Recommends good electric training collar

[SeanCJ]

Hello all.
Could you recommend a good quality electronic collar, one with a wide range of correction levels?
I've tried everything to stop Duncan from: barking and pulling towards other dogs when on walks, barking when people come to the house, jumping up on the kids to play, and chasing after the cats.
He loves the squirt bottle, whistle and missile are seen as play, and he is not responding to voice commands during those particular times.
I'd be grateful for info on various models out there that of good quality.

[Pattycakes]

How old is Duncan?

[SeanCJ]

Duncan is 4 1/2 months old. He's a wonderful pup at all other times and is doing well with all other training and obedience around the house and at his classes. We love him to death and realize he's still a baby, so this collar will never be used to cause any discomfort, just a gentle cue to stop the behaviors.
It's very important to me that he not be a barker, or appear aggressive to those that come into our home or pass on the road when walking, and that he not continue with some less than desirable habits like chasing the cats or jumping on people. I will be getting training from his obedience teacher on the proper way to use such a collar.

[jocoyn]

I think he is still a bit young for an ecollar.

Your trainer is recommending one NOW? I would challenge that. I think ecollars have their places but am not sure it is the right tool for what you describe is a normal bratty puppy and I would be very very cautious about how he recommends using it.

That said, the Dogtra collars are infinitely adjustable - Your trainer would know that though.

[SeanCJ]

The trainer is a gentle trainer that has taught us from the beginning to use methods that always start off making the dog successful yet still showing positive leadership as the owner. She only suggested considering a collar at it's lowest possible setting since the other methods (water squirt bottle, whistle then missile, and redirection) were not always working on Duncan. She suggested that the collar would work well in conjunction with the whistle to interupt the behavior and the collar cue would be the reinforcer to stop the behavior and hopefully after only a few trials be enough to prevent the behavior from happening again.
I know that these behaviors are typical for a 4 1/2 month old, but that does not mean they are acceptable. He's already almost 50 pounds and even at this size he intimidates other dogs and their owners when we pass each other on the trails as well as visitors to our home.

[SeanCJ]

He's really a sweet boy and I know he wouldn't hurt anyone or anything. I just want him to be calm and approachable to others we allow in our home or meet out in the community.

[SeanCJ]

I think she did recommend the Dogtra collar. I was just checking here for more suggestions and possibly some personal experiences.
The trainer offered the collar and two in home training sessions for $265.
It sounded a bit steep at first but after pricing a few collars online today, it's actually a pretty good deal considering the training component.

[Castlemaid]

The key here is NOT to interrupt the behaviour. The way to deal with this is to PREVENT it. Catch your gorgeous, wonderful dog BEFORE he is barking, lunging, jumping, get his attention BEFORE he is engaged in the behaviour you don't want, and REWARD him for being good. You manage him and his environment so he does not get a chance to practice being bad, but only gets to be directed into being GOOD, and being heavily rewarded for being good by treats, by praise, by fun and energetic play with YOU.

These behaviours in a four month old being corrected? I understand the low setting/stimulation type training - I have no problems with that. But I feel this is just "giving up", and your pup is way to young for you to give up on him.

At this age, I would be working on focus for everything, and re-directing into focus and play to avoid the other behaviours. Focus on you, and play with you, over other distractions will be the foundation of a well behaved dog that looks to you for leadership and fun that will pave the way to a strong bond and a desire in him to please you.

You said you have tried everything, but it sound like you have only tried corrections and aversives. Have you tried planning ahead so you set him up for success? Have learned to read his body language so you can catch him before he goes off into a barking frenzy and redirect his attention to you? Have you set yourself up to be the center of his universe where playing and being engaged with you is a greater draw and reward than barking or jumping?

There is some basic training philosophy that seems to be missing in your trainer's approach. I'm not all positive in training and will use corrections, but a four month old does not need corrections. A puppy this young should believe that they can do no wrong, and given the opportunity to only choose the right thing to do (management), so they know what they are doing RIGHT.

[Pattycakes]

I agree with Lucia.

I know with my dog I have thought of using an ecollar but she is also almost 2 yrs old. We still go to OB classes and I have to say, she has improved a tremendous amount without having to go to an ecollar. I also believe they have their place for training...but I can't see using one on a 4.5 month old puppy. But thats just my opinion.

Personally, I would work on the positive training more especially at his age.

[DunRingill]

Originally Posted by SeanCJ

Duncan is 4 1/2 months old. He's a wonderful pup at all other times and is doing well with all other training and obedience around the house and at his classes. We love him to death and realize he's still a baby, so this collar will never be used to cause any discomfort, just a gentle cue to stop the behaviors.

Low-level stim is a very good way to train, BUT it is used to enforce a known command, NOT to stop a behavior. The stim is paired with the command, sort of like punctuation. A "gentle cue" isn't going to stop behaviors, especially behaviors that are self-reinforcing, like barking.