Aggression in Dogs: Can an E-Collar Help?
Robin,
I was wondering if you use e collars in dealing with aggression in dogs? If so I was wondering if you can shed some light on the subject. I also wanted to take a minute to say thank you. Your information has really changed the entire way that I go about e collar training. I can not thank you enough!
Thanks,
Tony
The question above came to me a couple of days ago, and I thought it a great topic to bring to The Truth About Shock Collars blog.
The answer is yes. I use remote collars as part of the training program when dealing with aggressive dogs. Using the electronic collar as a way to redirect the dog’s attention is a large part of the success in how I go about rehabilitating dogs with aggression issues.
I realize that answer is in contrast to much of the information circulating on the internet. Warnings about NOT using a shock collar to deal with aggression in dogs abound. My guess is those warnings come from people who don’t use the tool on a regular basis and therefore have rather limited knowledge of how to do so properly.
Let me point out right off the bat that I don’t advocate putting a shock collar on the dog, waiting for him/her to display aggressive behaviors, and then pushing the button to punish for those actions. As in “That’ll teach Fido not to chase after other dogs!” Sorry, but that thought process belongs in the idiot’s guide to dog training 101.
Unfortunately, it is what some people do. And then, when the aggressive behavior gets worse or the dog yelps and runs away, those same people blame the tool rather than accepting the responsibility that they did not know what they were doing in the first place.
Seriously folks, if I go to the auto parts store, buy the best wrench set on the shelves, come home and lift the hood of my new Honda Element and start tinkering with the engine…..do I get to blame the wrench manufacturer when my car doesn’t run properly anymore? I’d say I was the problem, not the tool.
So let’s discuss the highlights of how to incorporate the use of a remote collar when working with dogs displaying aggression problems.
The first and most important step is to lay a proper foundation of obedience training with the remote collar. The purpose of the obedience is to give the dog “something else to focus on” (ie. a job) when presented with situations that normally evoke aggressive responses. The dog should be introduced to the collar through the foundation and attention exercises of learning to follow on a leash, come when called, and stay in one place. I also typically teach dogs dealing with aggression a *look* or *watch* command. In this way, we can create higher attentiveness to the owner/handler when the dog is faced with situations where we do not want to allow him/her to focus on the trigger. This initial training should be started in situations that do not trigger aggressive responses in the dog. It would not be fair for the dog to be learning something brand new when under the duress of those situations.
Once the dog has a solid understanding of obedience, we can begin to expose him/her to the triggers. The collar is used for obedience commands while the dog is in those situations that previously brought on an aggressive response. It is important to note that the collar is NOT being used to punish the dog for any aggressive response (barking, growling, lunging, etc) Rather, the collar is used to prompt and enforce an obedience command. The obedience is used PROACTIVELY before the dog reacts improperly. In this way we are redirecting the dogs attention away from the source of tension and back to the handler and the *job* the dog is being asked to perform.
Example: with a dog that is highly reactive to other dogs (growling, lunging, barking etc) I use the collar to enforce a Heel command and teach the dog he/she must simply walk politely near, around, and past other dogs. There is no punishment for being reactive. The e-collar is used to prompt attentiveness to the handler and the Heel command.
NOTE: This is a process that is incremental and advances in the level of challenge with respect to how quickly the dog is grasping the concept and being successful. If the dog can’t walk politely past a dog who is 15 feet away, don’t push him to walk within 5 feet. The goal is to keep the dog BELOW threshold and give him/her success at walking politely in the presence of other dogs.
One of the tremendous advantages of training with a remote collar when dealing with aggression in dogs is that it is far less subject to human emotion getting in the way and further escalating the problems. The handler can remain much more neutral in body language than when using other training collars or halters that require physical force.
