Author Topic: Training collar  (Read 25013 times)

Offline meg

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Training collar
« on: May 18, 2005, 12:24:08 pm »
Hi, my six month old golden and I are about to start obedience class.  At the first meeting last night (owners only, no dogs present) the instructor gave us all of her requirements, one of which is they need to wear a pinch collar of choke collar.  Is this really necessary? It seems mean to me, am I missing an important point?  When we did puppy class and beginners obedience, we did not need this type of equipment.  (This is a different instructor).... any advice or thoughts please....???
I don't want to hurt of scare her in anyway, she is such a sweetheart.

Thanks

Offline bhender254

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Re: Training collar
« Reply #1 on: May 18, 2005, 01:27:38 pm »
Where are you taking the training class.  Most of them these days refuse to let you use a pinch collar or choker.  They will only allow a head-halter, or flat collar.

Offline Carolyn

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Re: Training collar
« Reply #2 on: May 18, 2005, 01:42:09 pm »
I have always used choke chains for walking/school, flat buckle collar for home. When training with the horses if I am being pulled constantly I will use a prong choke, "as a tool or cruch" the response is no pulling. constant pulling is the cause of injury in most cases. Its how you use your collar that will make it harsh. My teacher once recommended trying Apache on a "halti", I told my breeder & she said no, its not natural for a dog to lead like that & he looked so sad with the halti. Now at 2-1/2 Apache doesn't pull or lunge a birds, bugs or anything. He heals at my side almost all the time.
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Re: Training collar
« Reply #3 on: May 18, 2005, 02:35:29 pm »
Samson has been through 2 puppy classes already & will start adult classes soon...In all of these classes the types of collars you mentioned were prohibited...I don't understand why the instructor would want to start with a choke/prong collar with out seeing what the dog will do with a flat collar first...It sounds to me like he/she might be old school training...The requirement of those types of collar would be a BIG red flag to me!...Ecspecially on a pup....Do you know what kind of training methods he/she uses?...Hope it's not the old school "choke & drag". >:(

Offline Rachel

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Re: Training collar
« Reply #4 on: May 18, 2005, 02:52:06 pm »
I also use a choke chain with Sophie and I agree that you definitely have to know how to use it.  I've tried other things with her including a halti which she just looked so uncomfortable in.I also tried a Sporn harness (which goes underneath the dogs legs and clips onto a collar) with both of these she pulled terribly so I went back to the choke chain.  She heels right next to my side with the chain loose on her neck.  Its definitely a personal preferance if you are uneasy about using a choke or prong collar then do not use it.  The dog will pick up on your vibes and if you are not comfortable the dog will not be either.

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Re: Training collar
« Reply #5 on: May 18, 2005, 03:23:17 pm »
Sorry, I guess I am old school. I have always used a prong coller on my dogs for walks and schooling, I consider it "power steering" for my danes. When used correctly they are not harsh, and have eliminated pulling and curbed my dane's dog aggression. The dogs run from every corner of the house if you rattle a collar and will pout if no walk is forthcoming. They stick their heads out and hold their bodies and necks still while their feet beat a tatoo on the floor, in anticipation of theit walk. I can't help but think that the prong collars are not an issue in the face of all that enthusiasm.
Stella

Offline Leah-n-boy-os

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Re: Training collar
« Reply #6 on: May 18, 2005, 03:30:41 pm »
I also use a "pinch" when walking Apollo. He's just so rambunctious when we go for "Walkies" and simply must sniff/greet/herd every moving thing, and as he weighs 135lbs, I feel like a kite in a windstorm without it. My father, who has raised, trained and shown champion Dobies suggested it, as I have an aversion to choke chains. (The poor pups look like they're trying to hang themselves on the end of those devicies.)

