Remote Trainers? aka static collars
 

Has anyone used a remote trainer on their yorkie before? I know a lot of you are going to say "that's mean, theres other ways of correcting bad behavior." but I know that these collars are perfectly fine and they are humane. I was just wondering if anyone used them on their yorkies before.

Just curious - why do you know they are humane and fine?

I would never use that on a yorkshire terrier. Our neighbors have one of those anti-barking collars for their dog. When he barks, it gives him a shock and he yelps. Oh yeah it makes him think about not barking but I cannot imagine how that shock feels. That dog is about 40lbs and he yelps loud. I think there are better ways of training a 6lb yorkie. But then that's just my opinion. My Max is only 16 weeks but he learns pretty quickly as long as I stay on top of things.

I have looked at those collars and you can only use them on dogs that are 8lbs or more. Same thing with the citronella collar.

I think they have the power up too high. The dog shouldn't yelp at all, it should just stop barking.... I worked in a pet store for a number of years and sold countless remote trainers and bark collars. I myself wondered how it felt and tried one of the remote trainers on my arm on more than on occassion and with several different manufacturers. On the lower settings it's no worse than a static shock you'd get from touching another person... I acutally think getting shocked going in/out of my car hurts worse... but on the higher settings, watch out! I'd NEVER go that high on a dog.

I've used one while hunting with my parent's beagle. She was well trained enough she could come with us, but couldn't be fully trusted to not run off after a deer or something (which is NOT what Beagles are used to hunt!!) The remote collar was the only thing that she would ALWAYS respond to. In the case of field dogs like this, I'd say they're okay to use, but for general training usage around the house, I'd skip it. I wouldn't put the thing on any dog less than 25 lbs and you have to be sure the power is set correctly. Our beagle never yelped, never shook, never had any reaction at all (other than stopping dead in her tracks and coming back us like we'd told her to!)... but then we knew how to use it properly.

What kind of training would you plan on doing with the shock collar?? They can't be left on the dog 24/7 and really shouldn't be used just for around the house.... I left Pixie's leash on in the house for the first few weeks we had her. That way if she got into something and tried to run off, I could quick step on the leash so I could get ahold of her. Once she learned "drop it" "leave it" and the all important "NO", I took the leash off. There's easier, better (and cheaper - those collars are expensive!) ways to train a Yorkie to do or not do something around the house. Please explore all the options before you get a shock collar right away!

i also would like to know why you say they are humane? My husband belongs to hunting clubs and etc. Shock collars are used on some of the dogs ( by other guys, not my husband) to break them from running deer. I cannot imagine anyone even thinking abiut using it on any dog much less a poor little yorkie. There are better ways.

Just to clarify shamrockx72's post.......she was asking if anyone has used this device on a yorkie before. I don't think she needs to justify her reasoning why or why not she beliefs this is humane and safe nor did she ask for any of your opinions on safety. JMHO. This world would be one boring place if we all had the exact same believes and opinions.

What about the gadgets (not attached to the pups) that emit a high, piercing whistle every time the dog barks. Has anyone tried that one???

Courtney - this topic has come up before (search bar - shock collars) and I really would like to know if someone knows if this is a safe and humane treatment. I think it is a fair question. Gosh, I realize that it has been a little rocky the last few days but I think using a shock collars is a little different then, what car seat should I buy. I really am not trying to start problems but if someone really knows the answer than I would like to hear it.

I dont think they are safe for smaller dogs because in the Foster and Smith catalog it says for dogs 8 lbs and over. I have a ten lb dog and still wouldnt want to chance it with a dog thats on the smaller scale of acceptable use.

Cindy (since we are on a first name basis) All I was trying to say was that this post was meant (from my observation) to ask if anyone has used them on a Yorkie before, not if they were humane, safe etc. If that is the case, and you really want to know, if it were me I would post a seperate thread. I just wanted to point out, before this thread got out of hand like I know it can from previous posts that she wasn't looking to justify her reasoning as to why they were safe but if someone had used them.

Sorry Baileys Momma if I offended you by using your first name :( . If threads are only about a yes or no answer then none of us would learn or we would get the note about posting on threads with little response. In this case I asked the poster the question because she seemed very confident that they are safe and humane. I did not post my opinion but wanted to know (and I think I asked the question nicely) on why she believes the way she does. This is a forum where people are allowed to state their opinions - sometimes more than we should I agree, but for the most part this is how we learn. Some issues will be controversial no matter what we do and sometimes these issues could be avoided if people used the search bar on YT if they know their topic could upset people. I also know sometimes people will be thinking one way about a topic and with a discussion on YT they have changed their minds. I really would hope everyone has an open mind to learn more through these threads.

