Remote Training Collars – Effective, Safe and Humane, Part 2

In an earlier blog post, “Remote Training Collars – Effective, Safe and Humane”, I shared how as a young trainer I bought into the idea presented by
“positive reinforcement trainers” (whom I use to be and still am, but I am also a “balanced trainer” because I am also a remote collar training specialist; but I reject these labels because I am a “Professional Dog Trainer and Behaviorist” ) that remote training, if done; should only be done by professional dog trainers and not by dog owners.  As I gained experience, I realized this simply was not true as dog owners are very intelligent folks who care deeply for their pets.  They are able to discern whether or not their dog is being hurt by the type of tool being used.  Additionally, they can be taught the timing needed in utilizing a remote training collar system.

Every time I have asked an owner to feel the stimulation from the remote collar that would typically be used with their dog, they have been pleasantly surprised.  Their typical responses have included, “it doesn’t hurt!”, “it’s  a strange but not painful feeling”, “wow, I’m surprised!”, etc.  Not once, has someone described it as painful.

Dog owners are seeking behavior solutions and professional instruction.  Hence, it is the trainer’s responsibility to educate owners how to effectively train their dogs using humane methods which often times can include the use of a remote training collar.  When used correctly, remote training collars are excellent communication tools that are safe to use. It’s cutting edge technology provides quick training results that other systems cannot compare with.

Set at a low setting that is just enough to get the dog’s attention or as coined by my friend and professional colleague, Robin MacFarlane, of That’s My Dog, Inc., “the just right setting”; an owner can obtain their dog’s attention while off leash without the dog associating anything negative with the owner.  Isn’t this the relationship we desire to have with our dog; where the owner is seen as the safe thing to always come to?  Other systems would have to resort to yelling at their dog to come if the dog became distracted by a more intriguing item in its environment while off leash.  Or worse, the dog may become lost or injured while enjoying a taste of freedom despite increasingly louder commands to come.

The remote collar also transcends the language barrier between humans and dogs. Recently, I visited Singapore’s Chinese residential districts with my wife who is Chinese and speaks Mandarin.  When we first met, she didn’t speak any English but has since learned some basic understanding of my language.

As we maneuvered congested alleyways and streets, she guided me by the hand ensuring we stayed together amongst crowds and to protect me from stepping into oncoming traffic (since the cars drive on the opposite side of the road, I never got use to looking in the correct direction for on coming cars before proceeding across streets) from which she pulled me back before being injured on more than a couple of occasions.

Interestingly, I quickly learned to pay more attention to her to as she often made sudden turns to go in a different direction.

Holding my wife’s hand was not only life saving but also pleasurable of course and it resulted in us ending up at delicious authentic Chinese restaurants and pastry shops. Hmmm, perhaps she is already a dog trainer and doesn’t know it.  LOL

When we are training our dogs, whom don’t speak English, the remote collar system is an effective way to reach out and remotely touch our dogs to obtain their attention and subsequently keep them safe.  Plus, it’s a system that enhances a dog and owner’s relationship allowing them to enjoy new adventures together.