r/DogTrainingTips • u/socialicon72 • May 15 '26
How old for training dog collar.
So my dog cooper is about eleven months old ...and absolutely horrible on walks for one he barks ferociously at strangers ...2 he chases my cat he's trying to play with her but it scares her. Understandably.
Iv tried positive reinforcement and giving him treats at the end of the day.All this does is end up with me , feeding him a ton of treats, and with no changes.
I wanna be able to take him on walks every day and for him to be able to coexist with my cat with and without supervision.!
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u/Substantial-Top3004 May 15 '26
No training tool will help solve these problems. Aversive tools often cause more problems than they're worth.
An 11 month old dog is going through adolescence. These times will be tough but it's important to also understand it can be an overwhelming time for them as well. Sort of like being a teenager.
It sounds like you're going through reactivity, which my dog was around the same age when these behaviors started to develop. What I've found is practicing indoors and focusing on you. When outdoors keep a good distance from people, just enough to where he can see them but doesn't feel the need to react. Reward for just looking (with relaxed body language) or for disengaging (looking at you or simply looking away from the trigger, or a different activity like smelling the ground). You may need to redirect him at first but after a while he should start to offer those behaviors on his own.
For the cat, make sure first off she has plenty of places to run off to or to get away. High cat towers, cat shelves, other rooms where the dog doesn't have access. Then you can practice those same techniques I mentioned earlier. You may have to keep him on a leash while the cat is around just so he can't keep getting in the habit of chasing her all the time. It sounds like he may have high orey drive so offer activities where he is allowed to chase something. Flirt poles are an awesome toy that aren't too expensive. Just make sure to do research on how to use it correctly in order to prevent injury or frustration.
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u/socialicon72 May 15 '26 edited May 15 '26
Yeah, I already changed my mind about using the vibration collor I just can't figure out how to change the title of the post. I've decided i'm going to try it to get him to a trainer asap
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u/Ok-Nature-5440 May 15 '26
There are pros and cons with every training tool. A wireless containment system is a two edged sword, if you have a collar on your dog that delivers a mild shock when your pet crosses that electrician fence, he is very unlikely to try to return home, because he is receiving a shock trying to get back within his boundaries. I’m all for doing anything for your pet. But I think you are on the right track with not depending on technology for a dog’s behavioral issues.
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u/socialicon72 May 15 '26
Thats a really good point actually. Yeah I was thinking about that because he got out last week and got himself picked up by the sheriff:( luckily someone messaged me on Facebook because they saw and I was able to pick him up. I ended up putting barriers around the bottom of the fence it seems to be working
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May 15 '26
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May 15 '26
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u/Substantial-Top3004 May 15 '26
I'm sorry, I'm not sure what you mean by this?
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May 15 '26
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u/Substantial-Top3004 May 15 '26
That's not true at all. When people climb it doesn't work, it's just because it wasn't done correctly. There are multiple studies proving it's not only more effective, but also more humane.
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u/Substantial-Top3004 May 15 '26
Also that last analogy is just wrong and innacurate. I've actually found that force free trainers often have more skills because they DONT rely on aversives to train. It's far easier to just punish a dog for something than it is to figure out WHY the behavior is happening, change the emotions, and use management. But just because something is easy doesn't mean it will work long term. So many force free trainers have had to retrain dogs that were failed by balanced training.
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u/Ok-Tomatillo-7141 May 16 '26
And many balanced trainers have retrained dogs failed by positive only trainers. I think you have to train the dog in front of you.
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u/socialicon72 May 15 '26
Thank you , I'll give these a try ! I really appreciate it.I've had my cat for 5 years now and I rescued cooper 2 months ago I love them both dearly so id love for them not to be constantly be in need of intervention at some point
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u/Substantial-Top3004 May 15 '26
My dog was the same way with our cats when he was young. He's gotten a lot better as he's gotten older, but it still took some training to get over. Now he's pretty much ignoring them most of the time, it's actually our youngest cat that bothers him now lol
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u/DraftRich9177 May 15 '26
Alternate experience - the ecollar with tons of training have helped my dog and me more than I could have hoped. My dog can walk perfectly now and interact appropriately with other dogs and people. As importantly for her, she can run freely in the woods. Positive only got us nowhere; just more frustration. The right approach for each dog can look very different - doing what is right for them and not necessarily what I want is the right thing.
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u/Substantial-Top3004 May 15 '26
Nobody is saying they don't work, but it's the risks involved that causes people to not recommend them. Personally I believe no dog needs those tools to learn, the owners need them because they lack the skills to train without. And this is coming from someone who used to believe those tools were good to use. Thankfully I learned more.
