07/16/2026
I want to welcome Millie to our program!
In addition to welcoming her, I wanted to share a snapshot of her first training session with the e-collar, along with the client update I sent after today’s training.I don’t normally share these updates, but I thought it would be a great opportunity to give everyone a look at how I train and explain why my approach is a little different.
Client Update
The first day of e-collar training went really good. When I tell people I train differently with the collar, most people do not understand.In this video, I am moving with your dog, and I’m using movement and the collar to teach her what I want.There’s no reason for me to talk to her.
I do not talk to the dogs the first few days of training.Their awareness of me is nonexistent. They don’t trust me yet, and they don’t know what I’m asking them to do.I also never raise my voice or correct them with the collar or leash. It’s unfair to do so when I have not taught the dog what I want.Dogs learn through touch. My hand is touch.
Notice when she’s sitting politely—it’s the only time I touch her. I am rewarding her with petting. (Touch.)Touch can also mean the leash and the collar. Touch should communicate what I want.Movement — My movements are very specific. Movement creates action and draws the dog’s attention.An example of this is when she’s sitting on the floor and holding her sit. If her head looks down, I step into her. That movement brings her head up and puts her attention back on me.
I am teaching her that when we are training, she needs to pay attention to me. I am doing this without any “Noooo” or corrections.Sorry, most updates aren’t this long.Lastly, I have noticed she is naturally suspicious of people. Her hackles come up when someone new approaches her, whether it’s a person or another dog. She recovers quickly and is super family-oriented.I wanted to mention this because, in protection training, there is what we call defense—a dog that is naturally suspicious.
My female was just like this. She might not show it around you because she’s comfortable with Mom and Dad, but if she does, more exposure to people and different environments helps a lot.
