Gun Dog Forum

How do you recommend teaching the come command with assistance from an e-collar?

Im going to assume you dont plan on running your dog in any kind of AKC event ?

I've only done this with 3 dogs; my two and a friends.

I just get the dog complying first with come and then inforce with checkcord. I then move to come, checkcord, and collar. When you say come, apply checkcord and *light* collar. When dog is fine with this, move to come and collar.

I'm not sure where I got this method. Either 1800-Brenda (per Jay), Janet, or John...? It works for me tho...

Grant is right on this. It is pretty easy. NE why could he not run AKC events?? Do you think dogs do not learn commands from the e-collar? When a command is enforced with the E then becomes a habbit you don't need the E anymore and the dog will still comply.

I make sure the dog knows and understands the command. I reinforce with the check cord. I have the dog wear the e-collar without using it. Then I have her wear the collar with the check cord and repeat. This is all spaced out over a couple of weeks.

Finally, I let her run free and give the here command. If she responds, then fine. If she does not I keep my finger on a low level stimulation until she begins to come towards me. I then take my finger off the button. Timing is critical.

This is either identical or very close to the Perfection Method.

My dog has run and will run in AKC events. It has not affected her negatively if I use it properly. She responds to the command now when not on the collar. I also used it to reinforce whistle commands. Worked wonders.

Ditto what is said above. Start with the check cord like any other command, don't start with the collar. Otherwise, you run the risk of the dog thinking that anytime it gets nicked with the collar it automatically means "come." The collar is a reinforcement tool to be used once a dog has an understanding of the command. Only in rare circumstances, in my opinion, should it be used as the preliminary method to teach.

If you can't get the personal help of a pro trainer, the Perfection Kennels videos show this methodology in an easy-to-digest manner.

ohiogsp,

I took it as he wants to be able to use the E-collar to call in the dog..such as using the "tone" button vs a whisle or voice command since he said "teaching" and not "enforcing" the come commmand.

As for the dog simply complying after a period of time and you will no longer need the e-collar, i doubt that. The minute you think you have him complying and you no longer need the e-collar he will slime ya, its good to always have the e-collar on even if you dont think you'll need it.

If he wants to use the e-caller to enforce the command then Grant has the right idea.

Right now cash will come on consistantly on the CC. Off is a different story. Should I start using the e-collar to re-enforce the command?

NE Vizsla wrote:ohiogsp,


As for the dog simply complying after a period of time and you will no longer need the e-collar, i doubt that. The minute you think you have him complying and you no longer need the e-collar he will slime ya, its good to always have the e-collar on even if you dont think you'll need it.

We will have to argee to disagree. I do run mine with them on all the time, but have ran my older dogs without collars for up to 6 months and they listen without it.

Shootist, is he collar conditioned? If so, it is a great tool for that.

ohiogsp wrote:Shootist, is he collar conditioned? If so, it is a great tool for that.

I have an e-collar, but he isn't conditioned.

I cheat I use treats to get them doing what I want them to do. Works great and after they do it for awhle I stop treating them, they still do the thing the command is set to get em to do. I only use an ecollar if they creep or run too far ahead. Most times my dogs mind real good and do what I ask of them but it takes a lot of time and patience. Been trainig one this summer and havent posted for awhile, no time wit ha pup, 3 older dogs and my 4 year old son. The boy is now riding his dirt bike so I need to be right there with him a lot. Plus he did soccer and tee ball so my nights were filled with fun. I plan on taking him out on a short hunt this season too. He helps me train, gives commands like a pro and he wants to give out the treats too. Watching him do the fetchs is so kewl, makes me kinda tear up as I recall Dad teaching me and his dogs in this fashion.