shock collar for runaway dog?

[agnes_day]

we have a dog..this dog loves to run away. he will bolt the first chance he gets. it is causing a lot of trouble with our mail man and other people. i really dislike this dog and would like him to go to a new home but my husband wants to try a shock collar to try and break him of this. will it work?
i am outnumbered in that the kids and husband love him so i am willing to try.

 

[jerseygirl1]

I know nothing of shock collars, but experienced one friend who used it
Basically, they used it as an excuse to not properly train their dog - ie, whenever the dog did something they didn't want, they'd shock him. Just not good training in my opinion. I imagine when used the correct way, and there is a correct way, they are a valuable training tool. But not for every day living. It was torture for the dog and they were better off not being pet parents at all.

 

[Tala]

how about a fence?

How about some pack structure training. The dog is NEVER EVER allowed to go out the door before you are. You can train him to sit and wait for your command if you wish. Being his leader is a full time job though, it's almost like playing god.

I'm sure that a dog who is running away is in a very high drive mode and you may be surprised at the voltage required to stop him. It might work, but I'm more inclined to train the dog what to do instead. Wait for you, act calm, stop and come on command, etc. If you really dislike the dog it sounds like you don't want to go through all the truble to train him though. He might very well be better off at someone else's house - just be upfront with them about his bolting issues.

Also sounds like he's bored and needs exercising, but again if you dislike the dog I kinda doubt that you'll be taking him for a morning jog...

If your husband loves him so much, tell HIM to train the dog.

 

[agnes_day]

i dont think this is what he has in mind..i dont know. i am not a dog person, and this dog is unbelievably stupid. i had a home for him last week and i brought him inside..totally forgetting i had cracked a window, and he somehow slid out the window and ran off.

i am thinking some sort of dog training class maybe?

 

[agnes_day]

Quote:
thank you!!! seriously, i have told him this!!

 

[jerseygirl1]

I think definitely your DH needs to take that dog to obedience class, i went for training myself, more than the dog

 

[schellie69]

We have a dog that does this also he is 10 years old, and still does this we have been working with him since he was a puppy beside the running off my dog is a great dog. it will take a lot of work and patience to train him are you husband and children ready to take the time it is going to require to train the dog and them selves to be on alert to the dog trying to get to the door. we are always watching and making sure that our dog is no were near the door or gate when they are open it takes just a second of not paying attention or trying to do something else for the dog to bolt out the door. So I understand what you feel but the kids and myself have worked really hard to get and keep the dog from bolting. I have never used a shock collar just due to that I worry about it not being used at just the right time or to much power and hurting the dog which I have heard does happen. you have to use it right when he bolts not after he is already out running and I am not sure how much of a useful training tool it would be good luck it will take a lot of work but everyone has to do 100% hope you find the answer for you and your family. This dog needs lots of exercise and it sounds like he might be bored I would tell the kids and hubby if they want to keep the dog they need to walk and train the dog themselves I think dogs can be trained but if they are a high stung dog or a dog with a lot of energy they need exercise to keep them from running off

 

[Tala]

Quote:
thank you!!! seriously, i have told him this!!

Well, get a crate and tell your husband that if you are required to watch the dog, the dog stays in the crate (LEASHED potty breaks) until his daddy comes home to play with him because you just can't manage the dog yourself.

Either your husband will get a clue and step up to it, or he will see that the dog isn't having a happy life with you so he might agree to rehoming it.

 

[Stina]

Shock collars are something you have to be EXTREMELY careful with as jerseygirl said....MOST people do NOT use them correctly, and when they're not used correctly they are basically just a form of animal abuse. IF you decide to go that route, PLEASE make sure you take the time to learn how to use it CORRECTLY.

Can you share some background information on the situation?.....what are the situations in which the dog is bolting? Is the dog loose outside and then taking off when it sees someone?...fenced in and jumping a fence?...or is it a bolting through the door kind of thing?... How old is the dog?

haha...ok, lots of posts while I was posting....lol See if you can get on "It's me or the dog"

 

[agnes_day]

what ive been doing is tying him out for part of the day, bringing him in and keeping him with me in the same room..it works but still..this dog needs some room to run! i am also less than happy because he dug up part of my garden the other day..its not his fault, hes just doing what dogs do of course, but its annoying.
the dog runs at every turn..he loves to run down the hill and jump in our neighbors fancy pond with a fountain in it..
we had a fence, but we are having to replace it..it wont matter because he jumps fences also. i really think its because the dog lived out in the middle of nowhere and was allowed to do this. we rescued him during our big fiasco last summer..someone had abandoned him and he was starving and covered in ticks when my husband spotted him. now hes big and fat and still wont listen!!
i will say though that he is totally housebroken and that is a definite plus. how this guy is housebroken i dont know so he cant be that stupid.
my husband wants to use the collar as a way to make him stop when he bolts but i am thinking that the remote wont have an infinite range and he will just keep on going.