Collars!

[AusCatDogs_4Ever]

Hey everyone I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good walking and training collar for Charlie. A lot of people seem to be very agaisnt choke collars but in dog training books it said these were the only collars that would work for training because they apply prussure and make a noise when the dog pulls a regular collar can't do that. Also with a regular collar when walking he can easily slip out of it if he pulls backwards (and it isn't loose or anything it's perfect fit). So what is the best collar to use when we walk or train?

What do you this of this type of collar?

And when I was browsing through collars look at this! Have any of you heard of a Cat Muzzle?? This was sure new to me!

Thanks for your help guys!

 

[oriondw]

Honestly, I think you are putting the regular collar somehow in a wrong way.

I've never seen it slip out when dogs pulls backwards.


Checkes are ok if you know how to use it, but since most people dont know I dont recommend them.

Prongs are a much safer alternative to a choke.


I use a regular buckle collar for all training.

 

[AusCatDogs_4Ever]

Well he has a thick neck and a small head, so it's easy for him to get out of it if he REALLY wants to. Depends on the breed of dog I guess...

 

[tessa_s212]

Yes, I've worded a ACD once and she could slip her buckle collar very easily when she did NOT want to do something.

I don't like chokes. Most don't know how to use them. Even those that do know how to use them can easily abuse them.

The link to the collar you posted doesn't seem like a bad alternative. It will make it much harder to slip because it could tighten if he pulls back.. adn then you can just avoide those nasty choke collars all together!

The last resort: Well, I'd try a prong/pinch if that collar doesn't work out.

 

[ShadowCat]

I've never used this collar before, but I would like to since I have a problem with one of my whippets slipping out of his collar. I don't know if this collar is best suited just for sitehounds, or if it is fine for all breeds. I'm sure that it is. Here's a link: http://www.northwindcatalog.com/martingale_collars.htm

 

[AusCatDogs_4Ever]

Yes, I've worded a ACD once and she could slip her buckle collar very easily when she did NOT want to do something.

I don't like chokes. Most don't know how to use them. Even those that do know how to use them can easily abuse them.

The link to the collar you posted doesn't seem like a bad alternative. It will make it much harder to slip because it could tighten if he pulls back.. adn then you can just avoide those nasty choke collars all together!

The last resort: Well, I'd try a prong/pinch if that collar doesn't work out.

Thanks for that info, I will check out he prong collars too I don't think i've ever saw one before.

I've never used this collar before, but I would like to since I have a problem with one of my whippets slipping out of his collar. I don't know if this collar is best suited just for sitehounds, or if it is fine for all breeds. I'm sure that it is. Here's a link: http://www.northwindcatalog.com/martingale_collars.htm

Thank you for the link I will check it out now!

 

[AusCatDogs_4Ever]

I looked up prong collars and I came accross a study which I thought might interest some of you:

A Study on Prong Collars was done in Germany:
100 dogs were in the study. 50 used choke and 50 used prong.
The dogs were studied for their entire lives. As dogs died, autopsies were performed.
Of the 50 which had chokes, 48 had injuries to the neck, trachea, or back. 2 of those were determined to be genetic. The other 46 were caused by trauma.
Of the 50 which had prongs, 2 had injuries in the neck area, 1 was determined to be genetic. 1 was caused by trauma.

 

[Doberluv]

Instead of getting into a pulling match or power struggle with your dog...(you won't need an aversive collar) why not practice motivation/reward training methods? I think you get a lot further with your dog because he becomes a willing partner and there's no need for all that. My dog has a very nice heel and is very obedient. I didn't need to train him with aversives. He did use a prong when he was younger and hadn't had enough training under his belt. When we had to get out around a lot of other dogs and he was lunging etc. But for regular training, I used either a flat buckle collar or no collar at all. Lure, motivate, reward. If you make it worth the dog's while to comply, he won't be struggling against you. Soon, his compliance becomes habit or second nature to him and it's as though he has no other choice but to do what he has been taught. I recommend looking into the principles of clicker training, even if you decide not to actually use a clicker. The timing will be explained and that's critical no matter what method you use.

 

[Gempress]

Yup, I've seen that study too. Prongs are better than chokes for training. They're safer for the dog. The only downside with prongs is that they look rather painful and barbaric, even though they're not. When I used one on Zeus, I'd get evil looks from people all the time.

But if you're just worried about Charlie's head slipping out, I'd just get a martingle collar. They tighten just enough to keep the dog from slipping out of the collar.

 

[AusCatDogs_4Ever]

Instead of getting into a pulling match or power struggle with your dog...(you won't need an aversive collar) why not practice motivation/reward training methods? I think you get a lot further with your dog because he becomes a willing partner and there's no need for all that. My dog has a very nice heel and is very obedient. I didn't need to train him with aversives. He did use a prong when he was younger and hadn't had enough training under his belt. When we had to get out around a lot of other dogs and he was lunging etc. But for regular training, I used either a flat buckle collar or no collar at all. Lure, motivate, reward. If you make it worth the dog's while to comply, he won't be struggling against you. Soon, his compliance becomes habit or second nature to him and it's as though he has no other choice but to do what he has been taught. I recommend looking into the principles of clicker training, even if you decide not to actually use a clicker. The timing will be explained and that's critical no matter what method you use.

I have tried giving him treats and praising him when he doesn't pull, he isn't that bad really, he will only pull to sniff someting, or if sees a cat or something (I just think he needs to pay attention more).

