Choke Collar

[unejam]

Hello. I've done a lot of research on the boards but have not found a definitive answer. I'm getting my 8-week old puppy in a couple days and have a nylon choke collar. Is he too young to be using this collar as a means of training to heel, etc?

If so, when can I use it and what should I buy now? What is a flat buckle collar?

Thanks!

[Skip]

Originally Posted by unejam

Hello. I've done a lot of research on the boards but have not found a definitive answer. I'm getting my 8-week old puppy in a couple days and have a nylon choke collar. Is he too young to be using this collar as a means of training to heel, etc?

If so, when can I use it and what should I buy now? What is a flat buckle collar?

Thanks!

At that age, I didn't put a collar on my pup unless we were going outside. He was microchipped. The collar I used at that time was just a plain leather (flat buckle) collar. Way too early for a choker. Also, I wouldn't be concerned at 8 weeks if it's the proper collar for heeling. At 8 weeks you should just be having fun and bonding with the pup. A collar and leash (in my opinion) is just used for guidance at that age. The pup will grow thru several collars before you start any real heeling work. Have fun with the pup.

[Hoochiepoo]

I feel he is far too young for a choker. I think the flat buckle collar would be best.

I'm sure some of the more experience people on this forum would agree and will reply as well.

Good luck and Congratulations on your puppy!!!!

[brunie's mom]

Maybe never???
You do not need a choke chain on a wee little puppy. It makes me so sad to see pups with "hardware" on.

Get your pup enrolled into Puppy Kindergarden and keep taking classes...he may need something stronger and you may need some more leverage once your pup is 8-9 months old and starts getting stronger.

When you do start using a choke chain (training collar)...only put it on for training or walking...do not leave it on.

My female is 7 years old and has never worn anything but a flat collar...my male is almost 2 and wears his when we are doing some training. This helps him pay attention to me...and he also knows when his collar is on we are working.

Gina

[Cordelia]

Yea thats too early for choke collars. My canine wears one but only for looks, I don't do training with it. I prefer the prong collar.

[unejam]

Thanks, this helps. As for this, I'm a bit confused:

Originally Posted by Skip

Also, I wouldn't be concerned at 8 weeks if it's the proper collar for heeling. At 8 weeks you should just be having fun and bonding with the pup. A collar and leash (in my opinion) is just used for guidance at that age.

When should I begin training him to heel. I thought that the sooner you train him the better.

[brunie's mom]

Usually in Puppy classes they start teaching you how to teach heel. You keep a treat by your left thigh, and lure the pup to stay in that position while walking. They can usually only do it for a few second though.

Treats and praise are the way to start teaching your pup.

Gina

[spidey]

Originally Posted by unejam

Thanks, this helps. As for this, I'm a bit confused:
When should I begin training him to heel. I thought that the sooner you train him the better.

Heeling is hard work for most dogs, and working on it too much too early will make you run the risk of having a dog who hates heeling. What you should be working on now is relationship building and positive, fun basic manners training. Loose-leash walking is what you work on long before heeling. A good puppy class will teach you how to train your puppy.

[Anne]

Originally Posted by Cordelia

Yea thats too early for choke collars. My canine wears one but only for looks, I don't do training with it. I prefer the prong collar.

Really? What looks so good about a choke collar?

Hopefully you don't leave it on the dog when the dog is at home on your property or any other place where you are not observing your dog.

[Necknot]

I would never use a choke or prong collar on ANY of my dogs . IMO that is just trying to use the collar to make up for the lack of committment it takes to train a dog without one . I have two rotts and walk them on 1 finger each in the same hand . It is your job to train laeash/collar etiquette , not the collars .

[Cordelia]

Originally Posted by Anne

Really? What looks so good about a choke collar?

Hopefully you don't leave it on the dog when the dog is at home on your property or any other place where you are not observing your dog.

It's silver - I like to wear silver too - She looks good in silver.

We like the bling-bling when we go out.

I'm looking for a non-choke chain collar, anyone know where to find one? I found one but it was $189.00 at http://www.dogsecurity.com/engelsk/e.../halsband.html

[myst]

fun should be the focus when your puppy is so young:) the learning would be to know their name :) Lots of treats and lots of love works the best.
and yes get to a puppy kindergarten class as soon as you can. that way socialization with othr puppies and people start plus you learn also learn.

[djfm]

Over the weekend I inquired about an OB class for my 5month old male. Towards the end of the conversation, I asked if a buckle or choke collar and a leash is all I needed to bring to class. The lady answered and said, "Bring whatever you have, since we'll end up putting him on a prong collar anyway".

All other schools I talked to required buckle collars and a non-retracting leash. Since classes are only once a week, and the prong collar will only be used during training, will that be ok for a 5mo. old to start off on?

Right now he is used to being in a harness and a retractable leash when it is time for him to run around in open fields. During neighborhood walks, he is on a soft choker and a non-retracting leash. Thanks in adavance for your replies.

[djfm]

Over the weekend I inquired about an OB class for my 5month old male. Towards the end of the conversation, I asked if a buckle or choke collar and a leash is all I needed to bring to class. The lady answered and said, "Bring whatever you have, since we'll end up putting him on a prong collar anyway".

All other schools I talked to required buckle collars and a non-retracting leash. Since classes are only once a week, and the prong collar will only be used during training, will that be ok for a 5mo. old to start off on?

Right now he is used to being in a harness and a retractable leash when it is time for him to run around in open fields. During neighborhood walks, he is on a soft choker and a non-retracting leash. Thanks in adavance for your replies.

[Sharon Marples]

[quote=djfm]Over the weekend I inquired about an OB class for my 5month old male. Towards the end of the conversation, I asked if a buckle or choke collar and a leash is all I needed to bring to class. The lady answered and said, "Bring whatever you have, since we'll end up putting him on a prong collar anyway".[quote]

With that attitude from a "trainer" I would not be attending that class! There is no way a 5 month old puppy should be on a prong collar!

Look for other trainers please.