Collar Conditioning

Scout is old enough to begin collar conditioning. I usually wait until I have a few defiant moments on the "here" command. Scout has been fairly good about staying with me and listening, but it's time to move forward. He is showing just enough hesitation on the voice command only that I have something to work with.

Scout has also already had a bark collar on a bit to help correct some issues with our two cats. So wearing a collar is not new to him. This takes out the step that I usually put on the collar and let young dogs wear it around for a few hours a few days in a row. Make sure you tighten it correctly so they become familiar with the feeling, but leave the collar off for these first days.

Also I accustom the dogs to pulling around a Check Cord. Scout isn't ranging enough for me to have used it much, so we spent a few days letting him pull it around anyway. Once he is not tripping over it and ignores it mostly we can begin the collar conditioning. I also review here with a CC tug a few times, reminding him of the pressure from the collar location.

Same as before, we just take a walk with the CC on and the E-collar on the dog as before but turned on. I carry treats for this and set the collar to the lowest level. On my TT sport model it's 1/2 setting. Shock yourself with that setting - and see what you are using I always test the lowest few settings on a collar on my hand.

Keep the the CC close when you are about to command "here." Make sure your controller is set correctly and that you can either step on or grab the CC with 1 hand. Command "here" and reward with a treat if they come back. If not, grab the CC with one hand, repeat the here command loudly but not angrily... and correct with the collar on the very lowest setting while you gently tug the CC. When conditioning I will repeat the command encouragingly and even go back to bending down. Normally repeating the command is not good, but right now I am trying to give them LOTS of cues for understanding and complying. I pulse the correction for about a half second each time, and call "here" with a tug on the CC each time. AS SOON as they start to return, I start praising and pull them in with the CC if needed to keep them coming, then reward. Some dogs don't respond to the lowest setting but most do feel it - but as you know from trying it on yourself, it does not really hurt. You should see a slight stiffening or they might have a confused look, BUT they SHOULD NOT yipe and jump.

ALWAYS reward for every return, and let them have several minutes of run around time in between here commands. This allows them to feel comfortable with being away from you. If you overdo it they will start to walk very close to you, afraid to walk away.

Repeat maybe 3 times in the first session. You should notice a very sharp change and your dog will return much more promptly. If they turn immediatly and do not hesitate DON'T correct them - DO reward them. Wait until you have one second (one mississippi... say in in your head) of hesitation, before giving the correction. Give their brain time to think and send the signals to the body. not too much time though. Keep using the CC to MAKE them turn and find the success, if you need to.That hesitation should get shorter and shorter. As they get faster and better and you see they are understanding what is happening, you can reduce the cues back down.

Remember 3 times or so the first day. And from now on keep this up on daily walks. 2-3 here commands with the collar, AND praise, and reward.