E-Collar

Great question! Before using the e-collar for recall, your dog needs to already understand what "Come" means. The e-collar is a correction tool — it's not how we teach the command, it's how we enforce it once the dog knows it. Step 1 — Find your dog's sensitivity level. Put the e-collar on, go somewhere with zero distractions, start on the lowest level, and press the stim button. Look for a subtle change in body language — an ear flick, a head tilt, something that says "I felt that." That's your working level. Never skip this step. Step 2 — Teach the On/Off Method. Put your dog on a 15–20 foot long line (attached to a regular collar, not the e-collar). Walk around and let them do their thing. When they're not paying attention to you, say their name, press and hold the continuous stim button, and use the leash to guide them back to you. The moment they commit to coming back, release the button and reward. That's the key — the dog learns that ignoring you turns it on, and coming back to you turns it off. Repeat until you can see the lightbulb go on. When they start turning back to you before you even need the leash, they understand. End the session on that win and take them for a freedom walk. Step 3 — Layer it onto recall. Once your dog understands the on/off concept, you can apply it to the "Come" command. Same idea — if you call "Come" and they blow you off, stim + leash guidance until they commit, then release and reward. A few important notes: start low and only increase for distractions. Make sure the collar has continuous stimulation (not just momentary). And never use the e-collar if your dog hasn't been through the learning phase first — they need to understand the command before you hold them accountable for it. The e-collar isn't punishment. It's communication at a distance. When used right, it gives your dog more freedom, not less. Hope that helps! If you need hands-on guidance, feel free to reach out and we can see if we're a good fit. — Garrett Ridley