what age to use e-collar and prong?

[StateOfMine]

Flint has had training in puppy classes and is doing fairly well, but I would like to invest in a herm sprenger prong collar and the mini Educator E-Collar. He is 4.5 months old, very strong, and quite determined to do whatever he pleases lately. I am not a large person, and the first month I had Flint I lost 10lbs, if that tells you anything about my typical activity level. I am at a healthy weight now and my stamina is growing along with my dog, but not my physical strength. I want loose-leash walks and reliable recall sooner rather than later. He listens to "Foose" and walks by my side in a focused heel very well... as long as I have treats. On occasion he ignores me, but its becoming more and more. I think it's time to go beyond positive only training, since he does understand what I am asking of him, and start using corrections. I do snap his flat collar for corrections for now, but he won't be "small" for too much longer. Winter is dangerous here and I need him to listen to me. Any information would be great! Thanks!

 

[Doberman Gang]

4.5 months is too young to be correcting your dog other than a neck scruff or leash pressure on a flat collar. This is the time to build your importance in the relationship bond and become the most fun and interesting thing your puppy could want. Loose leash walking and fussing can be started using a food lure but you need to break in to chasing food or play every 5 to 10 steps. Throw a piece of food for your dog to get, then encourage your dog to come back to you to play or chase food again. You are at the beginning stages of training, if you want solid heeling, obedience and recalls ect… it takes time and correct training. I don’t typically introduce a prong until around 6-7 months sometimes later. Ecollar is only used once the prong collar correction has been taught correctly.

 

[Socrates]

Dobermans don't do well with the large prong prong collars Get the small prong collars for small dogs and extra links so as to fit large Doberman. A Doberman could break the lighter dollar so you backitup with a chokechain.. Do not even think of using an E collars. E collars are for experts and misuse can ruin a good dog,

 

[JanS]

I just now started Elroy on a prong and he's 13 months. He's been pretty good with just the slip lead but I want him to get used to the prong too.

Get the small prong collars for small dogs and extra links so as to fit large Doberman.

I agree that you can get a better fit with a smaller one. We use Herm Sprenger 2.25 mm.

 

[StateOfMine]

I'm fine with waiting until he is a bit older before I use either of these things. The prong collar is a tool, not a replacement for training. I do intend to use it only temporarily. Same goes for the e-collar. Flint isn't a small doberman by any means, but I'm not very big at all, so I worry when something more interesting than my treats comes along when he's 6 months old and I struggle to hold him back from it. Positive reinforcement seems good for teaching new things and encouraging a dog to continue to do said things, but when one competing motivator comes along treats may not be enough anymore (definitely not in Flint's case).


I'll get a video uploaded in just a sec of where we are at with heeling.

 

[StateOfMine]

Heeling Training at 4 Months

This was last weekend. I swear I'm not that awkward with the leash when there are no cameras rolling lol.

I am 5' 2", for size reference.

 

[JanS]

You're off to a great start!

 

[remy]

I started introducing Remy to a prong collar when he was 7.5 months old. He’s 10 months now and we are just starting out with an e-collar (the Mini Educator). I believe most people/trainers don’t recommend either training tool until at least 6 months old.

For the prong we use a 2.25mm Herm Sprenger. I bought the Mini Educator (ET-300) and switched to the 3/8” contact points.

 

[Ravenbird]

Heeling video is coming along very nice, thanks for sharing that.

I get where you're coming from on the pulling, I recognized it right away when Flint dove for something on the ground. My pup did that too, zero regard for a flat collar or a slip collar, or the fact that they would jerk you off balance. I'm so sorry I missed out on this age of doing WAY more of what @Doberman Gang said up there, because I was working so hard to get my dog to obey and not be so difficult. If I had played more and made training more of a game I would have advanced so much faster. I'd never had a hard-headed bossy puppy with zero 's to give and I was too concentrated on trying to get a handle on it. I have few regrets in life, but I wish I'd spent more time making more fun for my dog at this age.

 

[Doberman Gang]

Heeling video is coming along very nice, thanks for sharing that.

I get where you're coming from on the pulling, I recognized it right away when Flint dove for something on the ground. My pup did that too, zero regard for a flat collar or a slip collar, or the fact that they would jerk you off balance. I'm so sorry I missed out on this age of doing WAY more of what @Doberman Gang said up there, because I was working so hard to get my dog to obey and not be so difficult. If I had played more and made training more of a game I would have advanced so much faster. I'd never had a hard-headed bossy puppy with zero 's to give and I was too concentrated on trying to get a handle on it. I have few regrets in life, but I wish I'd spent more time making more fun for my dog at this age.

When I say “Are you ready to work” this is the attention I want, can’t get it if your dog doesn’t think fun stuff is going to happen.