what is a "pinch" collar? Will I need one?

[Hurricane]

I was raised around dogs, and my mom taught me how to train basic obedience when I was young. She bred Shelties, and I trained quite a few of them. I only got to show once, at a local fair that was just an open relaxed fun thing. When I trained our dogs, I used a choke collar or a leather collar with a ring for the leash. The magority of the time, I just used the leather collar. I've had consistent results, and used the exact same methods to train my mix dog, Tornado. He's 1/2 Australian Shepherd, 3/8 lab, and 1/8 rot. So, he's a pretty big dog! He turned out great, and doesn't ever try to pull or drag, even when he's excited or around a whole lot of people. He's never seen a choke collar. I'd like to hear what these other collars are, and why they are needed. I understand not wanting to use a choke collar. Will I need such things when my puppy, Hurricane, grows up? He's 4 1/2 or 5 months old now and is walking on a leash great except for laying down when a car drives by. In fact, when we quit leash training, he will heel without it for a few minutes after I take it off. I use a leather collar and a 6' cotton lead line. You know, the kind I use for my horses! It's very comfortable in my hand, and I don't have to worry about the dogs destroying it when they bring it to me. I have bought the idiots guide book, and it should be here in a few days. I can't wait to read it! I assume that my Cane will turn out a lot like my Tornado, but after reading a bunch of these posts, I'm not so sure anymore. We never actually trained Tornado to be a guard dog, but if a stranger approaches (especially when Hubby isn't around) the hackles come up and he barks viciously. He's never bitten anyone, but he doesn't want people in our yard if we don't invite them. Kids are the exception, of course. He's very kind and careful about kids, but he's extremely protective. Will this tendency be even stronger in Hurricane?

[Justice]

I am moving this thread into the Training Forum.


Justice

[venuslamb]

Just remember all dogs are different. I use a prong collar on my GSD. I put it on her everytime we go somewhere, so she associates it with getting to do something fun. Some dogs are tougher than others and need a little more than a choker for corrections. I'm sure someone out there disagrees with me, but thats how I was trained. Just remember that positive reinforcements also work wonders for a dog in training, whether it be a small bit of cooked liver, or a ball. Don't forget to give lots of pets and hugs and "GOOD GIRL/BOY!!!" Like I said, each dog is different.

~Venus~

[Chantal]

I have a 6 1/2 month old Rottie, that we have used a pinch collar on since she was about 20 weeks. We've gone through basic obedience training, and from the first class they had us put one on her. Our pinch collar is used to make a correction when she gets up from a stay, or does not follow the directions that were given to her. A quick pop of the leash does wonders. The purpose is to associate - when I brake my command, I get a correction. We are now in the intermediate odedience trainging, and often times I don't have the collar on, put she still follows the command. In our class, generally the bigger breeds of dogs - rotties, labs, goldens, - have all had pinch collars. Their necks are so big, that giving a correction with a regular collar, does not even phase the dog. One other thing, never crate the dog with the pinch collar on, or attach it to a line outside. Also, people who are not aware of how it works should not use it either.

[CajunsMom]

http://www.schaferkennel.com/M12-14.jpg. This shows a picture of a prong collar, hopefully.

[Hurricane]

Ok. Is a prong collar and a pinch collar the same thing? I've never had any experience with such a collar, and I fear that my hands may not be educated enough to use it correctly. It looks like it could become an abusive device very easily, in the wrong hands. What sort of behavior would indicate changing from my simple leather collar to something like this? Thanks for all the help! You guys are just a wealth of information!

[Carol Burke]

Hurricane, You seem to be doing just fine with your leather collar. You would only need to worry about using a pinch collar if your dog became uncontrollable with the regular collar ie forging, pulling, not listening or not being attentive to you. A pinch collar is much more humane then a plain choke as it distributes the correction whereas a choke collar can damage the trachea. When using a pinch it has to fit tightly and be place high on the neck. Face the two rings to the right side and hook your leash to both rings.

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Carol
Darrlburg Rottweilers

[This message has been edited by Carol Burke (edited September 28, 2000).]

[nick teifke]

Also make sure the corrections are very quick, then release. If you use both rings, that makes for a quicker, more subtle correction. If you use one ring, that makes a slower, more powerful correction. I would highly recommend having someone who knows what they are doing show you how to use a prong collar. Your problems may be able to be corrected using other methods, maybe not. It is a tool for training, not something to keep your dog from being a loose cannon

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nick teifke
rottsrus@dotnet.com

icq# - 28884141

[This message has been edited by Cosmo (edited September 28, 2000).]

[OurBoyKane]

Yes Hurricane, a Prong and Pinch collar is the same thing. It looks a lot more gruesome than it really is, would you rather be pinched on the neck skin or choked? Of course as stated earlier you should get instruction from someone experienced before trying to use one - the force needed for a correction with a Pinch collar is usually minimal in comparison to a Choker Chain, especially on large powerful dogs.

You sound like you're doing fine on the leather collar, stick with it as long as reasonable corrections with it will work.

Evan

[Hurricane]

But, what exactly is it? I have never heard of a pinch or prong collar until I started reading this forum. I can't even picture anything other than a choke collar.

[Step5pro]

I know u guys know ur stuff but theres a great misunderstanding about the ckoke chain ( probably has something to do with the horrible name. )The correct use of the choker is a subtle yank of the leash which causes the links of the chain to rub against the ring, causing a rattle like sound which refocuses the dogs attention on the owners command. Nothing inhumane about that,right? I do agree some owners who dont know how to apply the choker the right way, ie; the end of the loop should always hang downward thru the ring. This will force the chain to automatically release after u snap it. If itsapplied the other way you will choke the snot outta ur beutiful pet. Theres a lot of ways to train and if techniques are correct they all work. With a pinch collar, is the dog responding to the command or the pain stimuli.But, whatever works, I guess, lolol. Peace to all!