|
Post by bobbenson on Mar 4, 2007 15:09:12 GMT -5
I have a 6 mo old puppy. Training is going reasonably well. Still working on him pulling during Heel.
I use a standard choke chain with choke chain corrections. My thought is that I should wait to use a pinch collar in the event I have issues down the road that require it.
From what I've read, pinch collars are actually safer. You also should put the pinch collar on several hours before using it so the dog doesn't associate the collar with the correction.
When you see a dog with a pinch collar on, I think people assume the dog may be agressive. I personally don't like the way they look.
Question: can you go back and forth from pinch collar to standard collar? For example, suppose I put a pinch collar on the dog before crating him for the night. I use the pinch collar in training the following day. Then go back to a standard choke chain for a day or two. I just don't like the way a pinch collar looks and don't want it on the dog all the time.
Does this make sense, or will the choke chain corrections not work as well once you start using a pinch collar?
|
|
|
Post by Laura on Mar 4, 2007 18:32:26 GMT -5
Never, EVER, put a training collar on a dog if it's in the crate, pinch or choke, the potential for the dog getting hung up on a crate wall is there. Training collars are only to be worn under supervision, period. And that goes for the choke too. That being said , I have the dog wear the collar during the day for a day or two to get accustomed to just wearing it. Then I snap the leash on both rings, which deadens the correction. Once pup is use to the sensation of the collar, the leash goes on the "live" ring. All my dogs wear a regular flat buckle collar at all times with their ID and rabies tags on them, the prong collar goes above the flat collar, like so...... There really is no point in waiting to use a prong collar, particularly if your pup is still pulling on a choke chain, the results will be much, much faster with a lot less trauma to your pup. If you do go with the prong, please get the original, a Herm Sprenger, they are much better made with softer tips. And don't hesitate to put one on yourself first, I make all my clients do that so they can see how it feels exactly.
|
|
|
Post by bobbenson on Mar 4, 2007 19:32:51 GMT -5
Laura, I wasn't thinking when I made my post. I actually take all collars off the dog while in the crate. I haven't been using the second collar as you do, because the loose choke chain collar can get tangled with the dog tag collar during training. I put the dog tags on the choke chain. I don't really like this, because in the event of an accidental escape, the puppy would have no ID as the choke chain is removed when the dog is in the house or crate. That is better than choking in his cage as you implied, however. The tangling issue between the two collars may not be the case with the pronged collar as is shown in your photo.
So, just to confirm your recommendation:
Day 1.
Put the pinch collar on the pup when I get up. I immediately take him out when I get up in the morning, although I am trying to get him to sit by the door and ask to go out first. He kind of gets that, but isn't there yet. I'm trying to get him to understand sitting by the door and or scratching the door means go out. I'm half way there right now.
Take all collars off the dog (even on a regular collar a dog tag could get caught up in a crate) when crating. I'm usually home all day, so most crating is at night.
Immediately put the pinch collar on the dog when he leaves the crate in the morning.
After two days or so of this, use the pinch collar as a correction but wait a couple of days to start using it for correction.
After this, only use the pinch collar, don't return to using the choke chain.
I also assume the style of correction is the same for a pinch collar as a choke chain. A quick snap and release. Usually after giving a verbal command.
Thanks,
Bill
|
|
|
Post by Dom on Mar 5, 2007 9:59:35 GMT -5
A good article showing how the prong collar should be placed on a dog below. It also explains the difference in the "live" and " dead" ring. www.leerburg.com/fit-prong.htmOur dogs always wear a buckle collar like Laura said. Their identification is on them. We haven't had any problem with the training collar and buckle being tangled because they are in different positions on the neck.
|
|
|
Post by bobbenson on Mar 5, 2007 15:20:04 GMT -5
Good link and thanks. I'm going to buy a collar later today and put it on in the morning. I'll wait until an afternoon walk to use the collar for correction so there is no association.
As I said, I've been using a choke chain for corrections to date. In trying to train the dog to ask to go out (potty training), I've been putting the leash and choke collar attached over the front door knob. He nudges the collar, leash on the door I immediately say out and put the collar on him and go out. He's starting to get the idea.
Would it be a good idea to do the same thing with the prong collar? Perhaps have him nudge the collar in the morning to go out, but put the leash on his dog tag collar. That way there is no association between the prong collar and corrections.
I don't have an enclosed yard, so I need to take him out for potty breaks on a leash.
|
|
|
Post by Laura on Mar 5, 2007 16:37:23 GMT -5
Yep, that should be fine, that's why most of us keep a regular collar on our dogs for reasons like that, potty time is potty time, training time is for training collars . Just remember, do not correct the pup during the teaching phase of obedience training, make sure the dog fully comprehends a command. It's one thing to have the dog self correct on a prong collar for pulling on a leash, but it's another altogether to pop the collar for noncompliance of a command he's unsure of.
|
|