Collars

[Suzanne H]

I'm all questions today after yesterday's class. Sorry (and direct me to another thread if i'm going over old ground)

We just have a standard collar on Otto, and use a gentle leader while out walking, tho trying to work on the heel.

But am a bit confused. Lots of half chokes, couple of prongs, some normal collars there yesterday. Is it down to preference or is there a better option for our needs?

Doesn't heel and does pull a bit but not in an out of control way (needs work tho), will sit calmly at the side of the road, will pull towards a dog, but not a person. But will jump if someone speaks to him. So needs some correction, gets distracted, but not to a danger level.

[Emma*]

John would advise you best but alot is down to personal preference.

I use a prong now, i did use a standard collar until introduced to the prong no going back for me.
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Happiness is being loved by 2 Great Danes

[John Thomson]

Collar choice is personal preference.
For a dog that pulls or lacks 'manners' on leash then a prong is a wonderful training tool.
The biggest drawback is the way they look ( this is more of an issue with short coated dogs) to other people who are unaware of how and why they work.....you will find a large number of people will judge you by your choice of using a prong.
At class next week if you want to try one you will be able to see Otto's reaction.........I have yet to see a dog that does not respond well using one of these collars.
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John Thomson
www.cumbernaulddogtraining.co.uk

[Suzanne H]

Sounds good...I saw a couple of the larger dogs had them and was intrigued. Otto ain't huge but he's stronger than he looks.

The gentle leader was great, but he's started to ignore it and I saw how he reacted to you yesterday - made us think.

And I long ago stopped caring what anyone thought of me - and I doubt Ian ever did

[Lindy]

Suzanne I have prongs on both of my wee ones as they deamons when it came to pulling for such wee dogs my shoulders and back were killing me, and they had no manners when passing other dogs and occasional peole now they are great to walk with hardly any pulling and no nonsense, but it's definatley personal choice.

[John Thomson]

[Suzanne H]

He just paid attention...no questions asked. Which is how he is in most situations but not while walking.

Like you said, we just need to find what flicks his switch ie food - we probably got lazy with the gentle leader and tho we worked with treats to get the recall sorted we didn't persevere with walking.

Maybe get some cheese perfume!

[Suzanne H]

Just walked him on my own and used the technique shown yesterday and he was much better on the lead. No gentle leader...bit of cheese to focus him.

[John Thomson]