Doggy Mentor

Posts Tagged ‘dog training collars’

There are many unique breeds that make outstanding hunting dogs, but not all are classified exclusively as hunting dogs.  For example: hounds hunt small prey such as jackrabbits, raccoons, and other animals that make their homes in thickets and underbrush.  Not each and every hound hunts exclusively with scent, as some use their well-developed eyesight too (sight hounds).

Gun dogs are one of the most familiar categories of hunting dog.  Keep in mind, not every hunting dog is a gun dog.  Hunters hunting with shotguns, especially those seeking a variety of birds, mostly use gun dogs.  They include retrievers, pointers, setters, and spaniels typically.   Terriers and feists are additional categories of gun dogs and have often squeezed into rabbit holes and other dens to chase out quarry.  Curs are larger hunting dogs and are usually used to hunt bigger animals like, for instance, cougars.

There are numerous diverse breeds of gun dogs.  They are outstanding dogs when you are in the hunt for those to retrieve or even chase game.  Each breed has unique abilities and personalities.  A brief breakdown of these abilities and personalities:

Retrievers

Not only are retrievers a good choice as hunting dogs, but they also make wonderful family pets.  They are excellent swimmers and like the water.  If you are intending on hunting ducks or other fowl close to the water, you should choose a retriever, as he will have no problem grabbing birds, whether they are on land or in the water.  Retrievers also learn the command “fetch” easier than most other dogs, as their natural instinct is to retrieve items.

Spaniels

A few spaniels like water, but their main gift lies in finding game that lives in thickets.  They are similar to retrievers in that they then retrieve prey.  Cocker spaniels are exceptionally good pets, but also extraordinary hunters.  English springer spaniels and cocker spaniels are two of the most widespread spaniel breeds classified as hunting dogs, though field spaniels are also growing in prominence.   Spaniels will chase game out of hiding and retrieve it on land and water in a similar way.

Pointers

Pointers, such as the German shorthaired pointer, are very good at discovering the prey for the hunter and point at it in a very distinct manner, giving them their names.  This breed will cover more ground than a spaniel, but are reliant on the hunter to flush out the animal first.

Setters

Setters, like pointers, will find and point at prey, but will also sniff out the prey themselves on command.  Setters, like the popular English setter, are brilliant at locating upland birds.  As hunting dogs, they are more widely used in England and Ireland than in the United States.

Water Dogs

Although we do not often think of the poodle as a type of hunting dog, they are a type of retriever and swim very well, therefore they can be classified as a hunting dog. The larger breeds of poodles (instead of the little lap dogs) are good dogs to use for hunting when around the water.   It is important to remember that they are different from other dogs in that poodles have hair instead of fur that must be clipped on occasion.  However, they are a very good choice for those who suffer from dog allergies for this same reason.

The sort of hunting you plan on doing will influence the type of hunting dog that is suitable for you.  Try to plan for this in advance, so that when you hunt for your prey you have the proper expectations for the dog. Knowing what your dog is capable of in the field will help you train him to be the best hunting dog he can be.

When purchasing Hunting Dogs you must also consider what kind of Hunting Dog Supplies you might need. A few supplies to consider are dog training collars, bird launchers, and electronic dog fences.

These days, training collars are more of a need than a luxury for dog owners who are responsible about their pets. Laws today penalize dog owners when their pets bark too much at night or growl or attack at people, and even just a carefree play can be mistaken for an attack by a surprised stranger. It’s not only loud and incessant barking that’s frowned upon in most places, but also threatening behavior that dogs may exhibit when faced with strangers or a crowd. Thus, the increasing need for training collars of several types.

Choker Training Collars

Some people consider these dog training collars ethical while others prefer the old fashioned leash. These collars restrain dogs from pulling away from the leash, as well as from incurring in other types of bad behavior. These collars are mostly used for walking the dog, specially when they are small or young and they haven’t learned yet how to behave with other people or dogs. Dogs slowly realize that jumping at people and things will give them a very annoying choking sensation. Some training collars even have protrusions that dig softly into the dog’s neck when he or she pulls too much on the leash. These types of collars also stop any sensation to the dog as soon as this one relaxes.

