The trainer did say that they would use a regular collar and the ecollar. -
That's what you want them to do if they are going to use a ecollar. I'm a fan of e-collars, however I want the dog to be solid on leash commands before I step into the ecollar.. IMO even more so with dogs with possible aggression issues. Titan may have no adverse reaction to the stem but if he does, your going to have a annoyed 130lb issue that ain't going to be no fun to deal with.
RE: One thing you want to ensure he does is allow Titan the chance to 1. Understand what he's being asked and 2. have the chance to make the right choice. All to often e-collars are used giving the dog a stem, asking them to preform the command to turn off the stem.. that is the wrong wrong wrong way to go about it.
He did mention that the ecollar would encourage Titan to do what was asked of him. I told him what I've already trained Titan to do and he said that I wasn't a trainer. -
I would tell him he needs to learn some respect first off, you should never speak disrespectfully like that to a owner. As for the stem encouraging Titan to do what was ask, this is true (in a sense) if it works as he plans. If it doesn't then he's left with basically breaking down your dogs spirit because you will have to force his compliance, which can be done.. and he'll come out on the other side obeying commands but can again turn into serious issues if he reverts back later on.. also the main thing is this isn't the correct way to go about it.
He kept saying Titan was aggressive. I told him that Titan only lunges when the man talks to me or I talk to him but I know Titan's body language and bring him to a sit and tell him to look at me when I see he's going to lunge. The trainer said that an 130 lb dog cannot be stopped by a woman or even a big man when they want to lunge after someone. -
Titan is lunging when it's not appropriate which does need to be corrected, weather he's aggressive or not.. he needs to know that's unacceptable. I'd say there's truth to Titan not being able to be stopped if he truly wanted to get to someone.. a 130lbs with his center of gravity could put you on your butt real quick lol, it would be over before you knew it was started.
The way you combat the issue is start with the correct behavior basic o.b. with no distractions (in side your home/yard etc).. get to the point you drill him.. sit / lay / stand / shake on and on and on.. he needs to respond without flaw.. then you progress your way towards things that set Titan off.. strange men etc.
I go thru the same routine over and over and get closer to my distractions, if he get's out of line and he knows what's being ask.. he gets a correction. I start with a level 3 correction (with the leash).. I jump in increments of 4.. I don't think I've ever gotten passed a 2nd stage with but 1 dog and that was with another dog running up on us.
People get lost in specific behavior problems before the dog even has good o.b. down pat.. dogs can't execute the play if they haven't been coached on the playbook
I think after communicating with you, I'm not going to go with this trainer.
- I'm not trying to discourage you from this trainer or any, I can find flaws with all the ones I know but I like certain aspects each of them bring to the table also. I was just trying to give you thought starters and things I would require. I don't think trainers that use e-collars are bad at all.. I do have a strong opinion on the introduction of the e-collar and the pre-reqs tho.
Thanks Joshua!