When it comes to training your dog, there are nearly as many potential methods and tools to help you as there are dog breeds. There are enough methods to be confusing - or at least give you plenty to research - as you work to determine which method is best for your dog and yourself.

One of the tools you will see almost as soon as you begin looking into dog training is the e-collar. Your search will also reveal some polarizing opinions about e-collar dog training.

The truth is that an e-collar is a powerful trading method, but like any training solution, requires an informed approach in order to provide safe, effective, and long lasting training for your dog. When used correctly, few methods can offer the same high quality results in nearly every dog as an e-collar can.

Whether you are training a new puppy or rescue dog in basic obedience, or fine tuning the training for an older dog in your home, understanding how an e-collar works and how you can best adapt e-collar training strategies to your needs can help you more clearly communicate with your dog and strengthen the effects of training.

In this guide, created by e-collar and dog training expert Marc Goldberg, we will provide the basic information you need to get started training your dog with an e-collar. We will discuss the e-collar and its purpose. The guide also includes how to e-collar train humanely as part of a positive training program. We will address some of the misconceptions about e-collars, what to look for when you are purchasing one, and how to start effectively implementing an e-collar in your training.

What is an E-Collar?

E-collar is short for electronic collar. You may also hear these called training collars, shock collars, or remote collars. With the exception of shock collar, which does occasionally have a different meaning, all of these refer to a similar training tool.

This is a collar that has a small transceiver attached. The collar fits around your dog’s neck as any collar would, and has short prongs that extend slightly to touch the dog’s neck. You hold a remote control that connects to the transceiver. When you press the buttons on the remote, it delivers an electrical pulse to the transceiver. Your dog feels this electrical pulse as a buzzing sensation, vibration, or noise depending on your settings.

An e-collar fulfills a few different purposes in training. Primarily it is a communication tool. It is a way to get your dog’s attention when he is distracted by more exciting things than training or not on a leash beside you. You can train your dog to anticipate a command when he feels the buzz of the collar.

It is also a gentle but clear way to offer a correction, letting your dog know he is doing the wrong behavior by issuing an annoying vibration that dissuades the dog from misbehavior or ignoring your command. When there is no stimulation, the dog knows he is doing the right thing.

For hunting, working, and hiking dogs, a remote is effective at communicating with your dog when he is off-leash.

One thing the e-collar does not do is teach your dog what behavior you want from him. The collar helps, but your dog will still rely on you to teach him behaviors and commands.

Is an E-Collar the Same as a Shock Collar?

Despite trainers and e-collar detractors using the names interchangeably, a modern e-collar is different from a shock collar. The purpose of a shock collar is to deliver a small electrical jolt as punishment. In collars specifically designed as shock collars, or even in some of the cheap e-collars on the market today, this shock could be painful.

Training with a shock collar is a heavy handed, authoritarian method of training that relies on punishment and fear, not guidance to remove unwanted behaviors. This risk is not considered acceptable by modern trainers.

But a painful shock is also not what your dog will experience with a true, high quality e-collar. Instead, think of e-collars as a tap on the shoulder, or in case of a correction, something that annoys your dog like when your smartwatch or phone vibrates.

This is possible through the range of settings on e-collars. Rather than one or two levels of painful shocks, a calibrated e-collar will provide stimulation that is obvious, but not so strong as to be painful. The idea is that you are communicating correct behaviors and providing positive feedback for good behavior, not using pain or fear of punishment to eliminate bad behavior.

When we use the term “shock collar” in this guide, we will be using it as a synonym for an e-collar unless otherwise specified.

Benefits of Training with an E-Collar

Training your dog is about communication. But this is not always easy.

For the most part, a dog will act on instinct. Unfortunately, this often leads to behaviors that are not compatible with being a polite family pet. Instinct will tempt your dog to be too rough in play, pull on the leash, jump on furniture, counter surf, run into the street after animals, and a range of other behaviors that can be anywhere from annoying to dangerous. 

In training, you will teach which behaviors are acceptable and which are not, and when. But as two different species, you are working at a disadvantage in terms of communication. 