Electric Collars

These collars detect the vibrations caused by barking and in turn they deliver a small static shock. There is a small device in this collar that detects vibrations in the dog’s throat caused by barking. The shock is not cruel, it’s just a mild static shock, similar to the one we get when we play with balloons. These collars are very practical and effective as long as the training is constant and supervised closely by the owner; just remember to take the collar off when training is over so that the dog can rest.

For those of you who are working on the best way to housebreak a puppy, barking can be tough. Are you bothered by your dog’s constant barking?  Learning to control your dog’s barking is challenging, regardless of the breed you own.  Different breeds have different reasons for starting to fuss.  If you can determine the reason your dog’s barking is out of control it will help you teach your dog to control the barking and to bark when necessary, not at every little thing they see or hear.

Some dogs just seem to bark far too often without any reason.  That is just the way they are.  While some people can handle the constant barking, others cannot.  However, it is important to keep in mind that dogs use their vocal skills like people.  They bark to communicate with you or other members of their pack.  Never try to stop your dog from barking altogether.  Teach your dog when it is okay to bark and when they must stop barking.  

First, research the type of dog you want before you get a dog.  Knowing the purpose of a dog breed will give you a lot of information about how much the dog may bark.  Don’t choose a dog bred for hunting or for stopping intruders.  

Sometimes, dogs are better at training us than we are at training them.  Don’t jump up and respond to your dogs commands when he or she barks.  If they want to go outside and play, allow them to bark to signal, but do not let them out if they continue to bark.  Teach them to get quiet first.  Don’t respond until the dog is quiet, the dog will learn that to stop barking is a good behavior which brings rewards. Consider this before you buy a citronella dog collar.  

As we said, dogs communicate by barking, so allow them to bark.  When barking continues too long, however, reach out and gently claps the dog’s muzzle shut.  Keep your grasp firm, but gentle.  Do not hurt the dog.  It is likely that she will try to wriggle away from your grasp.  At this point, use your other hand to hold her gently, but firmly by the collar.  

Sometimes pet owners can figure out why their dog is barking and sometimes they cannot.  I thought we would never get our Bischon to stop barking at every little noise, so I had to get outside help.  You may think it’s odd to get help to stop your dog’s barking.  Actually, it isn’t uncommon for dog owners to get help.  I know because my dog no longer barks at every noise, day and night.

Enjoy calling your dog to you and let him have some fun with a little freedom, that is the hope of all dog owners.

The problem is most owner's have inadvertently trained their dog not to come to them.  There are several reasons for this and not just one simple solution people need to avoid.Dog owners will criticize their dog when he comes and the dog will never want to come to their owner again.Would you want to come inside if your fun was ending your dog does not want to do this.

I teach the command “come” using the Dogtra 200NCP Training Collar and a long line.  The long line can just be a simple $1 clothes line you purchase as the dollar store.  If you want a better long line you can buy a horse lead which is something with 1/2 inch nylon webbing and can be purchased at a farm or horse store.    You will want it to be lt least 25 to 30 foot long because you want to be able to work at distances with your dog as your training progresses.

Before starting this your dog should be trained with a 6ft leash and use a little tug to get your dog to move toward you.  When your dog started coming toward you, you gave lots of praise because you want that to be the most wonderful thing is to want to come to you and when he reached you asked him to sit and wait for a pat on the head.

Doing this step first will make it easier so your dog will not know if he has on a 6ft leash or a longer leash.  Why?  Research studies have determined that canine have limited abilities to use reason or logic.Don't teach him that there is a difference in the two leashes.

The first step to teaching this training is to begin taking your dog to various different locations (without other dogs) and let him run around with the Dogtra 200NCP Training Collar on and the long line attached to the collar and let him run a bit with the long line trailing him.Don't let your dog get a mile away, you should be close to the end of the leash.If your dog is a runner you will want to start in a secure location.

