If you are looking into a shock collar for Great Dane training, you’ve come to the right place!
We offer modern dog training advice and can help you decide if using a shock collar on your Great Dane is going to be helpful for fixing behavioral issues.
We are here to give you ideas and resources for E-Collar training, products, positive training, and more!
Read on for more information about shock collar training and Great Danes!
SHOCK COLLAR TRAINING and GREAT DANES
Many people search for shock collar training resources when they are at their ‘wit’s end’ with their dog.
Aggression, lunging, barking, pulling, digging in the trash and general stubborn nonsense are common reasons that otherwise well-meaning dog owners seek to use a shock collar on their dog!
We understand your frustrations, we hear you, and we are here to HELP!
At Hello Danes, we believe that shock collars are so 2001, and that E-Collars are the new, more effective and humane way to train Great Danes.
A properly used E-Collar can give your dog off-leash freedom and so much more.
Shock collars (especially inexpensive ones from Amazon, etc.) provide a sharp, startling shock or aversive vibration sensation that is designed specifically to hurt and punish. With shock collars, the dog is the subject of the training and may not be aware of how to avoid being shocked.
E-Collars (in particular, the only brand we stand behind, E-Collar Technologies) provide a blunt tingling stimulation that is designed to be a positive, tactile communication. With proper E-Collar use, the dog is a participant in training and knows how to make choices that turn that stimulation on and off.
WE KNOW WHAT YOU ARE THINKING
You may be reading this and thinking ‘no way, lady. My dog is LARGE and in CHARGE and I need a way to get his attention. An E-Collar isn’t going to cut it’.
Look, we get it! Having an out-of-control giant breed Great Dane is embarrassing and can result in injury, lawsuits and more. Training your Great Dane is extremely important!
Now imagine for a moment that your currently bratty Great Dane could have amazing off-leash obedience and recall, polite manners, the ability to ‘settle’ indoors (even when guests are over), and confidence (not fear, anxiety or instability).
BELOW I’ve written two training examples, so you can learn about the difference between shock collar training and E-Collar training for your Great Dane!
SHOCK COLLAR RECALL
The dog runs off and doesn’t listen when off leash.
The shock collar is used to punish the dog for ignoring the recall command.
The handler may repeat the sharp static shock or vibration until the dog comes back, often with poor body language (ears pinned, hunched, low to the ground).
The dog learns that running from the owner is scary and may, through this process learn to stay closer because they fear what happens if they don’t.
Additionally, the dog may learn to associate the shock or vibrate with the environment, lowering their confidence and increased anxiety and aggression (BLOAT RISK).
The dog is taught that the stimulation from the E-Collar (up to 1/2 mile away) means to come back.
They are enthusiastic about it, not fearful or hurt by it, and associate the stimulation with good things.
The stimulation feels like an ant crawling around, and the dog quickly learns that they can turn it off by running back to the handler.
Just like leash pressure or teasing a dog with a treat until they sit!
The E-Collar becomes a true wireless leash!
The dog learns that staying close and listening means good things, treats, praise and freedom. If they go too far, the E-Collar reminds them to turn and run back! They quickly learn boundaries and gain freedom; in dedicated hands, most dogs can easily be off-leash within weeks.
This is all done, reliably, with a gentle muscle stimulation that most humans cannot even feel.
Because the dog associates the stimulation with good things and has full control over the stimulation, the dog is an enthusiastic and willing participant. Treats, praise and play are also part of a proper E-Collar training program. Dogs that have fun training learn faster and develop stronger obedience skills!
WHICH DOG WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE?
So if you ask us if you should use a shock collar for Great Dane training, our answer will always be NO. Shock collars cause unnecessary stress and anxiety that can increase bloat risk, reduce confidence and cause worsened training problems. It’s just not worth it.
But if you are interested in using an E-Collar for Great Dane training? Let’s chat!
A properly used E-Collar is less aversive, less harmful and more effective than a long leash, no-pull harness, squirt bottle, verbal correction or head harness!
With some fun, simple positive training your E-Collar becomes a ‘wireless leash’, allowing you to effectively communicate with your dog (even your large stubborn one!) up to 1/2 mile away.
IMAGINE YOUR DOG:
Having insane amounts of enriching off-leash freedom (which results in better physical and mental condition, less stress and lower anxiety. All things that may reduce overall bloat risk and improve behavior).
Loose leash walking with calm confidence.
Being free from leash reactivity, an unfortunate result of the natural restriction and tension of the leash, collar or harness.
Dropping calmly to a down-stay while other dogs, children and people walk by.
Redirecting immediately away from dangerous and annoying behaviors such as fence jumping, running into the street and stealing cooked chicken bones from the counter; then running back to you with enthusiasm!
Calmly sitting on a ‘place’ while you greet guests or unload groceries.
