Everything you need to know about E Collar Training

1. E-Collars: A Powerful Tool, Not a Shortcut.

If you are a bad dog trainer, an e collar will make you worse. If you are a good dog trainer, an e collar will make you better.

Tool in arsenal. The e-collar is the greatest tool after the leash, but useless without a good program. It amplifies existing training skills.
Misused and misunderstood. It's the most misused tool, often attacked and banned. Bad use harms dogs and gives the tool a bad name.
Requires skill. Don't rely on it to force behaviors; it's for reinforcing known commands and stopping unwanted ones humanely after conditioning.

2. Conditioning is Non-Negotiable: Teach the Language.

The stimulation is completely foreign to the dog and if you want the highest results possible you must teach the dog the language.

Teach the meaning. The e-collar stimulation is confusing initially. Proper conditioning teaches the dog what the feeling means.
Step-by-step process. Start with a marker word (like YES) paired with food. Then introduce light leash pressure with a command (like COME), marking the dog turning towards you.
Introduce e-collar. Once the marker is understood, add the e-collar tap after the command or continuous before the command, always marking and rewarding compliance.

3. Combine E-Collar with Positive Reinforcement.

Today e collar training is combined with positive reinforcement to create beautiful harmony.

Pure magic. Combining e-collar use with positive reinforcement (food, praise, toys) creates incredible results. It makes training fun and productive.
Motivation first. Teach all behaviors through motivation and positive reinforcement. The e-collar is introduced later to reinforce these known behaviors.
Reward compliance. Always mark and reward the desired response, especially during the conditioning and intermittent phases.

4. Find the "Working Level": Subtle is Key.

Remember we want to use the lowest level possible that the dog can feel. Barely feel is what we want.

Lowest perceptible level. The working level is the lowest setting the dog subtly acknowledges (ear flick, lip lick). Find this in a low-distraction environment.
Consistency is vital. Use a high-quality e-collar for consistent stimulation. Ensure the collar is snug for good contact.
Adjust for environment. The working level will be higher around distractions. Set it appropriately before entering a busy environment.

5. The Intermittent Phase Builds Real-World Reliability.

This is the phase where we really start pushing the dog a little more in the training.

Add distance, duration, distractions. Gradually increase difficulty in this crucial phase. Practice in different places.
Mix it up. Use four combinations: e-collar with reward, e-collar without reward, no e-collar with reward, no e-collar no reward.
Prepare for off-leash. If your dog blows you off on a long line, they aren't ready for off-leash. Practice until they respond every time.

6. Reinforce Known Behaviors, Don't Teach New Ones with E-Collar.

Remember, I do not teach anything with the e collar.

Motivation first. Teach commands like sit, down, place, and heel using food, toys, or praise. Ensure the dog understands the command fully.
Enhance obedience. Once a behavior is known, use the e-collar to reinforce it, making it faster, sharper, and more reliable under distraction.
Avoid force. Forcing a dog into position with the e-collar is not training; it creates conflict and breaks trust.

7. Addressing Behavior Problems: Focus on Reinforcing Calm/Desired States.

I do not address aggression with the e collar. I do not correct or punish the aggression with the e collar, at least not on the front end.

Indirect approach. For issues like aggression or reactivity, don't correct the outburst directly initially. Use the e-collar to reinforce desired behaviors like moving towards you (Keesey) or looking away from the trigger (Bane).
Control the little things. Address minor unwanted behaviors first (sniffing, pulling, moving about). Taking control of small things helps with big issues.
Accountability later. Once the dog understands the e-collar and expectations, a well-timed correction can stop unwanted behavior before it escalates, creating neutrality, not avoidance.

8. Leash Pressure & Handler Communication are Foundational.

Without the leash great e collar work would be more difficult.

Essential tool. The leash is fundamental. Learn gentle straight-line pressure to guide the dog.
Prevent failure. Use the leash during conditioning and early training to prevent the dog from blowing you off. Don't remove it prematurely.
Speak dog. Learn to communicate through the leash and body language. This builds connection and trust before adding tools.

9. Consistency, Rules, and Relationship Build the Dog.

Structure is very important during the early stages of training.

Be the leader. Provide clear rules and boundaries consistently. Dogs thrive on structure and look to you for guidance.
Build trust. A strong bond and relationship are paramount. Dogs change instantly when you change.
Home environment matters. What you do (or don't do) in the home shapes the dog. Treat them like a dog, not a child.

10. Teaching Clients: Role-Playing is Crucial.

This way allows the client to make the mistakes on me, not the dog.

Hands-on learning. Have clients hold the e-collar and find their own working level. This helps them understand the sensation.
Become the dog. Role-play with the client, acting as the dog, complying and then adding non-compliance. Teach timing and mechanics.
Build confidence. Allow clients to practice on you first. This builds their understanding and confidence before working their own dog.

11. Fixing Bad E-Collar Training is Possible.

This case is a perfect example of how all dogs respond that have had bad experiences with the e collar.

Recovery is fast. Dogs that have experienced abusive e-collar training can recover quickly with proper, humane methods.
Build trust first. Focus on building a relationship and trust with the dog. Show them nothing bad will happen.
Proper conditioning. Re-condition the dog using the correct low levels and positive reinforcement. They often seem relieved.

12. Act of God Corrections for Specific Behaviors.

Act of God corrections refer to corrections implemented at a very high level to stop a behavior fast many times without being associated with the handler.

Specific application. Use high-level corrections for specific unwanted behaviors like counter surfing, digging, or fence jumping after the dog is conditioned.
Handler dissociation. Set up the scenario so the dog doesn't associate the correction with you (e.g., correct counter surfing from another room).
Create suspicion. This aims to create suspicion of the behavior or area, often stopping it in one or two repetitions, similar to an underground fence.

Last updated: June 23, 2025