A referral from a client to a potential client --
Hi and thank you for contacting me. I have worked with Carla Collins in two ways. First, I have attended the 'No Limitations' class for remote collar training that Carla Collins sponsors. It is the most effective thing I have ever experienced in communicating with a dog!
Most people, including myself initially, think of remote collars as 'shock collars' that are drastic and hurtful to a dog. This could not be more untrue. I have used the collar on myself. While it certainly gets your attention - that is exactly what it does... it gets the dogs attention and utilized in a kind,low numerical factor, it is the greatest communication tool I have ever seen at communicating right and wrong to your dog and what you want him to do.
I found my dog, Oreo, on the street starving to death at about 8 weeks of age. I was not looking for a dog at all. I have a cat, I'm single and dogs are like kids, requiring much more work, time and effort.
However, I love animals and the infamous plan was that I would take him in, get him his shots and find him a good home. Well, two weeks later I had three offers for him and he and I had bonded so well that I could not give him up. However, I also knew that in order for me to keep a dog, he would have to be trained extremely well. No incessant barking (I live in an apartment), no tearing things up, good house manners and the ability to have him mind me, come, sit, stay, not jump up, etc., on command. I did not want to be one of these folks that takes a dog out and the dog takes the owner for the walk.
I took Oreo to the 'No Limitations' class and started him on a remote collar (a very small collar used for tiny dogs and cats that I purchased off the Internet from Petsafe) at 3 months of age. He is now going on 6 months of age and I can tell you the rewards are beginning to pay off 10-fold.
Additionally, I take Oreo to Carla's Tuesday night classes in Coppell for additional structure and learning - for both of us - and it gives him a chance to socialize with other dogs and I have a chance to learn some things too.
I have now graduated to a larger 'Dogtra collar' because Oreo is a Pointer which is a larger hunting-breed dog. This is another reason why I knew I had to be serious at a young age about getting him trained. Big dogs get out of control if they are not disciplined very early. I can honestly say that I have seen very few big dogs that I would want because of their out of control behavior which is magnified by their size and strength.
At the remote collar training though, they had Poodles next to Boxers and Terriers next to Rotweillers and I can tell you that every single dog benefited from this method of training.
An example - a friend of mine here at work bought a registered Airedale puppy within the same time period that I acquired Oreo. Airedales are large dogs and he will ultimately be much bigger than Oreo. She, like me is also single. She elected not to do any training with this dog and now she is experiencing major issues. He is getting big, he constantly jumps on her and hurts her physically. She can't take her eyes off of him in her apartment, he has chewed holes in her wall and she constantly keeps him locked up when she needs some peace or has to take shower or get dressed. He has ruined her clothing from his claws where he jumps on her and she is constantly struggling with him. I have mentioned the remote collar option to her, but she sees it as hurtful. However, she has also voiced thoughts of getting rid of Briggs already because of his lack of proper behavior and her ability to handle him
I have none of these issues with Oreo, because while he initially did the same things that Briggs is doing, I used the remote collar for training on these issues and it worked very effectively to communicate to Oreo within a few days that this was not acceptable behavior.
This method of training is very kind! You don't find yourself yelling at your dog like most people do. I can now take Oreo for walks 'off leash' in Addison and he knows what 'wait' means and will stop at busy curbs for me to give the order to cross and we cross together on my command. He now has the benefit of being able to walk with me without always having to be on a leash, because I have the remote collar on him and he knows the rules and more importantly - he understands and is a happy dog. This is so much kinder - I think - than me yelling at him, dragging him on a leash or him dragging me and reprimanding him physically as people do when they see no other option and the dog becomes confused and scared.
I would highly recommend Carla's training and the remote collar method for 'any dog', little or big. By the way, I LOVE Yorkies and if I had purposely gone out to get a dog, that is the breed I would have loved to have had. However, Oreo was brought to me as a special gift for some reason, and I would never give him up now. We have a wonderful bond, and I believe partly because I don't have to yell at him and be unkind to him.
Of course, he is still very much a puppy and still has his regressions when others are around, but he will grow and mature out of that - I see it get better daily.
Long story made short --- in my opinion, Remote Collar training is the best possible investment you can make for you and your dog.
Most importantly --- for your dog, it is the best gift you can give him to ensure of lifetime of love together. It ensures you will have a dog that is trained and controllable and one you will not be forced to get rid of because of behavior issues. What better gift is there then ensuring your dog that he will always have a home with you because you have a way to kindly communicate with him in a way he will understand.
If you any further questions, please do not hesitate to email me or call me directly. I would love to see your little guy sometime if you attend one of the Tuesday night classes. I have not been there in a few weeks because I have been moving, but plan to start attending again after the Holiday.
Take care - Sincerely,
Jenanna Cook
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