Maybe I need a prong collar!

[LynnS]

Hi everyone

Hopefully someone will get something useful out of my experience this evening :D

Quick Background for the 5 people on this forum who do not know me...I have a female 16 mnth old Rottie I have been training for competition obedience. A big first for me. I have used a wide variety of training methods - mostly positive in nature but I do correct during proofing phase.

We are at a bit of a stalemate in that Bella does great work unless she doesn't feel like it (and trust me I make training fun and do not overtrain). I decided to use a prong just for training after tons of reading.

Well she worked like a different dog tonight (she was not adverse to the collar what so ever and the few light corrections I gave her where more like taps on the shoulder than hard corrections) and Bella can be one hard girl...

After the class the trainer came up and I was expecting praise for Bella. Instead he told me that I was completely different as a handler LOL! It was a clear illustration of how subtle differences in my behavior impact my dog.... I am officially in boot camp!

[spidey]

Isn't it amazing what a difference we, as handlers, make? WE may think that we're acting the same way, or that "sit", 'down" and "heel" are all that the dog's paying attention to, but they notice a whole lot else. No wonder they get confused sometimes, even when they're well-trained. This is why classes are so useful! Sounds like you have a good trainer.

[moondog]

A light bulb moment! :D Maybe your demeanor was a little more focused out of respect for that collar? Sounds like it was a hit with Princess Bella! :)

[judy v]

I found this a very interesting thread. I am a "pinch collar"advocate. Used correctly, it can be a major miracle! Think of it, no more nagging (so who out there loves a nag? Any hands?) I've used one for years, but only recently have I , I think, figured our why it works so well. Keep in mind that the correction, in most cases, doesn't have to be harsh.

While watching my male play with my female puppy, I noticed that he would frequently would grab her by the neck or muzzle. I believe that the pinch collar gives us the teeth he uses. The collar give us the status of "Alpha." As far as this is concerned, it's total hypothesis.

[laurlitt]

Bella and Maddie sound a lot a like (prior to the pinch). I called her Miss Independent b/c she figured she could choose when to pay attention to me... The pinch made a huge difference. I rarely need it anymore after she got the message, but it's there for when we need it...

Our trainer was telling me that between 12-18 (or even 24 months) is the hardest time to train a dog. It's the transition between puppy and adult when you need to figure out how to train the dog, deal w/ their temperment and blooming drives, and all that good stuff... I asked if I could just put her away til she was 2... and hope it would be better later :)

[LynnS]

Our trainer was telling me that between 12-18 (or even 24 months) is the hardest time to train a dog. It's the transition between puppy and adult when you need to figure out how to train the dog, deal w/ their temperment and blooming drives, and all that good stuff... I asked if I could just put her away til she was 2... and hope it would be better later

It certainly is not a linear progression and I do see positives as well as negatives as she matures...Bella's is puzzling at times..

Case in point. Tuesday night we auditioned for an obedience club (to determine class placement) - new environment etc..I would have expected her to be very excited and really distracted and not at tuned in to me at all. Well she was excited but she blew me away. We were put through a heel on lead pattern, a formal recall and a stand for exam. She did everything very well (she sat crooked 2 times) . The evaluator commented on her excellent attention and how tuned in to me she was

I seriously wish i had more experience under my belt LOL!

[fbkeays]

I can attest to the enviornment that Bella was in. It is a cement building at the local fairgrounds. She was doing this within just a few feet of a beginner class of about 20 dogs. My competitive novice class was on the other side of the beginner class and I know that the beginner dogs sometimes don't stay in their own "area".
I sneaked a peek or two while you were being put through your paces. Except for a tight lead (nerves on your part, not forging on her part) here and there, you both did great:D

[LynnS]

I sneaked a peek or two while you were being put through your paces. Except for a tight lead (nerves on your part, not forging on her part) here and there, you both did great

Who ME??? NERVOUS??? It's also my lack of trust in her ability to stay with me LOL! In any case thanks for the compliment and it was very motivating watching the "pro" handlers and their dogs...

[Judi W]

The truth is, that going to the pinch is simply indicative of your decision to start "requiring" compliance and it is more the attitude than the training tool that makes a difference. The dogs see the attitude and are very sensitive to it - much more than to the collar.

[damp]

Originally posted by Judi W
The truth is, that going to the pinch is simply indicative of your decision to start "requiring" compliance and it is more the attitude than the training tool that makes a difference. The dogs see the attitude and are very sensitive to it - much more than to the collar.

Right!!!

I just want to add this as another example of how attitude influence on dogs.

Very often I have seen, when training heel of leash, many dogs are more mush attentive and walk more nice, then when on leash.
The owners are amazed how good their dog is doing of leash and when I ask: Why do you think the dogs are doing better of leash than on leash, they have no answer.

I can tell them, that the changes in their talk, praise, consistent, body language and the way they give the commands are what make the difference.

In other words… The owner’s ATTITUDE has changes (to the better)