Eeeek No obedience classes for Jasper....

[DogLover9501]

I e-mailed the trainer back, and asked methods of training a while ago, anyway her responce made me quickly change my mind, here is what she said:
"We use positive/negative reinforcement by using a choke collar and a 6 foot leather leash"
Ugh no way!

[binka_nugget]

I know some will disagree with me but I don't think correction/praise is completely horrible. When Kai was a pup, I trained him by luring and used food. I tried switching to just praise over time but it still didn't work. He barely responded with the treats. Then I found Jaime. She seemed to have a better background and used the same method, correction/praise. It worked far better and now, I have a reliable dog who will come when called and who I actually think I can compete in obedience with. I guess what I'm trying to say is, it's not a completely horrible way to train IMO but I do encourage you to look for a trainer who uses positive reinforcement since he's still a pup and has alot to learn and trust. Just keep in mind that correction/praise isn't totally horrible as long as you do it right.

[GoldenRetrLuver]

I'm pretty sure all obedience classes require you to have a choke collar, at least around here. IMO they're not cruel and they DO work; you just have to learn how to use it. I use the choke collar with Daisy when I'm training with her, and she doesn't mind it. To correct them, it's just a fast snap of the collar and soon they catch on. In fact, I hardly have to correct her anymore with it. The instructor I had for Daisy, was all based on praise, and didn't believe on using food as a reward, which I liked.

[tikeyas_mom]

dont goto that trainer, i dont like chockers, i wouldent use one inless it was 100% nessisary

[binka_nugget]

Originally posted by GoldenRetrLuver
I'm pretty sure all obedience classes require you to have a choke collar, at least around here. IMO they're not cruel and they DO work. I use the choke collar with Daisy when I'm training with her, and she doesn't mind it. In fact, I hardly have to correct her anymore with it. The instructor I had for Daisy, was all based on praise, and didn't believe on using food as a reward, which I liked.

Yep, I agree. I don't think they're cruel at all if you use it correctly. For jasper, I think a positive method would be better but just as a side-note, I don't find myself correcting Kai anymore either. I don't correct him if he doesn't know the command so it's always positive when he's learning it and only negative when he doesn't obey. But even when he doesn't obey, I enforce it and praise so it's really not as bad as it sounds.

[Kfamr]

I really do not like choke collars, prong collars, or any other collar that goes smaller or tightens around the dog's neck when it pulls.

My sister's old highschool teacher had a Choco Lab named Buster, that I used to always play with, take for walks, and she provided a choke chain and prong collar for me to walk him with. I tell you, it was HELL trying to get those on him. He HATED them.



A while back we had a choke chain for Simba. He never pulled on the leash, but one day he went after a squirelle and the choke chain snapped in half. It was a good quality chain too.

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Daisy didn't like it much at first, because it was like a "HUH?" whenever I pulled on it for a correction, but now it's just a regular routine for her, since I train with it.

They're really not as bad as they sound.

[binka_nugget]

Originally posted by GoldenRetrLuver
Daisy didn't like it much at first, because it was like a "HUH?" whenever I pulled on it for a correction

LOL! Ohh I know that face all too well. When I used it the first time, he was like "HUH? But how do I chase that cat?"

[Kfamr]

This artical is interesting.

[Cincy'sMom]

That is a good article Kay!

I would not go to a trainer that REQUIRES a choke collar. In fact, where we train, they are not allowed at all. We use the nylon slip collars, as our collar of choice, although with Cincy we did progress to the prong collar (after trying harness, gentle leader, and halti with no success). It was amazing that she finally responded to something, and now I only use it when I am walking all 3 dogs alone, just because if they see a squirrel or something before I do, I need to be able to control them and thatis 190 lbs of dog pulling aginst me.

[K9soul]

Used correctly, a choke collar should never actually choke a dog. Tasha's class recommended it but I don't remember it actually requiring it. The teacher spent careful time demonstrating how it should be worn and used, so that it just causes more like a nudge to get the dog's attention, but NEVER choke the dog.

Used incorrectly, it can be a bad tool. Used correctly, it is not in the least cruel or unpleasant.

[Crikit]

Where I go to train choke, prawn and other collars like that are forbidden in all classes. They prefer instead that the dogs have flat nylon buckle collars, and use only positive reinforcement. They work with the owner and dog until they find something that motivates the dog to work. For some it's food, others toys and others it's just a willingness to please.

I do however understand that some dogs need something like the choke collar, to get the message through to them that what they are doing is not right. When I first got Smudge I tried one on him but it didn't seem to offer any help, so now I use the good ol positive reinforcement with all my dogs. Treat the good ignore the bad.

[Amber]

I have no say for the training bit, because we never had Katie obiedienced(sp) trained. And she turned out great! But I would do some more re-search on that kind of training method, you never know...it could be a good way or a bad way.

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Originally posted by K9soul
Used correctly, a choke collar should never actually choke a dog.

Right. It's just a fast snap of the leash, and then you release it. It just startles them.

[Kfamr]

Originally posted by GoldenRetrLuver
Right. It's just a fast snap of the leash, and then you release it. It just startles them.

Not if the dog pulls. It chokes them if they pull. Hence the name 'choke' collar.