Remote trainers. There seems to be so much information out there that I’ve decided to address this in my blog. Many people swear by them, and love them. Some people seem to have a negative reaction to them to the point where they take it upon themselves to bully and shame those who are educated and are successfully using them. Even though, not all may agree on the use of a remote trainer for various reasons, it’s important to have a look at them.
A remote trainer is a training tool that provides aid in training for shaping a dog into specific behaviors with adjust ability controlled by the handler. It provides a localized stimulation pulse similar to that of a tens machine used in electro-physio therapy. It has 2 contact points where it simply tenses the local muscle area that it is in contact with. Since it is such a small local area it does not affect anything outside of it. We like this because it does not affect the spine or nerves. This means it does not cause cardiac fibrillation, electric burns or changes in heart rate like some of the tall tales out there. Many of these myths come from people who have not had hands on experience or proper education when working with this tool and come from an uneducated stand point. They also may not have used quality tools in the hands of an experienced professional who specialize in them.
Just like all technology, they have really come a long way in terms of providing gentle stimulation levels for the most sensitive dogs. In fact, many of the dogs that I work with are very sensitive and can work on very low levels, generally lower than the average human can feel. I work with quality units, they have excellent range and are waterproof with a built in night time tracking lights which are a cool bonus feature. As an owner; there are many brands to choose from, so it’s best to find out what will be the right application to for you and your dog, under the guidance of a professional that is well versed in the tool with hands on experience.
First, I would like to compare it against a couple of commonly used training aids for dogs that are considered the most humane on the market.
The Halti/Gentle Leader: The halti and gentle leader is a head harness that is used to gain control of the dog by the head so that the dog doesn’t pull hard anymore. It provides some ease for the owner that they can control their dog, even though in many cases, owners do not address the pulling on the leash behavior in which they are trying to stop in the first place. Generally pulling on leash or reactivity to other dogs, animals and/or people.
When used the wrong way: The halti, when used the wrong way can produce spinal alignment issues, sore eyes, cause infected eyes, sore necks, and maybe even long term chronic pain. It can cause an unpleasant experience for the dog out due to fabric wrapped around the dogs head and confinement of the muzzle or distract the dog because they are busy trying to rub it off their face, all the time. This can cause the dog to rapidly yank or even “alligator roll”. It shouldn’t be used as a power steering device. There are few pet owners educated on how to use this tool correctly and properly teach their dog not to pull on lead.
No Pull Harness: This is also another tool used to teach dogs not to pull on leash, generally with a clip attaching to the chest, controlling the body of the dog. This tool constricts movement and gait to tendons and muscles.
When used the wrong way: A no pull harness can be detrimental to their structure if used for long periods of time. In some cases, the movement has been compared to having a loose belt above your knees and trying to move freely. The harness also fits across the dog’s bicep muscle which in a lot of leash jerking, sudden lunges or pulling can cause injury. This also is a training tool that few owners are educated with on how to use it properly and teach good behavior manners, on leash and slowly phasing back off of the harness.
Versus:
The Remote Trainer: Localized muscle stimulation on the neck of the dog, avoiding the spine and movement of the dog’s body. Quality remote trainers are very gentle in stimulation, and have the adjust-ability in stimulation when the environment around you becomes more arousing to your dog so you can keep control and maintain focus when needed. In the hands of educated owners, they are excellent tools providing safety and ultimate freedom to run off leash!
When uneducated people use the tool: Timing is important, unfortunately in the hands of those who do not educate themselves on implementing this tool properly, they can have a dog overly submissive and confused, especially when used only for correction or as a “bad dog collar”. If you have a dog that has a tendency to be reactive or aggressive, in cases you can escalate these issues. Always seek the guidance of a professional that is versed and educated on how to introduce them properly. It is a wonderful training aid that many owners can phase off of. At BEST K9, we are an authorized e-collar retailer who can help you in clear and easy step by step introductory for your dog. We do not sell the collars without and education program to follow.
The point is, long term halti/gentle leader use repeatedly; hurts the dog’s neck and/or vertebrae without proper training. The no pull harness can cause injury to your dog’s bicep muscle or tendons or create gait issues. The remote trainer reduces the amount of constant long term impact on the vertebrae during training, walking, jogging, etc… wile being able to have reliable freedom and behavior. This is why so many are using a remote trainer because it does not jar the spine and you can sensitize your dog to minimal pressure on the leash or teach the dog to walk with you completely off leash!
When working with any tool, it’s about proper education and hands on skills by a professional so that you can train to use it properly, becoming less reliant to the tool once you have an understanding of how your dog learns and taking into account, your dog’s drive(s) and personality. Dog training tools are your gateway to a better relationship and a more reliable animal. They are supposed to help you set guidelines for your dog in your presence. If you are only using your tools for confinement instead of communication, you are not looking at your tool correctly and missing out on a beautiful opportunity to better the relationship with your dog. If you can trust them more, they listen to you more, you are able to include them in more activities, which is what they would love to be part of.
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
I think some of the common mistakes when working with remote trainers, people buy them at a big-box retail store, and virtually use their dog as a guinea pig with the thought of: “It has to be pretty simple!” or “It can’t be that hard, it’s not rocket-science!” and they go home, put it on the dog’s neck and wait for the dog to make a mistake and press the button. If the dog happens to not react on the first level (or they haven’t picked up on the indication that their dog actually felt the stimulus), they go up higher. This is a mistake and I’m against training with these methods.
Remote trainers are not just for aggressive dogs that need to be helped or to be saved from being put to sleep. They are also great for every day dog owners who are ready and willing to put the time and consistency in to train their pet effectively and properly or aid in simple behaviors. The advantages are well researched and absolutely amazing – gaining more fun and freedom out of your relationship with your dog. Research those who are well versed in training with these collars, not those who do not use them or understand them. They give people reliability, safety, control, freedom and in some cases, another chance at life! Many of my clients are genuinely thankful to have a good reliable dog where they can now enjoy them.
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Here is a short clip with my personal dog conditioned through the remote trainer for obedience. No collar is used for obedience anymore.
click on this link below:
https://www.facebook.com/BestK9DogTraining/videos/1827035634227975/
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