E Collar for Dog Reactivity

[MaggieRoseLee]

Originally Posted by missmychance

2 in particular like to run along our fence line usually every day. They run back and forth barking at Frodo and he goes absolutely crazy, can't control him at all. ................The issue is all with the loose dogs, I have no idea when there gonna be out. ........................... Any suggestions or advice?

You do NOT need an e-collar! Not sure how much of this is real 'aggression' or 'fear' rather than just general fun fence running that MOST OF OUR DOGS WILL DO!

There is a much more simple and 100% instant fix. And since you can NOT control the other dogs in the neighborhood (none of us can), it's not fair that you are thinking of 'correcting' your dog WHEN YOU ARE NOT THERE.

The simple and easy fix is to never leave your dog out loose in the yard alone. He goes out, you go out. If he needs to be on leash to poop/pee so you have control, then so be it. The leash will also allow 'training' from you instantly and clearly so it will mean something to him. No longer give him ANY opportunity for this barking/fence running. It's a huge bad habit!

At the same time you can start up (or continue) with REGULAR dog classes and socialization to make being around other dogs more normal and BORING. Tons more hiking and exercise to burn off his excess energy.

Barking is fun. Fence running is fun. Our GSD's also are set up to have guarding/barking behaviors in their genetics. They ARE what you are seeing and if you lived with no neighbors and acres of land it wouldn't be an issue.

Good luck in dog classes!

[MegansGrace]

I use an E collar with my Lab, but NOT for reactive issues at all. He can be leash reactive at times and I personally feel like it would be a step in the wrong direction to use an E collar for that. I think E collars are great tools when used correctly, and it's just my opinion that this would using it incorrectly. But again, that's just simply my opinion, nothing more nothing less.

I really agree with MaggieRoseLee's post. Even basic obedience classes are better than nothing. Teaching good focus and obedience are great. My dog, although not a GSD, can get REALLY ramped up in some situations. Teaching him a "leave it" and "on me" (our focus word) command that he listened to 100% of the time was essential. It was getting the message through to him that I didn't care what the other dog was doing, I wanted him to listen and focus on me. Classes really help with that. We're actually enrolled in an agility class which has helped more with his focus than any obedience class has.

Good luck! It's really frustrating when you can't control the environment.

[Jax08]

Originally Posted by missmychance

Yes, when we walk by dogs in fenced yards that are barking at him, Frodo doesn't bark back but The dogs running along our fence line are barking at him.

How does he react? is he ducking his head and pushing in to you? Or is he completely ignoring them?

[MaggieRoseLee]

Originally Posted by MegansGrace

........ It was getting the message through to him that I didn't care what the other dog was doing, I wanted him to listen and focus on me. Classes really help with that. We're actually enrolled in an agility class which has helped more with his focus than any obedience class has.

Good luck! It's really frustrating when you can't control the environment.

Well put

[missmychance]

Originally Posted by Jax08

How does he react? is he ducking his head and pushing in to you? Or is he completely ignoring them?

He gets excited and prances but I've gotten him to at least not bark back. A correction and leave it usually reels him back in.

[missmychance]

Originally Posted by MaggieRoseLee

You do NOT need an e-collar! Not sure how much of this is real 'aggression' or 'fear' rather than just general fun fence running that MOST OF OUR DOGS WILL DO!

There is a much more simple and 100% instant fix. And since you can NOT control the other dogs in the neighborhood (none of us can), it's not fair that you are thinking of 'correcting' your dog WHEN YOU ARE NOT THERE.

The simple and easy fix is to never leave your dog out loose in the yard alone. He goes out, you go out. If he needs to be on leash to poop/pee so you have control, then so be it. The leash will also allow 'training' from you instantly and clearly so it will mean something to him. No longer give him ANY opportunity for this barking/fence running. It's a huge bad habit!

At the same time you can start up (or continue) with REGULAR dog classes and socialization to make being around other dogs more normal and BORING. Tons more hiking and exercise to burn off his excess energy.

Barking is fun. Fence running is fun. Our GSD's also are set up to have guarding/barking behaviors in their genetics. They ARE what you are seeing and if you lived with no neighbors and acres of land it wouldn't be an issue.

Good luck in dog classes!

Thanks for the honest advice. I do think he needs to go back to classes for the socialization.