Hi folks,

Interested in hearing your opinions and experiences of remote spray collars - we are considering getting one for Nellie, for two reasons. 

1) She has turned into a scrapper and will sometimes start a fight in the park unprovoked, particularly with very young/vulnerable/submissive dogs.  Distraction prior to her cooking up the attack works well, but sometimes she gets her handbag out without warning.  I need something to stop her in her tracks without having to get anywhere near her crazy ass.
2) She is fond of horses and sees them as overgrown dogs.  Given the opportunity (again, distraction before intrigue takes hold works best), she will approach and invite said horse to play by giving it a volley of excitable barking, and then emplys a super game of "chase the neddy for as long as it keeps running away".  Last week she survived two circuits of a field with the horses hooves whistling past her head, having a gay old time as my husband screamed himself silly trying to get her back.  Again, we need something to stop her in her tracks before she gets mullered by an iron-shod foot (and before she gets us into trouble).

Has anyone used one?  How effective do you think they are?

I have and do use one but only use it for stopping my dog wining/howling constantly when we are on the way to training or competition for agility (he doesnt do it any other time so we have concluded over excitement). 

Personally I would definitely not use it when she is looking for a fight as I think this would only exaserbate (sp?) the problem.

As to the horses, have never used it for this I couldnt comment.

Hi I bought one of the remote spray collars and think they are an excellent distraction tool!

One of my boys liked very much to run away when we were at home on his own ground, you know the story once around the fields and then come on in now, always one who wants to stay! lol
Anyway he was getting naughtier and naughtier , I tried the spray collar and it worked first time!

I gave him two recalls he didnt come so I sprayed him, it obviously surprised him and he came right back, I only had to use it once that day that was it everytime he was called he came
The next day I put the collar on and the recall worked everytime I didnt have to use the spray once.

I use it only very occasionally now if he starts trying it on, I think they are great for this kind of thing, good to stop them eating cow/horse much too, a friend uses one to stop her bitch barking and whining.
Not sure about using it if you think she is about to start a fight, like the other person said it may heighten her attack, although Im not sure you would need to look into this first

Definately worth a go though, do you know anyone who can lend you one before you buy? They are quite expensive I paid about £120 for mine last year

Great advice, thank you both....and I have just found a site where you can rent the Jetcare Pro (the cold spray one) for £7 per week!  Alternatively I guess we could buy one, then sell it on Ebay when its done its job :)

Perhaps you're right about the fighting scenario....I suppose given her frame of mind at that moment, the spray might just irritate her more rather than stop her.  Pity she's only 98% reliable when greeting other dogs.

They are very good but like so may other ways of training a dog, timing is of the essence. Have used a Master Collar on any number of problems with much success but never on one of aggression.

Only you can see the situation and know if it is true aggression or her OTT way of having fun, would try it but be quick and never use it when she is near other dogs or horses. She could blame the other animal for the shock and attack. There is also the problem that the other animal may be startled too and if it is a horse that is not a good idea.

The first time I used it was to stop one of the dogs jumping onto the windowsill and shouting at passers by, I got the timing wrong and fired it when he was on the sill, it worked, stopped him barking out of the window, stopped him going onto the sill, in fact, stopped him going to that side of the room. None of that mattered but you see what I mean timing is important. If I am within earshot I call no and when ignored I fire the collar, it only takes once or twice and they know that no means no.

I have used one and have a friend that has used one well on her run away Retreiver, but has no effect on her bike chasing Collie. It depends on how sensitive your dog is as to how he/she reacts to it and your timing is crucial.

I would suggest to go to an experienced trainer with it, as it is to be used to detract from what you are trying to avoid, so you can make it positive to stay with you. But something as adrenalin filled horse chasing I'm not sure it would work unless you have a sensitve reaction. Definately worth a try, though with maybe a longline on her.

I think my first course of action is to keep a lead on until well passed livestock (which I was told is the law anyway? but certainly couteous) And the injury such a slip in this wet for the horse being chased and an ensuing broken leg, doesn't bear thinking about.

Good luck with trying, I don't think it will irritate her but I think it may detract her so you can then keep the focus on you with a treat and something nice whilst you walk passed other dogs.

We've recently got one of these for our 1 year old Rottie bitch who suffers from selective hearing. We went to a trainer first who recommended it - we weren't sure until we saw it in action. Daisy has a habit of running off when she gets a scent of something (usually fox's poo) and then promptly eating it.

Agree entirely with the previous posters that timing is crucial, however it has worked a charm with her, only needed to spray her 3 times on the 1st walk, and since then only occassionally, she now also comes straight away when called.