WHEN NOT TO USE AN E-COLLAR
There are times and situations where the use of an E-Collar, and especially of a shock collar, is NOT appropriate. Seek the help of a professional trainer, and never use an electric collar of any kind to address the following behaviors:
Addressing dog-dog, dog-human or dog-child aggression
Puppy biting
Crate frustration and separation anxiety
Resource guarding
Leash reactivity/aggression
Fearful, timid or anxious behaviors, especially in rescue dogs that have not had time to decompress (3+ months)
Keep in mind that the majority of behavior problems are the result of boredom, frustration, anxiety, immaturity, poor socialization, pain or confusion. E-Collars are not appropriate for resolving those behaviors (including reactivity, aggression, puppy biting, resource guarding and destruction), but can be used as part of an entire training program centered around building confidence, skills and independence.
Remember, shock collars are an outdated tool. There are better, more humane and more effective ways to train dogs, and the E-Collar can help you.
Ready to get started with E-Collar training your Great Dane?
Introducing a new E-Collar to your Great Dane can be a daunting task. It is important that you take the time to properly condition and train your dog with the E-Collar before using it in real-world situations.
In this blog post, we will discuss some tips and tricks for how to introduce an E-Collar to a Great Dane. We will also provide some helpful tips on how to use the E-Collar for training purposes. Let’s get started!
Need help with modern e collar training? Check out our guide.
This guide assumes you are using a quality E-Collar, NOT a shock collar from Amazon or the Pet Store! We recommend E-Collar Technologies or Dogtra only.
Step One: The proper fit is important. Make sure that the E-Collar fits your dog properly. It should be snug, but not too tight. You don’t want it to be so tight that it’s uncomfortable for your dog, but you also need to make sure that the stimulation prongs make consistent contact and don’t rub.
Step Two: Start with basic obedience commands. Before you begin using the E-Collar for training purposes, make sure that your dog understands basic commands such as sit, stay, come, and down. These are easy to teach using positive reinforcement and will make the E-Collar training process much easier.
Your dog doesn’t have to be amazing at these basic commands yet, but they should be able to do them when you are indoors at your house.
HOW TO FIND YOUR DOG’S WORKING LEVEL ON THE E-COLLAR
Once you have the E-Collar fitted properly and your dog knows some basic obedience commands, you can begin E-Collar conditioning. This is a process where you gradually get your dog used to the E-Collar and the language of stimulation.
Give the command to ‘come’ while simultaneously pressing and holding the E-Collar button on ‘Continuous’ mode. (Use your dogs working level).
As soon as your dog starts to come towards you, release the E-Collar button immediately and praise them lavishly! Reward them with a treat and more praise when they come to you.
Repeat this process many ways and in many places. The more you practice, the more confident you can be that your dog understands the stimulation and will respond to it.
Troubleshooting
If your dog doesn’t turn to come to you, they may be too far away, too distracted, or confused. A gentle tug on the leash may help communicate the command.
Think of your E-Collar like a cell phone!
A long leash is a landline.
The stimulation is the phone ringing. When your dog ‘answers the phone’, the ringing goes away and they are rewarded!
Good E-Collar use means relying on the tool as a communication device, not a corrections one.
Do not use your E-Collar as a threat or as a correction until you are well past the first several weeks of ‘conditioning’.
Spend more time saying yes than no, stay at your dog’s working level and keep it positive.
Rotate the collar every 2-3 hours.
An increase in your dog’s working level will likely be required as you move into more distracting areas! This higher level does not hurt or punish, it simply overrides the excitement of the environment.
It’s the difference between hearing your cell phone ring at home, vs. hearing and responding to it while at a noisy party.
Today we are talking about how to stop a Great Dane jumping up. These are large dogs that can easily hurt somebody, even if their intentions are friendly.
This behavior is often based in excitement and friendliness but it must be discouraged.
Does your Great Dane jump:
On you or kids?
All over guests or strangers?
Over and onto other dogs?
It’s time to put a stop to jumping once and for-all! Read on.
HOW TO STOP A GREAT DANE JUMPING UP
Jumping up is frustrating, however it does not have to be. We’re going to make this very simple:
To stop jumping, you must do three things:
a. Manage the behavior
b. Teach and reward the correct behavior
c. Make the incorrect behavior less rewarding
STEP ONE: MANAGE THE JUMPING UP BEHAVIOR
Practice makes perfect! A dog (or a puppy) that has been asked to jump up or encouraged to do so is a dog that is practicing the wrong behavior. If you want to stop your Great Dane from jumping up, you must first prevent the behavior.
Manage the environment so that your dog isn’t regularly put into situations where jumping happens.
Lower anxiety, stress and excitement levels by keeping yourself calm, too.
This temporary restriction to freedom is necessary so that you can break the cycle and your dog can no longer practice jumping.
Management may mean putting your dog behind a gate or on a leash when guests come over, and never asking the dog to jump up onto your shoulders ‘just for fun’.
(Don’t worry, you’ll be able to do that again once your dog understands the difference between jumping up on command and jumping up at will).