The remote collar also has the advantage of being useful at a distance. Being able to enforce a Down command from 50 yards away or recall a dog who is on a sprint to chase a jogger is much more achievable to the average dog owner than through any other training method I know of
So the role that the e-collar has in dealing with aggression issues is that of the attention getter. The collar is used to prompt attention and hold the dog attentive to command even in the midst of those *distractions* (Other dogs, people, etc) that cause the dog to react with barking, lunging, snapping, etc.
I want to point out there are many other considerations when working with aggressive dogs, and I don’t suggest the average pet owner go it alone. Find a professional who has hands-on experience and a solid track record of success to help you.
In my years of dealing with aggression cases, I have seen many things influence the outcome of the cases. Possible health issues (thyroid, structure problems, ear infections, deafness, and sight problems, to name a few) should be ruled out by a veterinarian.
Dogs that display fear and aggressive issues need confidence-building and desensitization exercises as part of their program. Knowing how to properly time reward markers and use food is important to help build confidence and better behavior with these dogs. The long-term goal is to change their emotional response to their triggers.
And there are cases where genetics play a significant influence.
The most crucial consideration in determining the likelihood of success is the owner. No tool is magic and will solve all the problems. And there are no absolutes in training. Each case is different. It takes consistency and dedication to help dogs struggling with aggression. The underlying cause should be understood, the triggers identified, and then a treatment plan determined.
The e-collar can be a large part of the process by effectively re-directing the dog’s attention. Personally, I would no longer want to work with aggression cases if I could not use the e-collar to help with the process. In my time specializing in this training, I have found that the dogs learn much faster, there is FAR less stress on the dog and on the handler, and total rehabilitation is much more likely due to those factors.
If you are considering ecollar training, This series, E-collar Basic Obedience is the best place to start.
Please note: Comments on this post have been disabled due to the volume of people asking for help with their dog’s aggressive behavior. I simply cannot keep up with the volume and dispense personalized advice to deal with complex situations.
If you are seeking help:
1. Implement leadership structures into your daily routine immediately. You can access my leadership guide here.
2. Find an experienced and successful local trainer who deals with cases similar to what you are dealing with. If you can not find a local resource I may be able to help you through a series of virtual lessons.
3. Be prepared to put in significant time and effort. There is no quick fix. Training is a process and requires you to be committed to it.
Hi, we have 5 dogs all female except the youngest. He’s a male English bulldog. He’s really a sweet dog, but he goes into attack mode when he sees another dog anywhere, and with the broom or vacuum. Cleaner . Even when the vacuum isn’t running! Just wondering if the escolar will be helpful? Thankyou!
Hi Cindi,
I tend to think a remote collar is a great training tool for most situations. It is a way to use tactile sensation to get a dog’s attention (which is what most people struggle with when a dog gets distracted) The remote collar also has an advantage in that it functions to get attention from much greater distance than other tools (leash/voice etc) All the said….I strongly believe that any pet owner dealing with aggressive behavior in their dog should get professional help. It is not something to try and “do it yourself” when dealing with human or dog aggression problems. Please look at our trainer referral list and see if you can find someone near you to help.
Robin
I have been in contact with Julie and we will be discussing my problem with my doggy family members later this evening. Thank you!!!
Hi, I have 4 dogs in my home – A sharpei/lab mix, a chihuahua, a 1.5 yr old pitbull and 5 month old pitbull. From what I understand, in the dog world, older dogs will usually put the pups in their place when they get out of hand. But the youngest pitbull doesn’t know her strength and she fights back and we’ve had several ugly dog fights. As it is, before we got her, the sharpei/lad mix and the older pitbull had fought out of jealousy for human attention. I now have to rotate all the dogs for example, lock one in the pantry and another in the bedroom while we’re taking one through the house to go outside. This is not healthy at all. The 2 pitbulls are aggressive toward other dogs and the puppy is aggressive toward any stranger that comes to the house. We have to slowly introduce them and hold her tight to avoid her jumping, growling or barking at our guests. There is no way we can have a house party because we can’t even put them together any more. We love every one of our pets and I was very interested in reading the article above plus all your comments. I’ve never had such a problem. Usually, I can teach my dogs how to behave at home or in public, but I am losing control. When they aren’t around other dogs, each of them is loving and behaves well…..so well that if they were the only dog in the house, they might just be the perfect pet, except the puppy of course, she needs training so I was looking at getting the e-collar, one individual for each dog. The chihuahua is very well behaved but recently required surgery when the puppy chewed him up over food. I don’t know if this matters but except the chihuahua, they are all females who are not spayed. Will the collars help or should I go with a personal dog trainer at home?
