Gun Dogs you must also consider what kind of Hunting Dog Supplies you might need. A few supplies to consider are dog training collars, bird launchers, and electronic dog fences.

Tags: bird dogs, dog training collars, gun dogs, hunting dog supplies, hunting dogs

For those of you who are working on the best way to housebreak a puppy, barking can be tough. A constantly barking dog can be a huge nuisance.  It is challenging to learn how to stop your dog from barking, because there are any number of things that sets off constant barking.  Then, each breed is also unique. Figuring out what causes your dog to bark can help you figure out exactly how to teach your dog to control this behavior.

Some people don’t mind constant barking, but many others do.  Sometimes the fact is that you have dog that just barks too much.  While it is important to remember your dog is using his or her bark to communicate with their owner and other dogs, constant barking is unnecessary.  Just don’t go too far and try to stop your dog from barking completely.  It’s completely appropriate for dogs to bark at some times.  

One way to avoid excessive barking issues is by not choosing a dog that is known as a big barker.  A dog’s breed and purpose is often a huge factor in its barking habits.  Dogs bred to protect their owners will bark more than those bred as family pets.  Dogs bred for hunting may also tend to bark and even howl more than other breeds.  You cannot always predict a dog’s barking behavior by its breed, but knowing the tendency of a breed to bark is important before you choose a dog.  

Sometimes, dogs are better at training us than we are at training them.  Don’t jump up and respond to your dogs commands when he or she barks.  If they want to go outside and play, allow them to bark to signal, but do not let them out if they continue to bark.  Teach them to get quiet first.  Don’t respond until the dog is quiet, the dog will learn that to stop barking is a good behavior which brings rewards. Consider this before you buy a citronella dog collar.  

As we said, dogs communicate by barking, so allow them to bark.  When barking continues too long, however, reach out and gently claps the dog’s muzzle shut.  Keep your grasp firm, but gentle.  Do not hurt the dog.  It is likely that she will try to wriggle away from your grasp.  At this point, use your other hand to hold her gently, but firmly by the collar.  

Sometimes pet owners can figure out why their dog is barking and sometimes they cannot.  I thought we would never get our Bischon to stop barking at every little noise, so I had to get outside help.  You may think it’s odd to get help to stop your dog’s barking.  Actually, it isn’t uncommon for dog owners to get help.  I know because my dog no longer barks at every noise, day and night.

Tags: dog barking, Dog Training, dog training collars, Dogs, puppy barking, shock collars

If you just bought a dog chances are that your dog is going to require some training. This is especially true if you’ve purchased a working dog – for instance a hunting dog. It will do little good if your dog is not cooperating with you when you’re training so you will most likely be looking for a safe and effective training method.

For many hunting dog owners, the Dogtra Training Collar is the option they use making them one of the leading brands of dog training collars. The Dogtra Training collar has some features that helped make it a leading brand including:

Safety Features: Your dog can’t be harmed with jolts at higher levels because the collar will not allow long stimulations for more than safely allowable.

Waterproof: this feature is even more important if you’re training a hunting or fielding dog (although it’s helpful for pets as well) because you will be spending time outside with your dog;

Controlled Stimulation: you have the option to control the stimulation that your dog receives. You decide whether your dogs behavior requires a quick reminder or a more sustained reminder;

Pager: You can train your dog to behave without electronic stimulation.

Many believe that static collars (often incorrectly called “shock” or “stun” collars) are inhumane. Anyone who has used one, or who cares enough about their dog to test one, knows that this is completely untrue. These are veterinarian-approved collars that are safe, effective, and probably the most humane way to teach a dog. No choking, collar yanking, emotional outbreaks (yelling/screaming) are required for these collars to work effectively. The secret to the success of these collars is not the “shock” they deliver, but the surprise that the static gives to the dog, startling him out of his bad behavior.

Some of the Dogtra Dog Training Collar models that are available now are:

Dogtra 200ncp Gold Dog Training Collar

The Dogtra 200NCP Gold is perfect for the smaller or medium-sized dog that is not usually more than a half a mile from you when you’re training. Many non-sporting or smaller sporting breeds, such as terriers and beagles, will be sized right for these collars. The unit is lightweight and still has a respectable range (880 yards) in good conditions.

Dogtra 175ncp Dog Training Collar

This unit is top of the line. The Dogtra 175NCP is a waterproof unit that will work when your dog is up to 400 yards (1200 feet) away from you. This unit is not only very helpful for hunters but also is very helpful for those who are training a family pet who is typically in closer contact with their owners.

Both models of Dogtra Dog Training Collars are safe and effective for training your dog—whether it’s a hunter or a family pet (or both). Added safety features mean that your dog won’t be harmed during training. These are a safe, humane, and effective way to train your dog to be all that he can be!

Tags: dog training collar, dog training collars, dogtra electronic collars, effective training, electronic stimulation, hunting dog, jolts, leading brand, stimulations, working dog