If you have always kept your dog on a short leash and not allow him some freedom will make him want to run away.  So, the second he thinks he is free from the leash or fenced in area will bolt and run away because he has learned that the free area is not available very often so he must take advantage of it.

Now for the Training:

You need to have your transmitter for your collar in one hand and be ready to step on the long line with your foot and grab the long line with your other hand so stay close. 

Once you begin letting your dog roam around with that long leash attached two things will begin to happen.Your dog will forget he has a leash on and will start to feel freedom.  Second, if he decides to "take a hike" you will always be in a position to regain his control.Your foot should be ready to step on the leash to stop your dog, electronic device in hand and pick up the leash end.It will be impossible for your dog to get away from you even if he is fast. 

Now that he has run a bit you want him to come back.  When he is not looking toward you, pick up the end of the long line, command "come", press the "Nick" button on your collar set at about 15 or 20 level and turn and run in the opposite direction of your dog just until the leash loses slack and you have given your dog a tug.  All these things are done simultaneously. 

So make sure there is not a lot of slack in the long line between you and your dog so that as soon as you command and turn and run and press your stimulation button it happens at the same time.

The dog just got a little buzz and will not know it came from you.  If he moves even a little toward you or looks at you call him happily to you. 

If he does not repeat the same process, holding the end of the line, turn and take a few running steps so you get a pop on his end while at the same time commanding “come” and pressing the button.Be happy if he takes a step to you. You are encouraging to him that the most wonderful thing in the world is to come to his owner.

When your dog is not paying attention keep testing around 10 to 12 times.

Attach this to the collar

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One of the best leadership skills any dog owner can do for their dog is to go on a Power Walk.  Yes, you read that correctly.Daily exercise is a must for any dog but mot people only go for walks themselves. 

This means that your dog needs to pay attention to you and you do not stop to smell the litter on the ground or let him smell that rabbit that just crossed the road.It is not cruel but you are telling the dog you are the leader and have to stand your ground.

After your first session it will get easier but the very first one will be the most difficult.

Put your Dogtra 175NCP electronic training collar on your dog and set the level to between 5 and 20 depending on the temperament of your dog.Some dogs need a light stimulation so turn the dial downt o 5.If there is no response from your dog then turn the dial up.

Put the leash onto the electronic collar strap.

The secret to teaching this is kind of like a dance.Your dog will go the same way as you but will want to lead.

The initial time you try this may be disaster but you need to be persistent and don't give up.

In your right hand your should have the transmitter and leash.This means your right hand unless your are left handed. 

As you start your walk your dog will want to go in his direction which is usually in the direction you are going but he will want to lead and pull you so as you start walking and you dog gets in front of you, immediately turn and walk in the other direction and press the “nick” button on the collar and let the dog get a tug from the leash end.keep walking.

Your dog will probably run back toward you and again run out in front, so you will turn again quickly in the opposite direction while pressing your "nick" or constant button and continue walking.

If your Dogtra 175 NCP is not set high enough because your dog feels nothing turn up the control slightly.  If it is too high, turn it down.Try using the vibrating sensation first as many dogs are sensitive enough to be trained with that button.

As you continue with your walk and you notice your dog looking away from you or straying turn.You can go in any path as long as it is different from where you were just going.Going left or right is also an option.if your dog likes to get in your way you have to turn and step on his toes as you give a tap of the button.

Just hold the leash next to your waist and the dog training collar does the correction work.

No words are needed.The leader never stops to make sure everyone is okay, you either come along or get left.staying in the lead and continuing in the same direction causes those that don't to be left behind.

Keep your training time short and not more than 10 to 15 minutes to start.  As your dog learns to walk with you you will find that you don’t need to give corrections with the collar but keep the Dogtra training collar on your dog for reinforcement in the event your dog decides he sees a squirrel or something that he thinks is more important than listening to you.