Pinch collars

[jackdee]

Please tell me why so many people are opposed to pinch collars on 5 month olds. I am having a problem with the biting game, on my walks . I know there are more knowledgeable people than I in this forum but I think my dog needs a correction for thinking I am her chew toy. I almost feel she has figured out if she bites me she gets a toy .. as in redirecting. so she bites. I guess I am being redundant, but I am trying.I like your help and dont mind critism. jd

[JonandMichelle]

I believe if you feel a pinch is your only or last resort on a five month old at this time, then somewhere along the line your puppy is/was getting mixed signals from you. A simple buckle collor should be doing the trick right now. I think you should find yourself a good trainer who offers puppy classes and enroll asap. Corrections are not being offered clearly....clearly! I believe you and your puppy would benifit greatly now and for your futures from a professional.

[GypsysMom]

I agree, get her to puppy classes, Gypsy is 4 months old, she has her days when she tugs on the leash during walks but never on me, I was given some great advice from BostonRott on heeling, maybe you should try that does your pup know how to heel? she told me to do a "boot camp heel" make your pup heel with purpose, I have done this with Gypsy on several occassions when she tests me and she settles down and obeys very well

[jackdee]

she has been to puppy class. what is boot camp heel? I have a hard time with heel thanks.

[GypsysMom]

this is what Bostonrott told me Im quoting her
If she knows how to heel, and she gives you "lip" again, I'd put her into "boot camp heeling." I.e. dog screws up, you give a firm verbal correction, and then immediately start making the dog work briskly and with purpose. This will get the message across to the dog "I am the leader, you listen to me."

That is what I do with Gypsy and it works wonders she used to growl meanly when I would try and do things to her, lately she is just grumbling softly (in a nice manner) and not growling like she wants to eat me!

[jackdee]

Im listening , I would also like the proper heel method you all know thanks.jd as sometimes I'm trying to make her heel and shes jumping on me or grabbing pants.

[GypsysMom]

Close to your left side, sitting next to you when you stop, walking when you walk, paying attention to you. When I first started Gypsy On this I praticed heel around my yard (almost an acre) we did that for about 15 minutes after about 10minutes she started paying more attention to my voice instead of just trying to walk in whatever direction she wanted, now she has it pretty much down pat, to the point when Im walking her in from the bathroom or from her kennel to the house she walks close to me and always sits before we go inside.

Good luck

[jackdee]

I thank you for your help and I am..... going to continue training with a pro .

[JonandMichelle]

Also, if your yard is fenced in.....do the heel exercise against the fenceline. This gives her boundaries, less escape options, and can focus more on you and the exercise. Remember as well, keep the sessions short. This doesn't mean you can't do them a few times a day though. Say 3-4 sessions, 15 minutes at a time. Maybe 20. Pups have a short attentions span at this age....build her up and ALWAYS end training on a good note with lots of praise. Never end it with frustration or anger. She will sense this. Also, find what motivates her. Either it be a food reward or toy. Always stick with this reward. Keep your corrections firm but not punishing. Training should always be fun. When you are not having fun, stop and take a brake. Be presistant with all your training and corrections. Most of the time when pups/dogs seem not to "get it," it is us humans that are confussing them by our role as leaders. Sit back and take a hard look at how you are training. Look at how you are delivering the corrections and when. Timing plays a role as well.

I think....no, I know people here and/or more classes can avoid the use of a prong

[jackdee]

I am liking the help here , But no one has said why - no pinch collar at 5mos. Besides needing your help I am curious. I just did the boot camp walk It was helpful, It worked. Is the no pinch cause, we will hurt them or is it because you all think - you are really not training if a pinch is used -----really come back to me on this please .

[LavenderRott]

A pinch collar is just a tool. So, if you look at it like that - why use a sledge hammer when a regular hammer will do?

[JemarsSerena]

A pups bone and muscle structure is no where near mature. A pinch if used properly under the supervision of a professional trainer is harmless to an adult whose body can take the additional stress of a pinch. Puppies are just not reay for that. Besides they are just babies give them time to learn before expecting serious OB from them. You would not expect a human child to truly understand what you want from them until there bodies and brains have developed enough for them understand and be capable of the request.

[GypsysMom]

I rarely use pinch collars my Am.bulldog is 80 pounds and I rarely use one on him, Im glad to see the heeling is working for you, my Ob. classes start in 3 weeks Im so excited

[macksworld]

I had a pinch collar on my one and a half year old female and she does what she is shown to do and with the pincher just a light flick of the wrist will make a big enough impression when she gets sloppy. If you are planning to do rally obedience you will only be allowed to use a training collar as pinch collars are not allowed.
I wish I would have just started training (almost a year now) without the pinch collar as now I am having a harder time since we can only use the training collar in Rally.

[chuck2969]

I have had good success using a British style slip lead in lieu of a pinch collar on my 11 month old male. I took the idea from watching "The Dog Whisperer" with Cesar Millan. It is a lead and collar in one, adjustable to any size. I place it high up on the neck, right behind the ears like a handler does in a dog show. This is the weakest part of the neck and allows you to control the dog without undo force. To correct I simply give a quick pop upward. I wanted to avoid the pinch collar for as long as possible. I think it would be easy to overdo it and really squash your young dogs enthusiasm using the prong at 5 months.