Dogs communicate mostly by body language and scent, not voice, tone, and gestures like we do. This means that it can be difficult to tell your dog exactly what you want them to do. Additionally, your voice, no matter how frantic, will often have little effect when your dog is darting off after a squirrel into traffic.

There are ways around these limitations in training. You can try to reward at the precise moment you get the right behavior, teach the terms “good” and “bad,” and carefully increase your training with more and more distractions.

Yet this is time consuming and provides a number of possibilities for communication to fail, leading to confusion for your dog who is already struggling to figure out what you mean when you give commands. Now she is also struggling to determine if she is doing things right or wrong. Both of you will get frustrated when you are not getting the expected results. 

When you learn to use an e-collar, you will suddenly have a method that both you and your dog will understand, offering benefits such as:

• Clear Communication - The e-collar will make it clear to your dog that, with a buzz of the collar, she needs to alert her behavior. Once you can get the timing and methods right, there is no room for misinterpretation.

• Communication at a Distance - Your dog will not always be right beside you on leash, nor do you want her to be. Being able to offer correction at a distance with an e-collar will reinforce to your dog the idea that your commands apply wherever she is, and whatever distractions are present, helping you to create a recall command that will keep her safe.
• Minimal Communication - For many dog owners, it is a first instinct to provide your dog with lots of pets and praise when they respond correctly to a command. But the excessive reaction is distracting and increases his excitement when you want him to be calm. It also creates unrealistic expectations when in reality you want your dog to accept this is standard behavior, not as something out of the ordinary for which he should expect an outpouring of treats and cuddling.
• Efficient Training - The e-collar provides immediate feedback. This means that you will need fewer repetitions and your dog will grasp concepts more quickly to reduce the time it takes for your dog to master obedience skills.

These features of e-collars are valuable in achieving 100% response from your dog until you can trust her to follow through on behaviors in the moments where it is most necessary and keep her well behaved the rest of the time. This gives you the opportunity to experience more together and spend less time frustrated with misunderstandings. 

When done right, the e-collar is something that your dog will regularly wear, opening up your training opportunities throughout the day rather than limiting your training to a session or two. You can turn a variety of moments into trading opportunities. If your dog jumps up on the couch, remind her that is not appropriate behavior with a quick pulse. If you are out working in the yard, tap the collar before you call her to you. 

Eventually, you and your dog will start to be more in tune with each other and training will be more effective as your dog is better able to realize that her good behavior applies everywhere, not just in the 30 minutes a day that you spend teaching new commands.

Common Myths About E-Collars

Despite their benefits, a significant amount of controversy surrounds e-collars. But many of the problems that trainers, both professional and non-professional, have with e-collars do not represent the reality of modern, humane e-collar training. A large part of this is due to the fact that e-collars, when they first appeared on the market more than 20 years ago, were harsh and the recommended uses did not always put the dog's interests first.

Beliefs held over from this time period, as well as simple lack of knowledge by most of the public, have led to several myths surrounding training with an E collar, including:

