Off-Leash Dog Play Supervision: E-Collar
When and how to use an e-collar to manage a dog during off-leash play, and when to ask before you do.
Purpose
This SOP covers when to reach for an e-collar during off-leash play, how to fit and use one, and when to check with a manager first. It does not cover barking-specific redirection techniques (see Off-Leash Dog Play Supervision: Barking) or the ratio and equipment standards that apply across every session (see Off-Leash Dog Play Supervision: General Guidelines).
When to Reach for the Collar
- If you've said a dog's name more than 2-3 times trying to manage its behavior and it isn't working, move to an e-collar on a low setting or pulse/vibrate.
- If the kennel system already shows an icon clearing a dog for e-collar use, you can put the collar on right away without working through the name-repeat threshold first.
Fitting the Collar
- On a thick-haired dog, work the collar in through the fur so it sits against the skin. A collar resting on top of the coat isn't doing its job.
Before You Use One
- If you're not sure how to use an e-collar to manage a specific play situation, ask a manager or senior staff member for guidance before you put it on.
- If you're not sure whether a specific dog is allowed to have an e-collar in Daycare at all, always ask a manager first. Don't guess.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I contact a manager before putting on an e-collar?
Any time you're unsure whether a dog is cleared for an e-collar in Daycare, before you put one on. Also check in if you're not confident on how to use one for a specific play situation; a manager or senior staff member walks you through it.
How does the kennel system icon change the process?
If it shows a dog already cleared for e-collar use, you skip the 2-3 name-repeat threshold and put the collar on directly. Work it into the fur first if the dog is thick-coated.
How do I know the collar is actually making contact?
On a thick-haired dog, confirm you've worked it into the fur rather than laid it on top of the coat. Contact against the skin is what makes a low setting or pulse/vibrate effective.
Is a higher setting ever the right first move?
No. Start on a low setting or pulse/vibrate once the name-repeat threshold is reached. If that isn't managing the behavior, that's a question for a manager or senior staff member, not a reason to turn the dial up on your own.
Who to Ask
For anything here you're unsure about, a manager or senior staff member is the right person to ask before you act, not after.