I find it to be a great "training" (not punishment!) tool, and look forward to the day when he's old enough to realise that not everyone *must* love him.
Leah and the Boy-os
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Re: Training collar
« Reply #7 on: May 18, 2005, 04:05:46 pm »
I have no issue with using choke or prong collars...I have even bought Samson a prong collar to work on walking but took it back before I even used it because I was not comfortable with it...I just am wondering why that particular trainer would start a pup with either collar without seeing how the dog does without first...I had a friend who took her Boxer to a trainer who literally broke blood vessels in the dogs eyes when she wouldn't go into the down position by yanking on her leash...That is my concern for what training method is to be used...That is what I mean by old school choke & drag...Needles s to say my friend left the class & never took her Boxer back...She felt so bad..She didn't know waht training methods were used or she would have never put her sweet dog through it in the 1st place...The trainer apologized & payed the vet bills but as far as I know she still uses the same methods...Now, for walking Samson, I got him a harness which helps the pulling tremendously.. .It doesn't seem like it should but it does with him...When he pulls I simply stop & wait for him to wonder why we aren't moving...He looks back at me 7 I tell him "walk nice"...When he starts to walk again without pulling I praise him...A soon as he pulls we stop...Sometim es it took 20 minutes to walk a short block but he gets better & better.

Offline meg

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Re: Training collar
« Reply #8 on: May 18, 2005, 04:40:51 pm »
She said it was a requirement for all dogs in her class, and it sounds like there will be some pretty small ones there also.  She works out of one of the local groomers.  I don't know what her methods are.  She just told us we needed one of these when we come back next week.  AND of course, she didn't mention all this until we had all paid our fees.

Offline mixedupdog

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Re: Training collar
« Reply #9 on: May 18, 2005, 04:50:22 pm »
http://www.flyingdogpress.com/headhalters.html

http://www.flyingdogpress.com/prong.html

These two articles give a good overview of both haltis and prongs. I use a plastic prong on Earnest, (he's lab/dane) and a metal one on Phyfe (he's St./Mastiff) Phyfe only wears the metal one because the plastic one can't poke him through his fur. He has a trachea injury from being abused with a  choke chain, the prong collar is actually much milder on him. He walks well and doesn't bolt, it's just that every now and then something by the side of the trail will catch his attention, and he will suddenly change direction, literally hard enough to pull my arm out. He's not even trying to bolt, just taking a few steps THAT WAY. With the prong he feels the poke ON HIS SKIN (as opposed to pressure on his neck) and immediately releases the pressure on the lead.
Here's a link for the plastic prong:
http://www.aboutdogtraining.com/panel.php?5

Offline jabear

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Re: Training collar
« Reply #10 on: May 18, 2005, 05:18:59 pm »
We have used both for Bear and had no real problem with either, though the pinch collar made him look mean in my opinion. We prefer to use a martingale collar or an extremely thin "show" choke when walking or playing. The thin choke is sooooo wonderful at preventing any pulling he might do and doesn't hurt him at all. Plus, you can't see it through all of his hair!
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Jaime
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Offline Jaimie

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Re: Training collar
« Reply #11 on: May 18, 2005, 06:00:57 pm »
Personally I do not like pinch collars and I don't like to see people using them, they inflict pain and that is no way to train a dog.  A choke chain on the other hand is very useful in training and is not painful when used properly.  Just my opinion :)

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Re: Training collar
« Reply #12 on: May 18, 2005, 06:12:00 pm »
i use a prong on dakota i have for 9 years i have no problem with  them ..i would ? why they would start them off that way..i little story i took my female boxer to her first class and was told to bring a choke the trainer was horrble she used all force and with out going into detail becouse it still brings tears to my eyes..i ended up at the vet, this trainer choked my dog to the point of breaking blood vesels in her eyes so my vet gave her a shot to take the swelling down and she went in to shock from the shot...she gave her another shot to bring her out of that..she recovered but i still feel guilty by putting her in that class...that being said. used right both types of collars will work but just be careful and don't do anything your not comfertable with...... good luck let us know how it went....
ann

Offline poofynewfy

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Re: Training collar
« Reply #13 on: May 18, 2005, 06:14:13 pm »
OMG Ann! I've never heard of such a thing! I'm glad it all turned out alright.

Offline meg

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Re: Training collar
« Reply #14 on: May 18, 2005, 06:15:04 pm »
Thank you for all the info.  I will check out the links right now.  I really appreciate everyone's thoughts and ideas :)