Well, I expected an uproar on this question...and boy was I right. I guess a lot of ya'll haven't seen the new collar by Innotek which is specially made for toy/lap dogs 4-10lbs. I know a lot of people who have used them on their dogs...big and small, and have had AMAZING results. I don't know about ya'll but my little girl is as stubborn as it gets. She doesn't listen, isn't afraid of a rolled up newspaper, and could care less. I'm giving this collar a try..and I'll let ya know if it works. I've only found it online at target and basspro...haven't seen it in petsmart or petco. But I can't wait for it to come! I want my yorkie acting like a nice girl!

I have had them around my arm and ankle on the highest setting. I wouldn't put anything harmful on my baby.

No, and I won't. :thumbdown

Good luck with that. I'm afraid what you'll end up with is a neurotic little girl rather than a nice girl. But you've made up your mind. Just be sure to check under the collar regularly. I once read of a user who found a huge abcess where one of the prongs was - required surgery and antibiotics to treat. :eek:
I had to chuckle at your post, Baileys_Momma. You were quick to criticize others for questioning how humane these collars are and for not sticking to Shamrock's question. But, you never answered the question yourself! :D And just FYI, if you don't like people using your first name, you could take it out of your signature. ;)

I haven't used these and wouldn't. I use positive reinforcement methods-treats,praise,toys etc. Have you tried all these? Yorkies love to please.What behaviours are you going to correct with this collar? I am genuinely puzzled?

what kind of behavior problems are you trying to correct? how long have you had your yorkie? what kind of obedience training have you tried with her and for how long?

i ask this because sometimes as a new yorkie owner or even a new puppy owner, we may be prone to a bit of impatience and want to search for a solution that offers immediate gratification rather than to wait for our patience to pay off. how often have we heard new puppy owners complain, "it's been 3 weeks and she's still not potty trained!!!" while the veteran owner just cheerfully offer the advice "it can take weeks, months, or maybe even over a year to have her fully potty trained! be patient!"

if you have tried and failed all other methods of positive reinforcement training (and a rolled up newspaper isn't one of them), have genuinely attempted all other avenues of obedience training and correction, and have honestly given your baby enough time (we're talking at least several months) to catch on, and have had no positive results, leaving static collars as the only alternative (and sometimes it is the only viable option left). then i say "go for it." hopefully this will work for you and your baby and good luck.

but if this is used as an alternative to time and patience, well, to each their own. but personally i'd prefer a puppy that obeys my command because he respects me as the leader of his pack and wants to make me happy, than a puppy that obeys my command because he is fearful of what i might do to him.

I've never used them. I've had good luck with positive reinforcement.

okay... so i just read your other threads about the training problems you're having with your yorkie... are you trying to potty train her and curb her biting by using the static collar? she's only 22 weeks old and you've only had her since jan 2 while attempting to train her using a variety of different methods (paper, outside, and litterbox). i think she can use a little more time, patience, and firm handling from you before resorting to such measures.

for a little perspective, these are examples from my personal experience: bunjee is 26 weeks old now. i've had him since mid-november when he turned 8 weeks old. i *JUST* considered him potty trained at home at the end of feb when he went a full 3 weeks without an accident (barring the 2 accidents he had while he was sick). this is after 3.5 months of consistently training him to use the potty pad (i tried to do a combo of outside and potty pad, but that proved to be too confusing for him so i stuck with potty pad) using postive reinforcement methods.

ever since 22 weeks, he started to teeth, losing his baby teeth and getting him adult teeth so biting is a BIG ISSUE, but because we've already laid the foundation of the "no bite!" command for the past several months. Whenever he doesn't respond to my commands, he gets a short "time out" in his crate or no further playing from me. so now, even tho he wants to play bite my hand, he'll stop immediately when i give him a firm "NO BITE!" or just "NO!". Sometimes he'll even go straight from biting to yawning, as if to say... "i'm not biting mommy, i'm just yawning! *yawn* ".

was he stubborn... most definitely! was i frustrated and annoyed....absolutely! did i get lucky...maybe... but i'd like to think i was rewarded for my patience. i think the same can be of your trixie if you gave her more time, boundaries, and consistency. but that's just my humble opinion, only you can truly decide what and how you should handle the obedience and housebreaking training of your puppy.

btw, i was just on Innotek's US website. which collar are you getting? the only collar i saw for small breed seem like it's a "tone correction collar" not one that emits shock... or i can be wrong. the product description on innotek's website is quite lacking.

Why not just post about this new collar by Innotek? You KNEW this thread would turn for the bad and yet you posted it. Please tell me you didn't post this thread just to see what kind of reaction you would get. :(

Well.....I have NO experience with anything like these collars .....but all I can say is ONE....I wouldn't want something like that around a small yorkies neck...

and TWO....anything that could cause them to YELP is CRUEL. :( Those collars sound way too dangerous in my opinion...I personally could never ever use one no matter how frustrated I was.

ps....Using someones first name is a way of talking directly to them and in no way offensive...and if it bothers anyone to have them used...then you can edit your signature to take it out.....many people don't have their first names posted............ easy solution !

