Training Collar for Puppy?

[mamamia1]

I am now training our second rottie and since she is only 13 weeks old we are still using a flat collar. I'm just doing research at this point, I think she's still too young. I've been using the flat collar, encouragement and treats to keep her paying attention at my side. She has started pulling too much, which I'm trying to correct with the use of direction changes. With our last rottie we found a properly fit pinch collar quite useful, but I can't remember at what age we started using it.

At what age would you suggest the use of a training collar? and what kind of collar do you prefer?

Also, has anyone tried the Illusion Collar?

[Zumie05]

Once a flat collar was no longer working out for my pup, I switched to the martingale. The sound the chain makes for corrections helps out a lot. Also, since it is a semi choke collar, the dog can feel the correction all the way around the neck (vs just the front when using a flat).

I think 13 weeks is way too young to start on a pinch. My puppy is almost 7 months old now and I am just starting to think about starting him on one of those. I am waiting for this Thursday to see what my trainer recommends. I'm pretty sure he's ready for one though, as his martingale just doesn't seem to be doing the trick anymore.

I've never tried the illusion collar, but I'd imagine it helps a lot. I work at a grooming salon and we use slip leads to transport dogs everywhere. Ever since I started watching the dog whisperer and learned about the sensitive points on a dog's neck I began making sure to put the slip leads all the way at the top of the dog's necks (especially the big strong ones!) I have to say that by doing this I can DEFINATELY tell a huge difference in the dog's ability to pull. So if the illusion collar really does help keep the leash attatched up at that part of the neck, my guess is that it would help with pulling.

[Ayoka]

My humble advice...With a young puppy, I would keep training, training, training, she's too young to pull you off your feet yet and hard work now may mean you will NEVER need anything more than a flat collar. Not every dog needs a "training" collar.

[FilosFolks]

Hi,

I have been experimenting with the "easy walk" harness with Lexi (4.5 mos). It really does make a huge difference. Since the leash clips in the front it draws her back around toward me.

I do not want her (or me) to become dependent on it however. That said, we work constantly on a loose leash walk whether she's wearing it or not. I haven't decided if I like it yet, but I thought I'd mention it in case you wanted something else to try.

Ailee

[mamamia1]

Thanks for the suggestions....

Of course ideally, with lots of work, Kali might stay on a flat collar. I just wanted to check out what's out there. I had never heard of the ones that were suggested but I am looking into them.

[Diva Satanica]

Just wanted to add that the Illusion Collar isn't recommended for use on dogs under one year of age.

[mamamia1]

Thanks for pointing that out Diva, I had read that.

I've been checking out those Martingale collars. Wow! Some of them sure are pretty!

[Diva Satanica]

Yes they are nice!! I like that you can get plain ones too.

[mamamia1]

I picked up a martingale collar today and found it works great! It's almost impossible to give an effective correction with a flat collar. Even with a very light touch, this collar was very effective and prevented the constant pull on the last 200 meters home. I would much rather give a 1 second correction and have five minutes of loose leash. I still use praise and treats the majority of the time, but it's nice to have an alternative to help bring her attention back to me.

Thanks for all the advice!

[Zumie05]

Congrats! I put my puppy on a martingale around 15 - 16 weeks I think and oh my it helped out a lot!

I hope it lasts a long time, maybe forever with you because my puppy one day decided that he didn't care about the corrections from the martingale anymore He would still follow by my side with treats, but I don't want to have to hold a treat in front of his nose for every step of the way!

We are working with a prong now and it is fantastic.

Good luck to you!

[maxcat]

It seems that everyone's experience is and should be different. Our puppy started on a slip chain at around 3 months and then we started with a pinch collar at 5.5 - 6 months.

But I will say that we were and are still working with an extremely experienced Rotti trainer and our puppy has an extremely high threshold. For example, he was barely feeling the slip collar so we switched to the pinch collar as early as we did so he could actually feel the correction. We were practically choking him so he could feel it, but once we put on the pinch, he responded with a very slight correction.

Basically my point is, I would have an experienced trainer work with you and your pup and suggest when you should graduate to slip chain or pinch collar.

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by mamamia1

I am now training our second rottie and since she is only 13 weeks old we are still using a flat collar. I'm just doing research at this point, I think she's still too young. I've been using the flat collar, encouragement and treats to keep her paying attention at my side. She has started pulling too much, which I'm trying to correct with the use of direction changes. With our last rottie we found a properly fit pinch collar quite useful, but I can't remember at what age we started using it.

At what age would you suggest the use of a training collar? and what kind of collar do you prefer?

Also, has anyone tried the Illusion Collar?

If the motivation is right, and the communication is clear a flat buckle collar is all you need, especially for a young pup. In my last litter, who are now 16mos old, that's all they've ever needed - even the dogs who are now practicing BH level obedience. They're quite a boisterous bunch, too.

If a young pup is not listening to me, I'm not interesting enough. If my pup is pulling me, then I simply need to turn around and move in the opposite direction - and then praise/reward pup for following along. Soon pup gets the idea that it's a fruitful venture to go where I go.

You might consider enrolling in a puppy kindergarten program that teaches you how to use operant conditioning techniques and play to teach a puppy how to learn.

Good luck.

[mamamia1]

Originally Posted by mamamia1

I picked up a martingale collar today and found it works great! It's almost impossible to give an effective correction with a flat collar. Even with a very light touch, this collar was very effective and prevented the constant pull on the last 200 meters home. I would much rather give a 1 second correction and have five minutes of loose leash. I still use praise and treats the majority of the time, but it's nice to have an alternative to help bring her attention back to me.

Thanks for all the advice!

UPDATE: After the first couple times out I found that my girl began pulling just as much with the martingale as the flat collar, so I've switched back to the flat collar and have been focusing more on "watch me" as well as shortening up the heeling sessions and allowing her more time to just walk, sniff and be a dog. I've found the shorter sessions much more successful and positive.

[wigganjg]

Have a 6 month old. Pretty good on lead, but needs 'checking' every now and then. Have a half choke / pinch type at moment, but is getting bit small.

Any recommendations as to where to get on line please ? After a chain one.

Taa

[Barrie]

I always love reading everyone's advice. My boy is now 14 weeks and walking is much easier (not to mention he sleeps 8 hours now!); also housetrained believe it or not, though I don't leave the house for more than three hours at this point.

I always look forward to Poohbearsmom's advice, as it is very useful.

I've put in a LOT of time and love, and my Bear is consistently responding to his come, sit, paw, and release (VERY IMPORTANT AROUND HERE), and now loves to fetch, though it wasn't easy to teach.

Anyways, my personal preference has always been to stay away from pinch/training collars and will strive for that goal.