E-Collar Dog Training

Heard About E-Collars? Here's the Real Deal

You’ve probably seen other dog owners using e-collars and felt curious, but also concerned about the idea of “shocking” your dog. It’s a common fear, and one that comes from outdated information. So, before we get started on training, let’s clear up some of the most common myths and misconceptions about this incredibly effective and versatile training tool.

The earliest remote training collars date back to the 1950s, originally designed for bird-dog hunters. These early devices were truly shock collars, offering only a few settings, all of which delivered highly aversive levels of static correction. Imagine the intensity of touching an electric fence used to contain livestock — that’s the level of stimulation they produced.

But times have changed. Modern e-collar training uses gentle, low-level stimulation, often barely perceptible to humans, and is part of a humane, balanced training approach that emphasizes clear communication and positive reinforcement. Today’s tools are a far cry from the crude devices of the past, and when used properly, they enhance trust, safety, and freedom for both dogs and their owners.

Enter Modern E-Collar Training Practices

So many inventions have evolved over time thanks to technology. Fortunately for us dog lovers, the e-collar has been along for the ride, transforming the training techniques we use on man’s best friend. The modern e-collar is no longer a unit that produces static shock, but rather blunt stimulation. Today, the e-collar is virtually a tens-unit similar to what is used in acupuncture, massage, and physical therapy. We now have 100 levels of stimulation where we can whisper, talk, or shout to the dog based on the situation. People often ask, “Why so many levels? Why would you want to go that high?”

With a scale of so many levels, the modern e-collar enables us to utilize the absolute lowest levels to communicate commands, while still having a life-saving top end for emergency situations. This function essentially communicates to dogs how urgent a command is, from everyday commands like “sit” or “stay” to crucial commands like “recall” or “stop.” People are often amazed that their dogs can respond to stimulation levels far below what humans can even perceive. In fact, many owners are able to recall their dogs from distractions like squirrels or rabbits using levels so subtle, they’re virtually undetectable to humans!

RYDER EXPERIENCES THE ULTIMATE FREEDOM THAT ONLY THE E COLLAR CAN PROVIDE.

E-Collar Training Sessions Designed for All Situations

At Flash Dog Training, we use the e-collar as a communication tool, working with each dog’s individual “working level,” the lowest level they can perceive, even in distracting environments. This level is used to gently prompt desired behaviors such as sit, come, place, down, and heel.

About 90% of the time, the e-collar is used to encourage and reinforce positive actions, not to correct unwanted ones. The remaining 10% is reserved for urgent or life-saving situations. Imagine being able to instantly stop your dog from sprinting toward a busy street — not with panic, but with calm, effective communication. Or picture being able to recall your dog out of a scuffle at the dog park, avoiding potential injury or escalation.

Denying dogs the chance to explore the world off-leash (to sniff, run, and engage with their environment) is contrary to their nature. With proper off-leash training and modern e-collar techniques, you can give your dog the freedom they crave while keeping them safe and under control. And yes, you can have an off-leash dog who listens.

Our dogs live in a human world — one full of unfamiliar rules, risks, and dangers they don’t instinctively understand. They can’t recognize that chasing a deer, a car, or a bicycle could lead to serious harm. That’s why e-collar training is truly life-changing.

When your dog is properly trained with a modern e-collar, you gain the ability to interrupt dangerous behaviors in an instant. Whether it’s recalling them from wildlife or stopping them from darting into a road, this tool gives you reliable, safe control when it matters most. Imagine the peace of mind that comes from letting your dog enjoy true off-leash freedom while knowing you can keep them safe with a single, clear cue.

And yes, a brief, well-timed higher-level correction may be necessary in emergency situations, but it won’t harm your dog. Contrary to old myths, modern e-collars use blunt, low-level stimulation that won’t burn or injure their skin. The alternative? Letting a pair of hooves, antlers, or a moving vehicle be the correction. That’s a scenario none of us ever wants to face, which is exactly why we train this way.

Rethinking the E-Collar — Navigating Tools for Communication and Correction

It’s common for people to think, “I’ll press the e-collar button when my dog does something wrong.” But that old-school mindset is exactly what modern e-collar training is shifting away from.

At Flash Dog Training, we use the e-collar primarily to prompt the behaviors we want, not just to stop the ones we don’t. With a solid training foundation, your dog learns to respond to low-level stimulation cues like come, sit, heel, and place, making training more consistent, clear, and enjoyable.

In fact, 90% of the time, the e-collar is used for positive communication. That remaining 10%? It’s for safety and urgency, like stopping your dog from bolting into the street or breaking up a scuffle at the dog park. In these moments, we simply match the stimulation level to your dog’s adrenaline, ensuring effective, humane control.

