Dog collars...

[bae]

So, I'm out working with my new dog this afternoon. I've had him with us only a few days, he's 3 years old, a 110 pound coon hound. He has endless energy, and a great drive to Do Something. Now!

He's also almost completely untrained. He has no idea of what a leash is, and is happy to rip your arm off your shoulder while following a scent.

Now, a *normal* dog, I can train in a few minutes to walk on a leash without much drama. A large, strong *hound* is a different matter, they have different motivations than "dogs".

So I did what I've always done with my Bassets for the first few walks - I got out the prong training collar, and properly fitted it, and off we went. And the Hound was an almost perfect gentleman after the first 2-3 minutes.

Everything was fine, until I came across a lady with a little yappy dog on the end of a Flexi-leash, attached to a "cruelty-free harness", who insisted on getting all in my face about how evil I was for using the collar I had. Even though I asked her to leave us alone, as I had an untrained dog of uncertain temperament. She kept following me as I attempted to break contact and walk along my way.

Grrrr.

Apparently properly-used prong collars are a sign you are an animal abuser, from the way she was screaming at me.

The dog doesn't seem to understand that, he was happy as a clam.

[Yossarian]

This is my favorite dog collar. I have a bird dog but they use them with hounds too.



http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3281/5791497496_ed6b8da532.jpg[/url]

[bae]

This is my favorite dog collar.

Dang, what will they think of next?

I was just going to track the 140 db baying :-)

[creaker]

I've had Newfs - and prong collars. They were only needed when they were headstrong young adults - but were the only option short of not walking them at all.

[Square Peg]

I once had three dogs: a beagle, a lab/chow mix, and a German shepherd. The beagle, if she heard the tinkle of her tags, she would fall into place when walking. The other two though: the shepherd's fur was too thick to feel anything but the prong. The lab/chow was so headstrong that should would be lying on the ground choking for the "choke" collar but would go right back to pulling. A prong collar IMMEDIATELY changed that and she became a nice walker.
Now I have two dachshunds and it is all over. They rule the walk. The boy stops all of a sudden at random spots, and locks up. Could be in the middle of the intersection. He doesn't care. The girl sets a very very very fast pace. They also weave their leashes like a Maypole. It is hopeless.

[bae]

Now I have two dachshunds and it is all over. They rule the walk.

Yup. Dachshunds are awesome scenthounds, and have no idea they are "small", and behave much like their larger relatives :-)

I love 'em!

Most of my hounds, after only a short bit of work, have been able to learn the feel of a leash/collar/harness for direction/guidance, much like a horse, but only when they aren't in full prey seeking mode, then you pretty much need to be ready for what happens next.

[Wildflower]

Prong collars have an evil reputation. People have the image of thugs using them on their fighting dogs. Even the dog training classes that I took with our latest dog the instructors there preached against the use of them. I can see though why you would need to use them in training some of the bigger, more headstrong and youthful dogs for a temporary period. Even Cesar Milan uses them at times...

[bae]

People have the image of thugs using them on their fighting dogs.

Well, Cromwell is no fighting dog, he's been sleeping next to Otis The Mighty Guinea Pig the past hour, making sure Otis doesn't get out and steal his dog bed. :-)


https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hejMptSVWhg/UN_K6op74aI/AAAAAAAAHCo/WAkaiFTffHE/s640/Awesomized.jpg

[Wildflower]

Love it!!! :)

[flowerseverywhere]

a large strong dog like yours has the potential to be very dangerous if not properly trained. Biking over 1500 miles a year I can say that a dog that does not know how to walk on a leash, and eventually respond to it's masters verbal commands can be very dangerous. It is not unusual to be chased every few months by a dog that is not properly trained, and I have met many riders that have been bit by the unlikeliest of breeds. like black labs.

Just the other day I was riding and obeying all the rules of the road. A lady with a little dog on a retractable leash was talking on her phone, and the dog ran after me. The leash let out and the little dog ran under my wheels, luckily I didn't hurt the little fellow and he didn't hurt me. I was very angry and let her know it.

I am not a dog trainer but I do know that a dog needs to know who is in charge and be well trained. common sense for the dogs protection and well being too.

[Zoebird]

Otis does appear to be a Supreme Threat.

