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A shock collar is totally inappropriate for an 11 week old. I am glad you checked here first. At 11 weeks, he is bigger and more active than ever. Some puppies can be a real handful, needing constant supervision. It is real work disciplining them. I know, I have had some very difficult dogs. Bitter Apple comes as a creme or a spray. It works well with some dogs to reduce chewing.
You are using the crate? It is a great tool for when you can't watch the dog.
How are classes coming? Unless the instructor is a nitwit, which happens, he should be a big help. You are better off sticking to one program of discipline. Do it the instructors way until the class is over. If it isn't working then, get back, and I will have some things that should work. Above all, you must be top dog. Use a lot of eye contact. I am reluctant to say too much for now. If my methods are different from class, doing it one way one time, and another the next, will only confuse the dog. Adding the shock collar could leave the dog in the same mess as they do others. They are a short cut that leads to problems. No real dog expert would use one on an 11 week old.
Hi, Doug,
This link: http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/informat.../shockcollars/
as well as the first answer to this question, gives some good reasons NOT to use a shock collar.
If a dog enjoys training, it will learn faster, better, and be happy with it.
If not, then it can do more damage, hindering learning.
Best of luck.
Please do not train your dog with a shocker, there are other ways.
Train without pain: it’s the ethical choice.
Just as children need to learn basic manners and language skills, dogs need training. We wouldn’t teach our children to communicate by slapping them, shaking or jerking them by the neck, or electrically shocking them, and we don’t need to train our companion animals that way either. There are numerous positive methods of training that can be used to teach any dog to learn, from clicker training (in which a special noise maker indicates to the dog when he or she has made the right choice) to luring and plain old praise and guidance. There are numerous books available on gentle training.
Shock Collars - the Shocking Truth
From an APBC press release
The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors condemns the widespread use of devices which deliver electric shocks to dogs for the purpose of training or curing behaviour problems. Their potential for accidental misuse is high and they could easily cause considerable and unnecessary pain and distress to the animal.
A dog experiencing an unpleasant shock to the neck 'out of the blue' will associate the sensation with whatever the dog happens to be focusing on at the time. Used incorrectly, this could be an area, object, another dog, the owner or even a child. Unwanted side effects could easily occur when the dog being shocked becomes afraid of being in that area, or it could become afraid of, and as a result, potentially aggressive towards owners, children, other dogs or strangers.
In inexperienced hands, it may take many repetitions of administrations of the shock before the punishment is finally associated with the unwanted behaviour, and several more before the dog learns how to avoid the shock by performing the 'correct' action. Not only is this inhumane, but can set up a series of fears which can cause associated behaviour problems in future.
In addition, it is possible that the device may be triggered by external influences, or malfunction, which may result in delivery of repeated shocks, particularly in those devices which are designed to be triggered by barking and are put onto dogs left alone for long periods.
Sophisticated methods of punishing dogs are not necessary in order to train them to behave appropriately. Such methods are often used as a quick fix by the inexperienced. Humane methods which rely on a sound understanding of the dog's mind are more effective for training or bringing about a lasting cure for behaviour problems. Results may take slightly longer to achieve, but the process benefits from being less stressful for the dog, free from the risk of side effects, and improves rather than spoils the relationship between dog and owner. In the long run, they will result in a happy, confident dog and satisfied owner.
Only in a handful of cases, where all else has been tried and failed, and when the condition is potentially life-threatening, can the use of such devices ever be justified, and, only then, in the hands of an experienced behavioural specialist who is capable of accurate timing.
Owners of problem pets need to be made aware that the unwanted behaviour can be altered with understanding and advice and that a 'quick fix' approach which involves inhumane methods of punishment can do more harm than good. http://www.apbc.org.uk/article2.htm
i too was in the same position as you when we first got our lab. My lab was 4 months old at the time and we had no control over him. i was looking at all possibilities to "train" my dog. The shock collar never entered my mind as i wanted to train the dog not have him be afraid of me. at 11 weeks he is just learning, putting a shock collar to curb his behaviour is not acceptable. The shock collar will not help him understand what you want from him. try the training and most of all be patient. as soon as we started obedience classes we noticed a difference in a few weeks. He understands we are in charge but he also has his own personality and yes we sometimes have to correct him but never by hurting the dog. Again i know it is difficult and you want to try anything to get the correct behaviour but at 11 weeks he is much to young for the collar.
Not trying to beat a dead horse, but I, too, agree that a shock collar is probably not the best choice. I've had my lab since she was 7 weeks old, and she's always been a handful. You're probably extremely frustrated, and you want results right away. I know I did. Unfortunately, with all baby creatures, it doesn't work that way. Keep with your obedience classes. I only went to a few weeks (we'll be returning to them in May), but even with what we both learned then, she's much easier to handle. Training classes are just as much training for the owner as they are for the dog. They'll help you bond with your dog, making him feel more confident that he has a secure place in your life, while also letting him know that you are the definitive boss in the house. It's really hard in the beginning, I know. Just try to have patience. There have been many times when my husband and I felt like shooting our dog in the butt with a BB (I read your other post .), but if you stick with it your dog will respect you more without being afraid of you, and you'll enjoy his company, too.
I have a shock collar for my 11 month old lab puppy, and let me tell you best thing i ever did. I tried everything, bitter apple, training schools, I poured so much time and money into training that dog and nothing worked. So I took the puppy to a school that trains the dog using a shock collar and bam, worked. I have the best behaved dog in the world. Shock collars work great, I say go for it, they are great.
would you tazer your kids if they disobeyed? There's your answer
Shock collars should really only be used when everything else has failed, or in "red zone" cases. The shock collars cannot be compared to tasering your kids. They have settings on them. I have never used them on any of my animals, but I was curious and wanted to find out for myself, so I tested one on myself. Even at the highest setting, although uncomfortable, it is not harmful. But again, every other avenue should be explored before resorting to this. If used correctly after all other methods have been exhausted, it can be a good training tool. Especially in certain circumstances where the dog could somehow be in danger.
When I tried it on myself, the lower settings are nothing more than a static electricity shock...like when you walk across a carpet and give someone a shock. It just diverts their attention.
I agree that 11 weeks is far to young for this though. There are other options.
.), but if you stick with it your dog will respect you more without being afraid of you, and you'll enjoy his company, too.
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