STEP 2: TEACH AND REWARD THE CORRECT BEHAVIOR
Before you can fairly fix the jumping problem, you must teach and reinforce (reward) the correct behavior. Instead of jumping, what should or could your Great Dane be doing instead?
Run to a crate and lay down in it when the doorbell rings
Sit politely on your right or left side
Grab a toy
Touch their nose to the palm of your hand
All of these behaviors are easy to teach using positive reinforcement. Use treats, praise and play and make it fun. Do short training sessions and end on a positive note.
If you are properly e-collar training and have fully conditioned your dog on an EZ or Mini-Educator, you can also layer in gentle negative reinforcement to further strengthen the correct positively-trained behavior.
Here is a great video from Tom Davis (Upstate K-9) on teaching the ‘Place’ command with positive reinforcement:
A Great Dane in a solid ‘place’ is calm, confident and cannot jump on guests
STEP 3 – MAKE THE JUMPING UP BEHAVIOR LESS REWARDING
Once you’ve reduced the behavior through management and spent time thoroughly teaching your dog the correct behavior, you can fairly and humanely correct the jumping. We’ve included 5 appropriate corrections for jumping below!
The goal with this step is to balance things so that it is more rewarding for the dog to go to a place or sit by your side than it is for them to jump on guests.
When your dog begins to jump:
Immediately turn your back and walk away. Jumping = no attention.
Sharply say ‘AH’ and apply a quick leash correction/pop. When the dog is then doing the correct behavior, praise and reward. This correction MUST be quick, snappy and deliberate. Constant pressure and escalating frustration will not work and will be a sign that the dog doesn’t know what to do instead.
Bring a knee up to make it uncomfortable for the dog to jump. (Do not whack or knee your dog in the chest! Just bring the knee up and pair that with ‘Ah Ah’, then reward when the dog chooses the correct behavior).
Walk into the dog as he/she starts to jump. This will allow you to use body pressure to discourage jumping before it starts.
Great Dane puppies need to learn how to have calm interactions with people so that a jumping habit doesn’t develop.
Never allow a stranger to come up, squeal in excitement and rile your puppy up! This is how you teach and encourage excitement and anxiety about people.
Advocate for your puppy.
Make sure that people are only giving your Great Dane puppy attention when they are calm and your puppy is calm. These interactions should be positive and gentle!
Do you have a jumping Great Dane? Share your story below!
Recall for Great Danes is the difference between you screaming at your Great Dane while they run off at the terrified mailman and you enjoying a nice, peaceful walk.
Coming when called is arguably the most important skill you can teach your Great Dane.
Having off-leash freedom means that your dog will be able to move, explore and exercise without the use of frustrating physical restraints such as long leashes, harnesses and collars.
Does your dog:
Bolt out of doors
Jump fences
Run away
Ignore you when you say ‘COME!’, often blowing you completely off?
Make you chase them
Lunge and pull on a leash
Have to always be on a long leash
This post is for you. We’re going to show you how to take your Great Dane from running away to being completely OFF LEASH!
RECALL FOR GREAT DANES: BUILD A FOUNDATION
Good recall starts with a good foundation.
Use positive reinforcement to teach your dog that when you say ‘COME’, good things happen!
Positive reinforcement means treats, praise, play, fun, games, attention, affection and access to things such as freedom, a car ride or a room they want to be in.
Practice in a low distraction area such as the living room or backyard.
Don’t let your dog off-leash until you know you can count on them.
Incorporate food rewards heavily if your dog is learning.
Never scold your dog for blowing you off; you’ll only teach them to run farther (and faster) away from you next time.
E-Collars work by causing a barely perceptible muscle stimulation that feels like a tickle or a twitch, which is much more gentle than the constant pressure and restrictions offered by a harness or leash.
E-Collar training is one of the most responsible and humane things you can do as the owner of a giant breed dog! Think of it like a walkie-talkie; with it, you’ll be able to communicate even when you are in a noisy environment (the beach) or your dog is far away (on a hiking trail).
Even if you think modern E-Collars are ‘abuse’ (they aren’t) and even if you plan to use ‘only’ positive reinforcement (works for some dogs, not all), we encourage you to read and learn!
We do not stand behind the practice of using cheap shock collars on ‘beep, vibrate or shock’ as an easy-button training method. If you are waving a remote at your dog as a threat so they stop and run away, you’re doing it wrong. The goal is to make your dog WANT to come to you.
Quality E-Collars are typically $175 or more. They are waterproof, rugged and use modern technology.
Cheap shock collars from Petsmart and Amazon are not the same and cannot be used for this.
We use and recommend E-Collar Technologies. The Mini-Educator is a perfect simple easy-to-use collar, while the Easy Educator is great if you have multiple dogs.
The sensation from this collar feels like ants crawling around or a gentle tapping. It does not hurt or punish. This stimulation is so gentle that dogs are enthusiastic and responsive at levels that humans cannot feel.
