If you’re just learning about training tools like the prong collar and the e-collar, I understand why they might seem really unnecessary. There’s also a ton of misinformation out there about training tools, so I can understand why it might feel overwhelming, too. Here’s a short explanation of why we choose to train with these life-changing tools.
superior communication
In short, we use these tools because they provide superior communication (including off leash communication in the case of the e-collar) and the opportunity for correction.
why correct at all?
Correction is necessary because without it, a dog has no way of knowing that a behavior is off limits. We can and do teach dogs what we want them to do, and that of course is encouraged through positive reinforcement, but that is only one half of the “good behavior” equation.
Let’s take a dog who is nervous around strangers as an example. Many folks have spent quite a lot of time teaching the dog how they want him to behave with new people using positive reinforcement. The dog has learned that certain behaviors will be rewarded, but rewarding the right behaviors does NOT clarify which behaviors are off limits. This is why the dog still isn’t reliably well behaved around strangers—he doesn’t know that we don’t want to see certain behaviors.
How does a dog learn that growling, lunging, etc. is not acceptable? Not through positive reinforcement, but through corrections. Corrections convey very important information on what’s not allowed—the other half of the “good behavior” equation. Only with ALL of the information can dogs begin to reliably make better choices, and from there, you can start to work on changing how a dog feels in a given situation.
see for yourself…
If you've been working with a trainer who does not use corrections, then I'm sure the philosophy I just described is contrary to what you've been told. I don't expect you to take my word for it; instead, I strongly recommend following us on social media for a while. Make sure to look at our daily stories (on either Facebook or Instagram) because that's where you can follow along with our trainees and see their progress.
You'll see that the prong collars and e-collars aren't hurting them and aren't causing them to become fearful or nervous; in fact, with clarity on which behaviors are expected and which behaviors are prohibited, you'll see them start to make better choices, become calmer and more confident, earn more freedom and new experiences, and have a more positive experience of life overall. The proof is in the pudding, so to speak,.
We are intentionally very transparent on social media so that folks can see this for themselves and can get to know us a bit. I hope you’ll take the time to check it out and see for yourself that these tools aren’t harmful!