From Summit to Ferry: Husky Recall That Holds Up
Two Huskies, one night on Goatfell, and a calm walk to Brodick—how a cue-based, ethical e-collar system turns recall into real freedom across Scotland.
Five days on the Isle of Arran, one wild camp on Goatfell, two Huskies off lead — and zero drama. This wasn’t about Instagram obedience; it was freedom with clear communication so my dogs could move naturally and safely on real Scottish terrain. I was carrying 20–25 kg, so being pulled on leads wasn’t an option. Instead, we relied on our invisible lead — a clear cue system built long before we reached the hill.
This is exactly the kind of freedom I help clients build across Edinburgh, the Pentlands, and beyond. Start with a free 15-minute consultation to map your dog’s plan.
The Ascent: Freedom that doesn’t pull you off your feet
The girls enjoying the view over Brodick after a lead-free climb of Goatfell, guided by our ethical e-collar cue system.
Goatfell isn’t highly technical, but granite blocks and loose steps make balance matter with a heavy pack. The dogs took their own lines, checked the wind, then checked in. Those check-ins are trained: a quiet tone means “heads up,” a whistle carries further for direction. No shouting, no yanking — just a conversation that lets everyone enjoy the climb.
What I Actually Use (and why it’s ethical)
I treat the e-collar as a communication link, not punishment and not a shortcut. We climb a cue ladder only as needed:
Tone → Whistle → Vibration → Low-level stim → Emergency high (safety only).
Rule of thumb: lowest effective cue, paired with rewards and calm handling. Most of the time, the early cues do the job and the remote stays quiet.
Golden hour on the summit
At camp the dogs settled fast — one sprawled on a boulder, the other watching the bays. High-drive dogs don’t need micromanaging; they need structure that makes sense. Respect the instinct, keep everyone safe, and the hill goes quiet.
The descent to Brodick (and the surprise in town)
Next morning we dropped to Brodick for the ferry. My plan was to clip on leads in town. Instead, after 24 hours of proper dog time, they simply plodded at my pace along Fisherman’s Walk past the Co-op and straight to the Brodick Ferry Terminal. Leads went on for the terminal and ferry, of course — then it was trains and roads back home to Edinburgh. Five years ago I wouldn’t have believed we’d get here. That’s the transformation I help clients build: freedom and safety, not one or the other.
After Goatfell, the town was easy: Ivy and Rain stroll toward Brodick Ferry Terminal at a relaxed pace, off lead.
How to build this level of recall (step-by-step)
Foundations first. Charge the tone in easy settings; pay generously for eye contact and turn-backs. Add whistle for distance/direction.
Introduce the remote ethically. Pair vibration/low-level with known cues so it means “listen now,” not “you’re in trouble.”
Rehearse the ladder. Practise moving up/down so you can enter at the right point under pressure. Lowest effective cue wins.
Welfare checks. Correct fit, rotate contact points, check skin, healthy batteries; never use in anger or after the fact.
Real-world layers. Start on quiet paths; add other dogs, wind, wildlife scent, hills. When the environment spikes, enter the ladder earlier and pay fast check-ins.
Emergency is rare. Keep high level for genuine safety threats only; interrupt, guide back, and review setup next time.
Why this matters in Edinburgh (and anywhere wild)
Huskies, GSDs, Collies and sighthounds don’t fail recall because they’re “stubborn”; the world sometimes gets more compelling than you. A clear cue system restores the connection without killing the freedom that keeps them sane. That’s Lead-Free, Not Lawless — in the Pentlands, Holyrood Park, the Highlands, or a busy town centre.
Ready to start?
I run a 3-session recall course (in-person around Edinburgh/Scotland and online UK-wide). Begin with a free 15-minute consultation.
Modern E-Collars Aren’t Shock Collars — Here’s the Truth
I get the looks. I hear the comments. I see the judgment.
When people notice the collar, their reactions fall into one of three groups.
Some don’t even clock it. I could tell them it’s a GPS tracker and they’d nod, none the wiser.
Others are curious — they’ve heard about e-collars, maybe even considered them, but they’re not sure what to believe.
And then there are the ones who do know what it is… or at least think they do.
They say things like:
“Oh, so you shock your dog?”
“Isn’t that a bit extreme?”
“I thought those were banned?”
And here’s the thing — I don’t get angry.
Because I used to think that too.
What People Think E-Collars Are
Most people imagine some outdated, high-voltage tool that zaps a dog into obedience. They picture fear, yelping, and control.
And honestly? That kind of tool did exist — decades ago. And unfortunately, some people still use them that way.
But that’s not how I train, and that’s not what a modern e-collar is.
What They Actually Are
Today’s e-collars are nothing like what people assume.
The level I use with my dogs is so low that I’ve put it on myself — and I could barely feel it. It’s not a jolt. It’s not pain. It’s like a tap on the shoulder from a distance. A way to say, “Hey, I’m still here,” when instinct is louder than my voice.
And that’s the key:
The e-collar isn’t about dominance. It’s about communication.
It’s not a punishment. It’s a prompt.
It’s not about controlling a dog. It’s about building a bridge when voice and treats fall short.
It doesn’t replace trust. It reinforces it.
What It Did for Me and My Huskies
I have two high-energy Huskies. Anyone who’s walked one will understand — they don’t just follow a scent, they vanish into it.
Before I learned how to use the e-collar properly, every walk felt like a gamble.
Would they stay close?
Would a deer send them over the next hill?
Would I be left shouting their names and hoping?
I was exhausted. Embarrassed. And I hated that I was starting to resent walks — the one thing we all used to love.
Learning to use the e-collar the right way changed all of that.
I didn’t just teach my dogs a new skill — I gave them back their freedom.
And they gave me back my peace.
Why the Myth Persists
A big part of the problem is language.
People hear “e-collar” and immediately think “shock collar.” The media rarely helps. And even among dog trainers, there’s still so much debate and division.
But here’s what I’ve learned:
Most people who criticise e-collars have never used one properly
Most people who do use them ethically don’t shout about it — they’re too busy living better lives with their dogs
And the dogs? They don’t care about the politics. They care that they’re being understood
So Let’s Be Clear:
The e-collar, when used fairly, calmly, and correctly:
Does not hurt the dog
Does not replace positive reinforcement
Does not punish
Does not create fear
Does create communication that holds up under pressure
Does build reliability in high-drive, prey-driven dogs
Does allow for real, safe off-lead freedom
It’s not a shortcut.
It’s not a crutch.
It’s a tool — and like any tool, it depends on the hands that use it.
Still Unsure? I Get It.
That’s why I offer a free 15-minute consultation — no pressure, no push, just a real conversation about your dog and whether this approach might be right for you.
Whether you’re here to ask questions, vent frustrations, or finally say, “I need help,” you’re welcome.
Because I’ve been the one dreading walks.
I’ve been the one gritting my teeth every time the lead tightened.
And I’ve also been the one who found a better way — and now spends every day helping others do the same.
Let’s talk.
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Unleashed Instincts | Lead-Free, Not Lawless