• E-Collars are Cruel and Painful - Inherently, this is not true. Any collar, including a standard flat collar, or other training tool could be painful if used the wrong way.  Not training your dog at all and leaving him at risk for running into the street and at risk for injury could also arguably be considered cruel. As with any training tool or technique, it is all about the way you use it. When used correctly, an e-collar is painless.
• E-Collars are for Punishment - A remote training collar is for communication, not punishment. The corrective role of an e-collar is there to give your dog a reminder. For comparison, think in terms of reminding a child to say thank you. The child is not in trouble. You are simply reminding and reinforcing the desired behavior.
• E-Collars are Authoritarian - Many trainers are leaving behind the idea of being an authoritarian and submissive relationship with dogs and instead opting for a companionship that is more equally beneficial. The e-collar is the ideal tool for this since few other training tools allow your dog to be off leash and have the freedom to behave as a dog until the moment you notice danger and then can recall your dog to you. An e-collar can provide greater trust and autonomy for your dog.
• E-Collars are for Lazy People - This may be bad news if you are looking for a quick solution for training, but learning to use an e-collar is not an easy task. It can be highly effective, but this requires research and experience. You will also still need to provide daily training and consistent reinforcement, just like with any other training tool.
• E-Collars are Only for Working Dogs - All dogs need training, whether they are performing a job or a professional lap dog, so why not use the most high tech training tool on the market. Reputable e-collar companies make e-collars for dogs of every size. You will want to be careful to order a smaller collar for a toy breed, but you will still have multiple options.
• Using an E-Collar Will Cause Your Dog to be Frightened of You - Would it be more unsettling for you to be in a home where you do not know any of the rules, but are yelled at when you don't follow them? Or knowing the rules and getting a gentle reminder when you forget? For most dogs, the second option is preferable. When you create clear rules and offer gentle corrections for your dog, whether through an e-collar or another training method, your dog will feel more comfortable around you and your communication will improve.
• Your Dog Will Always Need to Wear an E-Collar - If you are training correctly, your dog will learn to follow commands both while wearing the e-collar and not in the same way that you would stop offering high value treats as your dog grasps a new skill. The e-collar may always be a good addition when your dog is off leash, but you will likely be able to phase out its use around the house.
• E-Collars are a Last Resort for Training - E-collars can be used at any point in the training process and for dogs of many different temperaments. They are simply another tool you could use to teach your dogs good behaviors, and one that many dogs respond well too. In fact, if a dog has extreme behavioral problems such as aggression or is highly resistant to training, an e-collar may not be the answer and instead the dog owner will need more intensive help from a professional trainer.
• An E-Collar is a Quick Fix for my Dog's Behavioral Problems - There are rarely quick fixes for behavioral problems with dogs, and certainly not lasting quick fixes. Training is the way to fix behavioral problems with your dog and while an e-collar will help with that process, you as the dog owner will still have to put in the work to teach your dog the skill she needs to coexist peacefully in your home.

Many of the misconceptions about e-collars come from people believing an electric collar provides more or less than it truly does. An e-collar is solely a training tool. The collar alone does not teach your dog to behave. Nor is it painful.

The true effect of the e-collar depends on you, and your research here will set you up to provide a powerful and rewarding home training program for your dog.

Do I Need a Professional Trainer to Use an E-Collar?

Some trainers will say that the only correct way to start using an e-collar is by first putting your dog through professional training, rather than purchasing the E collar and trying to figure out how to use it on your own.

There are valid points to this argument, but it is also not true that working with a professional trainer is the only way to humanely use an e-collar. 

A trainer with e-collar experience can help put you on the right track for using your training tool effectively and share various strategies to increase your chances of successful training. Trainers provide this benefit in all aspects of dog training regardless of what tools you plan to use. 

Likewise, many dog owners have great success in replicating training methods at home. After some research and practice, this is true of e-collars as well. 

By going through this guide, you are already preparing your dog and yourself for success with any collar. You will likely still want to check out additional resources since we are only covering the basic commands. For more in depth information, Marc Goldberg (the author of this guide) created the book The Art of Training Your Dog, which covers everything you need to get started with e-collar training in a step by step guide..

With more and more trainers using e-collars, you can also find good information from many different sources, but you will want to be sure - as you would with any trainer - that they are using tools humanely and positively.

It also can still be valuable to speak with a trainer if you have specific questions related to your dog's behavior or you are dealing with extreme behaviors such as aggression.

Buying Your Dog’s First E-Collar

Before you can get started training, you will need to buy the right e-collar. There are dozens of e-collars on the market to give you a wide range of options of different price points and features.

