My old man, he always said, “A dog’s only as good as its master.” But sometimes, these big fellas, they just don’t listen, you know? They get it in their thick heads to do what they want, and there’s no stopping them. Especially the big ones, the stubborn ones. We had a big dog once, name of Brutus. Big as a bear, he was. And stubborn? Lord have mercy.
So, I heard some folks talking ’bout these shock collars for large stubborn dogs. They say it helps teach ’em. I don’t know much ’bout these things, but I reckon sometimes a dog needs a little…encouragement. Like my grandson, always on that phone. Sometimes you gotta give him a little nudge to get his attention, you know?
What’s a Shock Collar?
Well, from what I gather, these shock collars, they got this little box on ’em. And you got a remote, like for the TV. When the dog’s being a big pain, you press a button, and it gives ’em a little zap. Not enough to hurt ’em, just enough to say, “Hey, pay attention!” It’s like when you accidentally touch the hot stove. You learn real quick not to do that again, right?
They also told me these things can have a light. I don’t know if it’s to see your dog in the dark, or the dog can turn it on. Or when the dog is playing with the collar. Anyway, that sounds weird to me.
Does it Work for Big Dogs?
Now, Brutus, he was a large dog. Bigger than some small horses, I swear. And he had a mind of his own. So, these shock collars for dogs, they gotta be strong enough for a big fella like that. I heard some of ’em, they’re made just for large dogs. They got extra oomph, you know? Like when you need a bigger hammer for a bigger nail.
- Some folks say these collars work wonders.
- They say their big, stubborn dogs, they start listening better.
- They don’t run off as much.
- They stop chewing on everything in sight.
But you gotta be careful, I reckon. You don’t want to hurt the poor thing. Just a little zap to get their attention. Like when you tap someone on the shoulder. You’re not trying to knock ’em over, just trying to get ’em to look at you.
Picking the Right One
Now, I ain’t no expert, but I heard there’s different kinds of these shock collars. Some got different levels of…zappiness. Like low, medium, high. You gotta find the right one for your dog. Like, Brutus, he probably needed a high setting. But a smaller dog, maybe just a low. It’s like spices in your cooking. You gotta use the right amount, or it’ll ruin the whole dish.
- You gotta make sure the collar fits right, too.
- Too loose, and it won’t work.
- Too tight, and it might hurt the dog.
- It’s like shoes. They gotta fit just right, or you’ll get blisters.
And these collars, they got different ranges, I hear. Some work from far away, some only work close up. It’s like those walkie-talkies. Some you can use across the whole farm, some only work in the house. You gotta think about where you’ll be using it. If you got a big yard, you need one with a long range. If you’re just using it in the house, maybe a short range is okay. If the dog is running everywhere, you gotta get them far, so it will be safe.
Is it Mean?
Some folks, they say these shock collars are mean. They say it’s cruel to zap a dog. But I don’t know. Sometimes, a little tough love is what’s needed. Like when you gotta discipline your kids. You don’t want to, but you gotta do it so they learn right from wrong. It’s like, a dog is your kid. You can use this for it to behave and be a good kid. So, it won’t be hurt. And it won’t be a pain to everyone.
My neighbor, she used one on her big dog. He used to chase cars. Scared the daylights outta everyone. But after she used that collar, he stopped. Now he just sits on the porch and watches the cars go by. So, I guess it worked for her. You gotta decide that for yourself. My neighbor told me she only had to use it a few times. She said that her dog, a real big fella, picked it up real quick. Some dogs don’t need to learn it, they already know it. But some need to be taught. After a few zaps, he knew what he could and could not do.
Other Things to Try
Now, before you go out and buy one of these shock collars, maybe try some other things first. Like, you can train your dog with treats. When he does something good, give him a little snack. That’s what they do with those show dogs, right? They teach ’em all sorts of tricks with those little treats.
- You can also try one of those whistles.
- The ones that make that high-pitched sound that only dogs can hear.
- I don’t know how they work, but I seen ’em on TV.
Or maybe your dog just needs more exercise. Sometimes they act out ’cause they got too much energy. Like kids when they’re cooped up inside all day. They start bouncing off the walls. Take your dog for a long walk, or let him run around in the yard for a while. Tire him out a bit. You could play catch with him, or just throw a ball for him to fetch.
My neighbor tried to teach his dog to fetch with a stick. But the dog would always bring back the wrong one. I guess some dogs just aren’t cut out for fetching. They’re not very smart.
Think About it
So, these shock collars for large stubborn dogs, they might be something to think about. If you got a big, stubborn dog, and nothing else seems to work, it might be worth a try. But be careful, and don’t overdo it. And maybe talk to a vet or one of those dog trainers first. They might have some other ideas.
Remember, a dog’s a part of the family. You gotta treat ’em right, even when they’re being a pain in the neck. A dog can be your best friend, but you gotta show him who’s boss. Just like with kids, you gotta set some rules. And sometimes, you gotta enforce those rules. Just be kind, be patient, and don’t give up on them. But if that don’t work, there is the shock collar.
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