HOW E-COLLARS WORK FOR RECALL
E-Collars work by giving the dog a tactile cue to return to you.
Instead of shouting COME, your dog will feel the sensation and run to you. It should not make them feel afraid or fearful.
In the introduction phase, the dog is taught through positive reinforcement that the neutral muscle stimulation means treats, praise, play and fun. Because they have a positive association with this new sensation, they are enthusiastic and want to learn!
For dogs that are more interested in the environment than coming when called, the stimulation can be used at a higher level. This higher level will get their attention, exactly how you may have to turn your cell phone up, or how somebody may have to shout to get your attention at a loud concert.
When your cell phone rings, you answer it. The ringing may be mildly annoying but is not painful or punishing. Answering it makes the sound go away, and you are rewarded by the voice of your friend on the other end of the line. A modern E-Collar is a cell phone, a long leash is a land line, and a dog wearing nothing at all is a liability.
GETTING STARTED
We are linking some resources below for you to get started with E-Collar and recall training for your Great Dane! Before you get started, we encourage you to watch as much positive E-Collar content (two trainers we recommend are below) as possible, and work with a modern E-Collar trainer who uses positive methods.
Here is a video of a trainer (Tom Davis, Upstate K-9) using an E-Collar on a client so they can see how ‘shocking’ it is. Fast forward to 2:52 to see that part of the video, especially if you are new to E-Collars or believe they will hurt!
Teaching recall to a dog using an E-Collar with Tom Davis:
Positive-Balanced Great Dane Trainers
Larry Krohn is an expert on modern E-Collar use. All dog owners should watch his content.
Larry Krohn on Youtube, demonstrating the E-Collar on his daughter:
Larry Krohn’s book, ‘Everything You Need to Know About E-Collar Training’
Today we are giving you our detailed, unpaid Halo Dog Collar review! The Halo Collar is a dog training collar that in theory, allows your dog to be off-leash anywhere you go. If you’ve found this popular post on our site, awesome! That means you are a dedicated pet owner looking to safely and humanely get your pup off-leash. We love that!
People are interested in the Halo Dog training collar (and now the Halo 3 for dogs) because it offers something no other device has yet: automated boundaries for your dog using a phone app. Allow me to clarify:
The idea is amazing. Put this Halo Collar on your dog, draw a boundary on a map in the phone app, and the collar will keep your dog inside of the boundary (with some training, of course!).
Imagine the possibilities! This is an idea that many people have asked about but no company had done gracefully yet. Many other similar boundary collars and invisible fences for dogs are clunky, huge, and unreliable. Underground boundary fences can be hard to install (not to mention expensive!). Worse, many other off-leash training fences utilize painful shocks that cause dogs to scream and fear being in the yard.
The Halo Dog Collars are marketed as a modern, more humane, and more effective alternative to traditional invisible shock fences.
The difference between a Halo 3 collar and an invisible fence is huge.
We were DEFINITELY intrigued and know that a lot of Great Dane owners are asking about Halo, Halo 2+, and Halo 3 Collar reviews.
This is our review of the HALO dog Collar by Cesar Milan. Is this a Halo Collar buyer beware, or a Halo Collar buyer buy it? Read on, friends…
Does the Halo 3 Dog Collar Shock the Dog?
The Halo Dog Collar uses tone, voice corrections, and stimulation.
Stimulation is an electrical current that causes the muscle to twitch. Think of this like a tactile sensation, no different than leash tension or touch. When used at low levels, muscle stimulation can be used as a positive tactile communication. This sensation is not the same as ‘shock’ and should not cause negative associations or feelings for dogs that are trained properly to understand what it means.
On the other hand, when used at high levels, muscle stimulation is an aversive sensation that can be used as a correction. However, at low levels, it is an incredible tool that replaces leash tension.
Think of it this way:
Shock = sharp poke with a stick Low level stimulation = gentle leash pressure High level stimulation = stronger leash pressure + squeeze pressure from a collar
Shock (which is intended to be painful) and stimulation (which is intended to be a gentle tactile sensation) are two different things.
While Halo pet collar did NOT pioneer modern stimulation like what is used in E-Collar technologies e-collars, they are using stimulation (not shock) in the Halo, Halo 2, and Halo 3 collar. Modern stimulation collars are the ONLY kind we recommend, so Halo gets 5 stars from us for this!
Halo Dog Containment Systems Reviews – What is the Halo Dog Collar?
The Halo, Halo 2, and Halo 3 Dog collar is an automated E-Collar. It uses sound, vibration, and electronic stimulation to teach and reinforce invisible boundaries. This can keep your dog safe while off-leash!
Imagine this. You create a virtual fence using the Halo App on your phone. In this example, you might draw a map that is meant to keep your dog on your front lawn.
As your dog approaches the boundary of the edge of the lawn, the collar lets the dog know that they are nearing it. If the dog chooses to disregard the first communication, the collar can use stimulation (a form of pressure) to discourage continued movement towards the boundary. It will then reward them for turning away from the boundary (back onto your lawn, yay!).
