Training Collars

Our new puppy Roscoe is a cute little beagle or at least that’s how he started out. He is growing like crazy and has already doubled in size since we got him. Along with the physical growth his willful and playful personality has been developing.

Being a puppy he likes to chewy on everything and being a type of hound dog he likes to explore. When we read about beagles before purchasing him, we learned that they tend to wander off because they are so focused on following scents that they don’t pay attention to where they are.

The study also said that you will probably have to go find them quite often if you don’t use a leash for the first year to train them to stay nearby. Training collars are another technique to get their attention and train them to be obedient.

The training collar that we purchased has three settings, sounds, vibration and shock. The idea is to use the least amount of any category to get their attention and correct behavior.

We used sound first and it was very effective for awhile. He would instantly take notice that we wanted his attention. But after awhile he became use to the sound and would continue with bad behavior even when the beeping continued.

Next was the vibration. It was a very unusual feeling and he didn’t like it and would quickly obey. The vibration was uncomfortable and he wanted it to stop. This technique was very helpful the bigger he grew and the more determined he became to have his own way.

His playfulness was a change for us having had Missy, our miniature pincher, for so many years who was quiet and reserved. Roscoe enjoyed running around and wrestling which began to cause problems with Missy. Being older and fragile she would get pounced on by Roscoe and we were concerned that she would get hurt.

When the vibration warnings to stop began to be ineffective we had to move on to the last option, shock. Setting the controller to the lowest level still gave him enough of a shock to stop him from jumping on Missy.

In time he has learned that no means to stop what he’s doing. Most of the time we just need to say the command and show him the controller and he stops without any further need for sound, vibration or shock.

On my walk with him yesterday I was thinking about his progress and began to think about how his training is quite similar to believers. We begin young and are trainable with so much potential and energy. As we grow we become a bit willful and wander towards our own desires.

Sometimes we only need the sound of God’s voice, His word, to bring us back into obedience. Other times it takes uncomfortable circumstances in our lives to get our attention and still other times it takes a hard shock to get our full attention.

So many times I’ve wondered if I would every learn. But just like Roscoe, in time I begin to think about where my choices will take me and I’m finding that I am so much happier and more comfortable in the presence of the Lord and I don’t want to wander off.

Thinking back over my life I think that I had my own type of training collar on and I know I’ve experienced several types of obedience learning techniques. Thank you Lord for Your persistence and training.

As I sat on the couch last night and Roscoe jumped up beside me, he looked at me with his big brown puppy eyes and laid his head on my leg. His desire at that moment was to simply be near me and hear my voice.

That should be the desire of every believer. To be near God and hear His voice. To walk beside Him in obedience and enjoy the beautiful companionship.

My Prayer

Father, thank you for the many ways that You have corrected me and brought me back from my wandering over the years. I’m so blessed that You are patient and persistent. Thank you for choosing me to be Yours and I pray that we will walk in fellowship and companionship together. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where does my help come from?

John 14:23

“Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”