E collars/ shock collars

Ok, I looked at the range again. The IQ is not what you want. It is recommended for dogs at around 10 pounds (4.5kg). You should look at a unit for 20 Pound (9kg) and up. Second consideration is Low/High or Low/Medium output unit. This is where the pain threshold come in. No use you give a correction and the dog ignores it. Remember, when he is aggro, he needs a higher stimulation than when he is calm. I therefore tend to lean towards the Low/High output units. Third consideration is the other features. You will also have to look at longer contact points, as you say the coat is very thick. That is unfortunately an extra optional. Sold as each, not a pair.

Go have a look at www.dogtra.com

I have not confirmed my order yet. Waiting for the ZAR to strengthen. Will probably confirm on Thursday, so if you want a special unit, I must know by then. The IQ I quoted wrong. It should be about R1800.

The 280NCP about R2250 and the 1900NCP about R2500. The 1900NCP would be in my view the best investment, as it is for bigger dogs with a low/high output and has a precise , electronic display, dial from 0 to 127 to determine the correction output level. With the ZAR at R7.20, you can multiply the price in $ by 10 to get an estimate. On top of that, you pay only local shipping from me to you. VAT is included. If you see anything else you like at www.thatsmydog.com, you must tell me before I finalize my order later this week.

BTW, I also started my dog training with GSD's. In 1990 at the German Shepard and all other dogs Training School in Pretoria. I since changed to GSP's, (Pointers) as Wing-shooting is now my passion.

 

Please don't go with any shock collar, it's like torture for animals.
What food is he on and how often does he get fresh water? How often do you bath him. I know those might sound strange but maybe...

 

Firefly, ones first reaction on a comment like that is to get cross. But when you think about it, you calm down and realize the problem is the person making the comment does not understand the product.

Why get cross? Because in effect, I am being accused of being cruel to my dogs! Nothing could be further from the truth. I love my dogs and will never do something cruel to them. If someone uses the product indiscriminately I would agree. In the wrong hands, it could be a terrible thing. But that is where availability and price comes in. No one is going to spend that kind of money, if they do not love their dogs. And if you love your dog, you will make sure you use the product correctly, so that there is not even a hint of cruelty.

I will write more on the subject in the sponsor area.

Tom

 

Firefly, we will only get it as a last resort. Trust me I have been around dogs, bred with GSD's (we even have a kennel name) almost showed with GSDs. The dogs are my other hobby besides my fishkeeping. Trust me the stuff that Cesear Millan recommends is things all the better dog trainers have done for years before he became famous. As I know my dog has a very sensitive skin, he is on the Montego Classic dry foods, he gets 1 egg a week and one tbls of olive oil on his food once a week. They have a big bowl of water always filled with fresh water 2 times a day 3 times during summer (I also add ice to their water in summer to keep it cooler). Kegan is also on allergex which we know is a human tablet but the main ingredient in it is needed to keep his allergies under control and at the rate we where buying the meds for him from the Vet, they recommended we switch to allergex which he gets 2 tablets every second day.

As for baths - I can never remember the shampoo we use but its specially formulated for them, they only get baths every 2 or 3 months since they are very clean clean dogs who swims a lot (hence the extra oil on their foods). They dont get a lot human food at all - mainly leftover rice and veggies. We are very strict about it. Same with bones, all bones before we give it to them has the marrow removed so that it cannot spoil and make the dogs sick. They get hooves and rawhide chews and beano's as treats (I swear there is nothing they will not do for a hoof!).

We have seen one of those collars in use once - the only reason why we are considering it is we used one on ourself and it isnt technically a shock - calling it a shock collar is the wrong thing I know but most people wont know what i am talking about id I mention e collars. Most of the new ones that comes out works on a vibration not a shock. The vibration on their necks basically just interrupts what ever they are doing/thinking and you then correct them and show them what you want them to do.

I dont even give my dogs hidings (even as puppies), all you do to discipline them is use your grown up scary voice and rewarding them and getting them excited you use an excited tone and high pitched voice. They react to your tone/pitch more than yelling and screaming and hitting.

 

Herewith Elizabeth's comments.

 

So it's nothing problematic there. How bad have the fleas been lately? Asking all these Q's because I want to try help.

 

If you have not noticed, you are speaking to a pro here (Wyvren) and when he say he has tried everything, he means everything, including x rays. If it was a medical problem, the vets would have picked it up!

BTW, Wyvren, when Elizabeth talks about 'stim' she means vibrate and not correction impulse. Just in case you are not familiar with the 'lingo'. ;-)

 

@NWS thanks for the info. And say thanks to Elizabeth as well. (p.s Female here )


@Firefly - I get what your asking, trust me when I say we have covered all health issues besides mental. He is as fit as a fiddle and passed his tests and so forth (only issue he has is he will be suffering from hip displasia later on - his back legs are just a tad shorter than his front). I also appreciate the asking, because maybe just maybe i get lucky and someone asks a question to which I dont have an answer to and that will solve our dramas.

Our dogs havent had fleas in a few years, we still treat them with advantix 2 times a year just in case, but the vets (and he has seen a few specialists) has cleared him and that is why we are going to try the behaviouralist and then the collar if she cant help. At this point even if we can just distract him when he starts chasing the tail i will be happy. But I cant even call him over when he goes into a phase - he ignores everyone unless I grab him by his harnas and pull him closer. I normally make him sit next to me when we watch tv so that I can constantly stroke his head and ears to keep him relaxed. But if he hears something he doesnt like he immediately bolts and Ive have a fair few injuries from trying to grab his collar so he cant get away.

 

Hi Wyvren. Just my 2c. Know you've tried everything but have you tried putting bitter als( pun intended) on his tail. Works on kids who bite their nails so might work on dogs as well. The bitter taste sometimes does the trick.

 

We tried the bitter als before, then he just chases the tail but not catch it. So in the end we need to stop him but as Ive said before we cant always catch him once he goes into the mode.