Collar training vs positive training

[Lady's Human]

Every dog is different, but I will NEVER use a choke collar.

If I tried it, Lady would pull regardless until she passed out. Sometimes they're just too hard headed. Besides, while I understand the theory involved with choke collars, it just rubs me completely the wrong way.

I wound up training Lady with a mix of positive reinforcement and punishment, and she went from a separation anxiety pup who hated being anywhere near kids to being at least able to tolerate children and a pup who's very secure with her place in the pack. She can handle being alone now, which is something that was a nightmare for the first year or so she was with us.

[IRescue452]

I trained Autumn at the local dog club 12 years ago. They used training/choke collars and positive treat luring. I don't remember ever actually pulling the the collar tight to correct her, but it was used for a quick attention getter. The class would have been just as effective with a nylon collar. It was all positive training though except maybe when you had to use a firm voice for the "leave it" command. That was it. No abuse and very little negativity. Everybody I know says Autumn is one of the most well-trained dogs they've met.

[Asiel]

I used both but my preferred one is the prong. Most classes that I see today have the elderly put their dogs on a prong because dogs won't usually pull when using them , it's like power steering and so much easier for older folks who usually end up being dragged when using choke collars. Choke collars can hurt the dog if not used properly so you do have to learn how to use it before trying it.
Honestly I think Nilif is my best training device yet and requires no collar. Whatever works for the dog I say keep using it. All dogs are different so different methods for different dogs.

[K9soul]

I like positive training and clicker training in particular. http://www.clickertraining.com/

It's pretty much the opposite philosophy from the Sit Means Sit. I just would not feel comfortable with a "stimulant" based training personally.

Just as a contrast to the other video, here is one with examples of dogs doing tricks trained via clicker.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQpIojDLGwQ

[wolf_Q]

All of my dogs were trained using positive reinforcement, just the classes at Petco/Petsmart. I taught them all tricks using a clicker, Nebo and Keva know a ton of tricks and they caught on fast (they are very food motivated). Skya and Killer are also food motivated but not as smart so they don't know too many ha ha. I have a couple of prong collars I have used for walks, not training, but the huskies have fur so thick they barely feel it. However I haven't used those in years I had one pop open a couple of times and it scared me I was afraid I'd lose a dog so I don't use them now. I've never used any sort of choke/prong/shock collar for training I don't see the need to and I would consider my dogs well behaved. With the exception of not being able to let them off leash (the huskies, Killer does fine) but that's not their fault that's a breed trait and honestly I've never tried to train them to be good off leash because everything I've ever read said not to even try it with huskies. Their desire to run/prey instinct is too strong.

[snakemama]

I think there's a place for positive reinforcement, luring, and properly used training collars. When Jasper sees the box of treats he knows it's time to learn a new fun trick. When he sees his collar, he goes wild with joy because it's time to go outside! It's funny, when we go to the dog park, if I get up and walk around, he comes up next to me in a perfect heel and asks to work.

When I worked as a vet tech I did see the occasional trachea injury from incorrectly used choke collars. It was horrific, and it has stuck in my mind. I'm happy to know the Sit Means Sit collar could never do something like that to my baby boy.

[K9soul]

I agree on not caring for the choker type training collars. I would prefer even a (properly used) prong to those due to the risk of damage as mentioned.

I also believe that dogs who are worked with in regular training are overall happier and more confident dogs in general. I often rue that I don't have more time to do more work with my own, but hope that will change in the future.

I won't say other training methods are wrong. Anything that produces a happy, well-trained dog and an enhanced relationship between dog and owner is a success story in my opinion. But I will state my personal preference for positive methods, and my belief that they can produce the same results as other methods. It comes down to what a person feels most comfortable with, and any method can be done in a detrimental way, even positive methods! Education and research is the key.