Shock / Vibration collars for small dogs

Ron-P

I have a small (15 lb'er) that is a nightmare barker, barks at everything and we've tried just about everything to get him to stop.

So, we're thinking of a shock/vibration collar to use while we are home or when we take him on walks. I have no other ideas, other than to try this method.

Anyone have experience with these things, or other recommendations?

pitdogg2

Ron-P wrote: »

I have a small (15 lb'er) that is a nightmare barker, barks at everything and we've tried just about everything to get him to stop.

So, we're thinking of a shock/vibration collar to use while we are home or when we take him on walks. I have no other ideas, other than to try this method.

Anyone have experience with these things, or other recommendations?

yep they can work (shock) but if it's a hard-headed breed they may not care. To me it sounds as if your dog in very insecure. Ron i do not know you so please do not take offense to what I'm about to say. I know some folks that say fluffy does such and such and we've tried EVERYTHING but then the dog rules them. You and your wife need to be the leaders. If it's barking while on walks give a stern yank on the lead or smack it with a small switch while sternly saying NO.
Shock collars will work on most dogs. how old is your dog?

gdb

Try it on yourself first, is that what you want to do to your dog ? A "stern yank" on a 15lb. dog's neck might land you at a doggy neurologist's office! :eek: Check Hulu for episodes of the Dog Whisperer for bark control ideas.

PSOVLSK

We have used lemon juice in a spray bottle. Dog barks=spray in face.

Effective, but the problem is that after a few sprays the dog takes off running where its hard to spray them in the face.

My wife got the idea off of some Dog Whisperer type show.

pitdogg2

gdb wrote: »

Try it on yourself first, is that what you want to do to your dog ? A "stern yank" on a 15lb. dog's neck might land you at a doggy neurologist's office! :eek: Check Hulu for episodes of the Dog Whisperer for bark control ideas.

lets be reasonable here. I'm in no way advocating "yanking" so hard as to jerk the poor thing off it's feet just enough to get it's attention as to stop the barking. As your beloved Dog Wisperer would say "we got to change the brain"

so lets not try and twist anymore of my words....

txcoastal1

I had a different instances and absolutely hated making the purchase...and yes tried it on my self first to choose a threshold (wife thought I was nuts but if I use it on my dog then I will try it first)

They have the manual remote ones with a beeper and a shock button. Sound the beeper first, then the shock. I only had to hit hit shock twice, he then associated the beeping noise to the shock.

He finally got the idea.

gdb

pitdogg2 wrote: »

lets be reasonable here. I'm in no way advocating "yanking" so hard as to jerk the poor thing off it's feet just enough to get it's attention as to stop the barking. As your beloved Dog Wisperer would say "we got to change the brain"

so lets not try and twist anymore of my words....

I just quoted, no twisting was done in any way. BTW yanking, no matter how slight, is still potentially harmful. I got this info from my dog's neurologist. Neuro damage will surely"change the brain".......forever.:eek:

gdb

txcoastal1 wrote: »

I had a different instances and absolutely hated making the purchase...and yes tried it on my self first to choose a threshold (wife thought I was nuts but if I use it on my dog then I will try it first)

They have the manual remote ones with a beeper and a shock button. Sound the beeper first, then the shock. I only had to hit hit shock twice, he then associated the beeping noise to the shock.

He finally got the idea.

I bet your pup was a descendant of Pavlov's dog. I applaud you for threshold self-testing.

gudnoyez

They have collars that spray your dog in the face when they bark, they have collars that let out a high pitch sound, when they bark, the most effective ones are the ones that shock, the shock is not that intense, kind of like a good old static electricity shock we have a few dogs and they dont bark any more, you can put caps on the end to prevent shocks, its when they now that the collars are on them for a reason they dont bark anymore. They really do work, and are not inhumane.

tonyb

txcoastal1 wrote: »

I had a different instances and absolutely hated making the purchase...and yes tried it on my self first to choose a threshold (wife thought I was nuts but if I use it on my dog then I will try it first)

They have the manual remote ones with a beeper and a shock button. Sound the beeper first, then the shock. I only had to hit hit shock twice, he then associated the beeping noise to the shock.

He finally got the idea.

