<em>Hi Darcy: I was flipping through tv yesterday and watched part of an infomercial for The Perfect Dog (SNIP website). The training collar is described as “The Command Collar® is NOT an electronic collar, shock collar, or noise emitting collar. It is manually operated and it is simply designed to emulate a mother dog’s natural corrective process. It is safe to use, lightweight, attractive, and effective.” How does this actually work and what are your thoughts? I’m not interested in trying it, but am curious how this functions…Thanks for your insight. 
Amy</em>
Dear Amy, The collar plus line plus DVDs are $89.85 in his online ad. Generally speaking the stuff you see on TV is not worth the money. I’ve been asked many times to buy TV advertising to sell junk, I refuse every time. The way the money is made is in numbers. Millions of people will buy this and most of them won’t try to return it for the guarantee or warranty when it doesn’t work or it breaks. They shrug, feel cheated, throw it away and go on to the next thing. The advertising companies know this, it’s why they can sell junk at cheap or high prices, the stuff is no good, and they still make money. From some research I’ve done for you, I’d say in my opinion this falls into the don’t buy this category.
I have a degree in Criminal Justice, worked as a guard at an all male inmate penitentiary, and seem to have an innate talent to know when someone isn’t telling the truth. Part of my training was to see when someone was lying or at least stretching the truth and my natural talent for it really helps. Now it could be that the woman in the video was only uncomfortable when she was singing the praises of the collar but her eyes were shifting and sort of veiled if you know what I mean, she kept looking down. She wasn’t doing any of that when she was talking about the problems she was having with the dog. It shows me that the process of training may not have been either as easy or as pain free as she’s saying. It’s hard for anyone to hide that they are saying something they don’t believe. For professional actors, like those you see in movies and on some really good TV programs, it’s different, they are playing a character so anything the script says, they can make you believe it. When people play themselves, they tend to have a very hard time lying without giving themselves away. This woman is not a professional actor or at least isn’t a very good one. I didn’t believe her when she claimed how fast it happened and how easy this was on the dog. She may have wanted to believe that her dog was great with this training but her face didn’t show that to me.
My best guess is that, because he claims to be an Orca trainer, that he didn’t use this collar on the whales so I don’t understand, other than making money, which he will because it’s called a “miracle” and that word sells products, why he needs to use this on the dogs to get the same results.
I searched for reviews and they are mixed. Most said that the line and collar are cheap and not worth the money and the training didn’t work with the dogs without hurting them. Others claim that although the collar and line are not worth the money, the training was. Others claimed they loved the whole package. We have to be very careful when we read and listen to ads and reviews like these. Actors are often paid for their acting ability, they have to say what they are paid to say. “Reviews” are often written by someone working for the company, more paid advertising. Most of the reviews from people I trust said that this system is a “rip off” and over priced. A few people I trust said that in the videos, the man wasn’t using his own collar, he was using metal prong and choke collars. According to several, he uses a punishment based “method”. They all said it’s not a “method” of training and that “he only calls it that to sell this junk”. Several said the plastic prong collars broke right away so not worth the money.
Some stores will sell anything that has the word ‘dog’ in it. I will never do that to you. Your money and your dogs are important to you and to me, you’ll only find the good stuff at SitStay.com. Take a look at the authors in my library. Anything by them is going to be positive, they are great trainers and understand dogs. Their training really works quickly and the best thing is, the dogs agree to work with us. Anybody else is going to have to prove themselves to me before I sell their stuff. There simply is no good reason to hurt a dog to get their attention or train. It’s not hard to train dogs, you just have to know what makes them tick.
Stick with Victoria Stilwell’s It’s Me or the Dog if you like TV for learning training. I have no reservations for her viewers to use what she trains. Avoid Cesar Millan and some of those other guys if you love your dogs and don’t want to make new problems or make problems worse. People still report to me that they’ve used Cesar’s Way as seen on TV and their dogs have become biters. Many of those dogs had to be put down. It’s too sad, it didn’t have to be.
If I had one wish in this lifetime, it would be that everyone has to understand dogs before they can take them home. Then training is easy. But what really happens is that most people do not understand dogs, they accidentally or by negligence train the dog to do bad behaviors and then they want a “miracle” cure. They turn to punishment. It doesn’t work in the long run and why take the chance that your dog will never trust you again? Do you trust everyone that ever hurt you?
That’s my two cents. I’d say no. Thanks. – Darcy
We tried Sullivan’s collar,methods, etc. with our Blue Heeler. Stopped it after a short trial. Clicker training is MUCH better and our Aussie enjoys it thoroughly. You will have much better long term results.