Hi Sandra,
E-collar training can make the management and training easier and more efficient, but as you stated, “you’re losing control” of your pack. You need to find a professional to assist you asap.
Check the find a trainer page here on the blog and if there is no one in your area, let me know and perhaps I can help you locate someone.
Good luck,
Robin
First of all, thank you so much! I am really beginning to feel desperate. There were no trainers in my area. I live in El Paso, Texas. I looked online but I onestly don’t know what to look for. The trainers I found advertise that they will teach my dogs to walk on a leash or basic commands such as sit, come, etc. Individually, my dogs understand those commands. I need to know what I am looking for…..OR can you help me otherwise?? Thank you again!
Try this person, she is in El Paso and has been through my e-collar training program.
Julie Rutledge
Dogs On The Go!
El Paso, Texas
Phone : 915-562-2500
Email :dogsonthego@earthlink.net
We just adopted a 3 year old German Shepard from a family who was moving and could not keep him , he weighs 91 pounds is non altered and is a really good dog except when he sees certain dogs , some dogs he will ignore and mind his business others he is totally uncontrollable, tonight he pulled my 19 year old daughter into the middle of a busy street to get at a dog , thank goodness rush hour was over. However there are times when my 13 year old sons walks him . You can tell he has had little training , he will sit and shake hands but that is about it , he will come when he wants to, we started to train him with one word commands , sit, stay , no , down etc and he is starting to get it , we give him food rewards to get his attention . On walks we started to take his ball to distract him and him focused but it’s not enough. My question is , I totally understand that we should incorporate the collar now in training him with basics and rewards before we find ourselves in a situation with another dog but will the collar change his personality as he is a gentle giant except with certain triggers . Thank you so much
Donna
Hi Donna,
It is absolutely my opinion that using an e-collar properly will have no negative effect on your dogs personality. May I ask, what it is exactly that you’re concerned about?
Hi, I just had a question, I read through these responses and you say to not just put the collar on and wait for the dog to react and it makes sense, however what about now my dog knows commands, sit stand stay come leave it, etc BUT he obeys except for triggers when were out (other dogs, rabbit) so I want the collar to use when he disobeys the commands. I at a lost as to why you can use the collar to let him know to ignore a command is wrong.
Hi Anita,
It is not that you can’t use the collar to let him know that ignoring a command is wrong…it is just that I don’t think that is the ideal way to use a remote collar. There are those who use the collar as punishment for ignored commands. My stance is that it is STILL necessary to e-collar condition the dog FIRST. You still should go through the processes and on leash work so that the dog has an understanding of what the stimulation means. Without that it just is not very fair, if the dog has never experienced stimulation before and the first time he/she feels it is for disobedience…how do we know what the dog associates with that sensation? Perhaps he/she comprehends it is a consequence of not listening to command BUT perhaps they associate something in the surrounding area…we just don’t know. When you go through the process of e-collar conditioning first then the dog has a clear understanding of what the stimulation means and what they can do to have control over it.