I've used them also in that manner, a beep first. I usually accompany the beep with a command, like STFU,, and eventually didn't even need the collar at all anymore.

Using a collar is a last resort, I much prefer a stern voice,a tap on the ****, and a tug on the leash. You have to be the alpha dog in all corrective manners. Some breeds are more stuborn than others. My GS was a tough nut to crack thats for sure.

stuwee

You need to be the Alpha, no if, ands, or buts, never use torture (yanking, shocking, beating) to control a dog, I'm really pissed at people who do this stuff, they should not have a dog....PERIOD. A dog wants to please, you need to be stern, and in charge, then reward good behaviour, they are not toys or playthings. They need love and attention.

Please read up on a dog that suits your needs for a pet before you buy. It saves alot of hassle and pound pups. Sorry for the GRRRRR! But this really pisses me off about pet owners!!! I've trained 160lb Akita's to be the perfect little boys and girls, and little yappers to be quiet. YOU are the issue, not the dog. Read the dog whisperer and watch the British lady on Animal Planet.

txcoastal1

Stuwee you're right....but trust me and I'll say it I damn near cried when I puchased that collar...I've had a couple labs, and now on my 2nd pair of boxers and my Bogart is the smartest one I have had but he is also the most hard headed when it came to keeping him out and destroying the landscaping we exhausted all resources....he had that collar less than a week and to honest I dont even know where that collar is

Ron-P

I would never, ever do anything to harm my dogs in any way. But, a collar something like one of these that puts out a vibration can do no harm and I'm willing to bet a few times and he's good to go.

We are both very dominate over the animals but will not hit, yank or cause them harm in anyway to train them. I honestly see no harm in a vibration collar. The shocking part I would not use unless as a last resort.

stuwee

Ron-P wrote: »

I would never, ever do anything to harm my dogs in any way. But, a collar something like one of these that puts out a vibration can do no harm and I'm willing to bet a few times and he's good to go.

We are both very dominate over the animals but will not hit, yank or cause them harm in anyway to train them. I honestly see no harm in a vibration collar. The shocking part I would not use unless as a last resort.

Ok, I wasn't attacking you as much as I was throwing the training and 'pick the right pet' out there for others reading the thread, I know there isn't a mean bone in most folks bodies, but they still get blindsided my the dog who is needy and just doesn't understand why the 'master' is upset with them. I didn't mean to offend you Ron...on the same issue, some dogs just don't get it like some humans don't understand, that's nature, you just have to do the best you can.

TouchOfEvil

Someone thought it would be a good idea to get a shock collar for our lab to control barking. I had her return it the same day. Not about to torture my dogs.

Tony M

I like that idea of getting the "Dog Wisperer" series and try his technics too. The guy takes charge and dogs respond. Almost every one. Amazing.

Be the pack leader....be the pack leader.....and the dog is not a human being...the dog is not a human being..

I've watched his shows many, many times and his words are engraved into my brain

And I haven't owned a dog in 20 years..:redface:..but when and if I get one..

madmax

My neighbor had a barking dog which they put a lot of thought into how to stop it. It finally had a stroke. Obviously it was insecure or something. I can tell you that as a dog lover I felt bad for it but as a neighbor I really didn't mind. It was no different than having a 140db alarm going off intermittantly every 15 to 30 minutes around the clock. If it had gone on for much longer I planned to put just such a device out on the deck which would go off for a few minutes every time the dog barked. I really don't know that you can do anything about a barking dog, some dogs do and some don't. My neighbor and I, we don't talk any more.

pearsall001

They have collars that have a spray that's activated by barking. It gives them a shot of some annoying concoction that dogs don't like. Might be worth a try.

Demiurge

We have a pair of Dogtra shock collars and they are fantastic for training hunting dogs. Our dogs were trained by the Sherrif's department save for my Black Lab, who we have been training ourselves.

I really like the Dogtra as it has a page, nick, and continuous button, along with severity control. You'll want to go out and purchase a 30' lead to go along with the shock collar.

Shock collars are not a replacement for other methods of training, merely an enhancement.

They are not ever to be used as punishment. They are simply a tool to let the dog know what you want him or her to do. In time, they will adapt to not needing the shock collar at all.

