Pinch Collars?

[mpoier]

Hey guys, what are your thoughts on pinch collars to keep from pulling on the leash? CB hatest the halti and I have tried and tried to get him to get used to it.......

I've heard both good and bad things, what do the pettalkers think about them?

[Cincy'sMom]

I am in a minority here who do use pinch collars. I think they are a last resort and that you need to be shown how to correctly use them, but I don't think they are cruel. I also think they are a temporary solution, to use in addition to postive rewards training, not a quick fix for life (if that makes any sense)

We tried several training methods/collars with our dog Cincy, and found the pinch collar to be the only thing that got her walking correctly. We no longer use it all the time with her, only when she needs a reminder or when I am walking all 3 dogs alone. Between the 3, that is 180 lbs of dog a the other end of the leash, and if they want to go, they could. A squirel or a cat running in the path could be enough to make them forget their training and I need to make sure I have control of them for their safety and to be a goodneighbor.

If you have any questions about them, feel free to PM me.

[mugsy]

Prongs are the only thing that Mike and I use. When I got Dio back from the shelter he was unmanageable. I bought him a prong on Tuesday before I took him to Illinois and he was great. He walked calmly next to me after 2 corrections. Also, when he got to Minnesota to his new home he went after her dog and she grabbed the collar and yanked and he backed off and has not done it again. It does NOT hurt the dog as long as it is fitted properly and is A LOT safer than choke collars because that can damage their esophogus.

[CJ7Boomer]

if pulling on the leash is your problem you should try a gentle leader- they work great. ive heard bad things about pinch collars- theyre not for every dog.

[mugsy]

I have also heard lots bad about the Gentle Leader. My mom's dog got down right mean with it on and went after my dad. Just personal choice. Prongs just look mean, they really aren't. I am telling you this at the risk of death (lol) for telling you, Mike, my husband, will not give anything or do anything to our dogs without eating it or wearing it himself. He wore a prong and let me yank it and he said it is just slightly uncomfortable, just enough to no want it again, and that was skin to prong not fur to prong. Just FYI.

[Shelteez2]

Originally posted by mugsy
I have also heard lots bad about the Gentle Leader. My mom's dog got down right mean with it on and went after my dad. Just personal choice. Prongs just look mean, they really aren't. I am telling you this at the risk of death (lol) for telling you, Mike, my husband, will not give anything or do anything to our dogs without eating it or wearing it himself. He wore a prong and let me yank it and he said it is just slightly uncomfortable, just enough to no want it again, and that was skin to prong not fur to prong. Just FYI.

I too have put a prong on myself. It was just slightly uncomfortable. Also one needs to remember that the prong collar is mostly a self correcting collar. By that I mean that if the dog lunges ahead the person does nothing and the collar makes the correction all by itself. You really shouldn't have to make a correction with it (ie. pull back on it with a lot of force) like you would with a choke chain.
Incidentally I've also put a choke chain on myself and given myself a proper correction with it. Both collars were preferable to the time I put an electric collar on. Ye-ouch!!!!!!!! And that was on the low setting.
I prefer to train with a buckle collar first, and if that doesn't work then a chain (used properly). Oh and treats are always a major part of my training as well.

[binka_nugget]

Wow..I think I may give it a try if the martingale doesn't work. I've tried the halti, choke chain, regular nylon collar, sporn anti-pulling harness, regular harnesses...NOTHING will get kai to walk properly. Food will work to a certain degree but once he sees something he really wants, not even food can stop him from yanking my arm off.

[mugsy]

Put a prong on and he won't do it anymore! I remember when I put one on Jazzy to take her for a walk and she hardly left my side...people were very impressed. And, it won't take many times before he gets the clue.

[Shelteez2]

Originally posted by binka_nugget
Wow..I think I may give it a try if the martingale doesn't work. I've tried the halti, choke chain, regular nylon collar, sporn anti-pulling harness, regular harnesses...NOTHING will get kai to walk properly. Food will work to a certain degree but once he sees something he really wants, not even food can stop him from yanking my arm off.

Just make sure that you work with someone with some experience when it comes to fitting one. Also remember that the smaller the links the more harsh the pinch is.
When you used the chain, did you know how to give a proper correction?

[Logan]

Properly used, I think pinch collars are wonderful training tools. We resorted to one with our Honey so that Helen (my young daughter) could handle her, herself, in obedience training. I liked it much better than a choke chain for Honey's long fur. Honey is a Golden Retriever. And it was definitely more effective. Proper use is key with choke chains and prong (I like that name much better) collars. Proper fit is also very important. We don't even use it anymore, just leash her up on her regular nylon leash and collar, but that's because she learned how to walk properly, very early on.

[wolfsoul]

Leather uses a prong collar, and it works great! It worked wonders on Timber too! They aren't uncomfortable AT ALL unless the dog pulls, which is the point of course! You want a puller to feel discomfort when they pull. Some people will tell you not to use them because they cause damage to the throat -- but the damage is only slightly worse than what a regular collar might cause, and not serious at all.

It's a great teaching method, give it a try!

[slleipnir]

When I had Josie in obedience, it was recommened you use a pinch. I did. Was amazed with how well Josie would listen..but, I'm convinced now that it can hurt the dog in some way, so I bought a gentle leader (I believe they are different from halti's??) and was also amazed that she listened so well, AND it doesn't hurt her. I know even with the flat collor with a pulling dog, it can't be too good..Neither of my dogs like the gentle leader too much..I'm thinking they'll get use to it

[binka_nugget]

Originally posted by Shelteez2
When you used the chain, did you know how to give a proper correction?

I only used the chain for some training. I'd walk with him then when he pulled ahead, I'd quickly turn around. He was getting better so I decided to use it during a walk but then the moment he saw another dog, he decided that pulling was better than feeling comfertable.

[Shelteez2]

Originally posted by binka_nugget
I only used the chain for some training. I'd walk with him then when he pulled ahead, I'd quickly turn around. He was getting better so I decided to use it during a walk but then the moment he saw another dog, he decided that pulling was better than feeling comfertable.

Have you ever been to any obedience classes?

A slip collar is used to give corrections to a dog. There is a right and a wrong way to put it on too.
A slip collar does not work by using it to become and stay tight on a dog's neck. This improper use of it is why people refer to it as a choke chain.
A proper correction in the example you gave would have been to push your hand with the leash forward to create some slack in the leash and then quickly "pop" your hand out to the side and release. This delivers a correction across the back of the dogs neck, not it's throat.

I truthfully don't ever use physical corrections like that anymore, I've found better ways to train.
You can PM me if you're interested in any tips I have to get him walking better. *S*

[binka_nugget]

Yes, we've been to obedience classes. Honestly, I was very disappointed with the lack of response we got from them. It was more like a "hand me the money and get 8 meaning-less sessions with us" sort of thing. Luckily, I taught Kai every other "basic command" succesfully, just walking is a problem. We're going to another class on the 18th with someone who runs a gsd rescue here so HOPEFULLY, she'll be able to give me some pointers.

I checked the collar on myself to see if it was on right. It would snap and release. I double checked in a dog book just to make sure.

I decided to call it quits with the "choke chain" though. I'm sure there are far better methods out there...but I will try the prong collar if all other methods fail.