Dog Behaviourists.....Why I have a Problem With Them

[carol]

Thanks John.

I am that used to no collar at all. In agility it has only recently been brought in that dogs are allowed to wear a collar while competing, but it has to be a plan flat collar. So I'm not that clued up on whats out there in the market.

[John Thomson]

Hi Carol,

a dog that will respond to voice corrections would be heaven.....as you know plenty of dogs who come to class have 'issues' including one of my own shepherds who snapped a halti using sheer brute force......I could give him a correction with a half check ( I simply refuse to use a choke chain...I have put one on my arm and yanked it.......what a bruise!!!!!!!! ) that would take him clean off his feet and he would get up look at me with a 'is that the best you've got' look and continue where he left off........30 seconds after fitting a prong I had total respect, no pulling on leash........and he loves the collar....comes running to get it on when we go out......wish I had discovered them years ago.
as for the Halti...I had to go and drag him to get it on him.

hope this made sense
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John Thomson
www.cumbernaulddogtraining.co.uk

[carol]

Yes, It makes sense.

I have a male border collie who is now 11 years old. When he was a young dog he used to almost pull my shoulder out of its socket. I remember trying a halti without any success. I took a long time and a lot of work to get him to walk without pulling. When i got the little parson terrier it was like taking a feather for a walk, I can imagine a GSD is the complete opposite.

[John Thomson]

Yep....been there....sore back after every walk. I tried everything I possibly could before I tried a prong collar...quite simply the single most humane way to bring a dominant dog into line

No conflict involved, no power struggle.....bliss...best decision I ever made.

Now my 13 year old daughter can walk my two GSD's on her own , cats , other dogs.........no problem they weigh 14 stone plus.......... she weighs 7 stone and has them under complete control.
_________________
John Thomson
www.cumbernaulddogtraining.co.uk

[Sheryl]

Do you get them in a small enough size for my two???

where do i get them?? or could you get them for me and I could give you money plus p&p or whatever???
x
_________________
Kindest Regards,
PRINCESS Sheryl, Keano and Coby.

[Lindy]

Dora is really bad for pulling and for such a small dog is very strong I have tried the halti in the smallest size and she got it off and hated it I persisted for about 3 weeks but it was no good, tried the harness that has the rope that goes under their arm pits it worked to an extent but rubbed her fur away so got rid of that, I think with some more work and percistance I can stop it?? If not I would consider the prong as long as it is suitable for her case and size. If I get the right instruction on using it I can see these things as a great tool.

Lindy

[marcella]

they are available in small fine sizes too. John will have a look at what's available and let you know.

[Lindy]

Cool but I'll try the classes for a bit to see if we can't sort it that way then go for the collar. Thanks

[John Thomson]

Just a quick update on the collie......after applying strict pack order and also before feeding settting things up so that to the dog it looks as though the dogs handler is eating from the dogs bowl then giving the dog the left overs and simply walking away....feeding time growling and conflict has gone.

They are still working on ignoring the dog as they leave and enter the house but the results withthis are encouraging..........

It certainly looks as though, with a bit of work from the owners, that things are starting to move in the right direction and I hope it continues
_________________
John Thomson
www.cumbernaulddogtraining.co.uk

[shirley c]

Oh thats great, im glad to hear the update lets hope it keeps continuing to improve

[John Thomson]

I have no doubt it will, she is a young, highly intelligent dog who is now getting the help and direction she needs to allow her to fulfill her potential
_________________
John Thomson
www.cumbernaulddogtraining.co.uk

[Lindy]

well done john a little work and time goes a long way the behaviuorist who suggested the dog should be put down should be ashamed. glad things are working out

[John Thomson]

Thanks, Shirley and Lindy and everyone else who has answered this thread.

I am never going to be the best dog trainer in the world but I do care about the welfare of every dog and their owner that ask for my advice, attend class or take the time to come on to our forum.

I take it personally when things like this happen and someone who neither the dogs owner, the dog nor me has ever met hands out advice that is clearly wrong.
I am happy to advise if I can, we have all made and continue to make 'mistakes' with out dogs.
Pooling our knowledge is the best way forward for everyone including me!
_________________
John Thomson
www.cumbernaulddogtraining.co.uk

[kirsty]

John

It sounds promising for the wee collie. good stuff.

reading about the prong collars is making me think I definately need to put the work in again with the collars. OK - keys - I have become lazy, avoiding putting the boys on the leash etc - prongs out tomorrow.

[John Thomson]

Kirsty,

I know you are concerned about Dodge and Bob getting their prong caught in the undergrowth.........a prong is a 'half check' and can only tighten so far...where a choke chain is a full check and can continue to tighten and choke..I have never had a problem with a prong.........

here is the scenario the last time I ever used a choke chain.........Marcella is home alone with two GSD's, Rosco and Jasper..I am at my parents house doing paperwork.....got a call to say get home quick!
The dogs were having a carry on and Jasper got one of his pads caught in Rosco's choke chain and it twisted round.......so Rosco was being choked and Jaspers foot was stuck..........Marcella had to pin both of them to the floor until I arrived and used a hacksaw to cut through the collar.............

I've never put a choke chain on any of my dogs since that day..........
_________________
John Thomson
www.cumbernaulddogtraining.co.uk