Some of the most important aspects to keep in mind when choosing the collar that will work right for your training program is that the collar be gentle enough to correct without pain and has the necessary safety features to keep your dog safe while he's wearing it. These features include:

• Low Levels of Stimulation - You should check that your dog collar has adjustable stimulation levels. Reputable collars will generally have at least 20 or so, and some have as many as 100. The lowest levels on these collars are imperceptible to the majority of dogs. A low end dog collar will often only have a few levels and the lowest level will already be painful for your dog.
• Single Remote Programming - Your collar should only work with your remote to avoid an accidental trigger from a garage door remote or other electronic sensors in the vicinity.
• Lock and Set Features - Many e-collars will have a dial that you can turn to set the stimulation level. To avoid accidentally increasing the stimulation, some e-collars also have a “lock” you can set once you have the calibration correct. This feature is not always necessary and may not be present on every dependable e-collar, but is usually a good choice for first time users.

One commonality with all of the e-collars that have these various safety features is that they are not cheap. Cheap e-collars can come with a range of problems. They may function more like a shock collar and cause pain. Budget e-collars will usually not have the granular levels and additional stimulations that make it possible to clearly communicate with your dog. They are also more likely to break down, which will be an inconvenience since training should be a nearly every day task.

You will also rely on your e-collar to work in high stakes circumstances, so it is important that you purchase a collar you can rely on always. The best e-collars for training generally start around $180 and go up from there. Although this collar is somewhat of an investment, the safety, ability to fine tune training, and the fact that quality e-collars are made last provide many benefits in return.

You can find some of the best e-collars at reasonable prices available from brands like E-Collar Technologies, Dogtra, Garmin, Dogwatch, and Sportdog. The different brands and individual collar models available also have a range of features to choose from to further customize your training. Some of the more popular options are:

• Vibration and Tone Settings - In addition to the electrical pulse from an e-collar, many also come with a vibration option and sound setting, both triggered with the same remote, giving you additional ways to communicate with your dog. For basic training, we recommend at least the vibration setting.
• Multiple Dogs - If you are training several dogs at once, some brands make it possible to connect up to 3 collars to a single remote, but still control each of them separately.
• Range of the Transceiver - The range of basic e-collars will vary from 500 yards to ¾ of a mile, although more powerful collars are also available at a higher price point for working and hunting dogs. With initial training, you will not need more than a ½ mile.
• Nightlights - Some collars have an LED light that you can use at night or in low light conditions to spot your dog from a distance.
• Boost - This powerful feature lets you set a higher secondary stimulation level if you need to give a more intense stimulation at a moment's notice without having to fumble with the dial.

Another important feature that many customers often forget at first is the shape of the remote. You will want a remote that fits comfortably in your hand in terms of shape and size, and that you can easily reach the buttons while using it.

If you were working with a trainer who specializes in e-collar training, they will likely have a favorite brand that they will request you purchase or they will provide. As long as you are buying a color from a reputable brand, any will be a good option since the differences largely come down to the features that you are interested in.

How to Train Effectively with an E-Collar

We are going to repeat something we have already said because it is one of the key facts to keep in mind when you are training. That is that the e-collar does not teach your dog for you. It only communicates with your dog in a way that is easy to understand, even when there are more interesting distractions around.

You will still need to teach your dog the commands you want her to know. The most successful training process will be one that first teaches your dog the behaviors you want, and then focuses on eliminating the behaviors you do not want. This creates the best possible experience for your dog when it comes to using an e-collar as opposed to using the training collar solely for correction or punishment.

As you are getting started, you will also need to know how to use the collar correctly for it to be most effective. There will be some variations depending on your e-collar, so it is recommended that you also study your user manual and observe these basics as you get started with training.

Training Basics

Creating a positive training strategy before you even put on the e-collar is the best way to begin. Remember to:

• Be Fair - Introduce all new skills slowly and give your dog time to learn them. Only expect what your dog is able to do based on his age, abilities, and previous training.
• Be Consistent - Only give commands that you can enforce, whether or not the e-collar is on. Letting your dog get away with misbehavior or ignoring you teaches her that commands only apply when she wants to follow them.
• Practice Repeatedly - When teaching new commands, repetition is key. Use training sessions of about 30 minutes, depending on your dog’s focus, daily until your dog has a firm grasp of the command.
• Give Praise - The e-collar should not be the only feedback you offer your dog. Also give praise, a pat, a toy, or a treat to positively reinforce the right behavior, but keep it minimal to avoid over-exciting your dog.

