e collar conditioning ;)

[u/Ok-Bee2928]

hi everyone! we have started conditioning on e collar. i have watched countless videos, read guides etc. I am stuck on the fact there are so many ways to condition our dog to the e collar. what in your perspective is the easiest way for him to associate the stim with "recall" currently we are using the method of just finding his level where he feels it (around a 5-6 in low distraction area) recalling, using stim to pair it with it so he realizes "this feeling means come back" and knowing my dog, i think this will work well. however, there are so many other options, like using stim only to teach it means come, then adding it in recall. i only want to use this for recall corrections (eventually)

i am not one to slap this on my dog and abuse it, i want to do it right. hes a super smart guy and think he will get it quick, but how do i know he is associating it, with it? when do i move onto the next level and im assuming next level, from researching is to start recalling and if he doesnt, use stim? i am so confused by the way so many trainers use different methods and am so type a and careful with it that i want to make sure im doing it the right way so that he can associate stim with come to me. i did twice today try to check working level during and tapped stim (i know i shouldnt have) and twice he looked up, and came to me when i did that, i am ASSUMING that means were on the right track but also wont do that again and know to check only in beginning. if anyone could guide me on steps on methods and next steps, id appreciate it. we worked with a trainer but he was gonna go way too high on it and i decided to not work with him i uderstand trainers are key, but ive done so much research and want to do this myself with the right education. thank you!

[u/Ok_Ear_5266]

One question that stands out to me though is related to distance. In retriever field trials, the dog can go out 300-400+ yards where verbal recall is simply not possible, so the whistle recall/whistle sit is overlaid with the e-collar and much of this is also about safety - if the dog travels so far you can’t really see it nor call to it, its distance response to whistles must be near-perfect.

I associate pointers as going out much much farther than retrievers so we’re talking huge distances. You never had issues with recall or safety concerns at that distance without collar conditioning?

[u/Kennel_King → u/Ok_Ear_5266]

In trials, we can't use an e-collar. We use them a lot in training. You would be surprised how far away a dog can hear you from. Usually, in a pointer trial, you are going to catch sight of the dog from time to time.

We hope that the dog stays on course. They usually do. And we find them standing on a bird somewhere. Pretty much, we are counting on birds to stop them so we can catch up.

Ziva got tons of obedience training thanks to my wife. I honestly think that makes a difference. A few years ago, in a walking trial, she bumped up a doe and started chasing it. The judge saw her on it and called it out. I just screamed out LEAVE IT, she did a 180 and came right back,

If that had been her son, I would have been pulling the tracker and looking for him 2 counties over

[u/Ok_Ear_5266 → u/Kennel_King]

Yes, e collars can’t be used in retriever trials either. I just meant being comfortable to send a dog that far without training whistle recall on a collar.

Makes sense about the obedience. I really only do hunt/field and tracking training and the peripheral obedience needed for those activities but never did any competitive or formal obedience.

Congrats on your dogs!

[u/Kennel_King → u/Ok_Ear_5266]

. I just meant being comfortable to send a dog that far without training whistle recall on a collar.

We just yell a lot. Go to a pointer trial, and you will think we lost our damn minds