Okay, so I’ve got this big guy, a real gentle giant, but boy, does he have a mind of his own. I’m talking about my dog, a big, fluffy Alaskan Malamute. Walking him was like a daily wrestling match, and don’t even get me started on what happened when he saw a squirrel. I needed a solution, and that’s when I started looking into shock collars.
First things first, I had to find one that would actually fit him. This wasn’t some tiny pup; this was a full-grown, hundred-pound beast. I started scouring the internet, reading reviews, and comparing sizes. Finally, I found a few that looked promising, specifically designed for larger breeds. This wasn’t just about size, but also about the collar’s ability to work through his thick fur. A lot of folks online were saying that these collars could work on long-haired dogs, so I felt a little more at ease.
Next, I had to decide what kind of stimulation I was comfortable with. Some collars used actual shocks, while others used vibration or sound. I wasn’t too keen on shocking my buddy, but I also needed something that would get his attention. After reading a bunch of information, I decided to go for a collar that offered all three options. That way, I could start with the gentlest option and see how he reacted.
The Experiment Begins
- Set up the collar. I charged it up, read the instructions a couple of times (who am I kidding, maybe five times), and fitted it on him. It fit snugly but not too tight – just like the instructions said.
- Started with vibration. Our first walk with the collar was… interesting. The moment he started pulling, I pressed the vibration button. He stopped dead in his tracks, looked around like “What was that?”, but then he kept pulling. It was clear that the vibration wasn’t quite cutting it.
- Tried the sound. Next, I tried the sound feature. It was a high-pitched beep. He definitely heard it, and it did make him pause for a second, but it wasn’t enough to stop the pulling, especially when a cat darted across the street.
- The moment of truth. It came to the shock. It was set to the lowest possible level. I really didn’t want to do it, but I had to test the option. I waited until he started pulling, took a deep breath, and pressed the button. He yelped, stopped pulling, and looked at me with those big, confused eyes. I felt terrible, but it worked.
I continued using it. I’ll be honest, I did use the shock a few more times, always on the lowest setting, but only when he was really going for it. Eventually, just the sound of the beep was enough to get him to stop pulling. He learned quickly that the beep meant “Uh oh, better behave.”
Now, walks are a breeze. He still gets excited, especially when he sees other dogs, but a quick beep from the collar is usually all it takes to remind him to stay by my side. I rarely ever have to use the shock function anymore, and that’s a huge relief. He’s a happy dog, and I’m a happy owner. It was a journey, a bit of a bumpy one, but we got there in the end.
To make sure the choice of collar was the right one for my dog, I carefully weighed the pros and cons, and eventually found a solution that worked for both of us. It wasn’t just about controlling him; it was about making sure our walks were enjoyable and safe for both of us. And, I learned that using it correctly and carefully is essential.
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