I have the Sullivan “System” and I have to say that of all the system’s I have tried, this one is a very aggressive and cruel form of training. In my opinion, this system is more like breaking the spirit of an animal rather than training.
However, that being said, i do like the collar. My Great Dane knows when she has it on and does behave much better – but other than that… I have used much MUCH better training techniques by following the “My Smart Puppy” book by Brian Kilcommons and have found EXCELLENT success with his techniques. And from what I gather, he and Victoria Stilwell use the same type of training. Seems to me that if their Non-aggressive training works, why use anything else?
I have to admit, I didn’t like the collar/program much until I did a little research myself, then I quickly decided to order one. Ironically, most of the negative reviews are a product of the exact same process Darcy has followed here. Take ignorant unsupstantiated predjudice and apply it to mass markets. Thanks…that’s helpful. (I’ll be shocked if you let this actually gets posted, but someone should be calling you on it anyway)
All items that are sold on TV are junk. Wrong. By and large, every item that makes it to mass market, that is not R&D’d by a major corporation, will start in infomercials (SNIP ads). It is the cheapest way to reach the masses, and yes, lots of junk does make it to TV, but not everything that does is junk. This hardly qualifies as a review though, assuming the item is junk, without any carnal knowledge of it. Most reviews on high traffic forums (SNIP ads) are prodominantly positive (paid for? Maybe some, but not all). The collar and lines are low end, but what you are paying for is Don’s time and energy put into the DVDs (and it is well worth the $60). The training really does work, but you have to set aside notions that any discomfort to the dog is “cruel”. Pinching their neck is not cruel, however, condeming them to an early grave from the gluttony of treats that CLICKER training uses, very well could be. Is it cruel to slap a childs hand as they reach for a hot stove? Temporary, mild, discomfort is the worst anyone who has felt the collar could honestly say about it. It is far milder than a traditional “prong” collar, and certainly less than an e-collar (which ironically, is still the gold standard for respected trainers & vets, not Petco…real trainers).
If you do the research, and really do some research, you will find lots of positive reviews and great results. Read ALL of Don’s website (SNIP ad), which explains his methodology and why many of his videos don’t include the “Command Collar”. The collar is a relatively new development, which was introduced long after they started filming his training videos. His methods didn’t change, he just began using a different tool. Use any tool of correction you wish, but his methods of training are solid. Go to youtube and watch a dozen of the videos or so and then decide for yourself, instead of trusting blind reviews. I for one, love the system and my dog’s spirit was definatley not broken in the process. If spirit = bad behavior, then yes, I suppose you risk breaking it. If you want a dog that obeys commands then treat training is not for you. Chris
Dear Chris, You never have to come to The Dish by Darcie looking for a fight, you’re welcome to state your opinion. No need to say things like you wrote:
“Ironically, most of the negative reviews are a product of the exact same process Darcy has followed here. Take ignorant unsupstantiated predjudice and apply it to mass markets. Thanks…that’s helpful. I’ll be shocked if you let this actually gets posted, but someone should be calling you on it anyway.”
Have a little faith. LOL! I’ll post your comment but sorry, I have to take the advertising out.
Clicker Training is misunderstood by people who refuse to try it. Training happens so fast that dogs don’t overeat, it’s not necessary. You can even use the dog’s regular meals to train if the dog is overweight.
Slapping children who reach for a hot stove tells them that they’ll get slapped when they reach for the stove, it doesn’t teach them that the stove is hot. It’s muddled thinking. Using “temporary, mild, discomfort” and “pinching” on dogs is not how I think or operate. You don’t have to slap your kids to get them to understand that a stove is hot, don’t touch it, and you don’t have to hurt your dogs to communicate with them. That way of thinking is what leaves adults thinking back on why Dad hit them when they were kids and teaching dogs that some people aren’t trustworthy in the long run.
Yes, there will be people who have enough success with this method and any other… and that will be good enough for them. The rest of the people have already spoken, they didn’t like it. I don’t have anything against somebody trying to make a buck, I’d like to see everyone rich. I’m positive that your 60 plus dollars was appreciated.
Communicating with children and dogs takes some time and some effort and more so for some than others, it’s worth everything you put into it. Hitting kids and pinching our dogs leaves a mark. You might not see it, but it leaves a mark. Are you willing to wait for a few years with the kids to see what kind? It doesn’t take that long for dogs. Rescues are full of dogs who’ve had some “discomfort” during training.