From what we understand, the user has a lot of control over how corrections are implemented and used. This is very helpful because every dog is different!
The collar will, with training, keep your dog inside of that invisible fence. This could be very helpful technology! We definitely like the concept.
If your dog gets out of the boundary that you set, despite warnings and corrections, a feature it built in that will allow you to find your dog with the included GPS tracker. This is a nice feature.
The Halo collar retails for nearly $1000 (yes, you read that correctly!) but is occasionally seen offered at around $699.
2023 Update: The Halo 3 has been released with updates to the GPS capabilities and overall build.
Is There a Monthly Fee for the Halo Collar?
Yes, there is a monthly fee associated with the Halo Collar app.
We have noticed that it’s something many buyers are VERY surprised by!
The monthly fees to use the required app are an additional cost. Without a paid monthly subscription, the features of the Halo Dog Collar are very limited.
The Cesar dog collar comes in two colors and three sizes; the largest size Collar expands to 30.5″ and may or may not fit a giant breed dog. Measure your dogs neck before ordering!
Now, if you have spent any time on our site, you know that we support ethical, positive, and humane E-Collar use.
We are not going to have any issue at all with the concept of the Halo Collar as an electric training device. Keeping a dog safe by using tactile electric communication is one of the most gentle, humane, and responsible things dog owners can do.
How Well Does the Halo Collar Work?
The idea behind the Halo Collar is that it automates boundary training. It’s kind of like a modern ‘invisible fence’.
The Halo marketing department focuses heavily on this tool easily giving dogs off-leash freedom anywhere you go. How cool would it be to go camping, and be able to keep your pup on your campsite?
It’s important to note that all training devices require diligent training and conditioning. The Halo, Halo 2, and Halo 3 are no exception. Do not expect to put this collar on your dog and be quickly and easily safely off leash anywhere you go.
Because it works on GPS and a phone APP, your dog’s safety relies on the system not experiencing a technical failure of some kind.
As with ANY training tool, it also relies on your ability to follow the training instructions and work with your dog on a regular basis.
If the Halo 3 collar gps system is functioning and you’ve spent time teaching your dog how to respond to the communications from the Halo Collar, it can absolutely work beautifully!
The Halo Dog Collar by Cesar Milan
People are Talking: Real-Life Halo Dog Collar Reviews
Unfortunately, there have reports from people that their smart off-leash dog collar has broken, stopped functioning, doesn’t work, and is cheaply made.
A lot of people on Youtube cite that the original Halo collar is made primarily of weak plastic parts which may fail and leave your dog unprotected. Halo made improvements to their dog off-leash collar with the Halo 2, and we are optimistic that the Halo 3 is a game changer!
JUNE 2022 UPDATE: We’ve read that Halo has supposedly completely fixed and updated many reported issues.
If you are looking to purchase a Halo Collar for your dog, you should in theory feel much more confident in the newer model. We are giving this some time before updating our review with information about the quality and consistency of the newer version.
GPS Automation Failures on the Halo Wireless Fence
There have been some reports out there that the GPS aspect of the collar, on the original and currently updated version, can at times be unreliable. This is largely related to the nature of technology and GPS.
Normally we say to stay away from cheap shock collars….but this device isn’t cheap! We believe that a solid amount of technology and research has gone into this device.
How the Halo Dog Training Collar Works
IF the Halo collar is actually functioning properly with a strong, reliable GPS connection to the ‘fence’ you built in the app, you do still have to work on training.
Don’t be made to believe that this is an ‘easy fix’ to a well-trained dog.
Proper conditioning and training are important with any training tool, including harnesses, so this is to be expected. However, this training should be fun and easy!
The Cesar dog collar functions by using a tone or audible voice and then static (muscle stimulation) to remind dogs to turn away from a boundary.
The company does say you have to train your dog how to respond to the collar, and the app walks you through the process. It’s automated, but not automatic.
Once your dog understands how to respond to the communication from the collar, you should be able to draw a boundary and have your dog understand it, almost anywhere that you go.
The collar will issue sounds, verbal communications, and static stimulation as needed to direct your dog into the boundary.
Is the Halo Collar Worth It?
The price of the Halo Dog Collar is premium, there is no question about that. For some dog owners, this is cost prohibitive. A simple long leash can accomplish a similar thing for much, much less.
As before, we are hopeful that recent updates to their device will give millions of dogs a valuable opportunity to be off-leash! The Halo Collar may be the ideal solution for you if:
You don’t have a fence
You regularly visit people where there is no fence
You like to go camping and want your dog to stay within a boundary of the tent site
You want a simple, user-friendly training tool
You don’t mind automating parts of your off-leash training
You have a dog that likes to learn, likes to be near you and already has a least a basic recall
Your pet is not reactive or aggressive, or has reactivity that is well managed
SUMMARY
Now that you’ve read our Halo Dog Collar review, would you buy one?
