E-collars are not meant to inflict pain

I use my training collar with Bailey in our training sessions or when out in the open spaces. Never for punishment, only to get his attention and let him know what and where I want him to go.

From Dogs Unlimited:
"Not meant for discipline, electronic training collars are an indispensable training tool.

Have you ever seen someone "training" a dog to come, then zapping it with an e-collar when it refused?

I have, and let me tell you, I wanted to come unglued! A dog will never obey a command that's followed by a jolt of pain.

Have you even seen a dog that blinks birds? More than likely, someone has used a hot e-collar while the dog was in close contact with birds, such as in the breaking process.

E-COLLARS ARE NOT MEANT TO INFLICT PAIN. They are a tap or a tickle -- at most, a discomfort -- to correct unwanted behavior. Here's how Alan Davison of DOGS Unlimited puts it: "A pro handler grabbed me by the ear, twisted it, as hard as he could, then shouted at me, 'WHAT'S YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER!!! WHAT"S YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER!!!'

"There was absolutely NO WAY I could remember it, let alone repeat it." This is what you do to your Good Dog when you inflict pain to try to achieve a positive result.

The best use of an e-collar is to break your dogs's attention on an unwanted activity, like running off in the wrong direction. Starting at the lowest setting, send a momentary stimulation. No response? Turn it up one level and try again. Keep increasing the intensity until your dog responds by slowing down, perhaps looking at you. Now give your command to turn, come back, go left, go right, whatever it is. All you need to do is get him out of "the zone" and reminded him of what the two of you are there for: to hunt as a team."

Simon, a Vizsla, learning about a training collar

Jim brought Simon, a two-year-old male Vizsla, out on a walk with Bailey and Chloe.

Jim had concerns over Simon chasing coyotes in the open spaces where they walk. So after a couple e-mails we met at 9am this morning.

We had a great two hour walk in the Shell Ridge open space. First I showed Jim how I use the training collar on Bailey. Then I had Jim place the collar on his wrist and starting at level 1 and working up to 4. I explained, as he felt the different levels of stimulation, how and when I use the different levels.

We then placed the collar on Simon and worked with Jim on how to use it. Simon learned very easily. We only used the collar six times. These were times when Simon would come up to another dog while we were walking and do some posturing and making growling noises. A quick "leave it" accompanied by a light shock got Simon to leave the other dog alone. Jim could see how it worked. It's all about the timing and amount of correction needed.

When we were almost back to the parking lot, we came across a couple with their little three-year-old female Vizsla. The boys enjoyed this new female. Bailey did his ear chewing of this sweet little girl that he likes to do to ones he likes. He is such a Romeo in his own mind.


Jim tells me he is going to get a training collar for Simon.

There is a comfort level walking in the open spaces with the feeling of control that a good training collar gives you. These are especially helpful if you own a free-spirited and large-running Vizsla like Bailey.

Enjoying the open space after a storm

When I was a boy of about 7, I could walk up in the hills above the little town of Camarillo, California, for hours on my own or with a small band of friends and find peace and happiness. Today, in Shell Ridge open space, I found peace like that again.

We can get caught up in the day-to-day duties of making a living. Sometimes we need to take time to live.





This morning at 9 o'clock the air was fresh, the grass was very green and the paths were terribly muddy. It had rained on and off all night.

Chloe, Bailey and I had the Shell Ridge open space practically to ourselves for two and a half hours. We walked the main valley trail south and then turned back and took the "Ridge Trial" back north. I walked along the trails and the dogs ran the hills and valleys on both sides. I might have walked 5 miles, but the dogs would have gone 20 miles with all of the side trips. Great time.

Did come across a couple other folks walking their young Vizslas. One little female was 14 months old and a young male of just 7 months. These Vizsla owners were very proud of their dogs and spend time each day out with them.
They "get it" regarding these dogs and what Vizslas need.








Just as we got to to the open space and parked, we came across a great guy and his two Weimaraners. These were big dogs compared to my two. His males are 85 pounds and 105 pounds. Bailey weighs in at 56 and Chloe a light 44.

We talked about the open space's coyotes. He told me that both of his Weims had been nipped by coyotes over the years, but the dogs had gotten smart about how to deal with the coyotes and pretty much leave them alone. One lone coyote paid the ultimate price when he found out that Weims are strong hunting dogs and not just soft domestic house pets.

Readers have asked me about the training collar I use. Bailey wears his Tri Tronics G3 training collar when we go on these walks because he has to understand that "leave it" is not a request but a demand. With a high-powered and determined hunting dog, I need to establish control with Bailey. This allows me to give him the freedom he has while he "hunts birds" and I walk. There can be 5-minute periods during a walk when I don't see Bailey. I read early last year in a dog behavior book that it is the dog's job to know where I am, not my job to know where he is. This has worked so far.

With our training, if I blow the whistle, Bailey happily comes to me, but for the most part he is allowed to be the hunting dog he was breed to be.

This is the trust we are building. He is still young and tests me from time to time.


Tri Tronics Sport Basic G3 Dog Training Collar






Chloe, on the other hand, never has had a training collar on, but she is happy staying within 100 yards of me most of the time unless she is chasing her brother through the bushes.


Chloe and Bailey are very different Vizslas.