Also remember that training with an e-collar does not need to be limited to your daily training sessions. There should be times throughout the day when the collar is not on and your dog has a chance to run, play, cuddle, and nap. But on walks or as the two of you are going about your daily routines, the e-collar gives you the opportunity to provide training at all moments and in different settings.

Getting Used to the Training Collar 

Your dog should have a good association with her new collar. This starts with how you introduce it. You will know best how your dog responds to new things in her environment, so take it at her pace and go slower or faster as needed.

But in general, you should go through the following steps:

• Introduce the Collar - Simply add the collar to your dog's environment, potentially providing a treat when you bring it out. Leave it sitting out for a few days while occasionally moving around to help your dog learn that there is no emotion connected to it. 
• Incorporate the E-Collar into Your Daily Routines - Put the collar on your dog to wear around the house and before you go on walks. You will not be using any stimulation yet, but simply helping your dog associate the collar with fun or neutral activities. Keep this up for as long as your dog needs. 2 or 3 wears is usually enough.

When your dog no longer shies away when you put on the e-collar, you can start to slowly incorporate the remote.

Putting the E-Collar On Your Dog

A shock collar needs a firm connection point in order to adequately transmit stimulation. This requires the correct placement and that the collar is appropriately tight.

• Location - Your dog will wear his collar directly beneath the chin. This is the narrowest part of your dog's neck and a more sensitive part. When you get the placement and tightness right, the collar will not be able to slip up and down and your dog will easily feel the sensation.

• Tightness - The appropriate tightness will have just enough room for one or two of your fingers between your dog's neck and the collar. Your dog should not be able to shift the collar if he shakes and the collar should not slide up and down. A tighter collar will also mean you can use lower levels of stimulation. You may want to play around with different adjustments until you are sure you have it right before you really get into training.

• Transceiver Placement - Many e-collar brands will recommend placing the transceiver and prongs at the front of your dog's neck underneath their chin. Some dogs have several folds of skin under their neck, which may make a side placement better. Having the transceiver on the side of the neck also makes it harder to dislodge if your dog shakes.
• Prong Length - Some collars have adjustable prongs. If your dog has longer hair or thick fur, you may need longer prongs to get to the skin. Parting your dog’s hair as you put the collar on will also help. You are looking for a solid connection for each of the prongs without having them dig into your dog’s skin.

Another point to remember is that you will not connect the leash to the e-collar and your dog will still need to wear a flat collar, harness, or slip lead when he needs to be on leash. Many e-collars do not have a loop for leash attachment since attaching a leash to an electric collar will cause the collar to shift into a less optimal placement.

Selecting the Stimulation Level

Throughout training, you will use multiple levels of stimulation and vibration patterns that you adjust based on how your dog responds in different situations. A gentle tap can get your dog's attention while a more intense tap may be necessary in situations with lots of distractions. Continuous stimulation can serve as a correction until she follows through on a command. 

Initially, however, you will need to set a base stimulation level, known as the education level??? I THINK After your dog is familiar with the collar, it is time to start adding in gentle stimulation. 

But you are going to test out the stimulation on yourself first. Hold the prongs of the collar against your wrist or your thigh and trigger each different level starting at the lowest. Determine at which point you can start to lightly feel the stimulation, at which point the stimulation is intense, and at which point you cannot stand the stimulation.

Your dog's neck muscles are sensitive and what she feels will be largely similar to what you have just felt. This is important to keep in mind whenever you are increasing the vibration during training as you will generally always want to stay within the range of what was acceptable for you.

For your education e-collar level, you will go relatively light, knowing that sometimes this level may be more gentle than what you can feel. 

Start in a distraction-free environment and put the e-collar on your dog with the correct placement. Deliver a tap at the lowest level and increase one level at a time. When you notice your dog react to a pulse, such as by sticking her ears up or twitching, that will be your base level.

