My two doodles are getting an e-collar from Santa!!!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I write this after reading Laurie's precious tribute to our "Lucky Dogs" and how very fortunate we are to have these characters in our lives and of course us in theirs. However, I have mixed feelings about how lucky my two are going to be feeling after my package of dual/remote controlled, waterproof e-collars comes in the mail.
I find that when I mention this to friends and co-workers, they look at me like I have just committed euthanasia with my bare hands!
My children just had a shocked look of horror and possibly deja vu as the distant memory of my threatening them as little children with the use of a then called "Shock collar" appeared in their heads. I quickly denied ever saying that, but they both verify each other's memory, so I am outnumbered 2 : 1.
I have always thought of these collars as being right up there with hitting them with rolled newspaper or yelling mean ugly words at them. (with the dogs, not the kids).
However, in light of last weeks flour fiasco and the resultant sickness these past 6 days, I am rethinking my training methods and can see that whatever I have been using to discourage them from going into the kitchen, is just not nearly as affective as I'd like it to be and it appears that their health can be at risk if this continues.
We had the near fire just a few months ago with them getting on top of the flat touch screen stove top, and they now take dirty dishes out of the sink and carry the plastic containers off to eat them, along with wooden spoons should they have any residual food stuff on them. They must be constantly counter surfing when I am gone, as things are moved around when I get home and dish towels are strewn on the floor. So we either have very messy ghosts or two very mischievous doodles living here.
Actually our last house was haunted, by a very nice young woman, and even she never made this kind of mess, but that's another story entirely.
I have researched collars till I cant think of another thing I need to know about their use and will implement the training slowly and carefully, as described. I have never used a professional trainer and have done all their training myself through educating myself with books and videos, and I have as well trained dogs as I want them to be, except in this one area. Well, we did have the poop eating issue for awhile, but I'm not sure if training or time cured that problem.
And honestly, other than an oral hygiene issue, it never made her sick, so I didn't really give that training all my attention.
So, at the risk of making my two lucky doodles very unhappy, but eventually limiting their exposure to harmful food items or stove tops, I am going to be using the e collar any day now. I will keep you posted and if you have any helpful insight, please share.

[Carol and Banjo]

Sue, I will be following your results.   Banjo is a great little dog…but he is not reliable with food, towels, you name it left within his reach.   As a result, he has us well trained and the house always looks "picked up".   We are going to a Christmas Eve party at my sister's house in CT and she wants us to bring him.   I can't bring him because no one would be able to put down a plate or glass without him snatching it.   Anys shoes left at the backdoor would be paraded proudly through the house…..you get the picture.    I'm always envious of friends who's dogs are perfect party animals.   : )     Please keep us posted!

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

My doodles were trained on e-collars, I have a physical fence AND e-fence to keep them out of the garden and pond.  Doodles are so darn smart and learn real quick.  I have used the collar on myself and in no way does it hurt you or them !!  Its just a funny feeling and it makes them stop what they are doing.   My e-collar can give a "beep" warning first and in most cases that is all you need.  When training, give the beep then the correction.   Now I just tell Oliver "I'm getting the collar" and he stops doing what ever he is doing - LOL.   My Sasha is a counter surfer but she cannot reach too far back so I'm good with keeping everything 6" back and my Oliver can reach anything he wants but does not counter surf :)   You will do fine, just follow the training instructions :)

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Thank you Adina, I would greatly appreciate any tips. I did read to put it on them for awhile, I was thinking at least a week. They got into a zipped canvas bag with my lunch for work already made this morning while I went to the gym. I had no idea they would tear through the bag, but they did. It has gotten to the point of ridiculous and unsafe. Here I am giving murphy pepcid and chix and rice and they eat all my Almond butter, and Turkey Jerky besides some fruit. Not exactly the bland diet I am striving for with him. Good news is he kept it all down. I think, no signs of it anywhere anyway. Geez.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

I would be concerned for their safety too. Good luck.  

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

I have never used one, but many people say it really works.  Good luck and I'm sure they will be really good Doodles and learn quickly!   I would love to hear the Haunted House story some day:)

[Adina P]

I used it with Rosco for counter/table surfing.  It worked for a good long time, until he had a chance to risk it again and succeeded.  Plus Boca showed him that it's really safe :-O  I just haven't had the time or energy to redo the training.  I'd be happy to give you tips from what I learned from my trainer about this.  By the way, it was suggested that I put the collar on every morning for about a month before I actually *used* it to get them used to wearing it all day.  We did some 'setting up' of the scene and used a web cam as an aid because, at the time, Rosco only dared counter surf if we were gone.  Now that he has realized any consequences have left the building, he doesn't even care if we are home!