Anyone used any of the various collars on the market? If so were they effective and for what behaviour were they effective for?  Any particular recommendations?

Hi,

I do think there is an excellent thread in 'FAQ's' under 'Pinch and Prong Collars'. It will hopefully answer all your questions. Other than Pinch and Prong collars, and avoiding electric collars, the only other specific training collar is a choke chain, and really that will fall under the same catagory as a pinch collar.
have a look....
Di

Hi - wonder if the poster is enquiring about the citronella (smelly) collars?

I've used one of the MasterPlus Pro spray collars.  I wouldn't recommend it.  It was only effective on my dobe - no effect on my rott X whatsoever - and the effect on his behaviour only lasted so long as he had the collar on.  Even though I spent more than double the recommended time getting him used to the collar without using it, and put it on long, long before a walk so he wouldn't associate the spray with the collar, he still made the connection.

His recall did become very good with it on - but it wasn't a permanent change.  He soon slipped back into old ways once the battery died, so I had to start training without it anyway.

As it is, I've now acheived the same results for his recall without the collar as I did using it - and he's almost leaving dead rabbits on command now too.  The problem with RC collars is not only the dog connecting the spray with the collar, but also timing - it has to be spot on, and the delay between pressing the button and the spray (which increases with distance) can cause problems in training, setting it back instead of making progress.

My college tutor has used one of the ultrasonic anti-bark collars - and said it was absolutely useless, not once did the dog wearing it set it off, but when it was left on a kitchen worktop, a door set it off!

I've heard about the citronella or air spray collars.  I am sure my girl would soon associate having the collar on with specific behaviour, and then forget it as soon as I take it off, but I just wondered, especially for gundog training.  My puppy is very 'hot' and I felt if may just help her to understand that she needs to stop and look at me.  I have trained two dogs before and never even thought of using one.

What specific problems do you have? You don't want to 'flattern' your puppy at this stage. Steadiness is important of course but can come later. Do not overdo the actual retrieving at this stage. Gundog work is 95% obedience and 5% retrieving ;-)

What stumbling blocks are you finding to make you look at turning to gadgets? How old is your youngster and is she quieter if you train alone rather than in a group with a club? Do you train with a club? You'll find most will not allow training aids to be used in classes....

Spill your troubles if you feel like it ;-)
Di

I used one of these collars on my little dog that kept on barking.  She made the connection that once the collar was on she wouldn't do it.  I did rent it from our pet shop so it didn't cost so much to try out.  They are so clever and it doesn't take long for them to know what is happening.   

I use the anti bark collars that spray citronella.  Works great on Freya, although she knows she can bark if she isn't wearing it.  However, it makes no difference to Casper at all - he just continues to bark, screwing up his face when he gets 'squirted'!  There is a downside if you have more than one dog - if any of the others bark or make a loud noise the collar will spray, which isn't really fair on the dog wearing the collar who isn't actually barking but still gets a squirt when one of the others bark. 

... can I ask - was she smart enough to also then know when it WASN'T on her and continue her barking?
Di

The above was a question to YRLance and not the other collar poster above....

Thanks
Di

Hi, yes she knew she could get away with it and would bark.

>although she knows she can bark if she isn't wearing it<

*Hands Di her specs! * ;) :D :P

oops! sorry Di
*slopes off sharpish!!*

Grin chuckle smile! I am still not sure what dictates the order the posts appear when one presses 'reply' so it DID seem a very STUPID thing for me to ask in the light of the fact it attached itself to a post clearly saying the info I asked ;-)  ;-)
Best!
Di