Confessions of a Dog Trainer

The Truth About E-Collar Training (And Why People Get It So Wrong)

In this episode of Confessions of a Dog Trainer, I’m sharing the real story behind the book I didn’t plan on writing - and why e-collar training became the thing I couldn’t stop thinking about. After posting a few videos on Facebook and getting flooded with negative comments, I almost stopped sharing about e-collars altogether. But instead of getting defensive, something shifted. I got curious. This episode breaks down the biggest misconceptions I see about e-collar training - the ones that keep so many dog owners stuck, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to trust. If you’ve ever felt confused, hesitant, or judged for even considering an e-collar… this is for you. In this episode, I talk about: * Why I started writing my next book (working title: The Truth About E-Collar Training) * The impact of negative comments on social media - and how it shifted my perspective * How curiosity changed the way I respond to criticism * The real goal behind this book: helping owners feel less confused and more confident * “It’s a shock collar” Why that label is misleading and doesn’t reflect how modern e-collars are actually used * “It electrocutes dogs” What e-collars actually are (muscle stimulation, similar to a TENS unit) and how they work * “It’s a shortcut or lazy training” Why e-collar training actually requires more intention, structure, and consistency - not less * Why saying “the e-collar doesn’t cause discomfort” can actually do more harm than good * The importance of honesty and nuance when talking about training tools The 3 Biggest E-Collar Misconceptions:Bonus Misconception: Show Notes: Resources Mentioned: My book * Dear Owner (available on Amazon) [https://a.co/d/03FNWkdu] * E-Collar Starter Guide [https://walkingdogtraining.com/newecollarstarterguide] * Reactive Dog Handbook (E-Collar Training for Reactive Dogs) [https://walkingdogtraining.com/shop/p/reactive-dog-e-book] * Separation Anxiety Guide [https://walkingdogtraining.com/shop/p/separationanxietyguide] * 30-minute coaching / reassurance calls [https://walkingdogtraining.com/virtual-session]

Barking, Ball Obsession, Cat Chaos - What I’d Tackle First

In this episode of Confessions of a Dog Trainer, Bethany answers an amazing owner email from Brooke - who did a Board and Train with her two dogs, Maggie and Ivy, back in January 2023 - and has been feeling off track lately. If you’ve ever had a season where walks feel daunting, your confidence dips, and your dog’s behavior starts getting louder (hello, yard barking, ball obsession, and fence drama), this one will feel like a deep exhale. Bethany walks through a practical reset plan that’s realistic for real life: walking dogs separately to rebuild your “mental muscle,” using the e-collar consistently so “no” becomes believable again, dialing up in meaningful jumps (not nagging), and focusing on just one or two priorities instead of trying to fix everything at once. She also covers how to handle prey-drive cat reactions, why heel position matters more than most owners realize, when muzzle training can be a great confidence tool, and how to use management (crate-and-rotate) to reduce chaos while you rebuild structure. This episode is equal parts training strategy and owner reassurance - because getting off track doesn’t mean you failed. It just means today is a good day to reset. Show notes resources: * E-Collar Starter Guide [https://walkingdogtraining.com/shop/p/the-e-collar-starter-guide] * Reactive Dog Handbook [https://walkingdogtraining.com/shop/p/reactive-dog-e-book] * Guide to Separation Anxiety [https://walkingdogtraining.com/shop/p/separationanxietyguide] * Problem Solver Guide [https://walkingdogtraining.com/shop/p/problem-solver] * Seven Day Reset [https://walkingdogtraining.com/shop/p/the-7-day-training-reset] * Video Library [https://walkingdogtraining.com/shop/p/e-collar-starter-guide-videos]