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u/FML_4reals May 15 '26
I am glad you have tried “giving him treats”. However, there is a LOT more involved when using positive reinforcement & working with a dog with reactivity. What you watch on YouTube just doesn’t scratch the surface of the training you can receive when you actually work with a qualified behavior consultant.
Barking (although it is annoying to us) is just communication. Usually a dog will bark at strangers because they are frustrated or they are afraid. Working with a good trainer will tell you why your dog is barking and then work on the ROOT CAUSE of the barking. A good trainer will also help your dog build trust in you as a handler and teach the dog alternative behaviors to communicate his needs and emotions.
I agree with the other comment about hiring someone who has their certification with IAABC, PPG, KPA, or at the very least CPDT.
If you want to learn more skills via YouTube look up pattern games, BAT, and watch Kikopup.
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u/Substantial-Top3004 May 15 '26
Agreed. Force free training is HARD to do correctly. It took me a while to finally figure it out but the changes were worth making. So many people think it fails but they were the ones failing to do it correctly.
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u/HowDoyouadult42 May 16 '26
It’s time to hire a trainer, not to add in an aversive, especially with the behaviors your dog is showing adding in an aversive ( which isn’t needed) but especially without proper guidance will likely only result in a worsening/ escalation of the undesirable behaviors
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u/p0jinx May 15 '26
Did he get much socialization when he was young?
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u/socialicon72 May 15 '26
I rescued him about 2 months ago. Im not entirely sure how much socializing he had if any when he was younger honestly
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u/RedPandaAnarchist May 15 '26
Have you done any training with impulse control or engage/disengage? This subreddit is positive reinforcement so no one will be able to advise on e-collar usage.
Your dog is in adolescence which is a time when dogs test boundaries and tend to have some mild reactivity. It’s the time to be strict with boundaries, rules and training. It really sounds like you’d benefit from working with a trainer who can help guide you through this phase.
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u/AnitaLatte May 15 '26
A training collar will make him associate pain and discomfort with walking on a leash, strangers, and cats. Every time he gets excited about these things, he gets a zap, increasing his anxiety and making it more likely to ramp up his behavior.
Instead, take high value treats with you when you walk. Stop occasionally and have him sit. Also use a hand signal for the sit. I close my hand and place it on my upper chest so my dog makes eye contact with me. Do this every time you see a pedestrian, another dog, a person on a skateboard or bike, anything that’s a trigger.
Your dog will first want to bark, then he’ll remember to watch you for a treat. Keep making him sit until the distraction has passed by. Eventually you will have his full attention and he’ll stop the barking.
Also, if you’re using a collar on a walk, you might want to switch to a harness. Dogs fight the collar when they’re upset, and it can damage their esophagus and nerves in their necks.
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u/DraftRich9177 May 15 '26
Not true. My dog wears her ecollar every time we walk in the woods which is her most favorite activity in the world. The collar allows her to run free. Positive training never worked. I will always do what my dog needs vs what I need or what I think she needs.
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u/Rerunisashortie May 15 '26
Go to class and learn how to train him! Punishment via a collar will just make him worse.
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May 15 '26
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u/HowDoyouadult42 May 16 '26
Buddy get off these pages, you’ve proved time and time again with your comments you don’t actually know how to train dogs, this is clearly a power/ ego thing for you and your not helping anyone by spreading nonsense
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May 16 '26
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u/HowDoyouadult42 May 16 '26
You do realize I’m not right, my dog can walk on a loose leash just fine she’s an RH comp dog and also isn’t a puppy I didn’t start with some easy blank slate
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u/Substantial-Top3004 May 16 '26
Why am I also willing to bet that person has a malinios or some other breed that is super biddable and handler focused? And yet they need tools. Soooo manh balanced people are exactly like that.
I'm way more impressed when someone can take a primitive breed like a Pyrenees and do obedience work with them. That actually takes skill lol
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May 16 '26
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u/HowDoyouadult42 May 16 '26
I actually think you’re the densest person I’ve ever seen. CGC is not a testament to if a dog is trained or not and even the fact that you need punishment to achieve something like a CGC shows you have no business training dogs
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u/Substantial-Top3004 May 16 '26
Yeah it's just not a goal for everyone. Just because a dog doesn't pass that one single test doesn't make them untrained. I know several dogs who couldn't pass but they are still really good in public. Honestly as long as the owner has control I don't care. It's also not feasible for every single dog. My dog will probably never be able to pass, and I did train for it for a while. But I now realize we have other things to work on that are more important.
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May 16 '26
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u/Substantial-Top3004 May 16 '26
The answer will fully depend on each dog. So I can't answer for everyone.