Our training teaches dogs that they control the sensation. It’s not random or scary. When they follow a command, the stimulation stops. It becomes a game they understand and enjoy, especially since we pair the process with food rewards and positive reinforcement. For many dogs, STIM = FOOD becomes a joyful equation.

And yes, there may be rare times when a higher level is appropriate to stop a dangerous behavior, but that’s not the focus. Modern e-collar training is about building trust, encouraging engagement, and giving your dog the freedom to safely explore the world, off-leash and in sync with you.

You wouldn’t compare Henry Ford’s original Model-T to a 2018 Ford Mustang with built-in Wi-Fi, and the same logic applies to comparing an outdated shock collar to a modern e-collar. These are entirely different tools with entirely different purposes and capabilities. Here at Flash Dog Training, we are eternally grateful for this amazing tool, as we have used it to save dogs’ lives in so many different contexts over the years. From behaviorally challenged aggressive dogs to fearful dogs, there is an application for every dog. This tool enhances your communication with your best friend and will forever change your life with your dog in a positive way.

Ready to See Real Change?

Contact us today to schedule a phone consultation and discover how e-collar training can transform your dog’s behavior while giving them the freedom, confidence, and quality of life they deserve.

Want proof it works?

Visit our Success Stories page to hear firsthand how e-collar training has changed the lives of both our clients and their dogs.

Curious about the process?

Watch this video to see how we determine your dog’s working level and use positive reinforcement with food to condition them to the e-collar in a safe, effective, and rewarding way.

Zahra gained so much freedom through her e-collar training, and I gained a sense of safety and control over my dog…

Zahra and I were referred to Kerry from another trainer in town who told us she was THE expert in e-collar training. At the time, while I was head over heels in love with my adorable new border collie puppy, I was also losing my mind trying to manage her incessant energy on my own. While I consider myself a pretty active person, Zahra came in to the world like a lightning bolt of nonstop energy and engagement. She was whip-smart and ready to learn/play/work ALL DAY LONG – and then some. I knew that I needed to find a way to combine Zahra’s exercise with mine if I was going to continue managing my busy work schedule and her needs, so I wanted to take us both on long hikes every week. Fortunately we live in gorgeous Colorado, so the mountains are literally our playground!

Last year I enrolled Zahra in Kerry’s 3-week e-collar board and train program while I was traveling over the holidays, and I honestly am not sure I’ve ever spent better money. Zahra gained SO much freedom through her e-collar training, and I gained a sense of safety and control over my dog. Today, when she sees me pull our her e-collar, she starts leaping with excitement because she knows it means that we’re going outside on some kind of adventure, and usually one that involves her getting to run at top speed to her little heart’s content. Watching Zahra run and leap in the mountains is one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen. She’s like a blur of white fur – practically flying and barely touching the ground!

I Iive in a VERY busy part of Denver, but with her e-collar on I can also let her off-leash in the middle of a nearby city park, and have full confidence that she is safe to play Frisbee with me without EVER running towards cars or other dogs. She just gets it. It’s amazing. I can’t even feel her recall level on the e-collar! We do this a few times a week when things are busy and we can’t make it to the mountains.

Kerry also installed a much-needed ‘off’ switch in Zahra – and my favorite of all commands, “Place!” I can’t even say enough about how much this changed our lives. Having the ability to tell Z to calmly stay in place while I have guests over, or need to work, is amazing. She also helped Z learn to LOVE going into her kennel, where she can also rest and turn off. Z screamed in her kennel for the first 2 months of her life so again, I can’t express how much relief it brought us both for this to stop being such a challenge.

Finally, Kerry helped me learn a ton about feeding Z a raw diet – and we’re now forever fans. Several vets were unable to fix Zahra’s sensitive tummy issues and 2 AM diarrhea episodes – once we had her on a the raw diet recommended by Kerry, her fur got shinier, she started liking eating, and she hasn’t has ANY tummy troubles since!

Kerry will forever be family to me and Zahra and I’m so grateful to call her a friend as well as an incredible resource.

Jen K.

Denver, Colorado

Their recall off leash is amazing and we trust them anywhere

We took our dogs, Auggie and Blue, to Flash Dog Training when they were both a little over a year old. After months and months of “do-it-yourself” training, we realized that much of what we were doing was not working. Auggie, a stubborn and happy-go-lucky field golden, pulled like crazy on his leash and his recall was great until there was a distraction like a bird, other dog, or squirrel. He also could not control his excitement when other dogs or people would show up to our house or we would encounter them on a trail. Blue, a more nervous but highly energetic collie mix, had trouble relaxing and didn’t like to do anything that she was told to do. On leash walks, she used to love grabbing the leash in her mouth, shaking it, and trying to escape from it. Of leash, rather than getting in the car after a hike or ski at trailheads, she would race around barking at us and refuse to come. Similar to Auggie, we thought her recall was great–until it wasn’t because of something she wanted to do more than come to us. Ultimately, we knew that based on our lifestyle, both us and our dogs would be happier if we did some sort of formal training.