I'm gonna have to agree with what seems to be the majority here and say "NO" to the shock collars. I'm not doubting that it works...if someone were shocking me, I'd stop too! It just seems unneccessary when there are other, less harmful ways to achieve your goal. :thumbup:

At the same time, looking back over the posts here...it seems like you have already made up your mind and ordered the collar? Why then, if you are already set and waiting for the product, did you even bother to ask for opinions? Especially if you knew they would incite controversy?

I went to the Innotek site and it doesnt say anything about being safe for dogs 4-10 lbs. It is one size for all dogs. Am I missing something?

I think positive reinforcement should be used whenever possible.

I don't like the shock idea, and would never do it. There are other ways to correct without resorting to imposing physical discomfort. I have resorted to the barker breaker (a corrective beep, not on the collar) and the citronella collar to stop barking. They both worked. I still wonder, however, if there was something positive I could have done instead. :confused:

I yiyi....I did not post this to get a rise out of anyone! I ordered the collar after I had posted it...not before!! I am not getting this because my dog is not potty trained yet, we are working on going outside. But my Trixie gets into everything! Saying, no or any other loud noises doesn't work! She has jumping problems where she jumps over 4 foot gates and I'm afraid she'll hurt herself eventually. I know a lot of you are opposed to these collars but usually they get it after 2 times and stop when they hear just the beep. My brother has a rat terrier and it worked wonders for his dog.

As for the collar...http://www.innotekdirect.com/html/flyers/SD-70.htm




I hope everyone in the community doesn't hate me now! :confused:

So you're getting it to keep her from "getting into everything"? How does that work - you zap her when she annoys you or tries to jump? :confused:

Hate you? No. Think you should try other alternatives first? Yes.

there is a good tone and bad tone on the collar. Usually it doesn't take more than 4 corrections and you don't even have to use it...just the beep beep.

Use a collar on a Yorkie..... not sure I would, but....

Years ago I had a 145 lb white German Shepherd. Our neighbors called the police because he was barking (not excessive, he was barking because another dog had dug under the fence into our yard and he was alerting us). Police didn't care, wouldn't even send animal control to get the dog (w/o collar) that appeared in our yard. We were given a 30 day citation to either get him surgically 'debarked' or, if anyone EVER called in again about him, he would be taken and put down. (this was in Dallas area - 1985/86).

We hunted for a trainer who took him to their location and put a collar on him. It took ONE low shock to cure him forever from barking - the trainer put the collar on my DH first ( I was pg at the time) to show us the low shock he would get. He then would bark ONCE as a warning and be quiet. He would growl very menacingly, but barking was extremely limited. In this case, it literally saved him.

That said, I think everyone has to do what they feel is best. Mia is now 18 months and Still will occasionally come right up to you and pee on the floor. Pooping indoors seems to be her fav activity. Yes, I've tried crate training, rewards, spending countless hours shuttling her in and out, pee pads, etc. She is simply Stubborn - it's her personality. I'd try other things if I thought they would work. I don't think anyone on here would ever intentionally hurt or endanger their babies, but training methods vary as much as anything, even with professional trainers.

how is trixie getting into everything? she's just a puppy and it's normal for her to be curious and explore her new environment. is your home puppy proof? are trashcans shut all the time? are cabinets locked? are bathroom doors closed? are hampers covered? are items like shoes and clothing picked up and off the floors? if these are the problems, it can be easily handled, sometimes very cheaply, by some effort on your part.

does your puppy have free roam of the house? try putting your puppy on a harness and a lead and attach the lead to yourself so that you can monitor her at all times when you're home. that will definitely prevent her from getting into things. crate train her for times you cannot monitor her. get her an xpen and put a cover over the xpen so that she can't jump over them. have you tried all of these? have they all failed?

i don't think anyone here hates you. we're just expressing our concerns, for you and for trixie. we want you to be a happy owner and trixie to be a happy puppy! i think sometimes "shock" is necessary for the safety of our little ones like exterior invisible fencing for those escape artists. but i also think using shock to train in one area will give you the urge to use it in other areas as well, which then leads to overuse and one fearful neurotic pet. as for that particular collar, i don't see anything that says it's okay for dogs 4-10lbs. "toys and small dogs" are usually any under 20 lbs, but i'm sure there's a big difference between the tolerance to shock for a 6 lb yorkie vs. a 20 lb jack russell terrier.

good luck. and remember, consistency, a watchful eye, and time will pay off ... you just have to have patience.

I have done all those things. She is limited to one portion of my house and only when I'm in there with her. I tried everything you just mentioned, including the xpen and the cover...she just pees all over in that and I feel it just takes me steps back on my potty training. So I keep her in her crate when I'm not around.