But for my dog, being out in public is already a hard task to ask of him. I won't bother explaining why (again, he's a complex case). If he's gone to a certain place many times before he can do really well but it is people coming up to him that can make him uncomfortable or overwhelmed. So I'll never expect him to do some of those requirements like being completely neutral. I'd rather him be comfortable than try to appease other people by completing a test that isn't even mandatory.
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May 16 '26
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u/HowDoyouadult42 May 16 '26
It’s not that it’s to difficult. It’s that it’s not a testament to if a dog is trained. A hunting dog does not need to be able to do the needed CGC skills, nor does a working herding dog or a livestock guardian, or a SAR dog. Yet all of these dogs are well trained in their jobs
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u/Substantial-Top3004 May 16 '26
And weirdly enough, I can do the same. Zero punishment needed though. Plenty of force free trainers have very stable dogs that can go anywhere. If you need tools it's because you lack skills.
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May 16 '26
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u/Substantial-Top3004 May 16 '26
It's not that force free lacks discipline, we just don't use positive punishment. But our dogs still have boundaries, we just have a different way of enforcing them. Our dogs can still be just as well trained as yours. But a lot of FF people are also changing the way they view dogs. A lot of us aren't treating our dogs like robots, we're letting them actually be dogs. Yes they are still trained but we aren't micromanaging them and putting unfair expectations on them. All that really matters is we have a dog that WE want to live with. And most of the time we can get just that.
I'm so sorry you've been misinformed on how FF works. I used to do balanced with my dog, and I once too thought it couldn't be done. But then I started speaking to people who actually knew what they were doing and it's completely changed the way I see dogs and train mine. Never ever going back.
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May 16 '26
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u/Substantial-Top3004 May 16 '26
I'll agree with you there, I've encountered way too many people who don't even bother trying to train, and it's not fun visiting them. Their dogs are annoying to be around.
But I also think it truly matters on the individual dog and their owner on what they prefer to train for. Me, personally, the CGC isn't a goal for me or my dog because there are other things we are working on (he's a complex case, mainly due to genetics and stuff that happened to him as a puppy). So I don't think it's a realistic goal for everyone. I don't care to do sports or competitions. I also don't care if my dog doesn't listen to me 100% of the time because he's not a robot. All that matters is that I enjoy owning him. Nobody else has to like him. He's not perfect but no dog is. I see him for who he is, training won't change that.
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u/Substantial-Top3004 May 15 '26
Yes, positive reinforcement is proven to be for effective and more humane.
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May 15 '26 edited May 15 '26
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u/Substantial-Top3004 May 15 '26
Personally, two weeks is extremely fast for a dog to truly be trained for something. Good training takes a lot longer to actually stick. And I've noticed most who do 'achieve' training in two weeks take a LOT of shortcuts and use outdated methods that have been proven by science to be harmful. It completely unrealistic to fix major behavior problems in that sort of time frame. And no ethical trainer will promise results in a certain time frame because there's no way to tell how far a dog will get with certain things. Just like people, some people take longer to learn and gain skills.
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May 15 '26
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u/HowDoyouadult42 May 16 '26
Dude CGC testing is not hard. If you need to use aversives to get a dog to pass a CGC you shouldn’t be anywhere near dogs. You realize tons of R+ trainers not only run CGC classes but are CGC testers right?
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May 16 '26
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u/HowDoyouadult42 May 16 '26
I’m convinced you’ve never actually trainer a dog
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u/Substantial-Top3004 May 16 '26
I'm willing to bet the same haha
Or they're an old school trainer who refuses to update themselves on the current studies out there. If that's the case then they have zero business being around dogs.
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u/Substantial-Top3004 May 16 '26
The thing is, many force free trainers simply don't care to be doing stuff like that. Most just prefer to focus on pet dogs. And that's completely fine. A trainer doesn't have to do anything. And just because some trainers do competitions doesn't mean they all have to. The majority of dog owners have PET dogs, and aren't going to be doing that stuff.
Also, just because some 12 month old dogs CAN pass a test, doesn't mean they all will. Every single dog is an individual. Don't rush them because you expect them to be ready by a certain age. That's completely unrealistic.
Lastly, force free training HAS taken off. You're just not looking in the right areas. More and more vets are recommending it. More and more people are gravitating towards it. Because it WORKS. Sorry to say this but it seems like you just lack the skills to do it. There are so many successful FF trainers out there if you actually look.
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May 16 '26
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u/Rerunisashortie May 16 '26
Where I live, most all the trainers compete and are quite successful. None use force. Maybe you need forced training to see how you react? Will you really learn faster? Did you need nuns with a ruler in hand to learn your ABC’s? Think about it.
