spiked collar? good or makes things worse?

[jake]

this picture of a dog taking a jump and NOT looking ahead but looking sideways for direction from human companion is great.NOT wanting to hijack thread but maybe 'connecting 'rather than equipment is the way to go,

[MaggieRoseLee]

Originally Posted By: ttalldogthis picture of a dog taking a jump and NOT looking ahead but looking sideways for direction from human companion is great......NOT wanting to hijack thread but maybe 'connecting 'rather than equipment is the way to go,

I did it to show that dog classes, that teach the PROPER way to use equipment like the prong collar (or not) and the clicker, can lead to ONLY GOOD THINGS in later life for our dogs. The intention in the photo was to show a dog that has gone to dog classes, had a prong collar on her (at agility trials I have NO collar on my dog at all), is clicker trained, and is STILL going to weekly agility classes can go far! I learn, my dog learns and everything works out well.

Agility is off leash with frequently only a 2' high plastic fencing dividing the rings and from other dogs. Happy, well adjusted and trained dogs are a must. And great dogs classes and trainers are a vital part of all that.

So ttalldog is right, for the handler, learning to connect and work with our dogs should be all our goals. And I know for me, I only get better at this working with people that already have the skill and the TEACHING skills to give them to me! The fact we then learn what tools work best (prong collar? clicker? buckle collar?) and HOW to use those tools properly is a plus!

[djvectrex]

[quote=Historian]If you are referring to a prong collar, then it's very important that the collar is fitted correctly and that you are using it correctly, like Chance's Mom said.


thanks for all the input everyone! i meant prong collar and i was told how to put it on correctly, fitting tight just behind the ears but if he lunges then it slides back down the neck and he's like a bull lol and it does not affect him! should i get him to sit and if he tries to lunge and start barking to pull up on the leash instead of back and then let go when he sits back?

[MaggieRoseLee]

Timing is EVERYTHING with all training, once your dog has freaked and lunged you are too late for the 'training' in the situation. Hopefully the prong just keeps the dog from running off.

If the collar can slip down your dog's neck it is NOT fitted properly. It's too loose.

What size prongs are you using? I know my current instructor recommends using a collar with the smaller prongs so you can fit it more precisely. The larger the prongs, the more radical the size change by just adding or removing a link. The more links that ARE present mean the more control we have.

This shows 2 size prong collars and it's the smaller one I now use:



Both collars on Bretta Lee:


You need to have your dogs attention and focus and a loose leash BEFORE he goes off. And that's when you do the 'attention' work and even just turn to go in the opposite direction (good dog good dog with learning and praise for the dog) rather than continue towards whatever makes him lunge (bad dog bad dog and a complete lack of learning and control).

People have recommended some great books and DVD's (Calming Signals if wonderful).

AFTER months of dog classes and tons of car rides and active socialization in 'the world' this is my nephew holding 2 dogs with prong collars on:

[BlackPuppy]

Everything I've read says not to use a prong collar to correct an agressive dog. That the dog associates the sensations with the other dog. I know it's never worked for me.

I do know a lot of people who have been successful with the Control Unleashed method at my dog club.