Do we think you should buy a Halo dog collar?
Do we believe that the Halo 3 for Dogs is a solid update to what was previously a somewhat unreliable product?
I am optimistic in my belief that the Halo Dog Collar is a great choice for many pet owners. We LOVE that they no longer focus so much on their relationship with Cesar Milan (a very controversial dog trainer), and that they are continually improving their products.
The main reason we’d recommend a HALO collar is for people who cannot build a physical fence around their property and want something slightly more flexible than a traditional invisible fence.
Halo Dog Treats Reviews
Are Halo dog treats legit? Some people confuse the Halo Collar with the Halo dog food and dog treats company.
We do not recommend Halo Dog food, but the treats may be ok!
Today we are providing an EZ 900 Educator E-Collar review for Great Dane owners (or for any dog lover!) This is our honest, unsponsored review of the Easy Educator E-Collar model 900, AKA the ‘EZ EDUCATOR’ series from E-Collar technologies.
As Great Dane lovers, it’s important to us that owners are choosing the most humane tools and training methods for their dogs.
Our training relies heavily on positive reinforcement, but we also believe that dogs appreciate it when they know what their boundaries are.
EZ Educator ET-900 E-Collar Review
We believe in educated ownership and don’t support use of any kind of inexpensive electric shock collar as a corrective ‘easy button’. We do stand behind properly used E-Collars though, with the belief that humane, effective, and positive off-leash educator training involves conditioning the dog to the stimulation and teaching the dog to understand that it means GOOD things, not punishment.
The stimulation from a quality remote dog training collar will be blunt and feel like a small tingle or muscle twitch, not a sharp static shock.
Fun fact: A properly used modern remote collar is less aversive than a long leash, head harness, no-pull harness, or squirt bottle.
We believe in this training method because off-leash freedom = a beautiful life for you and your family pet.
Not only that but momentary stimulation is an incredibly gentle replacement for physical restraint. If your dog could safely be off-leash, and all they have to do is be responsive to mild stimulation levels only when needed, then why wouldn’t you consider it?
The Easy Educator dog collar ships quickly and is packaged in a beautiful box that has a small footprint (less waste!).
Remote collars can often feel like a ‘harsh’ or ‘utilitarian’ type of tool, but this packaging offers a sense of positivity and aesthetics that speak to confident, happy family dogs (not scared dogs that are afraid of the remote or being “shocked into submission“).
We are looking at the Easy Educator TWO dog system for this review, however the 900 series Educator collars come in a one, two, three or four dog system.
With multi-dog systems you can control each dog independently from the same remote.
ET-900 Inside the Box
Inside the Educator remote dog trainer box is:
The manual
Receiver (1, 2, 3 or 4 depending on what system you choose)
One waterproof ergonomic transmitter (AKA the remote)
One Biothane collar strap for each receiver, all in a different color so each dog has their own device
A micro USB charger for the remote & a cable with a splitter to charge the receiver(s)
A lanyard
Large and small contact points for each receiver (customize for each dog)
A tool to change the contact points
The included biothane collars are rugged, washable, and waterproof. Biothane is the perfect material for E-Collars, as many E-Collar-trained dogs enjoy adventures outdoors that involve dirt, mud, and water!
The collars are definitely long enough to fit any Great Dane and can be cut down in length if needed. We highly recommend upgrading the straps to bungee straps, which offer more flexibility and a better fit.
Is the Educator EZ 900 quality?
The receivers that the dog wears feel well-made and are lightweight! Educator brand collars use the most significant technological advancement in remote dog training collars available; we like to compare them to cell phones. Educator collars are the latest iPhone.
A lot of dedication and engineering went into the tapping sensation of the EZ 900, making this a gentle, effective trainer for your pet dog. The technology used in Educator collars is similar to that of a medical-grade TENS device, which uses electrical currents to stimulate the muscle.
In training, this sensation is often referred to as ‘pressure’ or ‘stimulation’.
One thing we love is that EACH collar receiver can be completely customized to the dog that will be wearing it! The advanced remote is a complete system that allows you to program different settings for each dog you are training.
This means you’ll be able to apply different stimulation modes including momentary stimulation, continuous stimulation, momentary boosted stimulation, beep or vibrate at sufficient value for each dog.
The EASY 900 is a medium-range trainer with a 1/2 mile range with instant stimulation options so that you can communicate with your dog from afar.
Good remote collar training will require precise control; we like that there are 100 levels to choose from so you can fine-tune the blunt stimulation that your dog will feel (and respond to).
The contact points are made of quality metal and can be replaced with other sizes and metals, depending on your dog. You can easily change contact points with the included tool, and other options are available including wings (for long-haired dogs) and comfort pads (for short-haired dogs).
How do I program my Easy Educator EZ 900?
We recommend programming your primary button for each dog to continuous stimulation and then learning how to use that button for a single instant stimulation ‘tap’, continuous mode or dynamic (continuous with increasing pressure).
