06/07/2026
Gary and his wife have made 2 weekend trips now to see me w their young GSD Bella. Today we introduced the Ecollar. Gary had tried a couple weeks ago but felt like the Ecollar was inconsistent. Bella is a long hair show line GSD & has really good drive.
She has lost a lot hair around her neck that is breaking and damaged from different collars being tried. After today a harness will be used along w a soft nylon buckle collar and her Ecollar (possibly a fur-saver soon). Shaving her neck down a little bit in both locations where the E collar will be sitting will also be done.
At my office, we were able to find a very good position for the E collar, a consistent level where we were clear she was feeling the collar and we had a very good conversation about my philosophy for using the E collar. A majority of my clients who want an E collar have to demonstrate a level of proficiency with the recall, have a good communication system in place, and a solid play game before I’ll utilize one.
We practiced a few drills w the collar in-house and quickly went outside. A long-line was used briefly before cutting Bella loose.
In the video here you see a really fast recall at relative distance day 1. The Collar was used a few times prior.
Dogs can quickly learn to escape, and then avoid pressure!
Gary taught this very concept w a long line and flexi the last time we met.
Being consistent w the collar for a few days, and upping the criteria we’ll be important.
We did not work on a target send away or place position with the collar, but Gary was given instructions on how to do that. I definitely want them to work on opposite behaviors go away from me and come back to me. I also mentioned in the video about potential positive punishment with the E collar, me personally I don’t want to add too many things with the tool until I know the recall is solid.
People are quick to be punitive or they think they are being punitive for unwanted behaviors but in fact they are only causing huge confusion and scaring the s**t out of their dog!
