It's about that time to get .....

Akasha · 02-07-2010, 08:52 PM

Akasha a new training collar - she's been growing a lot, especially around the neck. The loop collar is getting to tight for her, and we'd like other ideas. I'm not crazy about the "Prong Collars" and think we may pass on that.

Someone mentioned that a "Gentle Leader" is a good one, it helps with a positive directional - However it's like a muzzle and they did add that it would look like I have to muzzle our dog in public -

I guess my question is does anyone have opinions of this type of collar ? Or can someone recommend a good one to use.....?

**StaffyDaddy** · 02-07-2010, 08:57 PM

It trains the dog to only obey with that collar on, and it's hard to apply any "corrections". You may not like the prong, but it is truly the best type of collar for simple obedience reinforcement, as long as it is fitted and used properly. JMO

**meganc66** · 02-07-2010, 08:58 PM

If you want to try the gentle leader, you may, but with my personal experience i didn't care for it. No matter how much my dog (and another dog i helped train but they wanted to use it) wore the thing, all they wanted to do was get it off. They would continually put their noses to the ground and rub it on things and try to scratch it off. I found it wasn't really worth the hassle, in the end. It didn't help nearly enough to be worth it. I, like you, wasn't very keen on trying a prong collar and i didn't for about 6 months after giving up on the gentle leader. If you are not completely against using a prong, i would do research on it and look closer into it because now that I learned the correct way to use one I really enjoy the prong collar and it actually helps, unlike the gentle leader and the "easy walk", which is another harness type of training device that didn't really work for me.

Akasha · 02-07-2010, 09:08 PM

Yeah, I just found some reading material about the Gentle Leader - saying its only good for pulling during walks, and that it breaks the bond with your dog. No I agree - I won't be getting that one - Akasha starts her training again in April and our trainer is going to show us how to use a prong collar - I've never used one for training.......

I'm always afraid it would be uncomfortable - I mean after all it does look painful lol ! Thank you guys, she really is a great dog - we are just working on walking. Anytime we are out walking she's beautiful and well behaved - but as soon as another animal (big or small) or a person walks by she's pulling away (loves to say hi) - The majority of what her training involves right now is "Basic" obedience, and nothing to involved. Our professional trainer says that dogs around 6months (in his experience) start to understand more (and its easier to train them at that age).

Well anyways thank you guys again ~ I'll do a little bit more research on the prong collars ~

jmejiaa · 02-07-2010, 09:16 PM

My trainer told me the same thing. Gentle leader will only help him with it on. And it won't really correct, just make it uncomfortable for her to walk.

I got the prong and it works wonders on walks.

**DueceAddicTed** · 02-07-2010, 09:25 PM

I agree with Both Oz & Megan ...
I use to be totally against prong collars the way I have seen others use it and the marks left on dogs due to improper use, as well as the type of prongs used. There are several.
I have always trained my dogs with regular collars and done all their obedience to a T ... til Duece with him I needed help retraining myself more then him. Anyway the prong was introduced as he is very strong willed in his ways. My trainers showed me the prong to use ...you dont want the prongs that have those flat sharp edges they cut and scratch the neck, nor do you want prongs with the black tips they just come off revealing the same scratchy flat tips ...
U can see the rounded edges here I have the Herm Sprenger ....

Amazon

Also now that he is extremely well in his walks cept for the occasional bird spotting ... I have been breaking him out of it since I got his Stillwater collar about a month back , I put the prong on but I attach the lead to the Stillwater , and he's been walking really well. So hopefully soon I can just keep the prong in my bag incase .....

Akasha · 02-08-2010, 01:46 AM

Thank you for the great advice ! I've always been afraid of them, because as you said Duece - I've seen improper use of prongs collars, and it's always looked so bad for the dogs. I know physically Akasha could handle a little bit of a rough/firm touch. After this dog can handle a 45pd kid tackling her on the ground.

boogiebot · 02-09-2010, 12:51 AM

have you looked into a martinagle collar?

Akasha · 02-09-2010, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogiebot

have you looked into a martinagle collar?

That's the collar we have now but's its not working anymore - besides she itches whenever she wears it. I really want something that's going to make her "heel" with noise I suppose.

A neighbor offered to help with some ideas (she use to train dogs) - she recommended a "Light" weight chain collar (similar to a prong, with no prongs) - said the noise would help her respond better. Again it's all ideas, we have decided yet - How do you guys feel about a regular chain collar (like this)?

chain collars for dogs - Google Product Search

**StaffyDaddy** · 02-09-2010, 02:27 PM

Chain slips are effective, just like prongs if you use them correctly. IMO they slip down the neck a little bit easier than prongs, but I use both. I wouldn't get the "comfort" ones, or ones that are covered because it will slow down the mechanism. Ultimately, it's whatever works for you and your dog.