Secondary buttons for each dog can be programmed to tone, beep, or vibrate.
We like to use the single tapping sensation (tap tap tap) on a very low level as a reminder to a dog to follow, look or pay attention.
Continuous stimulation at low levels (or higher in distracting environments) can be used for off-leash recall from a distance.
Dynamic continuous pressure (that increases) works well as a warning to a dog that they must stop what they are doing and redirect to something else.
Tone can also be used as a recall cue, similar to a whistle. For most dogs, including deaf ones, the vibration mode is aversive compared to low-level stimulation modes. We recommend saving vibration for when your dog is doing something dangerous such as running into a road or rudely chasing another dog.
Both the receivers AND the remote are completely waterproof, and we have heard that the remote will float!
Your dog can safely swim in the Educator remote collar without fear of being ‘zapped’ by the cheap faulty electronics seen from other brands. E-Collar Technologies stands behind this and will support you with this purchase forever.
The company also states that the Easy Educator is impact-proof. If you drop it, you don’t have to worry about it not working, malfunctioning and running too ‘hot’, and hurting your dog.
This is a BIG reason we stand behind quality E-Collars and NEVER inexpensive ‘dog training shock devices’ found on Amazon or in pet stores.
Easy Educator Features
There is a maximum stimulation setting of 100. Compare this to other collars on the market that may have just 5-10 levels!
The top of the receiver has a connection spot (a red dot) that connects the receiver and collar electronically, and LED lights that blink green when a connection has been made between the training collar and the remote.
The light on the receiver can also be turned on as a night tracking light so that you can see your off-leash dog in the dark!
The waterproof ergonomic transmitter remote included with the EZ Educator dog training collar is yellow and has a large digital display.
Just like the collar receiver, the remote is lightweight, impact-proof (and waterproof).
The bar shaped transmitter remote has a 1/2 mile range. Unless you are working with hunting, sport training, and tracking, few dog owners need more off-leash roaming space than that.
Although the receiver is small (providing stealth operation, if you are concerned about uneducated naysayers), it provides plenty of stimulation for most dogs, even 150lb Great Danes!
The blunt stimulation is a gentle sensation that doesn’t result in yelping or excessive normal head jerking often seen from other training collars. We prefer this brand for the very clean stimulation and tapping sensation employed during use. No sharp static shocks!
Adjustable Mode, Tone, and Stimulation Levels
On the top is the dial which allows you to adjust the stimulation level up and down. The dial requires some effort to move, which will prevent you from accidentally dialing the stim up too high.
Precise control of stimulation levels is incredibly important.
Educator E-Collars have lock and set features that can be programmed to ‘lock’ at a chosen stimulation level so that you cannot accidentally turn it up too high (and startle your dog).
Each dog is assigned their own buttons and you can control each dog completely independently. The buttons are recessed behind a rubber casing, which makes them waterproof and also safe from accidental ‘butt dialing’.
The ET-900 series training collar offers an adjustable tone and adjustable vibrate mode as well. Programming allows you to adjust how these buttons (which are ergonomically placed) will be used for each dog.
There is also a function where the stim can begin at a low level (so as not to scare your dog) and have it automatically increase to a set level.
The included momentary boost feature can also be customized to each dog, so you maintain precise control.
Don’t forget the night tracking light, which is fantastic for sport training and dogs that are often off-leash in the dark.
We believe the EZ EASY EDUCATOR 900 series is the most high-tech E-Collar available, and perfect for dog owners who like customizations, options, and geeky tech stuff!
The defining differences between stim collars and shock collars can be confusing, especially because there is so much misinformation out there about how remote dog training collars are used.
Stim collars such as the ones offered by E Collar Technologies use a significant technological advancement that changes traditional ‘shock’ into a much more gentle stimulation sensation. This sensation is so gentle that most humans cannot feel it themselves!
With this new more modern form of dog off-leash training utilizing a complete system from remote trainer to positive reinforcement, the desired response is positive, not negative.
In other words, your dog, with the right training and conditioning, will respond with enthusiasm and excitement!
This stimulation feels like a tapping sensation, not a sharp static shock, and can be used for recall training, boundary training, and more.
Other training collars do not offer the same unique features and rely instead on punishing, scaring, and hurting your dog. An Educator is NOT a shock collar!
Even a smart, stubborn dog can learn how to recall reliably in different environments, and will come running back to you ready for more!
How do you use the EZ Educator ez 900?
We’ve said this before and we’ll say it again. E-Collar training is a lifestyle and requires that you change your mindset about how a tool like this will work on your dog.
Easy button shock collar training with cheap devices from Amazon is NOT a method that we support for several reasons.
Dogs trained with shock collars applied as a means to startle and punish can easily become aloof, nervous, anxious, over-excited, frustrated, or even aggressive.