Fearful Dogs + E-Collar Training: What People Get Wrong

In today’s episode of Confessions of a Dog Trainer, I’m bringing you behind the scenes with Hazel - a sweet, houndy little “Bambi body” dog who’s fearful of people and famous for one frustrating walk habit: putting on the brakes and refusing to move. I’m sharing what I expected when she arrived, what I actually saw, and the biggest game-changer in her training so far - including why the dial-up method on the e-collar didn’t work for her the way it usually does, and why a prong collar ended up being the missing piece to help her stop freezing and start moving forward. We’ll also talk about one of my favorite confidence-building frameworks for nervous dogs: job + exposure (and exactly what that looked like for Hazel this week), how my dog Johnny helped her warm up to my husband without anyone forcing an interaction, and what “real progress” looks like when you’re living with a fearful dog (hint: it’s usually subtle - and easy to miss if you don’t know what to watch for). Plus, I answer Hazel’s owner’s questions about measuring progress at home, nervous pooping, and whether running with a dog like Hazel is a good idea - and I touch briefly on Azula’s update, including why tools aren’t about “correcting dogs all over the place,” but about clear communication and safer, calmer outings. If you have a nervous dog and you’ve ever wondered, Am I doing this right? - this one’s for you. Products & Resources * Book: ⁠⁠Dear Owner⁠⁠ [https://a.co/d/9NDSeg1] (⁠⁠Amazon link⁠⁠ [https://a.co/d/9NDSeg1]) * ⁠⁠Dog Diary Desk Calendar ⁠⁠ [https://walkingdogtraining.com/shop/p/dog-diary-calendar] * ⁠⁠E-Collar Starter Guide ⁠⁠ [https://walkingdogtraining.com/shop/p/the-e-collar-starter-guide] ⁠E Collar Video Library ⁠ [https://walkingdogtraining.com/shop/p/e-collar-starter-guide-videos] ⁠Brick device - get 10% off code⁠ [https://www.getbrick.app/BETHANY89280] ⁠Find me on Instagram @walkingdogtraining [https://www.instagram.com/walkingdogtraining/]

Reactive Dogs: The “Little Things” That Change Everything (Azula’s Week 1)

In this episode, I’m walking you through week one with Azula - a 100+ lb Cane Corso in my 2-week board and train in Orlando, Florida - and what’s actually been making the biggest difference in her reactivity so far. A lot of owners focus on the big reactive explosion (barking, lunging, chaos on the walk) - but I’m sharing the other moments that quietly fuel reactivity every day: rushing thresholds, pushy doorway behavior, over-the-top excitement, mouthing, jumping, whining, and all the “little stuff” that adds fuel to the fire. I also share my real-time experience using a bark collar (the Bark Pro) to interrupt nighttime barking and kennel chaos - including the part where I accidentally had it set wrong at first (true confessions) - and how it’s been helping Azula settle and actually rest. Plus, I answer owner questions like: * Why is she insanely reactive with me, but an angel without me - is it protection? * How do I set boundaries without “shutting my dog down”? * How do I know if a correction is too much? * How do I avoid my dog associating triggers (like other dogs) with stim? * Does breed-specific enrichment help with reactivity and anxiety? * What does “bluffing” mean with tone vs stim? If you’re working through reactivity and feel like you’ve tried everything, this episode will help you zoom out and look at what’s happening outside the reactive moment - and how those pieces can change the walk more than you think. Message me on Instagram @walkingdogtraining if you listened - I love hearing what clicked for you.

One Tool - Three Dogs: How E-Collar Training Changes Case to Case

In this episode, Bethany breaks down how e-collar training can look totally different depending on the dog in front of you - and why it’s not a one-size-fits-all tool. She shares what she’s currently working on with Nola (a pushy 9-month-old Frenchie), what she’s preparing for with her first-ever Cup of Joe Scholarship board + train (a big, powerful, highly reactive dog already e-collar trained), and how her approach shifts for a dog who is extremely fearful of people. Bethany walks you through her real-time thought process: how she handles drop-off day, why she ignores nervy dogs at first, what she’s watching for with kennel behavior, and how she thinks about safety and fit as a trainer. She also explains her framework for using the e-collar as both a boundary setter (stimulation - “red light”) and an encouraging guide (tone - “green light”), especially for fearful dogs where fleeing becomes the default option. To wrap up, she answers three common questions owners ask: pairing “no” with stimulation, heeling vs potty needs, and how to handle judgment when your dog wears a muzzle - with a reminder that most people who get it are quietly rooting for you. Products & Resources * Book: ⁠Dear Owner⁠ [https://a.co/d/9NDSeg1] (⁠Amazon link⁠ [https://a.co/d/9NDSeg1]) * ⁠Dog Diary Desk Calendar ⁠ [https://walkingdogtraining.com/shop/p/dog-diary-calendar] * ⁠E-Collar Starter Guide ⁠ [https://walkingdogtraining.com/shop/p/the-e-collar-starter-guide] E Collar Video Library [https://walkingdogtraining.com/shop/p/e-collar-starter-guide-videos] Brick device - get 10% off code [https://www.getbrick.app/BETHANY89280] Find me on Instagram @walkingdogtraining [https://www.instagram.com/walkingdogtraining/]