Any increases from that point will depend on how your dog responds to training with an e-collar. If at any point your dog whines or exhibits signs of pain while using the e-collar, the level is too high.

As an example for how gentle most e-collar training is, and a good guideline for where to start, many people using the ET-300 Mini Educator from E-Collar Technologies, which has 100 different levels, generally have their levels set below 10.

Adjusting Training to Your Dog

As you start using the e-collar with your dog, you will start to notice how your dog responds to different indications from the collar, such as an increase in level or the vibration feature. While many of the fundamentals of e-collar training are the same for dogs, a few may react differently and you can use this to your advantage during training.

The vibration feature on collars is often polarizing for dogs. For some dogs, it is hardly noticeable, making it best for a gentle reminder. Other dogs are extremely sensitive to it, and find it more startling than any amount of electric stimulation. For these dogs, the vibration can be the best correction method, especially when an immediate response is necessary such as dropping an item or ending digging in the trash.

Teaching Basic Commands with a Training Collar

With e-collars, the many advantages they offer in training mean there are a few limits to the commands you can teach. Whether you want to have a calmer, better behaved dog around the house or are looking for a dog under perfect voice control when off-leash and at a distance, an e-collar is one of the best training tools to help you achieve this.

For most dogs, their training begins with basic obedience commands. These are the basic commands that are most helpful for your dog to know and from which many more complex commands build.

As a Chicago dog trainer, we rely on an e-collar to help teach and reinforce basic obedience. We find a step-by-step process works well for the majority of dogs, and by going through these steps in order, it is possible to build a strong foundation that you can continue to improve on.

Even if your dog is already familiar with commands like sit, heel, stay, and others, adding in an e-collar can change the dynamic of these commands, so it can be worth retraining the basics to put you and your dog on the same page as you move forward with more advanced commands and behaviors. 

Another benefit of following these steps as you start e-collar training is that they will help you to create communication and consistency with your dog in addition to learning the necessary commands. You will have a better understanding of how to use the e-collar and how your dog will respond, and you will strengthen the understanding you share with your dog.

As you are teaching your dog any of the commands below, you will generally want to precede each command with a tap of stimulation from the e-collar to put your dog’s full attention on you and condition him to be ready to follow your next command.

Teaching Sit

Sit will be one of the most valuable commands in your training arsenal. A sit is useful whenever you need your dog to simply stop moving, whether that is to prevent him from bolting out an open door, remaining calm while you are preparing dinner, keeping him from jumping up on guests, or returning your dog’s awareness to you.

There are a few different ways to teach the basic command, both with and without an e-collar. One of the preferred ways is to stand facing your dog and hold a treat in front of your dog's nose. Slowly raise the treat upwards towards your face. This movement will naturally prompt the dog to raise her nose and lower her back into a sit. For some dogs, it may also be necessary to push lightly on their lower back to help encourage him to sit. 

When your dog sits, release the treat. Once your dog is sitting reliably, start adding in the verbal sit command and phasing out treats.

The e-collar will come into play as you are teaching your dog to sit at different times. One of the best places you can train your dog to sit every single time is before passing through doorways, particularly when going from indoors to out where excitement makes it tempting for some dogs to bolt.

For this skill, you will approach the door calmly with your dog on leash and e-collar. Tap the button  on your e-collar remote for a momentary stimulation and then request that your dog sit. Tap the e-collar until your dog starts to comply. Only once your dog is seated and waiting should you open the door and release him.

Even once your dog has begun sitting on her own with just the command and no help from the e-collar, it is beneficial to always have your dog sit before going through exterior doors to keep this skill reinforced throughout her life.

Purposeful Walk and Heel

The goal of a purposeful walk is to have your dog walk beside you without pulling or lunging, and with his attention on you. Eventually, you may choose to have good walking behavior translate to off-leash walking, but your dog will earn this thorough perfect behavior while on leash.

For this exercise, you will need your dog on leash and the e-collar attached. You should also start indoors to limit distractions.

