A while back I wrote about small breed dogs and training them with a remote training collar. One of these days I’ll write about young dogs and puppies as well….but for today I just wanted to share some pictures of two little cuties that are currently going through training programs.
Meet Lucky & Tessie. These two have a few things in common. For one, they are both young pups. Lucky is 18 weeks old and Tessie is 16 weeks old. They are both Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, a breed that typically weighs between 10 and 18 pounds.
Plus, they are both going through a training program that incorporates the use of a remote training collar, aka, a shock collar -GASP!! alright, just kidding…..you all already know how I feel about electronic training collars. When used properly it is one of the most humane, yet effective tools you can use to train a dog.
Humane? Yep.
Remember how adjustable they are? Quality collars allow you to adjust the setting so that the sensation is comparable to tapping someone on the shoulder. A tap on the shoulder is a physical sensation that is hard to ignore. Even in the midst of distraction. If you were in a loud, crowded concert enjoying the show, you would still notice if someone behind you taps your shoulder.
The collar can work the same way. A means of getting the dog’s attention back to you, even in the midst of distraction.
Effective? Yep. That is the other training criteria I insist on. After all, what good is a training protocol if it only works “when we are at home, no one else is around us, in the kitchen and with a treat in hand”…when people tell me stories like that I always think we are playing a game of CLUE. It’s so easy even Professor Plum with a candlestick in the library could do it.
Good training means Fido pays attention to you when there are distractions around. After all, isn’t that really when you need the dog to listen?
So while Tessie and Lucky have a number of things in common, the most important one is they are off to a great start with proper training. They can expect a lifetime of fantastic adventures, on leash or off. They’ll get to visit cool places because they know how to handle distractions and they’ll get to be part of family festivities because they’ll have excellent manners.
Oh, and their owners…..well, they happen to be sisters, Angela and Rebecca. Otherwise known as Miss Scarlet and Mrs Peacock and I have heard they’ve been known to use rope in the conservatory. 😉
Hi Robin, I am so happy I came across your article! I have a beautiful 2year month old male Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Willie and I am at my wits end with trying to train him and I probably have not been as consistent I should have. Believe me, I have tried all the books and classes. The only commands he does consistently are sit and focus. He needs to learn come, stay and no at the very least. He plays a lot but still will run away at every opportunity to neighbors down the street. He won’t respond when I say come or stop. He also is Bell tr as trained to potty outside and yet he will still sneek peeing on furniture in the house when he knows I am not looking. I never did a shock collar because I don’t want to hurt him, he is only 16 pounds. But now I think he really needs one and I am hoping you can suggest the perfect one for him and where to purchase it. Thank you so much for your love and expertise. Frustrated doggy mom, Ginger Auld
Hello Ginger,
I think ecollar training will help you achieve your goals with him. It is super important you get some education on how to use the collar. My ecollar training video series is goes over all the things will help you with the recall, and covers many other topics as well. I would suggest you purchase it and watch the intro material on how to get started.
As for an ecollar, the Dogtra 280C is a good choice. It is easy to use and light weigh enough for his small size. It also has plenty of range and is nice and durable for a small, compact unit.
Hi just came across your site looking into ecollars for my nine month old Cavelier. I have already gone through the first two classes at our nearest dog training center, using clicker training. I feel I need more. He knows all the basics. Still won’t stay and runs and does not stay when told to. Which is bad. Does return after I yell touch. So if I was to get a collar at GunDog, the best would be the iQ plus? Thank you Becky
Hi Becky,
I sent you an email. Be sure to check your spam folder if you can’t find it.
warm regards,
Robin
We just adopted two cavaliers, both about 8/9 months old. They respond well to training. We have a large unfenced yard, and live in a fairly quiet neighborhood. But there is a wooded area behind our backyard, and beyond that a very busy fast road. I want to enjoy our dogs outside with the kids too and not worry about losing either of them. I’d like to know is you chose the PetSafe toy/small breed brand for your cavaliers? My main concern is causing any aggression or stress or negative association. I’m very familiar with and use positive reinforcement training however with no fenced in yard…. I don’t want to take any chances that they’d get hurt. I think they are smart little dogs who respond very well to positive training and will learn their recall very well! Thanks for your blog, Very helpful!
Hi Anne,
I am not an enormous fan of PetSafe collars. I believe they still have work to do to even out their stimulation profiles. (although they have improved from the past) As of now, I use Dogtra collars. For small dogs I would choice the iQ. It weights 3.5 ounces and we suggest you change out the plastic collar strap for a nice nylon one with a snap closure. What I like about Dogtra products is the stim profile is very gradual. This is important when a person is using the e-collar in the way I instruct. Using the “Just Right” level means that you need a lot of finesse in the dial. In a “click-able” collar there is often too big of a jump between levels…so that means one level is too low, but the next one up is often too high…this creates difficulty with the training. For those more proficient in e-collar use we can often work around it with modification of technique…but that is more challenging for the beginner. I constantly hope for the day when a manufacturer comes out with a collar that is truly suited to toy breeds. When someone comes up with a reliable unit that has a receiver the size and thickness of a couple quarters…they will be on to something!
When you begin to collar condition, use food, toys play ect. Use all the positive skills you do now but incorporate the use of the e-collar as a cue/prompt for attention. You will have a lovely outcome and the security of knowing your dogs can be safely off leash.
Good luck and let me know if I can be of further assistance.
all the best,
robin