[flowerseverywhere]

even the most loveable dog is a threat if they jump on people and knock them down, run in front of cars or chase them thinking it is a game. some dogs herd as well and those behaviors can transfer to children or cars.

I have seen enough uncontrolled and poor dog behavior in my years of riding to be suspicious of any breeds both for my protection and theirs.

[rodeosweetheart]

We use a Halti head collar for our very large very strong Pyr. Of course, she is still a puppy at a year old, but it works well for hand walking her. I actually walk her with 2 leashes--one attached to her Sporn halter and one to her head collar.

I had a Pyr before and could never get her walking well on a leash, so she did not get regular walks once we moved from the farm.

This girl no longer pulls my arm and back out as she did with just the Sporn collar. WE did big box training with neck collar and it was not working out in the field
Not sure how to incorporate biking and dog handling, if you are trying to control the dog from the bike? Or am I getting confused here?

Another advantage of the head collar is that their mouth is encircled by the thing and if a little dog comes on strong off leash or on leash with annoying owner, then your dog's mouth is shut and controlled by you.

[flowerseverywhere]

Not sure how to incorporate biking and dog handling, if you are trying to control the dog from the bike? Or am I getting confused here?

.

no I meant that dogs can be very hazardous to bicycle riders, and when you ride your bike everywhere you see a lot of dangerous behavior because you cover a lot of miles. In a car you don't notice, and when walking you just don't walk nearly as far.

[CathyA]

I think whatever is necessary to get the dog trained (without injuring them!) is perfectly fine. I had considered a shock collar for my dog, since I can't seem to train her any other way not to run out of the door, when someone is coming in. Haven't done it yet though. She's really ADHD. haha
Bae......that pic of the hound and the guinea pig is sooooo cute! I used to have a peruvian guinea pig.
Good luck with your training.

[iris lily]

flowers, I think that retractable leads are stupid and are usually used by people who shouldn't use them. They do not provide control over the dog.

Stupid person + on phone + retractable lead + excited dog = disaster in the making

[puglogic]

I've been training dogs for 34 years and see nothing wrong with a prong collar properly used. Mind you, there are plenty of people who do NOT use them properly (show me somebody who jerks and yanks on a prong collar to cause pain, and I will show you someone who needs a major league asswhupping) (preferably by me)

I've never seen a good reason for shock collars. Ever. In fact, I've seen them do far, far more harm than good; the fear factor often creates dogs that are even more high strung, nervous, paranoid, and fearful. There are good trainers who can teach you the right behaviors (on your part) that will make her do what you want her to do, CathyA.

And I use a retractable only to walk one single dog at a time that has no recall (won't come when called, read: Gordon), undistracted and in places with few people, and I want them to get more exercise than a short leash allows. I agree that they are often used by morons who then create a mess.

Cromwell's beautiful!

[decemberlov]

We use a gentle leader for out pitt, she's incredibly strong and this is the only thing that seems to keep her in check. Here's a great article about how they work, it's much like a horse bridle:

http://janthedogtalker.blogspot.com/2010/06/head-halters-for-difficult-to-control.html

[larknm]

Another dog-trianer point of view: halters give lots more (and more humane treatment) than any kind of coller. In my training, we put collars around each other's necks and immediately thought, my would I put someone I love though it? It was painful and jolting. A halter can also be used with a head halter of Gentle Leader type,and if you use them kindly, as you wouldwant such things yoused on you, you're too.

[razz]

You would have laughed at me training our foxhound. He was nothing like our dachshund, cocker spaniel or the dogs from my childhood. I finally got some psychology books about kids after observing DGS at age 2 1/2 years walking alongside the dog. They responded in exactly the same way, most of the time. The difference? The dog will fly to any wonderful smell while a small boy will think about the distraction just long enough to catch him.

Our dog comes running for the Halti collar since it means his twice daily long walks which he dearly loves. I can never let him off the lead though he did escape recently on a very cold and snowy evening when guests, to their acute distress, accidently let him out. I kept telling them that his nose would bring him home and it did about 2.5 hours later but he was one very tired and cold dog.

Hounds are so different and wonderful.

If one has never had one, it is hard to believe the difference. Enjoy yours, Bae!