Frequently Asked Questions
What is an e-collar and how does it work?
An “e-collar” is basically a collar with a stimulation mechanism (similar to an electric fence collar). The collar is controlled by a remote that the handler holds. The remote allows you to maintain full control of your dog for up to 400 yards. Therefore, it gives your dog a lot of freedom and it saves you from worrying about your dog running off. It is not used as a punishment or a “shock” as many people assume, it is simply used as a training device for communicating with your dog. It produces a subtle electrical current between two contact points located on the collar. Unlike a shocking device, the e-collar is used to get the dog’s attention and keep it focused on listening to the handler. It is the equivalents of someone tapping your shoulder to get your attention, or setting your phone on vibrate so it will get your attention when someone is calling you. We teach the dog to listen to those “taps” and that the “taps” mean, “I am trying to get your attention.”
At what age can we start e-collar training?
Generally, we do not start e-collar training on a dog until it is at least 5 months old.
What if I have a puppy that is not 5 months old?
Not a problem. We can still train your pup using the clicker/treat method. This will give your new pup a good foundation for basic obedience. Additionally, We can teach you how to house train your puppy. He/ she will learn how to let you know they need to go. So they don’t continue having accidents in the house.
Will the e-collar hurt my dog?
No. During our first meeting we will put the e-collar on your arm and you will feel how mild the stimulation is. We will also stimulate myself with the e-collar to show you that it will not hurt your dog. One common misconception is the e-collar will burn their skin. This is false. Other people think that it is like being shocked with a taser, this is also false. We are dog trainers because we LOVE dogs and we would never do anything to harm them in any way. Furthermore; we would never do anything to a dog, that we will not do to ourselves.
Where do we conduct our Board & Train Programs?
Board and Train Programs take place in our trainers' homes. Our trainers have areas within their home dedicated to our Board & Train customers with kennels for the dogs. Our Board & Train dogs are treated as one of the family and are often socialized with our trainer's personal dogs. All Board & Train customers fill out a form listing out their dogs needs and feeding schedule. Customers provide the trainer with the food of their choice along with any other medication or dietary needs for their dog. Trainers provide daily updated so you can see the progress of your dog.
How much time per day do I need to train my dog?
The great thing about this training is that you don’t have to set a specific amount of time aside per day in order to train your dog. We will teach you how to incorporate this training into your daily routine.
How long will this training take?
The basic obedience program is designed to take four weeks. During that time, once a week, we cover a new command with you and your pup. The advanced program is once a week for four weeks, covering a new command each week.
The Board and Train programs, like their names imply, are one, two, or three weeks in length. We meet with the owner at the end of each program to cover what we taught, how we taught it, and what you (the owner) need to do to maintain or improve on our work. Meeting with the owners typically is one to three hours in length.
The 3/5s program is designed to meet with your canine, Monday through Friday, for three weeks in a row. We meet for an hour a day from your residence. At any point the owner is encouraged to participate in the hourly lessons so they too will understand what is being taught each day. While owner participation isn't mandatory, it will aid in the future maintenance of your pup.
What is clicker training?
A clicker is a small device that makes a distinct “click” noise. This is used to instantly mark the desired behavior. Then, it is immediately followed with a treat. This enables the dog to learn the commands much faster because you are instantly “marking” the correct behavior. In return, the dog knows it has not done what you are asking it to do until it hears the distinct “click.”
What if I have a small dog?
That is fine. E-Collar training works on a dog of any size (10 pounds and above), any shape, and any age. (Above 6 months)
Will my dog benefit from this training?
Your dog will benefit tremendously. Most behavior problems (biting, chewing, jumping, etc) are based on a lack of exercise, discipline, and out of boredom. With this training, your dog is receiving top-quality obedience training, which in turn, allows you to give your dog freedom to run around OFF-LEASH and play. So by doing this training your dog is not bored because it is learning and being stimulated, it is running freely off-leash so it is getting exercise, and it is getting obedience/discipline. Not only does all of this considerably benefit your dog, but it also benefits you and your family.
Remember, if you do not employ your dog and give it a job to do (training), it will become self-employed. A self-employed dog will cost YOU money.
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How Much Time Will My Dog Spend in a Crate/Kennel?
Depends on the dog. Yes, we understand this doesn't address the real question, but in fact it varies from dog to dog and training day to training day. For the canine's safety we do have them inside a crate/kennel during vehicle transportation, overnight during bedtime, and when the trainer is unable to keep a safe eye on them. Say when they are taking a shower or at the grocery store.
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Each pup can work a different amount of time each day. Every day is different, and therefore the amount of work varies day to day. If anyone says the dog will be out of the crate 24 hours per day they must be running a "cage/kennel free" operation where your furry child will be subjected to the distress of not having any structured order. Except that the biggest and strongest will decide who gets what (law of the jungle or canine pack mentality).
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Offleash SoCal has your canine inside our climate controlled home. Your dog will be living with us. We don't have standard business hours where the trainer 'clocks out' and leaves a facility. We don't have mass feeding time. We cater to each canine based on their needs and abilities.
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If you have a dog that isn't used to "working" because they haven't had to, not a problem. If you have a Malinois or GSP that needs work, we can do that too. The amount of work is determined by what the furry baby can take in a day. So, what does that mean relative to time in a crate?
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If we work your dog for four hours per day, not because that is the time we have, but because that is the max they can do, the rest of the time will be recovery or transportation. That means accounting for traffic in Los Angeles, plus the work, and over-night hours, your pup will spend on average of seven or so hours napping in a crate because they NEED to. If they need less rest time, they will be out working. If they are super tired they will get more time resting. Subject to the individual canine they may nap on a bed outside of the crate/kennel.
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At the end of the day, we need to be aware, and fair to the animals that we train. We want everyone to succeed, but not at the expense of exhaustion.
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Try to not focus on the hours in the crate/kennel, but rather focus on the results and the happiness that your furry baby returns to you with.
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How are lessons scheduled?
Our lessons are designed to be completed once a week for 4 or 8 weeks, consecutively. This will yield the best results. OffLeash can reschedule a single lesson once every 4 weeks. No show/no calls will be considered as a missed lesson.
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