Thanks for the comment. – Darcie
Darcie I have not seen the ad on TV nor do I profess to be any where near a professional dog trainer however you are correct, learn what you are getting yourself into when you think about adopting a dog, any kind of dog, mutt or pure breed. When I was gifted with my sibermal (siberian husky malamute mix) the first thing I did was to purchase the book Siberian Huskies for dummies. A very helpful and insiteful book for anyone intrested in the breed. It also prepared me for my Alaskan Malamute that I rescued. None of my pack, trained by me ever showed agressive tendancies toward people or other animals. (Husky Collie GSD mix & GSD,Bassette Hound, Chow mix) unfortunately no longer with my pack physically.
Also, thank you Amy for this: ““My Smart Puppy” book by Brian Kilcommons”
and everyone who shared more information and resources from books and things they’ve learned more from.
and thank you to the site for allowing new comments with very little effort. I don’t “join stuff” in order to make a comment on sites and you make this site
very easy for newcomers to join in on and gain info from. Much appreciation!
Mhyrianna
I wanted to buy this command collar. it looks so good on tv. but after reading what all of you have said. i am think twice about it. I have a black lab 5 months old.
when i take her out to do what she has to, if i wear a jacket she jumps on me and tugs at it and pulls me. Also when i wear long pants she nips at my legs. she loves to dig and when she digs they are big holes. oh i am also taking her to petco for puppy training and it is okay but i do not like it. I am at the point that i do not want to take her out. any advise. thank you in advance Carol
Dear Carol, For the past 15 years, I’ve been told that the trainers at these pet stores get very little training before they start training, which means that you may not get your money’s worth. Ask for references on the trainer before you pay. And if you don’t get results in good time from that trainer, have it in your contract that you don’t pay for what you don’t get. Any good trainer will give you that guarantee. I do. Start clicker training. Get your supplies from SitStay.com It’s the best advice I can give you. Darcie
I have used this system and it has worked with my dogs. There is nothing cruel about it. I am a certified dog trainer for the last 2 years.
We have a 9-month old miniature poodle and we purchased the (name of training method deleted by Darcie). In my estimation the small collar could not be made small enough and our dog immediately was able to manipulate the rope connecting the “special” links and chewed it off. Normally our dog doesn’t chew, but did this time.
Using just a flat collar, and an occasional pinch of the neck, we have made great progress with our dog’s behavior. He still plays with us, but waits to go out the patio door until we say “okay”. When grooming, I used a mesh muzzle for the first time and when he attempted to nip at me I first gave him the “Victoria Stillwell” uuh uhh, when he repeated the behavior, following (snip name) advice stepped up the consequence to a neck pinch and he got the idea.
Since working with him using this method, he seems to prefer to near us and laying on the floor instead of bouncing off of the couch (and we have done nothing more that leave his leash on and the command “Down”). Our dog was familiar with “sit” and “down” from treat training, but was very inconsistent, but now goes down and stays down while we are there — we are still working on the “down stay”. Curb training is progressing better than anticipated.
I grew up on a farm and showed large animals (beef, dairy, sheep, swine, horses) at many local, state and national shows. If an animal did not do what we wanted, we used a variety of methods to put the animal in place. We didn’t use an elephant hook mentality, but we did use a show stick, cane, physical force to help the animal understand what was expected, soon we were able to use simple signals and the animals responded. I am seeing similar responses with our dog in just a few consistent days of working with him, where he knows that he will get play time as a reward for good behavior!
Customer service with (web address deleted by Darcie) is awful…they are not customer responsive at all. I was unable to purchase the part I need to fix the collar–I will have to purchase another collar (snip) plus shipping making it almost (if not) $25.00. Their website claims that the small collar is “Suitable for tiny dogs such as the Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier and Toy Poodle”, but I disagree and will attempt to “repair” the collar with a smaller rope and snap. The representative had to leave me on hold to actually see a collar to see what I was talking about, I asked for a manager and was disconnected — I didn’t bother to call back. – D Behling
Dear D, I’m with your dog, I would have chewed that nasty thing up too. I’m sorry for your animals. I’d rather take the time to understand them and communicate than hurt them at any level. I’ve trained dogs and horses, showed livestock as a kid (we used to sleep with them in the barn) and even a few cats without any of the methods you’ve used. It’s fast and fun for everybody the way I do it and it lasts a lifetime. If you’re having to make a correction more than twice, it’s not working so why not try something that works. The proof that your dog really wants to be with you is to go outside, take him off leash, and go for a walk. Does he stay with you, does he come back when you call? So sorry you won’t try clicker training. It takes minutes to train any thing, then put the clicker away to train the next thing. Thanks for writing. – Darcie