[SunSiberians]

There are a few programs such as Sit Means Sit that I am considering for my two dogs.
I have a few questions about programs like these that use training collars and am hoping someone can help me.

-If my dogs are trained using a training collar does this mean they'll only obey me when they have the collar on?
-Do they have to wear the collar every time we go out for the rest of their lives?
-How do these collars work? Are they used to get the dogs attention? Correct them? Or signal to them what we're asking them to do?

Thanks!

[Curbside Prophet]

Originally Posted by SunSiberians

-If my dogs are trained using a training collar does this mean they'll only obey me when they have the collar on?

This will depend on how well you are trained to use the collar, and how consistent you are at executing the proper stimulus during training. These collars are not used to give commands, so no, it does not mean your dog needs it to obey. It's a training tool, not a required part of your dog. If training goes well your dog will not need the collar walking around town, and only perhaps for additional or refresher training. But this is also dependant on the type of training you want to achieve.

-Do they have to wear the collar every time we go out for the rest of their lives?

See above answer.

-How do these collars work? Are they used to get the dogs attention? Correct them? Or signal to them what we're asking them to do?

Yes, it can be used for attention. Yes, it can be used for correction. Yes, it can be used to dictate commands, but I don't know of any trainers that do this since it would be contradictory to the first two answers...meaning the dog wouldn't be able to decifer a correction from a command.

The simplest way to explain how it is used it this (in the dog's mind)...if I do this (an alternate behavior), I hear this sound, I get this buzz, or I get this shock, but if I look to my owner for command, the sound, the buzz, or the shock goes away.

I'm sure someone will jump in here and claim that I don't know what I'm talking about, and all I can say is ask your trainer before excluding my comments.

The real question I want to ask is what are you trying to achieve with your dog? If your a technical person, this type of training may be suited for you. If you just want a reliable sit and good manners, I would recommend alternative training.

[Alpha]

-If my dogs are trained using a training collar does this mean they'll only obey me when they have the collar on?

If used correctly, short answer, No.

-Do they have to wear the collar every time we go out for the rest of their lives?

If used correctly, no, IMO. Many people that use e-collars as their main training tool use them for the majority of the dog's life. I personally, disagree with any method that requires constant negative reinforcement.

-How do these collars work? Are they used to get the dogs attention? Correct them? Or signal to them what we're asking them to do?

My personal opinion on this matter, (I have and have used an e-collar) is it's an unpleasant feeling that your dog works to avoid. By properly introducing the collar to your dog, they quickly figure out, HOW to stop this unpleasant, uncomfortable feeling, and they work to avoid it. Ex) Coming when called to avoid the negative feeling. I feel, as with any aversive, it should be used sparingly and with full knowledge of the consequences if misused.

I tend to agree with Curb when it comes to general, pet manners. There are a tonne of other methods that work just as well, if not better, for polite, well mannered pets.

Now if you were having ONE specific issue that wasn't being resolved with other methods, and you wanted to use the e-collar, that, to me is logical. But to use it as your first and only method... To keep it short and simple, I don't find using a correction based method fair to your dog when introducing new behaviours, which is what most methods involving the e-collar entails.

[SunSiberians]

Thank you both for your help!
I would like to go beyond the basics. I want my dogs to walk and run off leash and be able to sit at a distance, lay at distance and understand "wait" so I can catch up with them when I tell them too. It is really important for me that they can also learn to ignore distractions and truly understand recall and leave it. I also want them to be able to come immediately when called, but if I tell them to sit after I recall them, I want them to be able to stop dead in their tracks and sit until I tell them to come. These things would be really important to me and my dog's safety when we go hiking. It will also be beneficial when we bikejorn. With that said - what do you think would be a good, effeciant training process?

If I do decide to work with the training collars, I will only do so with an experienced instructor assisting me.

[Curbside Prophet]

It sounds to me as though you would be a candidate for giving it a try. If what you want is what you described, I do think you can achieve that with an e-collar from Sit Means Sit. You're asking for advanced obedience, so just make sure your instructor is certified and is someone you feel comfortable communicating with. This isn't an endorsement, but since you need reliable distance obedience, the e-collar is one avenue you can take.

[Alpha]

Just thought I'd throw it out there, that my dogs do all of the above without the use of the e-collar

So all of those things can be done with alternative methods in case you were wondering

In short form how I achieved those things:

-sits/down stays, done with minor corrections (verbal or leash pops) mainly positive reinforcement

-offleash recall, positive reinforcement, if they didn't come I simply physically brought them to place where I had called, then praised, verbally, NO treat

-the recall with sit, is basically the same excercise in CDX obedience, the drop on recall, which was done with shaping methods, using a touch stick (I've been complimented at many a correction match by otch trainers on my dogs drops)

Not to say that it doesn't sound as though you would take the proper steps for using the collar, just to let it be known that all of those things can be accomplished without the e-collar

[SunSiberians]

Both my dogs have been through obedience training however - the reason why I'm considering this method is because they're tricky to train. Lakota has almost no to desire to please - so he does not do things because it makes me happy, in other words, lots of verbal praise does nothing for him. Same goes for treats, he could care less. Lakota is the main dog I want to work with first. He does however respond to a firm command and dominant handling. So I really don't know what to do as far as a training method.
I am a little skeptical that this program will work. Did I mention he's a Siberian Husky? The Sit Means Sit videos only show dogs that are typically used in obedience trails and what not - Malanios, German Shepherds, Labs...etc. But no husky. So it's a different ball game and I don't know if the trainers are capable.

[Jen D]

I have also very tough dogs to train but I like Alpha has dogs that will do what I want at a distance. I also use hand signels that work well, one of my dogs went across the road one day and all I had to do was raise my hand and he dropped into a down. After the car went by I signed for him the come to me and he did. I think if I were a hunter I would want to look into the ecollars but I IMO like to have controll without it. Good luck

[SunSiberians]

Originally Posted by Jen D

I have also very tough dogs to train but I like Alpha has dogs that will do what I want at a distance. I also use hand signels that work well, one of my dogs went across the road one day and all I had to do was raise my hand and he dropped into a down. After the car went by I signed for him the come to me and he did. I think if I were a hunter I would want to look into the ecollars but I IMO like to have controll without it. Good luck

Wow that's wonderful! How long have you been working on that?