Hi Robin,
I enjoyed reading all your info on the e-collar and I have a question. I have a 4 year old cockapoo who has dog to dog aggression issues (lunging, growling) that has gotten worse. I’m moving to a city soon where Linus will be in constant contact with other dogs on the street and elevators so I’d like to start training him with an e-collar as soon as possible. You say that one should not be reactive with the collar, in terms of using it after a dog reacts. However, I usually see a dog walking on a leash at the same time Linus does so when am I supposed to use the collar? Should I use the vibrate/shock just as we’re walking for no reason? He is good with simple commands (stay, heel, down, sit) but when he sees another dog, all of that goes “out the window”. Does your video specifically teach when to use the collar? Thanks for any help you can give me.
Hi Judy,
The main thing is to use the e-collar in conjunction with a command (in the case of walking = Heel) AS SOON AS the dog begins to go astray. The more proactive you are in getting the dog back on course and paying attention to a command the easier it is for him to begin to learn these new habits. This is opposed to “waiting” to see if he’ll be a good boy and then he fires up to the other dogs. Once your dog is actively barking/lunging etc, the adrenaline level is rising rapidly and then it takes more work and significantly higher levels of stim to get his attention back. So the goal is to be proactive. That means AS SOON AS you/he see the other dogs coming. You’re not using it for no reason, but to “remind” him to stay in his heel position when you think he is about to forge ahead etc. Does that make sense?
Of course remember that you don’t begin your training in these situations. You should do your e-collar conditioning and beginning training in an area free of distractions so that your dog has a fair and un-distracted opportunity to learn about this new way of communicating. As he catches on then you gradually introduce more and more distraction. I just uploaded a YouTube video about the topic today. Take a look.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leUvGQfSLoI&list=UULFJfSltiXVfv3hHbbDHpww&index=1&feature=plcp
The videos I have for purchase will teach you the basics of getting started, how to teach the obedience with the e-collar and how to use it proactively BEFORE you dog gets into problem situations.
Good luck,
Robin
I have a 4 year old male yorkie, we have been thru 2 different training programs, he will listen and obey commands we give him such as sit, stay, lie down, come here, everything is fine as long as no one comes to our house then all heck breaks loose he goes into attack mode, i have gotten him to lie down on his bed when people come to the home however would not ever be able to let him roam freely and no one would be able to go near him or he will suddenly lunge and bite try to bite them on the leg, as a last resort I was wondering if one of the training collars might help snap him out of this “attack mode” moments, as a last resort was thinking of trying one, do you have any advice on that? thank you.
Hi Rebecca,
I don’t know what to tell you for certain without seeing the dog and working with him. However, I can tell you that if you are considering using a remote collar you need to find an experienced pro to help guide you. The remote collar can have an advantage because of it’s ability to get the dog’s attention from a distance, so you can then be very proactive in diverting him to an acceptable, alternative behavior when needed. Check out the list of trainers under the Training Help and Supplies link here on the blog.
Good luck.
Robin
Hi
I have a 5 year old Spoodle who has aggression and separation anxiety issues. Bella has always been a very quick learner and most of the time is fantastic to have around however she can turn very quickly without warning into attack mode, lunges, bares teeth and will bite. Bella’s behaviour has worsened over the past 10 months and I can only put it down to her picking up my emotions which have been all over the place due to a miscarriage and IVF treatment, Bella has got so bad that now our groomer that we have been using for the past 3 years will no longer do her grooming unless sedated. We have always had an issue with grooming and her aggression however this has now got so bad that Bella will not even let me bath her at home without going into full attack mode. We have tried everything, obedience training, private trainers and are now looking to using the e collar. I am desperate to fix the problem because when she is not displaying these behaviour issues is a fantastically loving and loyal dog.
Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Cheers Pip
It is hard to say without seeing the dog Pip. It certainly sounds like you have a very complex situation. I can tell you if you chose to utilize a remote collar, you should get qualified help. Check our trainers list to see if someone is near you. http://www.truthaboutshockcollars.com/find-a-trainer-in-your-area/ The e-collar alone will not be the solution but it may be helpful with some of the problems. There is a lot to be done to counter-condition and desensitize Bella to the handling and grooming issues.
