So you just got a new pup– congrats! Everything seems to be going well during the first few weeks, but as your dog starts to grow and develop a mind of its own, you seem to notice that it’s also adopting unruly and undesirable behaviors.
You know you have to act fast to correct these behaviors so you’re exploring ways to teach proper manners and obedience. One of the most effective tools out there is dog training collars or e-collars.
You know that it pays to train your puppy as early as possible because the older it gets, the more challenging training becomes. But what about when it comes to using an electronic dog training collar?
If you’re worried that your dog isn’t old enough to start using an e-collar, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll discuss the most appropriate age to use an e-collar for your dog training sessions.
What is an Electronic Dog Training Collar?
First things first, what is an electronic dog training collar? Also called e-collar, a dog training collar is a device that allows you to communicate with your dog from afar. By generating a bit of stimulation, an e-collar can be used to correct bad behaviors or to reinforce obedience commands during training.
There are two main types of electronic dog training collars: remote-controlled and no-bark collars. As the name suggests, the first one involves a handheld remote control that sends a radio signal to the receiver-collar so it will generate a safe static shock, a vibration, or an undesirable tone.
On the other hand, a no-bark collar gets automatically activated by the sound of your dog’s bark, the vibration in its vocal cords, or both. The no-bark collar is effective for controlling disruptive barking issues, as it gets activated at the exact time your pet barks.
What Age Can I Start My Dog With E-Collar?
Opinions on how old a dog should be before using an electronic dog training color vary widely. However, for e-collars to serve their purpose, the general rule is that your pup must be old enough to understand what behaviors are expected.
With this, we recommend that you wait until your dog is at least 5 to 6 months old before you use this training device.
However, aside from the age of your dog, you should also consider your dog’s temperament. For instance, withdrawn dogs must be given extra attention and a chance to explore their environment.
Such dogs need to be allowed to have more positive experiences instead of focusing on adding stimulation such as in the form of an e-collar. The reason behind this is that it could potentially create hesitancy and could further make your dog withdrawn.
If you’re planning to buy an electronic dog training collar for your pet, you should not only think about whether your pup is old enough to use it. You should also ask yourself if you’re ready.
Do you know the proper way to use it and are you willing to learn? Are you prepared to dedicate your time and effort to use it in training your dog? And most importantly, what drives you to use an e-collar?
If you’re considering using it just to punish your dog and have no intention to teach your dog the proper behavior, it’s time to reconsider.
On the other hand, if you think you and your dog are ready, then go for it and start using an electronic dog training collar for your training sessions. One important thing to note though is that you have to pay attention to the limitations of your pet.
Remember that dogs have limited attention span, so using it for extended periods of time may not lead to your expected results.
Final Thoughts
Everyone wants to have a well-behaved and trained dog– it makes the experience of being a dog owner a more pleasant one.
An electronic dog training collar is a safe and effective training device that serves as a good alternative to a regular leash. It is proven to work in correcting rowdy behavior and destructive habits, as well as teaching obedience commands.
However, if your dog fails to learn despite using an electronic dog collar and your best efforts, you might want to seek the help of professional trainers. At Delaware K9 Academy, we offer bootcamps, private classes, and puppy training to cater to the different needs of dog owners. If you’re interested to learn more about how we can help you and your dog through positive reinforcement, get in touch with us today!
