[BrennasMom]

I've used a pinch collar on Brenna for a while. It works great with very small corrections (she's very nervy and soft, but other collars never worked). I've been trying to wean her onto a plain buckle collar, she'd been doing pretty good until tonight when I took her out. Part of the problem was that it was a summer evening, lots of joggers, walkers, and screaming children (all of which scare her). It's been a while since I've seen her get this panicky over people passing by. I know the pinch collar probably prevented her from jerking and pulling the leash every which way like she tends to do, but it seems to me that she showed less fearful body language as well.

It doesn't make sense to me why would a pinch collar boost confidence? Has anyone seen similar behavior, or would like to weigh in on it?

 

[StGeorgeK9]

Could it be clearer communication on what you expect? I know oftentimes Ava acts different when she is unsure, perhaps the pinch collar gives better direction for her, which in turn gives more confidence??? Dont know really, just thinking out loud.

 

[EJQ]

Well, I’m not all that sure that a pinch collar can actually instill confidence. I suspect in this situation it is more like an avoidance of a negative reinforcement. You didn’t mention your dog’s age but I’m thinking that she really needs more socialization than she has been getting. All of the things that you spoke of that put her in a state of panic should be like water running off her back. Socialization and lots of exposure to people and places is the way to accomplish this. Based upon what you have said so far it does not sound as though she needs a pinch collar. Check out a double loop or Greyhound collar along with some positive reinforcement. We started using the Greyhound collar in our training about 7 or 8 years ago.

 

[WiscTiger]

DeeDee is my weak nerved gal and she is more focus when I put a pinch collar on her. So as Betsy posted about the clear communication and what I see with better focus, is it possible that is what you are seeing.

Val

 

[CertainlySpoiled]

I don't like pinch collars, and won't use them...I certainly wouldn't want someone using something like that on me, so I won't use something like that or electric or whatever...I just stick to the basic leather collar.

Sounds to me you don't need a pinch collar, but maybe a bit more socializing, to get her use to other surroundings. Have you thought of using a collar that gently wraps around their snout and head, that way you can control her better when things get unpredictable!?!? Goodluck!

 

[mkennels]

same here I have a 19 mth old and on any other collar put the pinch he will not listen to me but he is alot calmer and listens great when the pinch collar is on

 

[WiscTiger]

I use to be one of those persons who said I would never use a pinch collar, lol same thing went for crates. But in my house I have an assortment of pinch collars and almost 3 times as many crates as I have dogs. I use what every training tools work best for the dog.

Any tool that is used incorrectly can be abusive, I have seen people take a flat collar and twist it until it chokes the dog off, so any tool used incorrectly can cause harm.

All of my dogs love the jingle of the pinch collar because it is always associated with fun and games or lots of fun things.

It can be very difficult to socialize a dog that is out of control, if the pinch collar gives you the control while you work through the problem then it is a good tool.

BrennasMom & mkennels, work with your dogs on two commands at home and in your yard and get them really solid, the commands are "watch me" and "leave it". Watch me means I want my dogs attention on ME and Leave it is not matter what it is "lunging to get to a cat or another dog, going after a food, toys or what ever, leave means take you attention off of it." Once you have those two commands rock solid at home in the house and in the yard, then take the best all time treats and use those commands while out on walk.

Val

 

[jsherry]

I use a pinch too! When I pull it out it means good things for Panzer, like walking, swimming, car rides! He responds better to a pinch and has never been as responsive with just his leather buckle collar. We rarely even have to use it as a corrective tool but it is there if we need it.

I have watched him snap his leather buckle collar when tied out in our front yard to try to get a squirrel. I figure if he can do that he could do it while we are walking too! I want it as a "just in case!"

 

[BrennasMom]

I have worked on socializing Brenna, she has come very far in the past 1+ year that I've had her. I got her at 9 months, she is very nervy and I assume was never socialized properly by her breeder who had her until she was 6 months.

Like someone mentioned, it's hard to socialize a dog that is out of control. She will panic and pull on the leash to get away, I'm working on making her sit off to the side and letting people pass. It was my fault yesterday, we started the walk out near a basketball court and she could hear men (her biggest fear) yelling and shouting so she started the walk off on a bad note, I should have just turned around at that point. Before yesterday, she had been doing very well and improving steadily.

As far as the gentle leader suggestion goes, I tried one. She was fine wearing it inside but once I took her out of her comfort zone in it she started to shut down more than I'd ever seen her do walking on a buckle or other collar.

I've also tried martingale collars, a choke chain, buckle collars, and a front clip harness...None worked the way a pinch collar does, I was hoping to wean her off of it, but if she's more comfortable in it, I guess I will continue using it. She also gets really excited when she sees it. I agree that it's all in how you use it, I never correct her harshly with it.

 

[GSD07]

Originally Posted By: JenniferkyHave you thought of using a collar that gently wraps around their snout and head...

This collar isn't really a gentle one. GL can really hurt dog's neck if you have a puller. I've used it on Yana for a while and she was one miserable dog that turned her frustration with that collar on me. Never had such issues with a prong.