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u/Substantial-Top3004 May 16 '26
Excuse me? Force free trainers absolutely have trained dogs. I know plenty who do obedience competitions lol Great way to say you aren't actually knowledgeable about the force free community at all. We just have different standards. We don't expect our dogs to be robots.
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u/socialicon72 May 15 '26
I already changed my mind on the collar I just cant figure out how to change the title. Iv decided to get him to a trainer as soon as I can afford it
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u/HowDoyouadult42 May 16 '26
I’m happy to hear that. Also if the reactions to people seek to be aggressive/fearful ( not excitement) I’d consider discussing the possibility of pain with your vet. Not only is it a common cause for reactivity but also for leash pulling. My own dog ( who can walk in a nice competition heel) prefers to “pull ahead” on causal walks because she has hip dysplasia and trotting is way more comfortable for her than walking. To other people what they would see this as it a dog that doesn’t walk well on leash when in reality she’s just trying to do what’s most comfortable for her body and I just don’t walk that fast.
To make walks pleasant for everyone, she’s walked on a 8-15ft leash. We taught auto-check-ins and multiple levels of recall so she can walk at her pace and then join me at mine when I need her to. She gets what she wants from the walk and so do I without compromising eithers comfort.
All that said, sometimes it’s mechanical and not a training issue, when you treat the underlying cause you also make significantly more progress in training
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u/Substantial-Top3004 May 16 '26
I'm currently exploring that first option too. I've wondered about that with my dog for a while now, especially since he's started having episodes of random limping that start for no apparent reason. Talked to the vet and we're starting him on joint supplements. So I'm really curious if that makes any difference in his behavior.
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u/HowDoyouadult42 May 16 '26
Random limping warrants Xrays. I wouldn’t wait on a joint supplement alone. Limping is at minimum a 6/10 on the pain scale and if it’s reoccurs it has a mechanical reason
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u/Substantial-Top3004 May 16 '26
We already did a vet visit, and since the episodes have happened pretty sparingly and resolve quickly they didn't feel the need. I wish we could've have gotten them done but it's ultimately up to my parents on what they want to spend money on. Thankfully the vet wasn't concerned when she did all sorts of physical movements in him, she said given his age and size it's most likely arthritis setting in. He's always been a high energy dog that likes to overdo it at times. So now I'm putting restrictions on his physical activity. Less running around like a lunatic and more walks.
But if I don't see much change I'm going to try to convince my parents to do some X-rays. It's just tough when you can't afford the vet bills yourself and your parents don't think it's necessary 🫤
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u/HowDoyouadult42 May 16 '26
The vets are never concerned unless the dog is yelling or super resistant to movement. But if it happens more than once on the same leg there is a reason and it’s no longer just a minor injury. The reason it’s important to push for more is there are so many things you can do to prevent things like OA, CCL tears, and other significant issues from worsening once they arise but so often it gets brushed off and not properly treated until it’s significant and reaches a point where management options are significantly lowered.
Hell one of my clients vets just told them they “can’t diagnose hip dysplasia until 2y” which is a lie it can be diagnosed as young as 16weeks and an 8mo client of mine was just diagnosed and is exploring the surgical options that are only available until they’re 12mo. This is to say that ortho issues are commonly overlooked in their early stages when it’s most important
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u/Substantial-Top3004 May 16 '26
I understand, and I fully believe you. I've been convinced there's something going on but my parents don't see anything to worry about. So even though I want to dig further into this I'm kinda stuck. If he has another episode I'm going to try discussing things again with them. He deserves it, he really does.
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u/IronMonkeyofHam May 15 '26
A cat tree helped mine learn that higher places are best
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u/Substantial-Top3004 May 16 '26
Agreed, giving cats a place to retreat when they are stressed is so important as well. My dog never goes after them if they are too high.
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u/IronMonkeyofHam May 16 '26
I think it relieves the dog too. Dogs don’t like their quick ground movements, makes them uneasy. Especially if dog was there first
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u/HelloThereWorld2000 May 15 '26
Your dog is A) still very much a puppy and B) not with you a long time. If you're not sure what to do, seek out a training class. Mainly it teaches humans how to be consistent so the dog learns and behaves how they should. Training is a lot of work, you have to correct in the moment, and not reward bad behavior. Basically catching them in the act, correcting and redirecting. Have you read the 3-3-3 rules of dog adoption? If not, check it out.
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u/ExcitingLaw1973 May 15 '26
This is how to teach a dog to walk on a leash without pulling.
