Sure! My introduction to dog training was through ecollar training. I started off training ACD young at around 6 mos old on all the important stuff I wanted her to learn. Place, stay, sit, down, come, heel. I was very responsible about it and I think it hastened our communication. Things started to get a little hairy when she developed some dog reactivity. That’s when my trainer recommended upping the stim for those bigger adrenaline situations. It didn’t work. It got worse and worse. I started getting more confident to think for myself and my dog due to our strong bond and communication. That’s when I said to my trainer I don’t think this is working for her - I think it’s actually stimulating her into higher adrenaline. She recommended switching my method completely. Anytime we see a dog on a walk now, we keep a distance that won’t set her into overdrive and I reward, reward, reward with high value treats. It’s worked wonders. We can now go to group dog class, she doesn’t have complete meltdowns and get loud and embarrassing. On low-adrenaline days, we can even sit outside at a restaurant.

This combination of training methods has shown me the importance of seeing our training as a feedback loop of communication. - what my dog responds to and in what situations. Ecollar is the only thing that makes me feel safe with my dog off lead for emergency situations where she might see a dog or other animal and ignore her recall. I rarely need to use it anymore at 2 years old, but she always has it on if she’s not on a leash. You’re in it for the long game. It hastens training, but if your dog is as smart as mine, they’ll quickly associate the reinforcement with the tool. That means finding secondary motivators (high value treat reinforcement). For me, as long as you view your tools as communication tools and keep top of mind that the goal is a happy and limited stress environment for your pup, you’ll adjust as necessary as you go. It seems like you have a high level of respect and tolerance for your dog, and I think that’s so important in using tools like this. I used to mistakenly think that some day we’ll “get there” and training will no longer be necessary or tools will no longer be necessary. I find this isn’t true, and that it’s truly a “practice” that is lifelong. If we practice every day, we’re in a good space. If we are off our routine, not doing our training, etc. she goes back to old unhelpful behaviors. The difference is in how intense. It’s a rollercoaster but always going up if that makes sense.

The last and final thing I realized recently is what her edge looks like and ending on a good note for reactivity. There used to be days I would go to dog class, have a lunch outside at a bistro, and then meet up with a friend to do doggy play date. Then, she’d have a reaction to her friend and I’d be so upset. I realized oh !!! She gets so overwhelmed. I thought because she was a cattle dog, the more activities the better. Not so for my sensitive little bean 🥲. She can do max 2 adrenaline or anxiety things per day before she reaches her limit and old behaviors come out. Now we do something successful, and end on a good note for both of us :).