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“HEEL”
Your dog learned to heel beside you earlier in the program, and transferring this command to e-collar
correction is simple. Walk your dog on-leash and change directions. As the leash tightens, command
“Heel,” give a brief correction with the collar and command “Heel” again. It is important to apply the
brief correction at the same time the leash is tight instead of when the dog is coming to you. Reward
with verbal praise and a stroke on the shoulder until you see the acceptance swallow. Repeat this
routine as you walk together in various locations until your dog is comfortable.
Your dog is now conditioned to accept the e-collar while coming, heeling, or sitting on command.
It is time to mix the commands into a full “Here”-“Heel”-“Sit” drill. Use your brief correction at
varying times as your dog allows and as before, avoid successive brief corrections or multiple brief
corrections in the same area. You can increase the number of brief corrections as long as you pay
close attention to your dog’s attitude. Toss a few bumpers to chase when necessary to relieve pressure
and pour on the positive rewards as needed.
“DOWN”
Your dog understands the “Down” command and can perform it without any trouble by now if you
did your homework. Now you can easily add the e-collar to this routine in the same fashion as
before. Place your dog in the “Down” position with a verbal command. Command “Down” again, give
a brief correction with the e-collar and repeat “Down.” Watch how your dog reacts, looking for the
acceptance signals. Praise with a stroke on the shoulder and verbally. As before, you need to condition
this with repetition.
KEEP THAT COLLAR ON!
At some time, you will get to a point where you feel like your dog no longer needs to wear the e-collar
because it never makes a mistake. Congratulations on a job well done! However, your dog should
always wear the e-collar when in environments that contain distractions. Would you drive your car
across the country without automobile liability insurance? You should now think of the e-collar as
your insurance policy in case you and your dog get into a wreck. It gives your dog a way out of trouble
in an orderly fashion that it understands even when its instincts are telling it to do something else.
What does it hurt for your dog to wear the e-collar when you go to the park, Grandma comes for a visit,
it is time to go to the vet, or a million other unknown distractions? You taught that the e-collar means
the two of you are getting ready to do something fun, so keep the e-collar on.
ENJOY THE TRIP
You have now learned how to start down the road to a life of enjoyment with your dog. Some of these
steps may need to be covered again if your dog has repeated failures. That is no problem as long as you
take it easy and enjoy the ride together. Arriving is one of our goals but the trip that takes you there
will be filled with memorable times that will cement you and your dog’s relationship forever.
GOOD TRAINING!
Charlie Jurney of Terrell, North Carolina, is a professional retriever trainer and owner of Beaverdam
Kennels, producer of Grand Master Hunting Retrievers and Master Hunting Retrievers. Most recently,
Charlie authored the Finished Dog retriever training book.