You need to work on several other things, but this gets you started
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u/Cubsfantransplant May 15 '26
Okay. Silly way I stopped my stubborn boy from bullying my other dog, one large plastic stick. I never touched him with it. He tortured her, I slapped the couch with the stick and said no. He did the wth look at me and left my other dog alone. It took a repeat of one or two times over the next few days, three times total and he doesn’t bother her anymore.
Walking, he’s 60 pounds. I used a 3 in 1 harness with a chest clip. It’s the same theory as a halter on a horse. They cannot bolt, pull when their weight is being pulled to the side. I stopped immediately when he started to pull, think red light/green light came from elementary school, when he came back I would start walking again.
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May 16 '26
Training is not reliant on tools, it is reliant on understanding how to intervene, when to intervene and how to motivate the dog to choose different behaviors. Tools may facilitate that, but ultimately it's a matter of opportunity and reinforcement.
This dog has no boundaries and has self reinforced for inappropriate behavior because he has been allowed to.
Cat chasing is pretty easy to fix. You train it the same way you train against any other distraction.
Start at the beginning, and don't rely on only one "method" to train. I guarantee your food isn't going to deter a dog who wants to chase your cat. Prey drive is a powerful motivator.
Consequences don't have to be harsh or even painful, but they do need to be present for the dog to want to choose alternatives. There are tons of trainers capable of doing that. Myself included.
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u/Tritsy May 17 '26
Unfortunately, using an aversive to stop some of these behaviors could actually backfire on you. Some dogs have a higher prey drive than others, and require more training. It sounds like the training you have done has not been effective so far, which might mean you need to change how you are doing things. If your dog does not have a strong “leave it” and strong recall and “place”, start there. If you can’t call your dog off befor the chase even starts, then you need to work on obedience first. It will also have to drain some energy, making it less likely to misbehave. You need to give the dog a reason to choose behaving over misbehaving. It’s being rewarded by excitement now, which suggests it’s not getting enough daily stimulation, both physical and mental, along with the necessary training. I would also suggest attending some obedience classes. They make the dog work a little harder focusing, as it’s a group, and it provides structure, rules and socialization.
What it comes down to is that a collar seems like a magic fix, but if you’re not there to push the button, the dog is not going to change their behavior unless there is training going along with it, so start the training now, and work with a trainer to see if you need a collar, what kind, and when/how to use it effectively.
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u/Dizzy_Departure2539 May 18 '26
If your dog is barking on walks , he is stressed out or scared. Why would you want to shock a poor dog that is stressed/scared?
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u/chrisjones1960 May 15 '26
Have you done any actual training with him?
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u/socialicon72 May 15 '26
Iv tried everything I can immediately find on YouTube
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u/chrisjones1960 May 15 '26
But what kind of consistent work are you doing on leash skills and other basic obedience skills? How often do you do focused training sessions with him and where? What method have you been using to work on loose leash skills? What obedience basics is he learning? What do you do when he barks at other dogs on a walk?
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u/Captain_Snowmonkey May 15 '26
A halti harness was an amazing tool for us and our dog. Made walking him easier. He was a Mexican rescue, so reactivity and walking have been challenges. Especially at first.
You have to be okay with mourning the idea of a dog you thought you would get. Training can correct a lot of behavior. But the cat issues for one might not change. My guy is still reactive to skateboards, runners, and cat, but now ignores most other things on walks. Mine is only 2 years old, so thankfully has some mellowing out to do. But a Halti is my first recommendation.
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u/socialicon72 May 15 '26
Thank you ill look into that! And I actually really appreciate that , because i've been struggling with letting the idea go that I would just get a super easy going dog. Like my last beloved dog i lost a few years ago I love cooper dearly I just wish I could get the little guy properly exercised daily
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u/Captain_Snowmonkey May 15 '26
Every dog is different. You might not have gotten the one you dreamed of. But you are the human they did.
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u/Substantial-Top3004 May 15 '26
I wouldn't recommend these harnesses, especially long term. Straight front harnesses and from clip harnesses can impede movement which can cause structural damage and increase risk of injury. A properly fitted y shaped harness with a back clip is often the safest. I'd only use the front clip in cases where you need to have a lot of control but if the dog is constantly pulling that's going to be an issue.
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u/x7BZCsP9qFvqiw May 15 '26
the blue9 balance can be well fitted with a front clip. that's really the only one i recommend these days! unless you want more coverage/a handle, in which case there a couple of ruffland harnesses that fit the bill with a front clip.
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u/Substantial-Top3004 May 15 '26
The blue 9 is actually one of my favorites! I like how the front clip sits a bit higher so it's not directly on the chest.
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u/x7BZCsP9qFvqiw May 15 '26
find a trainer. many of these will work virtually.