How to Train a Sport Dog With a Shock Collar

Training a sporting dog to a shock collar, or remote collar, can be accomplished easily and humanely using the reliable, effective and gentle collars on the market today. In sporting dogs, remote collars are used mostly to assist in recall, especially when the dog is on a scent or is in very high-drive mode. The collar can also be invaluable in locating a dog in the field or in saving a dog from a situation that could potentially be disastrous.

Things You'll Need

  • Remote collar, preferably waterproof and with a warning tone or vibration function
  • Long lead (16 to 20 feet)
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Instructions

  1. Training Recall With a Remote Collar

    • 1

      Fit the remote collar to your dog. Place the collar high on the dog's neck, under its chin and with the receiver box a bit to the side. The collar should be tight enough that it does not move when the dog runs or jumps. Leave a few inches of extra collar length, and cut off the rest of the strap. If the dog has long fur, it may be necessary to trim the hair near the contact points.

    • 2

      Determine the lowest setting needed to obtain your dog's attention. Start at the lowest level possible and activate the collar. Raise the level of stimulation one step at a time until you observe a very mild reaction in your dog. This reaction may include a small head twitch, a blink of the eye, scratching as if to remove an insect, or a tongue flick. This level should be your starting point; it will not be used to cause pain, but to get the dog's attention.

      If you have a collar with a vibration or tone function, you may use this as your lowest setting.

      Signs of distress, such as panting, vocalization or cries are indicators that the level of the collar is too high and should be lowered immediately.

    • 3
      Make sure your dog has good recall when you begin training with an electric collar.

      Connect recall and the sensation of the collar at the lowest level of stimulation. Activate the vibration or the lowest collar setting for a second or two, and then call the dog to you.

      If your dog has not yet learned recall, place it on the long lead, activate the low level stimulation, call it to you, and lead it to you by pulling gently on the lead. Reward or praise the dog when it comes to you. Repeat this step until your dog returns to you as soon as the low-level stimulation is activated and before you need to call its name.

    • 4

      Deliver a higher level of stimulus if the dog does not obey the recall command given by the remote collar. Practice off-leash recall under distraction in a controlled environment where you know the dog may be tempted to ignore commands.

      Begin by raising the level electric stimulation one increment at a time until you see at which point the dog will heed the recall command. Take note of this level so you can turn to it immediately next time.

      When correcting the dog, release the stimulation button as soon as the dog turns around and begins to return to you.

      Make sure the dog truly understands the recall command before you punish it for not obeying.

    • 5
      Always use the lowest setting possible to keep your dog under control and comfortable.

      Practice in the field under extreme distraction. Find the lowest level at which your dog will return when it is in high-drive mode, such as when it on the scent of an animal.

      Your goal with an electronic collar should be to always find the lowest possible level to which your dog will respond, and to use the collar for recall and to keep the dog safe.