Buckle, Choke and Pinch colars

[JennSLK]

I currently use a regular buckle colar for the beagle. She's small and easy to control.

I have purchased a Pinch colar to use on some of the pits I foster. They are usually full grown and have no manners so a pinch helps with walking.

I have heard that choke chains are bad for the fallowing reason:

1)The dog can choke if it gets stuck on something
2)The dog's windpipe can be crushed
3)The dog doesnt understand why he/she is choking so continues to pull while being walked.

Now that I am getting a dobe (big powerfull dog) should I continue using a pinch for training? Good points I have heard about pinches:
1)They will never "choke" enough to stangle a dog while walking

I understand that in the wrong hands they can be dangerous (but what cant?). If used properly do you feel they would be a suitable training tool?

Thanx.

Yes pinch coloars are new to me. Before I have allways used chokes.

 

[Gempress]

The choke collar gets so much of a bad rap that I feel a disclaimer is needed. Slip collars are not bad if used properly. I used them to train my first two dogs. When used properly, it should not choke the dog at all, period. The problem is that few people realize this, and never learn how to use the collar. Lemme take this point by point.

1) Training collars of any kind should only be used during training. They shouldn't just be left on the dog. Hence, no accidental choking hazard.

2) THE COLLAR DOES NOT CORRECT BY "CHOKING" THE DOG! I put this in capital letters because it's probably the most misunderstood aspect of this type of collar. When used properly, the collar should tighten ONLY for a fraction of a second, then immediately release. The correction should be given with a quick snap of the hand, not a slow pull. The brief "snap" around the neck and the noise of the chain is the correction. Not choking.

3) Unless a correction is deliberately being given by the trainer, the collar and leash should be completely slack. That means that you do not let your dog "self-correct", or pull against the collar until it chokes itself (such as pulling on the leash during a walk). The only time the collar should tighen is during that one brief split-second that you give a correction. If it tightens for longer than that, you're doing it wrong.

As for pinch collars, those are also good. They work better for dogs who try to pull against the slip collars (which is dangerous), or people who just aren't comfortable with a slip collar. I used a pinch collar with Zeus, since he always pulled against the slip collar. The only problem with those is that sometimes the chain links can come apart during use.

And remember that you don't have to use a training collar. You can also use alternative methods, like clicker training. Just use the method that you feel most comfortable with.

 

[JennSLK]

Thanks. I need all the info I can get. As for clicker training, I would never use it. Not that anything is wrong with it, but I cant for the life of me understand it, so Im not going to use it.

Any more info?

Ps
Yeah, I know you shouldnt leave a training colar on. emma's buckle colar is left on ut it is slightly too loose, so she can get out of it if something happens. I tighten it for walks.

 

[aivzdog]

Choke collars arent bad.
They help to control and train your dog.
Alot of people put choke collars on wrong and that hurts the dog.
If it makes a P than its perfect.
If it makes a 9 it hurts the dog
When you use one when u pull it gets tight and then it should losen when u let it loose.


Anna

 

[SammiesDad]

If the pinch collar is working for you and you are used to using it, then I don't see a reason for changing?

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

Everyone who has ever trained a dog to do anything uses the principles that make clicker training work.

The clicker is nothing more than a marker for the behavior you are looking for. I don't use clickers. I use YES or GOOD, but I am STILL using a marker.

Dogs do not tend to "get out of" loose collars. If they catch on something, they tend to pull until they are dead. This is why my dogs never wear collars unless I'm working them.

A slip collar should not ever be called a choke chain. If it's choking the dog, it's useless. As others have stated above, the collar must be used with a loose leash, and "snap" corrections. It must also be kept high up on the neck right behind the ears. Slip collars are hard for experienced people to use correctly, and are almost beyond a novice handler. First you are trying to keep the collar up on the neck, and the ring under the chin so you have leverage, then you add in leash handling, walking, and technique, and it's must way too much for most novice handlers to absorb.

Pinch collars are WAY easier to use. They stay where you put them if they are properly adjusted.

Drawbacks include:

They can release without ANY notice. Pinch collars should ALWAYS be used with another collar as a backup, and the leash attached to both of them.

You cannot keep an aggressive dog off of you with a pinch.

Some dogs who are excitable or aggressive can escalate extremely and in seconds if/when you apply a pinch correction. Pinch collars are not generally a good idea in situations where you have a dog who is fearful or aggressive.

