Last night at class...

[dan&buddy]

Last night I had our second beginner obedience class. I saw something that made me uncomfortable, but maybe some of you here that teach can maybe shed some light on this. When I first got to class it was just myself and another lady, who has a yellow lab, about 6 months old. This dog was pulling this woman around everywhere. There was snap or verbal corrections given. Now our trainer has a “choke collar is a must” policy, which is fine. But, it was apparent to me that the instructor never gave or never made sure this owner knew the proper way to use a choke collar. Anyway, long story short. The instructor went over to the women and asked how things were going, the women replied that the dog doesn’t listen, pulls her around, etc. So the instructor fitted the dog with a prong collar. Which I guess I can kind of understand because the prong will be making the corrections that the owner isn’t. But, wouldn’t teaching the handler how to administer a correction properly be better? Should I speak to the instructor about this? Or am I not seeing her reason for doing this. I wanted to pull the women aside because I felt bad for the dog as he was just hanging at the end of his lead whining.

[Judi W]

When the dog is pulling to the degree that there is always tension on the lead, it does not allow for slack to put in a pop correction (which in cases like this are ingored anyway). The dog justs sets his neck and keeps on pulling. The pinch does not tighten to infinity like a slip collar will and will put a bit of authority into the corrections.

[dan&buddy]

I understand that....but shouldn't you learn the pop on a buckle or slip before you go to a prong. I would think it's all in the technique???

[SonnyRott]

Here is some information regarding prong collars. Make sure to read the article in its entirety. The prong collar is a tool. When you get to the bottom of the article you will see that this tool (like many others) is used for specific purposes and can be phased out in favor of something else.

http://www.cobankopegi.com/prong.html

Sounds like the pup above is finding it gratifying to be allowed to pull.

[Judi W]

I thought I explained the difference between what is/will be happening with the slip collar vs the prong. Would you like to try to do something with this dog on a buckle collar????? I suggest you leave it up to the owner and instructor.

[dan&buddy]

I'm sorry I reread my post I wrote "This dog was pulling this woman around everywhere. There was snap or verbal corrections given." I meant to say there was NO snap or verbal correction.