Hold your dog's leash in your left hand with your dog on the left side, and the e-collar remote in your right hand. There should be about 6 inches of slack in the leash. Then start walking forward with your dog. When you are ready to turn, hold the constant stimulation button for a moment to indicate that you are changing positions, make the turn, and release the button.

When you stop and want your dog to sit, press the momentary stimulation button and give the sit command. 

As you progress in your training, you and your dog will move outdoors. Here the e-collar will be extremely helpful in continuing to get your dog's attention in spite of new sights and smells. Eventually, you will likely find that your dog stays more focused on you throughout the walk and you can start to let your dog sniff and explore more while knowing that her attention remains on you.

Come and Recall

Like other commands, recall training is easiest to start indoors. Having your dog on the leash can help the first times since it enables you to gently tug the leash to bring your dog towards you.

When training recall with an e-collar off-lease, follow the steps in this order:

• Call your dog’s name and say “come.”
• Tap the e-collar remote. 
• Start walking backwards, encouraging your dog to follow you.
• Let your dog reach you and reward.

It is also helpful to put your dog in a sit before rewarding or grab your dog's collar. Otherwise your dog can turn the recall command into a game of chase.

Whenever you are training recall, keep it upbeat and reward your dog extensively when she comes back to you. You want coming to you to always be a good thing. 

As you get her as your dog gets better recall, increase the difficulty by moving outside and then eventually by incorporating distractions, consistently using the e-collar to help regain your dog's attention when distractions become too much.

Down Stay with an E-Collar

To teach down with an e-collar, place your dog in a sit first. Initially, you may want to sit on the ground as well to put you on your dog’s level and make the necessary movements easier.

Tap the momentary button on the e-collar to get your dog’s attention, then hold a treat in front of your dog's nose and slowly lower the treat to the floor. The idea is that your dog will follow the treat by dropping to the ground, and eventually laying down completely. If training on a leash, you can apply gentle leash pressure in the direction you want your dog to go as well.

When your dog lays down fully, give her the treat, but keep her in a down until you give the release. If she starts to move before that, trigger the continuous setting on the e-collar to encourage her to continue lying down. 

Off-Leash Training

Often, an end goal of e-collar training is dependable off-leash behavior. This is worthwhile for almost every dog. For hunting and working dogs, it is a must as they will need to spend time off leash but still focused. 

For your pet, reliable off-leash behavior is perfect for hiking, traveling, or even spending time around the yard. But even dogs that spend their lives at home need to be as well behaved off-leash as they are on. Most of the time your dog is inside, he will have freedom - at least within the boundaries you set - to roam. If your dog ever gets loose, you also want to know that you can call her back.

You can progress to training off-leash walking when your dog has solid skills with the purposeful walk as well as reliable recall. This will put everything your dog has learned so far together, including:

• Heel when you need your dog to follow you or be by your side.
• Recall command if your dog gets too far ahead or behind you and you need her to come back.
• Sit when you need your dog to rest for a moment or calm down.
• Pause when you do not necessarily need your dog to come back but she needs to remain close.

The other important element of off leash walking is the check in. Your dog will turn to you to check in, likely making eye contact or looking at you out of her periphery, seeking confirmation that her behavior is correct. You can use the e-collar to encourage check ins and provide verbal reassurance when your dog performs them.

The process still starts off with a long 15 foot lead that you will let out as you progress. You will also need your e-collar. As your dog gets more comfortable checking in with you and begins to reliably follow commands, you can let out more and more of the leash and eventually remove the leash altogether. 

### Addressing Behavior Problems with an E-Collar

In addition to teaching positive commands, an e-collar can also be valuable for teaching your dog to consistently avoid unwanted behaviors such as counter surfing, getting in the trash, or drinking from the toilet. These are behaviors you do not want your dog to engage in whether or not you are there to reprimand her.

For these training exercises, you will leave your dog alone in an area where she could be tempted to engage in the unwanted behavior, such as the kitchen or the bathroom, but stand where you can still see her. If you have to be in the room to watch your dog, pretend to be involved in another task and watch your dog from your peripheral vision. 