I use all 3 types of collars. I use slip collars in the conformation ring ( of course) but almost never for obedience training. I use pinch collars for obedience training. I show in obedience with buckle collars.

 

[Gempress]

You can also start training your puppy from the very beginning. Puppies can definately learn simple things like "sit" and "down" at 8 weeks old. But don't use a training collar at that age. Just use treats to lure the puppy into the right position. Keep the sessions fun and short.

 

[tessa_s212]

If you train your puppy from the very beginning with simply a buckle collar, you will find that so long as it is well trained, you will never need any of those aversive tools! If you are not getting a puppy, positive reinforcement still works wonderfully, and I definitely recommend positive reinforcement before choosing to go with the correction route.

goodluck!

 

[Rubylove]

Thanks. I need all the info I can get. As for clicker training, I would never use it. Not that anything is wrong with it, but I cant for the life of me understand it, so Im not going to use it.

Hun, I gotta tell you, if you can get yourself to understand it, it's such a great form of training. I train with a clicker - dogs and cats both - and it can be used for all animals. It's wonderful.

Here are a couple of useful sites

www.clickertraining.com

www.clickerlessons.com

I have a feeling that it hasn't been explained to you very well, because it should be very simple to understand. If you like, you can pm me and I will help you with it.

 

[JennSLK]

I have a feeling that it hasn't been explained to you very well, because it should be very simple to understand. If you like, you can pm me and I will help you with it

I will read those links and let you know if I have any questions. Thanx

 

[mrose_s]

When buzzy lost his collar a while ago. i used a choke chain when walking him for a while. he would pull on it sometimes so ide have to just stop him and loosen it and get him rested so that it didnt do any damage. because its the continual tightness od the chain that causes problems. but a short sharp jerk deoesnt hurt. it justs brings them back to realtiy

 

[rocco&quiras mama]

hmmm.. should i even go there..?
well all i´ll say is that there is a reason why pinch collars are illegal in many countries.
Moving on *S* if the dob you are Getting is a pup ( is it ?) then there is no reason why you should need to use anykind of special collar.. some good old fashioned training works wonders *S*
in fact it will with any dog.. pup or not, as long as you are willing to put in the time and effort.

for the dogs you have that are pulling on leash get them a harnes insted and use that so they dont get hurt or get stronger untill you have worked it out.



good luck.

 

[Gempress]

hmmm.. should i even go there..?
well all i´ll say is that there is a reason why pinch collars are illegal in many countries.

The reason? Ignorance. The same reason why pit bulls, AmStaffs, Filas, etc., are also banned in many countries. Too much attention to hype, not enough grasp of reality.

Pinch collars are not cruel. If they were cruel, my dog wouldn't become giddy with excitement whenever I so much as jingle the collar in his presence.

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

hmmm.. should i even go there..?
well all i´ll say is that there is a reason why pinch collars are illegal in many countries.

I would ask what experience you have with pinch or prong collars? I show my dogs in competition obedience and the breed ring. My dogs work with head up and a big grin on their faces. They LOVE it. A prong collar is a training tool just like others. At least you are not likely to kill a dog with a prong, which is easy to do with a slip collar,, especially if they are left on the dog all the time.

Moving on *S* if the dob you are Getting is a pup ( is it ?) then there is no reason why you should need to use anykind of special collar.. some good old fashioned training works wonders *S*
in fact it will with any dog.. pup or not, as long as you are willing to put in the time and effort.

for the dogs you have that are pulling on leash get them a harnes insted and use that so they dont get hurt or get stronger untill you have worked it out.

good luck.

I would not recommend a harness for a pulling dog. Harnesses are designed for pulling. That's why horses wear them to draw wagons and buggies.

I do agree that training is in order.

One must also keep in mind that the majority of people who have dogs who pull trained them (albeit unintentionally) to pull. It takes TWO to pull.

 

[PFC1]

I would not recommend a harness for a pulling dog. Harnesses are designed for pulling.

Exactly.

That's why horses wear them to draw wagons and buggies.

And doggies, too.

 

[amymarley]

Gempress spoke the truth. To be honest, you shouldn't be using a "choke" chain on your dog if they are still pulling. First off, I hate the word "choke," it's a corrective collar used to correct behavior. I also am a firm believer of having a disclaimer on these "choke" chains. If your dog is pulling and you are using a "corrective" collar, I would suggest you teach him/her how to heel by your side and walk. In the end it benefits both you and your dog. Good luck. Amy