Cheap shock collars are unreliable and more likely to malfunction and hurt your dog. They provide a sharp static shock that causes many dogs to (understandably) show signs of stress and begin to act on it.
Your dog should never be afraid of your remote, their collar receiver, or of what happens when they are wearing it.
Correct stimulation collar training requires a change in how you communicate but it will PAY OFF!
Not only will you want to learn the ins and outs of your E-Collar remote and how it works, but it’s also important to put some time into actually working with your dog so that your dog knows that stimulation is a good thing and knows how to respond to it.
We recommend upgrading the included biothane collar strap to one with a bungee for a better and more comfortable fit for your dog.
E-Collars are an easy operation communication tool, like giving a cell phone to your dog. If you want off-leash freedom and confident, curious, and happy family dogs, this method is for you.
Why should I use a remote training collar?
We always like to mention that we use a lot of positive reinforcement while training our own dogs. Proper remote collar training uses a lot of positive reinforcement.
Off-leash recall, boundary training, and redirection are just some of the reasons we recommend remote collar training for all Great Danes. Unlike a harness, collar or leash, this is one tool that doesn’t rely on physical restraint and cannot harm your dog!
Are dog correction collars cruel?
Absolutely not! There are many things people do to dogs that are actually cruel. This is not one of them.
Training collars from high-quality companies such as Educator Technologies use different technology and blunt stimulation modes that work in a different way compared to inexpensive and painful shock collars.
Well-trained dogs that can be safely off-leash are free of physical restraint, which can cause frustration and even anxiety. Not only that, but nothing compares to the enrichment a dog receives off-leash! Advanced remote collar training is life-changing for dogs and owners.
Aggressive Dog Aversion Training
Some people purchase a remote dog training collar because they are at the end of their rope with a dog that is aggressive or reactive.
There is a huge difference between aggressive dog aversion training (which involves a lot of unfair punishment), and correct training with a modern remote collar.
The last thing you want to do is turn up the dial to maximum stimulation and hope it grabs the attention of your aggressive dog! This kind of training can make things much worse.
Instead, it is important to give your dog skills to build on: basic obedience such as touch, sit, heel, down, leave it, and come make a great foundation. After that, you can start building confidence and indifference to the world with positive counter-conditioning and desensitization.
From there, you can use your remote dog training collar at low levels to communicate and redirect your dog back to you as needed. These unique features, paired with positive reinforcement, set the Educator ez 900 apart from traditional shock collars.
Are there e-collars that don’t shock?
Shock and muscle stimulation are two very different things.
One is a sharp static zap, the other feels like a tap, tickle, or tiny ants crawling around. We prefer the Educator training collar models over traditional inexpensive shock because they offer a gentle tapping sensation.
The stimulation sensation from a high-quality remote dog training collar is non-aversive and can be used for communication. It is an effective trainer that replaces the pressure from a leash, harness, or collar!
How do you train a dog with an E-Collar?
We recommend starting out by finding the lowest level where your dog has the desired response. Most dogs are enthusiastic and responsive between levels 3 and 10, and this is a sufficient value for getting started. The tapping sensation employed by this collar is incredibly gentle and feels more like a brief pulse than a shock.
Keep in mind that you will not likely feel the sensation if you try it yourself until you dial it up to higher stimulation levels well beyond what you need for training your dog.
Pair this gentle tapping sensation with treats, and gradually increase the criteria as you teach your dog what the sensation means. The collar becomes a cell phone for your dog that replaces leash pressure, not a punishment tool!
Boosted stimulation mode can be used when your dog is distracted, and maximum stimulation is available in case of an emergency (for example, your dog is trying to run into traffic, yikes!).
We have training resources available, and we also highly recommend watching Larry Krohn on Youtube for the best and most positive remote training advice!
Your dog training collar offers precision control and has a boost feature for when you and your dog are in higher distraction areas (kind of like turning up the volume on your cell phone), momentary stimulation, and continuous stimulation.
What is the difference between the Mini Educator and the Educator E Collar?
The Mini-Educator dog training collar uses the same advanced technology as the Easy 900, in a more compact and elegant package.
The Mini-Educator remote is round instead of bar-shaped, and it offers only slightly fewer features.
We think the Mini-Educator (or the Micro Mini-Educator with the waterproof miniature collar receiver for small dogs) is a solid choice for dog owners who are new to off-leash remote training.
The Mini-Educator still offers a tracking light, quick emergency stimulation options, transmitter beeper mode, and the brief pulse sensation that educator 1/2 mile collars are known for, in a smaller package.
A mini-Educator remote training collar. Slightly different than the ET-900 but still a fantastic option.
Which educator collar is best for my dog?
If you value simplicity, elegance, and easy operation, choose the Mini-Educator (one dog training collar) or the Educator (just like the Mini-Educator, but for two dogs). If you have a dog under 15lbs, choose the Micro Mini-Educator.
If you like features, extra customization options, or have more than 2 dogs, the Easy 900 Educator is the way to go.
