Puppies are cuddly and cute yet they also provide considerable utility, especially when it comes to hunting. Take to the woods or other hunting grounds with your furry friend by your side after training sessions with an e-collar and your pup will soon serve as a loyal and effective hunting partner. Here’s how to use a shock collar for dogs, setting the stage for them to serve a purpose that provides meaningful utility and also to provide invaluable company while exploring nature.
Begin With the Basics
Puppies are full of energy and emotion. Your pup’s responses to commands will be abbreviated and superficial. Remain patient, continue practicing the basics of puppy training and you’ll lay a foundation for your fur buddy to accompany you on your future hunts. Dog hunting commands are more complex and nuanced than regular dog commands yet each can be mastered in due time.
Start out by teaching your dog to “come” toward you while wearing the e-collar. Say “come” while making eye contact with your pup. Do not repeat the command more than once as it won’t make the intended impact. Keep in mind, you are the leader of the dog pack, meaning your dog looks to you for direction. Be authoritative, strategically employ the shock collar for dogs and your pup will gradually learn basic commands.
If your puppy struggles to respond to the “come” command or misbehaves after the command is given, initiate a light shock with the e-collar. The shock collar for dogs serves as a form of negative reinforcement, making it clear to young dogs that they are to respond to verbalized commands as well as gestured commands as taught. Keep the shock level to a minimum as the goal of using the dog training collar is to subtly correct misbehavior or the refusal to respond to a taught command
Aside from the “come” command as detailed above, the shock collar for dogs can also be used to teach young fur buddy to “sit” and “heel” on command. Hold a small puppy snack in one of your hands, concealing it with an extended fist that symbolizes your desire for the puppy to sit. Verbalize the “sit” command while keeping your balled fist extended outward. If your dog does not sit upon command, use your other hand to press down on the dog’s backside to communicate now is the time to sit. If your pup refuses to sit as commanded, initiate a light shock with the e-collar.
Dog Training for the Hunt
Teaching a dog to heel in preparation for hunting expeditions is easier than most prospective dog owners assume. Teaching your furry friend to heel makes it clear you are the leader of the pack, especially when out in the wild. Respond to your dog’s suddenly rapid gait by stating the “heel” command and lightly tugging the pup’s leash. If your pup doesn’t slow and move back toward you after you state the “heel” command, initiate the vibration from the shock collar so he or she returns toward your side as requested.
Be sure to reward your dog with puppy treats after he or she responds to your commands as requested. It isn’t necessary to provide a puppy snack to your furry friend for every instance of command compliance yet doing so helps to offset the negative reinforcement of the e-collar, ultimately improving your young pup’s perception of you as a caring master.
If your pup doesn’t respond to a light shock, slightly increase the intensity level. Do not increase the shock intensity level by a significant amount as doing so has the potential to create such a powerful form of negative reinforcement that your puppy becomes slightly traumatized due to the unexpected jolt. When in doubt, err toward a lighter shock as opposed to a stronger one and your pup will appreciate your compassion.
Comfort With Gunfire
Part of assimilating a young pup into the role of hunting partner is getting him or her comfortable with the sound of gunfire. Puppy training for hunting introduces the startling noise of gunfire in a secured space, meaning the pup won’t be able to flee after panicking following the blast of the gun. Begin at least 100 yards away from your pup and have a training partner shoot blank ammo from a starter pistol far away from all people, pets and buildings. Command your dog to run toward a dog toy or other object after firing the blank.
If the pup isn’t phased by the gunfire yet won’t run toward the toy, repeat the process once again. If the pup still doesn’t respond to the command, consider initiate a light shock from the e-collar. Continue to practice gunfire shots by firing blanks, gradually moving closer to your pup with each shot, familiarizing him or her with the sound of gunfire.
Explore the Terrain
Your pup won’t become familiar with the hunting terrain in your area unless he or she has the opportunity to explore those spaces or similar environments. Bring your pup to open fields, waterways and terrain used for hunting and exploration.
Early exposure to hunting grounds assimilates the dog to the setting of the hunt, providing an invaluable opportunity to become familiar with the scents, sounds and lay of the land. If your dog ventures too far from your side, chases after animals or refuses to obey your commands, correct the misbehavior with a light shock from the dog training collar.
Be Patient With Your Puppy
Training a puppy to become a hunting partner takes time. Practicing with the simulated hunts described above certainly helps familiarize your dog with the hunting experience yet it cannot replicate an actual hunt. Instead of bringing your puppy out to hunt right away, skip the initial hunting season, using that period for training and practice. Cautiously activate the shock collar for dogs to correct lapses of attention and misbehavior throughout training. Gradually ease your puppy into actual hunts in his or her second year or later, seize the opportunity to correct misbehavior with the e-collar and it won’t take long to turn your fur baby into a hunting companion.
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