We introduced the electronic collars today. Both dogs have a basic understanding of all the commands and so we can safely start using the Dogtra collars to give corrections without scaring or stressing the dogs out. These are two very different dogs and so it makes sense that they take very different corrections. Bailey the Mastiff responds best to a sharp nick at a higher level. This correction is short, sweet, and to the point.
Ace the Pittie, however, does best with a low level stimulation using the "constant" setting. This gives a few seconds of low level electric stimulation to help him understand when he is not making a good decision. For instance, when we are working on the Heel command and Ace starts walking too far ahead of me, I give him a low level stimulation until he backs up. Usually it is under 2 seconds of correction and the lower level helps keep him from being overly stressed by the correction.
It is likely that the dogs' corrections will change as they move on with their training. For now they are still on leash but we are moving up to a long line tomorrow. This will give them 20' of mistake making freedom and will help them understand that these new skills and rules are to be followed even when there is not a leash on.
My husband has enjoyed running with them every day. Bailey has kept up pretty well but definitely is ready for a nap on the cool training room floor when they get back. Now that Ace has Heel pretty well down pat (at least with a leash on) we are going to reteach him how to run next to a bike while respecting the wheels and understanding cues for turning.
They have been polite in the house although it seems a lot of our knickknacks have been placed at tail-level for Miss Bailey and she clears the coffee table a couple of times a day. But we have had no problems with house manners.
Ace the Pittie, however, does best with a low level stimulation using the "constant" setting. This gives a few seconds of low level electric stimulation to help him understand when he is not making a good decision. For instance, when we are working on the Heel command and Ace starts walking too far ahead of me, I give him a low level stimulation until he backs up. Usually it is under 2 seconds of correction and the lower level helps keep him from being overly stressed by the correction.
It is likely that the dogs' corrections will change as they move on with their training. For now they are still on leash but we are moving up to a long line tomorrow. This will give them 20' of mistake making freedom and will help them understand that these new skills and rules are to be followed even when there is not a leash on.
My husband has enjoyed running with them every day. Bailey has kept up pretty well but definitely is ready for a nap on the cool training room floor when they get back. Now that Ace has Heel pretty well down pat (at least with a leash on) we are going to reteach him how to run next to a bike while respecting the wheels and understanding cues for turning.
They have been polite in the house although it seems a lot of our knickknacks have been placed at tail-level for Miss Bailey and she clears the coffee table a couple of times a day. But we have had no problems with house manners.
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