Sorry, this is long, but I need to vent.
I have a serious issue with ignorant people (TRAINERS) who have a problem with the prong/pinch collar. Okay, it's one thing if you prefer not to use it as a tool to train with, but to be rude about it is a whole 'nother thing...
Today, I took Berlin out to run errands with me, we went to 3 pet stores, one being the local dog speciality store, and then petco/petsmart. I had his prong collar on, because I really am trying to get him under control around other dogs/people. He gets WAAAY too excited, and being 70 pounds, well he's basically dragging me around. Nobody had a problem with him wearing the prong at the first two places, but then we went to Petsmart
He has been going to basic classes there for a little bit, with one trainer. Obviously I know these trainers aren't the best, but thats not what was important. I wanted to get him to class to be around other puppies/dogs/people. It was useful in that sense. Plus, he learned alot of basic obedience commands.
Well a few months ago, I bought a prong there, because the breeder told me to so I could correct him around the cats. The manager saw me looking at them, and told the trainer, and they both came over and 'lectured' me and freaked out on me basically. Um, alright. Whatever, so I still bought the collar because my dog is not a soft dog and really needs a hard correction to learn right from wrong in SOME cases (cat chasing, jumping up on people to greet, and getting too excited around other dogs) Those three situations are the only thing I use it for so far. Well the trainer has been mentioning it since about how I really dont need it, I can work through all my problems with positive training (which, I may, but it will take years). I dont have years. Berlin is 70 pounds, he is BIG, and I am SMALL. Hence, why he wore his prong today, while we were out. Well the lady saw me, and came over to MAKE SURE he was wearing it, and when she saw he was, she gave me a dirty look and walked away.
Like seriously? It isnt HURTING HIM. If anything the constant pulling while wearing his normal nylon collar is doing MORE damage. How does she think I am going to get this pulling under control? There is no "Hey Berlin, WATCH ME!!" "GOOD BOY!" and distract him completely from ALL THE DOGS THERE. He doesnt care, he wants to play with other dogs. With the prong, he learns that a) pulling isnt acceptable, right away, and b) barking is also not acceptable, right away. Then he ignores the dog, and gets praised. What is so wrong with this?????????
I dont like to be made to feel like im torturing my dog, cause IM NOT. I need to correct these behaviors NOW, not slowly. He cannot act this way in public, its embarrassing. He needs to learn its NOT ACCEPTABLE.
For everything else, he is rewarded with food, and clicker trained. But, I will not have my dog learn that pulling me around in public is okay, if he pulled me down and hurt me, or hurt another dog, is that acceptable?
And my dog doesnt have issues, I know this, but if I wait and train her way, he will learn this is acceptable because training her way will take forever!
Like Berlins breeder said, these dogs are tough - they can take a tough correction. Only rewarding him when hes doing something right isnt enough sometimes.
And, another thing I got lectured about, was how hes going to resent me because im hurting him, and he knows i'm hurting him, and all his behaviors will ONLY get worse, not better.
UGH! Needed to let this out because it really irritates me.