My year and a half old lab always pays attention to me on walks, he doesn't get distracted by anything, including screaming children and passers by. If we didn't have laws for wearing leashes in this city, he wouldn't need one.

If you need any tips on how to ease your pup into it I can help you with the commands. You'll quickly learn that your dog will have a better time with the commands than you will.

You're going to love it when you say "come," one time and your dog comes right to your side and sits down. They will respect you, you will respect them, and they'll be pleased that they're doing what makes you happy.

reeltrouble1

the collar did little good for my beagle (RIP ole boy). of course the a hound howls more than it barks,

RT1

Outfitter03

Cool, both stops barking and helps keep the mosquitoes away. Great for camping.

madmax

Keiko wrote: »

Here's an alternative you might want to consider vs a shock collar. I've heard these work pretty well for nuisance barking.

http://www.radiofence.com/products/Innotek-Citronella-Spray-Bark-Collar.html

That could be funny. Imagine if the neighbors dog starts barking continuously. :biggrin:

I'm sure they probably have good control to prevent that from setting it off.

tonyb

I would still be leary of the citronella bark collars. Any of you spray any down your throat ? If you don't think it's safe for you to breath it or swallow it, chances are it isn't either for your dog.

DMara

A dog is a dog, if you don't do something to punish it when it does something bad, it won't ever change its way. Just make sure you reward it when it behaves, too.

decal

Well, it's so good to be here,
asleep on your lawn.
Remember your guard dog?
Well, I'm afraid
that he's gone.
It was such a drag
to hear him
whining all night long.

BIZILL

I tried out the collar on my neck and that **** hurts! They can work, but I'd suggest getting the kind that you control manually. I had one that shocked when it detected a bark. I followed all directions but the thing worked 50% of the time. Somtimes it wouldn't shock at all when my dog barked, and other times it would shock when it was just running and playing having fun.

I quit using it as it only confused my dog. Glad I did because it was myself not giving enough attention that was the reason behind the barking. Also glad I got rid of it after having used it on myself.

Again, use it as a last resort and only buy one that you can control with the press of a button.

Ron-P

It will be a remote controlled collar. But one that has vibration so we don't have to actually "shock" the dog.

reeltrouble1

I have used a stun belt around high security thugs....7 seconds, 50,000 volts..very low amperage...it can take a 250 lb. man to the ground and make em dance the funky chicken. Manually operated, rechargeable battery, remote controlled. The device emits a high pitched audible tone when the remote is triggered, if you let your finger off the button within a second or so the charge is not delivered....that tone was usually enough to stop any nonsense. The dog collars work using similiar technology albiet geared down a bit.

RT1

bsoko2

You and the dog both need to go to a good dog training class. You need to learn to be the Alpha, and the dog needs to learn that you are the alpha. I got a Black Lab/Goldie mix and he is 140 lbs and we both went to class. No peoblems with him and he is the BEST dog there is.

Demiurge

Shock collars do not hurt your dog. They give the dog an unpleasant cue to refrain from a behavior that's not acceptable. Dogs are not human beings, they're domesticated animals, and they're instinctual. If you don't give them proper direction, they will take their own.

The dog wants to please you, show them what pleases you and you'll have a happy dog and you'll be a happy owner.

Our Great Dane and Golden Retriever haven't worn a shock collar since we finished their training. That was 5 years ago in the case of the Great Dane and 3 years ago in the case of the Golden Retriever. They both listen to us and are happy, mild mannered dogs.

The Great Dane was a rescue who was abused horribly by her previous owner. She was in terrible shape when she was first brought home. Thanks to consistent training she's the perfect dog.

Police Departments, Rescue Dog Trainers, and Professional Bird Hunters use shock collars for a reason -- they work.

Training, be it with a shock collar or other means is all about being consistent. You must use consistent commands and follow through with rewards/rebukes.

Shock collars eliminate a lot of bull **** and are the quickest way to an obedient, mild mannered dog who listens to you at all times.

Sticking one on your dog and shocking the hell out of it isn't going to do anything but break any trust your dog had in you and make you out to be an idiot.

DMara

I agree with Demiurge. Just like with your kid, you got to spend time with your dog to shape it up as well as to make it happy. Don't just leave the dog in the backyard with the shock collar and expect it to obey.