I would also strongly recommend you look to possible underlying medical issues that may be contributing to these behavior problems. A thorough blood work up, including thyroid (I am a strong advocate of Dr. Jean Dodds work – google her to find out more) Also consider exam by a DVM chiropracter and possible acupuncture. Often there are underlying physical pain/discomfort issue that are not easily visible. Unless a person is trained to detect these musculo-skeletal problems they can go undetected and reek many behavior problems.
You need a good team to help you with this. I sincerely hope there is someone in your area to start you on a path to success.
Hi, I really enjoy this blog. I have two whippets. One dog is wonderful with people but aggressive towards other dogs while on leash. The other dog is wonderful with dogs but aggressive towards people, especially strangers. I have been using the e collar on a vibrate mode for my dog aggressive dog, and it has worked wonders. I use it to snap her attention back to heal before she reacts and it works with cats and squirrels as well. I am wondering if this amazing tool can help me with my people aggressive dog. We have seen lots of trainers and behavior specialists and everyone is pretty confident that he is fear aggressive. Any thoughts?
Hi Kelly, It is my feeling that the e-collar can be used as PART of comprehensive program to aggression cases, be it dog/dog or dog/human. The key is understanding that stimulation is NOT used as a punishment for the aggressive behavior. The collar can be used as a way to redirect attention to alternative, desirable behavior in the midst of the triggers in order to decrease the dog’s focus on what is scary. This can help expedite the path to success. However that is not the entire solution. You still need to do the desensitizing and counter-conditioning to the fear triggers. There are a lot of variables in working with aggression cases, so I would strongly suggest you find some professional help. There is a list of skilled e-collar folks here; http://www.truthaboutshockcollars.com/find-a-trainer-in-your-area/
I was wondering if i could ask a question.
I have a lab he’s about 5 years old and i also have another lab who is 3 years old.
My 5 year old lab attacks my younger dog, it happens maybe twice a month and he used to just pin him down and growl at him but now he’s bites him a little.
I can’t figure out what triggers his aggression towards my younger dog.
I train both of them as far as general commands, they are crated trained and i exercise them everyday.
I tried pinning my older dog down when he shows aggression at my other dog, i’ve tried putting him an extra bedroom until he calms down but nothing works.
He always does it again.
I’ve tried everything and was thinking of trying a shock collar do you think it would work in this case ? and if so do you have any pointers ?
Hi Mandi,
A remote collar isn’t necessarily going to solve the problem. The role of the e-collar is in developing better obedience and attention to the handler. It isn’t a way to break up a dog fight. It can be effective in stopping one from starting IF you learn how to read the signs that a fight is about to errupt, but if you already have good obedience you should be able to interrupt with or without the e-collar. There is generally a lot to a situation like this and without personally being there to observe, I’m hard pressed to advise.
I would suggest you find an experienced trainer to help you. Have them access the dogs and I would also have a thorough vet exam to rule out any underlying physical problems. Dogs often attack what they consider “weak” and there are times where one has a medical problem and the other is attacking because they can sense that weakness. Most often though these problems represent a leadership problem in the house with one dog feeling a “right” to discipline or correct the other dog for some “infraction”. These are usually over resources like space/toys/food or access to you and often the signs are obvious to them but subtle to us because it may be just a glance in the wrong direction that is a trigger.
In those cases, leadership is better established through clear routines and making sure the dogs understand you are in control of all resources, not them. This means you should be able to pet one, feed one, treat one, take toys away, etc without interference of the other (they have to “stay” on a mat or in a down etc) Reward the dog for the stay, switch and work the other etc. This helps but may not be the entire solution…as I said, get help.
Any pinning, crating etc. AFTER the fact is entirely useless. A dog’s thought must be interrupted rather than his action. If your dog has that look of about to go after the other, that is when you should be interrupting or redirecting. Make sure they are crated when you are gone as you work through this.
thanks so much for your help i really appreciate the advice