An “e-collar” is basically a collar with a stimulation mechanism (like a tens unit used on humans during physical therapy). The collar is controlled by a remote that the handler holds. The remote allows you to maintain full control of your dog for up to ½ a mile to a full mile depending on the model! Therefore, it gives your dog a lot of freedom and it saves you from worrying about your dog running off! It is not used as a punishment or a “shock” as many people assume, it is simply used as a training device for communicating with your dog.

It produces a subtle electrical current between two contact points located on the collar which causes the muscle to contract. In the old days this type of collar was used as “shock collar” and many inexperienced dog owners tried to use this device to scare their dog into submission. In the method we teach, your dog is never “shocked into submission” or abused. Unlike a shocking device, the e-collar is used to get the dog’s attention and keep it focused on listening to the handler. It is the equivalents of someone tapping your shoulder to get your attention or setting your phone on vibrate so it will get your attention when someone is calling you. We teach the dog to acknowledge the stimulation as a way of saying, “Hey…I am trying to get your attention.”

During our first meeting we will put the e-collar on your arm or hand. You will feel how mild the stimulation is. One common misconception is the e-collar will burn their skin. This is false. Other people think that it is like being shocked with a taser, this is also false. We are dog trainers because we LOVE dogs and we would never do anything to harm them in any way!

Your dog will not always have to wear the e-collar. After your dog completes the training, you will notice that inside your home your dog will listen to your commands without the e-collar on. However, we always recommend putting the e-collar on your dog before you take it outside off-leash. This is because you never know what may get distract your dog once you are outside the safety of your home. The e-collar becomes something like an insurance policy, it is there if you need it. You always want to maintain complete control of your dog…think of it as an invisible leash. It only takes one time for you dog to see something that really catches their attention and without the collar, you have no way to stop him/her. Worst case scenario is your dog is injured or injures someone…No one wants this!

Most owners are surprised that their dog sometimes becomes excited when the see the e-collar come out. This is because they know you are going to take them somewhere, go do something with them…have the interaction they crave from you. 

Our personal dogs hear the beep of the e-collar turning on and will run and sit in front of us to have it put on. Another way of thinking about this is what if you had to stay home 24/7 and only left the house to the yard for potty breaks…this is what a dog perceives life is about. Then they receive the training and know when the collar comes out it means they get to go run, play, interact with their person. They will be stimulated and come home a happy and tired dog. 

Remember, if you do not give it a job to do (training), it will become bored. Bored dogs often become destructive and destructive dogs will cost you MONEY! It can also cause grief in relationships and who wants that? Not any of us!!!

We do not like to train dogs inside of their home. Dogs can become complacent in a familiar environment, it is their home after all and they are comfortable there. If your dog trains in an unfamiliar environment, with numerous distractions, they will listen to your commands better. 

So, we will train in parks, at our facility, sometimes in businesses…anywhere we can to offer your dog and you a better service.

We feel we are giving you and your dog better service if we can concentrate on just one person/one dog at a time.  If the time is spent watching and training numerous dogs then you and your dog are being cheated out of a good learning experience.

Yes, generally speaking the E-Collar training works on a dog of ANY SIZE, ANY SHAPE, and ANY AGE above 5-6 months.  However for the teacup size dogs we use a modified collar that uses vibration rather than stimulation.

Yes! We offer lifetime support for the Board and Train at no additional charge except a fuel surcharge for distances over 25 miles each way if we have to come to you.  

For private lessons, we offer free phone assistance.  If you need help past the phone call it is charged at $25 per hour with a fuel surcharge for distances over 25 miles each way.

Foundation training discusses the 7 resources you control with your dog to encourage proper bonding and respect. Then we teach you and your dog Come, Sit and Down using “Marker” training, treats and positive reinforcement. This enables the dog to learn the commands much faster because you are instantly “marking” the correct behavior. In return, the dog knows it has not done what you are asking it to do until it hears you “mark” the behavior, receives a treat and then receives positive reinforcement. In essence you are learning how to clearly communicate with your dog. Then on to loose leash walking with the final lesson learning how to work through distractions and distance. Any puppy at least 12 weeks of age and has had at least 2 sets of vaccinations.

NO! E-Collar training works on a dog of ANY SIZE, ANY SHAPE, and ANY AGE above 5-6 months.