After doing research, we landed on Flash Dog Training and submitted a form online. Ali, the Head Trainer in Colorado, quickly followed up on our inquiry, explained the training process, and answered our questions. We were immediately impressed with the program that they offered and couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. After dropping our dogs off, Ali was communicative and responsive if we had questions, and filled us in on progress as the training progressed. One thing that stood out the most about Ali and Flash Dog Training was the individualized approach they took with each dog. Auggie was highly food motivated and wanted to please, and the Flash Dog team used this as the foundation for his training. Blue, on the other hand, was not food motivated and highly skeptical of anyone telling her what to do. For her, the Flash Dog team focused heavily on building her trust and formed a relationship with her before getting deep into the training. Ultimately, the outcome was the same for both–they came home happy and in many respects it is still hard to imagine how much they learned in their 3 weeks.

Both now love to learn and thoroughly enjoy refresher trainings (both with us and Ali). Their recall off leash is amazing and we trust them anywhere–distractions or otherwise. It is hard to emphasize to those who don’t have e-collar trained dogs the freedom it brings to both you and your dogs. But once you have them you will never go back. They can enjoy themselves off leash, explore, and do dog things, and you have the piece of mind to know that even if a squirrel, moose, or other dog pops out on a trail your dog will come back to you when you call and ignore the distraction. It takes work to get here, but Ali and the Flash Dog team lay the foundation for it. Additionally, both dogs now understand and enjoy walking on a leash. We can take them anywhere dogs are allowed, like the hardware store, and they will heal throughout, ignoring other people and dogs. Further, the work Flash Dog does with commands like place help give you dogs a better chance to relax at home. The best example of this is when we have guests or other dogs come over, our dogs now wait on there place for the excitement to subside before we release them to say hello. This simply would not have been possible without Flash Dog Training.

I don’t think either of us imagined that a dog training program would change our lives and relationship with our dogs as much as Flash Dog Training did. We will be forever grateful for Ali and the Flash Dog Training team. They do amazing work and we recommend them to all of our friends, many of whom have taken their dogs to Flash Dog Training and now have seen the results for themselves first hand. If you are looking to train your dog, Flash Dog Training is the best out there. We hope that everyone can experience the transformation that we did.

FDT Graduate Success Story In OREGON

Sending both of our dogs, a 6-month-old high energy puppy, along with our 10 year old rescue, to Flash for training is one of the best decisions and investments we’ve made. Our older rescue dog, Marley, has struggled with leash reactivity, pulling, and various triggers (skateboards, loud trucks, scooters, and more) for years. Despite working with various trainers, we never found the right style or tools to address the root of his behavior effectively. Avoiding certain situations or areas became a norm, and it became a source of frustration and stress for all of us. Our newly adopted rescue puppy, Finn, brought different challenges. With boundless energy and a tendency to get easily excited, he struggled to sit still or settle, always seeking attention or playtime with our older dog. He was also going through fear periods: getting spooked by everyday objects (strollers) and noises (kids playing, construction) during walks. We quickly realized that addressing these issues head-on and establishing strong, consistent communication between both dogs was incredibly important. Flash’s board and train program stood out from the beginning. Their facilities were spotless and it was clear they tailored their training approach to each dog’s personality and quirks, making us feel completely confident (for the first time) leaving them in their care. Our trainer, Amanda, has been exceptional throughout our entire training journey. Her commitment to both dog’s training and continued progress has been evident every step of the way. Despite our dog’s contrasting personalities and challenges, Amanda understood their individual needs and provided tailored advice for each of them – and has cheered on our wins every step of the way. Unlike some other training programs, Flash has provided us with tools, follow-up lessons, and support, to ensure that the training has been consistent and easy-to-follow now that they’re home. This has been paramount to their continued success. Both dogs have undergone incredible transformations that have made our relationships with them stronger and more joyful. Our older dog, Marley, no longer pulls on leash and looks to us for guidance. His body language is relaxed and he’s no longer on edge, which has reduced or eliminated most of his leash reactivity. Our adolescent puppy, Finn, now understands how to relax and settle using the invaluable ‘place’ command and has gained an enormous amount of confidence. He’s no longer fearful or spooked around new sounds or sights, heels and looks to us for direction, and isn’t as easily distracted in stimulating environments. The positive impact of Flash’s training program cannot be overstated. I’m now comfortable taking them on walks together – something that had started to feel impossible – even in busy areas with past triggers. One of the most impactful breakthroughs has been with Flash’s e-collar training. This newfound trust in their training and recall has opened up a world of off-leash adventures for us. Watching our dogs explore the outdoors, unrestricted and free, fills us with an overwhelming sense of happiness. We are so grateful for finding Flash and the immeasurable difference they have made in our and our dog’s lives!