Introducing the e‑collar is one of the most important steps in balanced dog training. When done correctly, it builds clarity, communication, and confidence. When done incorrectly, it creates confusion, fear, and bad habits.
When it comes to using an e‑collar, I only recommend two brands: Dogtra and E‑Collar Technologies. In this video, I’ll be using the Dogtra 640C Tom Davis Edition. It’s extremely important to work with a high‑quality, reliable e‑collar because the stimulation must be smooth, predictable, and consistent. Cheap or poorly designed collars create sharp, jumpy, or inconsistent stimulation, which leads to confusion, stress, and bad training outcomes. A proper collar gives you clarity, precision, and the ability to communicate fairly with your dog.
In the video below, I break down the exact fundamentals of introducing the e‑collar the right way, including:
Use a Bungee Strap, Not the Stock Strap
In the video, you’ll see me using a bungee strap and I strongly recommend it for every e‑collar setup. A bungee strap maintains consistent contact, prevents pressure points, and keeps the collar stable even when the dog is moving with intensity. The stock straps that come with most collars tend to loosen, shift, or create uneven contact, which leads to inconsistent stimulation and unclear communication. A proper bungee strap ensures reliability, comfort, and clean training.
Proper E‑Collar Fit
The e‑collar must be snug and placed on the side of the neck never on the trachea, back of the head, or under the jaw because the contact points sit naturally against the muscle, the stimulation becomes clearer and more consistent, dogs respond better, and sensitive areas like the throat are avoided, making proper fit the foundation of clean e‑collar communication.
Creating Positive Associations
Before introducing stimulation, the dog must build positive associations with the e‑collar by seeing it, receiving food, praise, and affection around it, wearing it during fun activities, and treating it as a normal part of life so that “e‑collar = good things” instead of “e‑collar = punishment,” which sets the tone for all future training.
The First Week: Wear the Collar, Don’t Use It
For the entire first week, the dog should wear the e‑collar during daily activities like walks, play, and training without any stimulation so it can normalize the sensation, avoid negative associations, prevent linking stimulation to the collar itself, and build trust before communication, which is the correct way to introduce an e‑collar.
My Rant About FF Trainers
In the video, I address the ongoing misinformation spread by force‑free trainers who claim e‑collars are abusive, shut dogs down, act as punishment tools, and rely on pain, even though modern collars like the Dogtra 640C TD Edition use low‑level, adjustable stimulation that’s gentler than leash or prong pressure, and balanced trainers use them to create clarity, communication, reliability, safety, and freedom highlighting that the issue isn’t the tool but the ignorance of those who refuse to learn how it actually works.
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Let’s get into the video and show you exactly how to introduce the e‑collar the right way so your dog becomes confident, clear, and responsive.