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You are here:  > Dog Talk > DOG TALK:
Training > Robin MacFarlane: Ecollar Training Videos

The Transition from E-Collar Conditioning to Working Off Leash


by Robin MacFarlane



E-collar training: The intermediate step you need to know about!

Being able to run your dog off leash and have the freedom that e-collar training allows is awesome. However, I want to make sure you understand one of the crucial steps that you must practice in order to be confident your dog is ready when you unclip that physical leash.

When we start e-collar conditioning, we are working on leash or a long line and we are assisting the dog as needed to help him through any moments of confusion that may pop up in the training. The leash functions as a "translator" (as does our body language and other cues we can use to assist) to guide the dog into the correct behavior, so they learn that the sensation of stim goes away when they perform the requested behavior.

To go from on leash to entirely off leash is typically too big of a leap in the dog's learning curve. Even if we are doing a great job at holding the leash loosely, most of us aren't aware there are numerous times that some subtle leash pressure is present, adding to the dog's awareness of what to do and how to respond appropriately.

To safely get to off leash understanding I encourage everyone to spend plenty of time practicing with a dropped light line. A light line is lighter than a typical leash, making it less noticeable to the dog. A thin bit of rope or cotton clothesline works fantastic. I use lines that range in length from 10 feet to 25 depending on the dog's speed and what we are practicing.

Having that line dragging is a safety measure that allows you to assist the dog if needed if at any point the dog shows some confusion in how to respond, or the distraction level changes and causes temporary challenges you aren't ready for.

Here is a bit of video of me working a young Labrador that is transitioning working entirely off leash. You'll notice I needed the line a time or two to help the dog get back on track with the expectations of what I was teaching.



As you work through this transition phase, remember to practice in many different locations with increasing amounts of distraction present. Your dog's reliability will improve, and soon you'll discover you need the line less and less. When you get to the point you are no longer picking up the line to assist, you will know you are ready to unclip. Now you can both enjoy the rewarding feeling and freedom of being off leash!
-- Robin



Robin MacFarlane is a professional dog trainer and owner of That’s My Dog in Dubuque, Iowa. Her best-selling dog training DVDs, JUST RIGHT and JUST RIGHT 2 have helped thousands of dog owners teach their dogs basic obedience and fix problem behaviors through a system of training that you can easily work into your daily routine.
  • Robin writes for Gun Dog Supply on our E-collars Dog Training blog
  • Follow her on Facebook
  • Read her other posts here on RobinMacFarlane.com



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    Robin MacFarlane: Ecollar Training Videos

  • Does Your Dog Know Her Place?
  • Teaching a Recall? Start Slow and Make the Dog Successful
  • How Long Does My Dog have to Wear the E-Collar?
  • Consistency Without an E-collar
  • Skills Every Puppy Should Learn
  • Dogs and Doorbells -- Oh My!
  • Stop Your Dog from Bolting to the Door!
  • Use Food Lures to Shape Your Puppies Introduction to Sit, Stand and Down
  • Puppy Training 101: Play Biting Problem
  • Teaching Your Puppy to "Kennel Up"
  • Dog Tricks: How to Teach Your Dog to Walk Backwards
  • Want a Standing Ovation? Teach Your Dog to "Take A Bow!"
  • Want Your Dog to Come to You? Try Moving Away from Him.
  • "Catch me if you can!"
  • Before You Expect a Dog to Stay on a Place, Teach Him to get on Willingly.
  • Adding E-Collar Prompting to your Place Command
  • Impulse Control Games are a Time Well Spent Playing with your Dog!
  • Teaching the Down Command
  • Juggling All Your Training Equipment?
  • House Manners
  • "Pay Me!"
  • How to Strengthen Your Dog's Understanding of "Stay"
  • E-Collar, Leash, Treats, Toy, and the Dog. How to Manage it All!
  • Dog Tricks: Teaching Your Dog to Dance


    • How to Train Your Dog

  • Proper Fit of E-Collar
  • Is Your Dog Collar Wise?
  • "How long does my dog have to wear the collar?"
  • Pressure Necrosis
  • Using Treats in Training
  • Can I Use an E-Collar on My Small Dog?
  • I Need a Shock Collar!
  • Dog Training: Keeping it Real: Training Your Dog Should be Easy
  • Why Would I Want to Use an E-Collar on My Dog?
  • A Tired Dog is a Good Dog
  • Three Things You Must Know to Have a Reliably Trained Dog
  • Are Remote Collars Punishment, Negative Reinforcement, or Motivators?
  • The Best Way to Rescue a Dog
  • It is More than Just Pushing a Button: Part One
  • What About the Leash?
  • Tennis Ball, Tug or Cookie? What do Rewards Have to do with Good Training?
  • The More Important Tool: Part 4 of "It Is More Than Just Pushing a Button."
  • Do You Need Impeccable Timing in Order to Use a Remote Collar?
  • What Does Your Dog's Future Look Like?
  • 6 Essential Things to Teach to Have a Good Dog
  • The Top 3 Reasons Your Remote Collar Doesn't Seem to be Working
  • How Long Does It Take to Train My Dog?
  • Put a Plan Into Motion for Dealing With Your Dog's Behavior Problems!
  • Why are You Grateful for Your Dog?
  • Are You Struggling to Get Your Dog to Stay? Try This.
  • There are Only 3 Levels on a Remote Training Collar?
  • The One Thing You Must Know if You Want to Train with an E-Collar
  • How to Help Your Dog Understand What You Want
  • Photos: One Great Reason to Teach a Place Command to Your Dog
  • New Puppy Tips
  • Sit? or Sit! -- The Case for Intonation When Speaking to Your Dog
  • Number of Commands
  • So Your Dog Knows Sit. Now What?
  • 20 Reasons to Teach a Place Command
  • E-Collar Use: Training vs. Enforcing
  • Know How to Train a Dog, Know How to Use a Remote Collar?
  • 5 Ways to Enhance Feeding Time
  • "But my dog doesn't like it."
  • Outwit Your Dogs if You Want Better Behavior
  • Weaning Off E-Stim: Tap, Tell or Help
  • Proofing: How to Help Your Dog Really "Get It."
  • Should Your Dog Sleep on the Bed With You?
  • Human Body Language
  • Good Health: The Missing Link for a Happy and Well-Adjusted Dog?
  • Are You the Center of Your Dog's World?
  • E-Collar Training: Be Sure to Do This Before You Go Off Leash
  • What Behavior are You Rewarding the Most?
  • The Importance of Routine Nail Trims for Your Dog
  • When is the Right Time to Start Training My Dog?
  • Is it Important that a Dog Learn to Heel?
  • 3 Things to do Right Now to Avoid Separation Issues with Your Dog
  • Training Your Dog to Stop Barking
  • How to Use a No-Bark Collar

    • Pull-Quote= Before you try running your E-collar trained dog off leash, make sure you do this.



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