i know, i know, there are plenty of e-collar threads on this site. but i have a very specific question for those of you who have a good understanding of their proper use. i have put in the work and trained my 9 month old lab/german pointer mix. she knows her basic commands well and she is generally a well-behaved dog, aside from the general rowdiness that comes with puppyhood. as you can imagine, she needs alot of exercise (GSPs can be even more hype than labs). she especially likes to run. as a result, we spend alot of time in the woods and at the beach, off leash. this is where my two major problems arise. she will come when called UNLESS she has better things to do. if she gets distracted by passers by, or she is finds something on the ground to eat (usually sticks). she will eat anything in her path, chewing and swallowing sticks, bark, shells, and even jellyfish. anything and everything. when she hears me call her when she is into something she shouldnt be into, she picks it up and runs around trying to get me to chase her. it worries me because she eats ALOT of sticks. its a problem we've always had. she obeys "drop it", as long as she is on the leash. but off leash, she knows i cannot control her and she takes full advantage. also, when we get back around the car, she will not come when called. she's a pretty smart dog and she seems to take full advantage when she knows i can not correct her. she is not all that interested in treats either. for the sole purpose of giving her a correction when she doesnt obey the "come" command, is it ok to use an e-collar (of course after learning about and following though on a proper introduction process, etc.)? i consider myself a very conscienious and attentive dog owner and i ont want use anything that may cause more harm than good. but lately i have been feeling like the more time that passes, the more she is learn how to train ME, and i would like to nip it in the bud.
any advice would be appreciated.
any advice would be appreciated.