Why My German Shepherds Wear Electronic Collars

For training, my German Shepherds wear electronic collars, like the orange one in this picture. Meet, Godzilla, my 3-year-old male. He has 100 % traceable German bloodline in his pedigree. His sire is a German import named Rex. Rex is a 100-pound black-and-tan and he lives in Texas now. His dam (mother) passed away when Godzilla was a puppy. Her parents were both from Germany and her sire was a champion and Schutzhund level 111.

Godzilla comes from very well bred bloodlines and superior health. His hips and elbows passed OFA X-rays. He is a loving boy and a fantastic watch dog. Godzilla has very even temperament. His playmate, Tangiers, is a bit moody and edgy; she is his sister. I often use my alpha voice on her as she is strong willed. They play very rough with each other and Godzilla often lets her win the wrestling matches. When he has had enough he lets her know with a verbal warning to back off. He acts like a puppy with me and loves to go anywhere in the car. Everyone who meets Godzilla absolutely loves him.

Make no mistake, I fiercely love my dogs; yet, for training purposes, my German Shepherds wear electronic collars. Shepherds have a high prey drive. They have a chase reflex that once engaged can be difficult to stop when they are after a rabbit or a cat. The electronic collars send a signal that disrupts the pattern and gives an opportunity to put the dog under control. The shepherds with German bloodline can be tough as nails. By that I mean they are bred to not feel pain easily so that if they were protecting me and someone kicked or punched the dog, they would fight back. These dogs possess a high tolerance for pain.

Powerful breeds of dogs need to run and work everyday as it keeps their anxiety and stress levels down. Much like people that exercise regularly it can reduce stress, enhance mood, and promote sleep. These dogs need a physical outlet for their high energy. As I live on acreage they have a gigantic outdoor fenced area to run freely all day. At night, they both sleep on my porch next to my bedroom slider door. They like to look in and watch over me at night. I never worry about anyone jumping my fence!

Some people question use of these collars. Electronic collars can keep a dog safe. I think they are a humane safety tool when used effectively. Godzilla could jump a 7-foot fence with ease and he would often be on the other side of my fence in open pasture. Luckily, he did not run away as I live off of a very busy street. Had he made it to the road, he could have easily been run over.

When training, my German Shepherds wear electronic collars to stop them from escaping my yard. One night I watched Godzilla as I hid behind my curtain. He had his orange collar on and I had the remote in my hand. When his hind legs lifted off the ground to jump, I hit the shock button on a high level. He fell backward immediately. What the dog learned in one training exercise was if he tried to jump the fence, something bad happened out of nowhere. He never jumped a fence again.

I often take Godzilla if I’m showing real estate in a remote rural area of Sacramento County or if I think we might encounter squatters in a vacant house. It is reassuring to bring a four-legged bodyguard with sharp teeth! I then take him to In and Out Burger drive through as a reward for his guard duty. If you see me driving around Sacramento, give a wave to Godzilla as we are often cruising together down the freeway together. Call Weintraub & Wallace today for your real estate needs 916-233-6759. We always protect your interests.

— JaCi Wallace