E-COLLARS..TO USE OR NOT TO USE?

[BrittGSP818]

Ruth, everyone has to train in the way they enjoy and in a way they are successful with. As I say, I do think the collar is the best method, but I've used all the methods over a 50 year period and settled on it.

This doesn't mean it's right for you. Experiment and use the system you enjoy and realize the greatest benefits from.

You're absolutely right gonehuntin, but some people believe that their method is the only and right way to do it. Then they start saying things that have nothing to do with the original posts question. Thats when they "cross the line."

[ezzy333]

Ruth, everyone has to train in the way they enjoy and in a way they are successful with. As I say, I do think the collar is the best method, but I've used all the methods over a 50 year period and settled on it.

This doesn't mean it's right for you. Experiment and use the system you enjoy and realize the greatest benefits from.

You're absolutely right gonehuntin, but some people believe that their method is the only and right way to do it. Then they start saying things that have nothing to do with the original posts question. Thats when they "cross the line."

Not some people but everyone including you. That why we do it the way we do. And it isn't crossing the line because we beieve it strongly enough that we are willing to try and explain it to others. No lines were crossed as long as we stay on subject and not name calling or some other form of personal intimidation. Several of us tried to explain why we do it the way we do but it had no effect on you so we gave it up. And I think all of wish you the best of luck with your method and that is the end of it.

Ezzy

[BrittGSP818]

Gundogs, I have a 10 month old britt/gsp cross that I have yet to use an ecollar on. I am trying to train him without one and so far it has worked. I have been out hunting with him a few times and he does great but sometimes he gets distracted, could be his age. You have to make sure he is well behaved at home before taking him out.

George

As you can see my first post was what the OP was asking. Anyone train without e collar? (YES) Successful? (YES) and that was it, until people started saying that using an e collar is the right and only way. If people stick to answering the OP questions it would be great, instead of trying to proove that others methods are wrong.

[ezzy333]

Gundogs, I have a 10 month old britt/gsp cross that I have yet to use an ecollar on. I am trying to train him without one and so far it has worked. I have been out hunting with him a few times and he does great but sometimes he gets distracted, could be his age. You have to make sure he is well behaved at home before taking him out.

George

As you can see my first post was what the OP was asking. Anyone train without e collar? (YES) Successful? (YES) and that was it, until people started saying that using an e collar is the right and only way. If people stick to answering the OP questions it would be great, instead of trying to proove that others methods are wrong.

Don't think a single one said it was wrong as most of us have done it that way just like you. But we did say there is a better or easier way and you my friend are the one that bothered.

Ezzy

[BrittGSP818]

All I am saying is some of us choose to do things differently, I have used an e collar and definitely know the advantages of it, but I also wanted to train alitte differently this time. Some of us dont have the time or resources others do (i.e. land). Majority of my training is done in my backyard which is probably 6-7 thousand sq ft. Which is why I have to substitute certain things and adapt to get my desired results, and it has worked. I just dont like it when people tell me that what I am doing is wrong because others dont do it that way or its never been done like that before. Alot of the time I have to substitute a bird with a ball, the commands are the same (find, fetch, stop flagging and the ball goes up (stop flagging and the bird goes up)). Its the same to a dog, and they can and will adapt and understand what is going on. It may not be the "conventional" way, but it sure has given be great results, and that is what matters.

[Chukar12]

George,

No offense was intended. You clearly have passion an opinion and your own agenda established I am sure you will get what you want. A number of things you have stated are as you describe unconventional and main stream trainers would not recommend them. Many experienced people on here are trying to help others with tried and true methodology based on experience from training dozens if not hundreds of dogs. I think the more aggressive you are with your advice the more disagreements you might expect. The credible people that are clearly trying to help realize that this forum is not their path to fortune and glory in the dog training world just trying to learn and teach when appropriate.

[BrittGSP818]

My passion is birddogs, I joined this forum to learn and share my experiences as well. I never intended or implied that I know it all, I just shared how I dealt with the issue at hand and let the op figure if they will use it or leave it. I just believe that if it worked for me it should work for someone else as well. Chukar12, one day I will see you in those chukar hills and then you can be the judge if my pup is a real birddog. Hope everyone had a great season (wether you were using an e collar or not) cuz I know I did

[gonehuntin']

When many of us post advice on here, it is not based on one dog, but on, perhaps, hundreds of dogs. Dogs vary greatly. Sometimes you get one that with one cross word, you can destroy his life and he'll be willing to do anything to please you, or be so devistated he won't work the rest of the day. The next dog may be the Pancho Villa of the decade, an outlaw in the kennel. He thrives on harsh words and will take any discipline and more that you can dish out.

They're all different, each and every one of them. I tell everyone that all of my dogs were trained EXACTLY the same with EXACTLY the same program used. The only thing that differed was the amount of, and type of, pressure used. So many times, when I give advice, it is based on problem dogs and many of them. It's usually the problem dog's that get sent to the trainer, not the angelic ones. The one thing I have found over the many, many, years I have done this is that there are some dogs that can ONLY be trained by using an ecollar, but there are NONE that cannot be trained with one.

It's what one enjoys. The old time, manual methods, are just fine, and every dog has the basics instilled in him by using them. But there will come a day when you will meet a dog that doesn't believe in the old methods. Only then will you understand why some of us so strongly support the use of the electric collar.

Every person has to find these things out for themselves and you will be a better trainer for doing so.

[GUNDOGS]

The passion you all have and the knowledge is so apparent and appreciated..i have learned and am still learning so much from these posts and other posts on the forum..the difference in training is GREAT in my opinion!!..i take from each of you something which will benefit me and my pup!!..the people on this forum(for the most part) keep newbies like me coming back for more and you keep hunting/bird dogs going on for generations..my 3 year old cant wait to go huntin because of all the excitement she sees from us !! is it a bad sign she pretends to shoot the dog though :roll: .. ....ruth

[ezzy333]

No Ruth, it isn't bad as that is the way it was done before e-collars. She is just a throwback to the old days. Probably got it from her Mom.

Sorry but it was such a good straight line I couldn't resist. Ooops they are here to put me back in my padded room.

Ezzy

[GUNDOGS]

No Ruth, it isn't bad as that is the way it was done before e-collars. She is just a throwback to the old days. Probably got it from her Mom.

Sorry but it was such a good straight line I couldn't resist. Ooops they are here to put me back in my padded room.

Ezzy

Ya i set you up for that one, how could you resist ...ruth

[bossman]

Ruth, Rather than boring you with my experience's with the ecollar, I would suggest you order "The Perfect Start " video from Gun Dog Supply or Dressler's Supply. My dog's always have an ecollar (and Astro) on when in the field. I will even start indroducing the ecollar to them at 3 or 4 months old by either taping a small battery to their regular collar so they get use the the weight or as they get a little older, letting them run around with a "dummy" collar on. Anyway, 'nough said. Take a look at that video if you can..Good luck...

[GUNDOGS]

Ruth, Rather than boring you with my experience's with the ecollar, I would suggest you order "The Perfect Start " video from Gun Dog Supply or Dressler's Supply. My dog's always have an ecollar (and Astro) on when in the field. I will even start indroducing the ecollar to them at 3 or 4 months old by either taping a small battery to their regular collar so they get use the the weight or as they get a little older, letting them run around with a "dummy" collar on. Anyway, 'nough said. Take a look at that video if you can..Good luck...

Thanks bossman..i will have a look ....ruth