Keep the e-collar at the ready as soon as your dog visibly makes the decision to engage in the unwanted behavior, tap the e-collar. This can be a valuable time to use the vibration method if your dog finds that particularly startling.

After 1 or 2 instances of this, your dog should expect a shock whenever she tries to attempt the behavior, and will avoid it for good.

Continuing to Perfect E-Collar Dog Training

These are basic suggestions and ideas for training. For more in depth guidance on particular commands or step by step training processes, we encourage you to check out specific training guides. Our book, The Art of Training Your Dog, is also a good place to get started with e-collar training.

Regardless of what resources you use, the e-collar will take ongoing work to master. Continue to use your e-collar daily and reinforce these commands multiple times a day for the best results. During that time, your keys to success will be patience and consistency. Do not hesitate to go back over basics at any time to reinforce the skills you may have already taught. This will be helpful in strengthening your dog's understanding.

Another key point of training is timing. In order for communication to be clear, even with an e-collar, you will need to have the timing right and provide the stimulation at the right moment. Working with a trainer can be helpful with this since the trainer can provide guidelines. Otherwise, this part of the process can take some trial and error until you, and therefore your dog, are able to get it right every time.

How Not to Use an E-Collar and Common Mistakes to Avoid

Dog owners who add an e-collar to their training will often find that the tool revolutionizes their training - when it is used correctly. Their dog suddenly starts to pay more attention and more readily follows commands, thriving in an environment where he has a job to do and clear instructions. Many problem behaviors that seemed ingrained will often become less extreme or disappear as your dog realizes his new freedom.

But this does depend on your approach to e-collar dog training, both in the beginning and on an ongoing basis. Fortunately, many of the most common mistakes are easy to avoid if you know what they are:

• Not Doing Your Research - The most effective trainers know to approach training in a way that makes sense to the dog. Before you put an e-collar on your dog, take some time to learn about various training strategies.
• Not Teaching Your Dog - If your dog does not know what “sit” means, asking for it will only confuse your dog and make you frustrated. Always take the time to teach or shape a behavior with plenty of treats, praise, and other positive reinforcement before you consider correcting your dog for not following a command.
• Being Inconsistent - Know your training goals ahead of time, and stick to them. Do not give any commands that you are not prepared to enforce after a single request and do not let bad behaviors go unchecked.
• Expecting More than Your Dog Can Do - Be realistic about your dog’s capabilities given her age and past training. Dogs are fast learners, but it will still take time and practice to reach your goals.

• Turning Up the Level without Reason - Do not increase the level on your e-collar remote unless you need to in order to help your dog follow through on a command. Then, only increase within the levels you have determined are reasonable and never do it out of frustration.
• Expecting a Quick, Short Term Fix - Do not plan to put the e-collar on your dog and zap her every time she displays an unwanted behavior. Any fixes will be inconsistent, and you may end up doing more harm than good in terms of behavior.
• Stopping E-Collar Use When Training is “Complete” - Training is never complete. Your dog will always be learning. You can phase out e-collar use in some situations, such as inside the home, eventually, and you will want to so that your dog’s behavior does not become dependent on the training collar. But in situations like off-leash walking, your e-collar is your insurance and it should always feature in your walks.

In general, if you remember that your dog wants a job and wants to please, then provide the time, patience, and consistent communication for your dog to learn, the two of you will succeed with training.

About Marc Goldberg - E-Collar Dog  Trainer

This e-collar training guide is from Mark Goldberg, a professional dog trainer based in Chicago with decades of experience training dogs of all breeds and temperaments, from creating the perfect household pet to beloved companions that can go anywhere.

Utilizing an e-collar is one of his preferred methods for communicating with the dogs he trains and to continue building on that communication going forward. This guide provides some of the basics of e-collar training, but there is also far more to learn if you want to provide the best training experience for your dog.

If you are looking for more information to improve your e-collar training program, including an in-depth step by step guide for the processes described here. We encourage you to read the e-collar training book for more information to help you create a training program that is specifically tailored to your dog's needs.