We were also practicing a method I saw on "Good Dog" when you start walking and when ever your dog's body passes your knee you turn in the oppisite direction and keep repeating. Charlie did very well with that and it cut back his pulling a lot, but when something catches his interest he just has to see what it is.

Yup, I've seen that study too. Prongs are better than chokes for training. They're safer for the dog. The only downside with prongs is that they look rather painful and barbaric, even though they're not. When I used one on Zeus, I'd get evil looks from people all the time.

But if you're just worried about Charlie's head slipping out, I'd just get a martingle collar. They tighten just enough to keep the dog from slipping out of the collar.

These collars look great, I think I'll get him one. And I may get a prong collar as well, they don't sound as horrible as they look.

 

[regardsbullmastiffs]

Hey everyone I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good walking and training collar for Charlie. A lot of people seem to be very agaisnt choke collars but in dog training books it said these were the only collars that would work for training because they apply prussure and make a noise when the dog pulls a regular collar can't do that. Also with a regular collar when walking he can easily slip out of it if he pulls backwards (and it isn't loose or anything it's perfect fit). So what is the best collar to use when we walk or train?

What do you this of this type of collar?

And when I was browsing through collars look at this! Have any of you heard of a Cat Muzzle?? This was sure new to me!

Thanks for your help guys!

I only use Choke chains for walking/training my dogs. I have bullmastiffs though. Choke chains are not dangerous if you use them right. I don't like collars as their head could slip out easily or they could break them. I also don't have collars on my dogs with tags unless if they are break-away collars as I have heard of to many horror stories of dogs getting caught on a fence or something and getting choked to death.

Ezriyah
Regards Bullmastiffs
www.geocities.com/regardsbullmastiffs/home.html

 

[Mordy]

I've never seen it slip out when dogs pulls backwards.

Actually that's quite an issue with dogs that have a thick neck compared to their heads, e.g. most sighthounds, collie or shiba inu.

To the OP - if the looks of a prong collar bother you, or you think people might look funny at you, just buy a hair scrunchie that is made from thin material of the appropriate size, cut it open and slide it over. That way it is still effective but concealed rom clueless people who might make stupid comments.

 

[Dobiegurl]

I only use Choke chains for walking/training my dogs. I have bullmastiffs though. Choke chains are not dangerous if you use them right. I don't like collars as their head could slip out easily or they could break them. I also don't have collars on my dogs with tags unless if they are break-away collars as I have heard of to many horror stories of dogs getting caught on a fence or something and getting choked to death.

Ezriyah
Regards Bullmastiffs
www.geocities.com/regardsbullmastiffs/home.html

They are not dangerous in the moment but can leave neck damage from the constant pulling. The prong is a safer more effective collar. I hate the noise the chock chain makes when you pull. The prong is very effective and just putting it on is enough to keep your dog next to you when you walk. Because once your dog pulls he will feel the prong's pressure intensify on his neck and he will back up until the pressure relieves.

 

[Dobiegurl]

To the OP - if the looks of a prong collar bother you, or you think people might look funny at you, just buy a hair scrunchie that is made from thin material of the appropriate size, cut it open and slide it over. That way it is still effective but concealed rom clueless people who might make stupid comments

They did that to my aunt's service dog because PAWS WITH A CAUSE did not want people to think they used the prong to train their dogs.

I get harrased everyday by people saying its cruel. But don't let them stop you. People always have something to say and people will always critisize you no matter what you do. If its not one thing its another.

 

[PFC1]

For what its worth, I was stopped by someone once to congratulate me on using the humane pinch collar rather than the potentially injurious flat collar.

 

[aelizilly]

I use the martingale collar on my Beagle and it seems to work pretty well, he is by no means perfect on it, but I get a good response from him. But, it is a different martingale from the other one posted here.

Here is a link to the petsmart one I use, it is good for training b/c it is a part choke/ part nylon collar and the chain makes the click and tightens up for the correction but the rest of the collar is nylon. I felt this combination was perfect for me as it wasn't too harsh but not too easy on him either. See what you think!

http://www.petsmart.com/global/prod...1141768053360&itemNo=20&Nao=12&N=2025650&Ne=3

 

[JennSLK]

I have a martingale with the pit. I hate them. I prefer a prong.

What kind of training are you doing? When we do agility we have a special cheap buckle collar we use. So no tags are hanging to get caught on the equipment. No martingale, choke, or prongs are allowed. The younger dogs go through equipment with a leash trailing them because they are not all 100% reliable off leash.

So it depends on the taining. If is just heal work go with a prong, but if it is something like agilty be aware that it could get caught on equipment and give the dog a bad correction when one is not needed.

 

[B33CPE]

I have a Blue heeler too. I like the collars that are like 3/4 nylon and 1/4 chain so they only tighten up enough to keep the collar on, or if you dont want a chain at all try "greyhound collars" they are the same just made of all nylon. And both can also be used as regular collars. I know the petsmart i been to has both.

 

[AusCatDogs_4Ever]

Thanks guys! I've learned about some different colors, and also that prong collars aren't bad! I think I will get both a martingale and a prong collar if I can find a pet store that sells them around here. I will use the prong for heeling training and when we go for walks and once he is a good heeling and doesn't pull when walking I will use the martingale so he can't escape from his collar. Thank you for the link aelizilly, thats the sort of Martingale I was looking for. (I will never use the choke collar again after what I've learned about it, I also read it can damage their voice boxes )

 

[aelizilly]

Glad my information helped out, good luck and let us know how things go.

Jenn, this is simply for loose leash walking, I do not do any agility or any other training other than obedience right now with Bailey.