i recently took my 1 1/2 yr old BLM to the vet and he constantly pulled against his leash choking him. The vet people told me to get a prong or pinch collar to help with that so I did but I need some advice how to go about introducing it to him. It would be nice to be able to take him for a walk without him choking and me being dragged around by him. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Please don't use the collar and move vets! Train him by stopping or changing direction when he pulls. You won't get very far for a while but hell soon get the message. Then you can start rewarding for being in the correct position. Something like a halti or a canny collar can help for immediate results and are FAR kinda than a pinch collar but nothing can replace training.
Hi there, prong and pinch collars work by causing the puppy pain, unfortunately. We are a positive reinforcement forum and don't allow the promotion of punishment based methods of dog training. However, if you would like to learn how to teach your dog to walk nicely on a leash using modern methods of training, we have lots of information that can help you. Here are a couple of articles to get you started: https://thehappypuppysite.com/reinforcement-in-dog-training/ and https://www.thelabradorsite.com/how-to-stop-your-labrador-pulling-on-the-lead/.
We have a harness for our Lab, she pulls as well but as said above you should stop and wait every time they do it, takes time but she will learn. Choking them until they stop pulling isn't the nicest way to go about it imho.
My dog came to me aged 6 months with a horrendous lead phobia caused by use of a choke chain. It took a lot of work to get him to tolerate a lead and not freak out at the sight of it. I also went to one appalling training class where the trainer advocated use of choke chains. I noted on leaving the class that the dogs in the junior class (the level above us) all had check chains and all pulled like crazy so not only are they harmful, they also don't work. My dog walks well on the lead now - a harness with 2 points of connection makes such a difference - if he does start to pull I give a little twitch on the front lead and he immediately stops pulling and looks up expecting a treat.
Hi Ruth Don't blame the tool. Any tool can be used poorly, even a flat collar. .Blame the handlers and instructor. Regards
Hi Michael, I do blame the tool here I'm afraid. There are so many better ways to stop a dog from pulling that don't involve inflicting pain. I certainly don't blame the handlers, they obviously didn't know any better. It's a shame they put their trust in a 'trainer' who has made no effort to stay up to date with modern training methods. We live in a rural area so there isn't a lot of choice but I was very fortunate to find a brilliant trainer not too far away who actually helps you train your dog rather than just say 'you need a choke chain'. Regards, Ruth
The thing is, a choke or pinch or prong collar, is designed to cause pain, or at the very least, discomfort. A flat collar is not designed to cause pain so, your dog may pull whilst wearing a flat collar, and it may strain its neck, but that is not the intention of a flat collar. Therefore I have to agree with @Ruth Buckley, the tool is to blame.
The tool is to blame. Pinch/prong/choke collars have one purpose to tighten around the dog's neck when it pulls. The tightening causes discomfort and the dog to choke. It can also severely damage the delicate tendons etc in the throat and neck. Yes the handlers are to blame for unquestioningly following a 'trainer's' instructions and most of all those people who purport to be 'trainers' and advise the use of such equipment. Tools such as these have no place in modern dog training methods which is based upon science and is constantly reviewed
I agree with @Jojo83 - anything which hurts a dog is a terrible idea and should have no part whatever in dog training or care. Tools which are designed to hurt belong in the Tower of London history tour, nowhere else. When will these outdated, unkind and counter-productive ideas get consigned to history - where they belong? .
The tool in this case is designed to use pain to control with fear. It's horrible cruel and unnecessary. I do blame the tool and question the ethics behind its use. There is clear evidence that it is counterproductive and damaging a dogs mental and physical health. We have discussed this many times on this site. You need to research it's use and see and understand the damage it does. If you truly understand this thing you will not use one because it is wrong
I have seen the harm first hand from flat collars, haltis and harnesses that have been misapplied. I have seen also the damage from the misapplication from correction chains and pinch collars. I am well aware of the scientific literature on a vast range of different equipment. I was simply stating that any piece of equipment, even that advocated by force free handlers, can do harm if used incorrectly.
But what you actually said was "don't blame the tool," which implies that there are situations where it is okay to use choke/prong collars, or ways in which it is okay to use them. I think it's pretty clear that on this case the tool IS the problem, although it is also a symptom of wider issues in dog training (which are thankfully being addressed now).
It's is a part of the wider issues,. It seems to be a certain mindset which allows the abuse of a living feeling creature and then try to justify it.
It must be clear now, to the original poster, that we are all pretty much in agreement that the advice she was given to use a prong or pinch collar is outdated and inappropriate. Whether or not the tool is to blame or the person applying it (I think a combination) she is probably more likely to stick around and find out how to train her dog without force if this doesn't just become about the characteristics of those who use the methods we are trying to get away from. I suggest she starts a new thread if she would like our help.
I have seen harm done by cars, but they are not designed to hurt, they are designed to be as safe as is possible. An analogy for pinch/prong collars would be guns - they are only designed to hurt and harm. Both should be assigned to the history pages. ‘
