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Unpopular with some people, but I believe some tools are the nature of the beast to communicate to an animal what is acceptable and could potentially save their lives (running after cars, for one example) during the duration of their lives.
With Logan, we tried E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G to calm her down during the course of her first year with us, both inside and outside. Citronella collars. Rechargeable 3-level sound/vibrate/shock collars. Remotes and various versions of each.
Logan was the biggest challenge I've ever faced with dog training. My "go to" comment when meeting other dog owners is that she's just "crazy". She would bark at cars, people, kids, dogs, the TV, things that didn't exist. Just looking for something to pursue.
When I'd walk her, I was literally worried about her health. Her neck. It would always come down to her being run over by a car or me yanking her leash with such required force that she was going to hurt herself. I felt like a dog abuser, but I had to contain her for her own sake. I had to literally push her neck to the ground until she would calm down, look at me, and submit. Yes, I've researched and tried the approach of diverting her attention with treats when stimuli is present, but she's not a treat-motivated dog. She typically refuses them when outside. We literally have to coax her to eat her food at times.
So, a few weeks ago, I decided to combine outside control with inside control. Meaning, that I started walking her outside with a gentle leader and inside, if she so chose to bark that morning, with a bark collar that I got on Amazon Vine for free and after a week I can't believe this is the same dog!
During the course of ONE use of this collar, and she didn't even set it off--her brother Skylar did because the sensitivity needed to be adjusted--she's maybe "lightly" barked 3 or 4 times in the past two weeks, and it was quick and unobtrusive.
I attribute some of this to maturity. She's hitting 14 months soon and maybe now, everything isn't about "play". But the turnaround time with this implies that this is the correct "tool combination".
Along with the successes we've had with this girl as of late, she is much more attentive than before, affectionate, sleeps closer on the bed, and demands affection whereas she's always been apprehensive about being pet on top of the head or close interaction.
Why do you think that is?
About the Author
Currently a Lakewood Ranch, Florida resident, Philip has authored various interactive blog websites since the early 2000’s. Most content will be based primarily on matters of opinion as usual.