Dog Advice Topic: Dog Training Collars

September 16th, 2005
I see all these different training collars on dogs all over the city. What is your opinion on them and which one is the best for me?
- Pulling on Paulina Street

Congrats, POPS you are my first letter in a while! Things have been really busy around here with the new human addition to our family and all. Lisa has been driving me crazy asking for advice about raising children. How can one child be that hard? We have five or six at a time and we don't even have opposable thumbs!
Anyway, in response to your question, here is some info that you can use -

When to use a training collar
There are two different aspects to getting your dog to walk politely on leash:
1) Train your dog to walk politely on leash;
2) Using a training collar as a management technique to allow you to physically walk your dog while you train your dog to walk politely.

If you choose to use a training collar it should ONLY be worn while walking. It should NEVER be on the dog when he or she is unsupervised. This is very dangerous for us dogs.

Different types of training collars: Pros & Cons of each

Head Halter
Pros:
1. Almost impossible for a dog to pull when using this collar.
2. Puts no pressure on throat which can cause tracheal problems in strong pullers.
Cons:
1. Usually takes approximately two weeks for dog to adjust to wearing the collar. In addition handler must play a very active part to get dog adjusted to collar.
2. Many owners do not like the look of this collar although if fitted properly it is competely humane. People often think this collar is a muzzle though again if fitted properly will not inhibit any mouth movement.

Front Hook Body Harness (Easy Walk/SENSE-ation/SENSE-ible)
Pros:
1. Inhibits pulling more than any other collar except head halter.
2. Puts no pressure on throat which can cause tracheal problems in strong pullers.
Cons:
1. More expensive than most collars.

Traditional Body Harness
Pros:
1. Puts no pressure on throat which can cause tracheal problems in strong pullers.
Cons:
1. Does nothing to inhibit pulling. Actually is harnessing the strongest part of your dog so they can get the most muscle behind their pulling.

Premier Collar
Pros:
1. Can put on the dog right away. There is no adjustment period for the dog.
Cons:
1. Does almost nothing to restrict a dog from pulling.

Prong Collar
Pros:
1. Can inhibit dogs from pulling.
Cons:
1. Can escalate or start reactive/aggression issues.
2. Can cause irritation to skin around neck if dog has shorter hair or if improperly fitted.
3. Used in punishment based training which Collins Canine does not employ.

Choke Collar
Cons:
1. Almost all the time this collar is used, it is being used improperly. The correction from this collar should be in the sound the links make, not in the choking. If used properly, it should not choke the dog.
2. All pressure is on the front of the neck which can cause trachea damage or collapse.
3. Used in punishment based training which Collins Canine does not employ.

Shock Collar
Cons:
1. Used only in punishment based training which Collins Canine does not employ.

And that's the bark on the street!
Bark up!
Bella

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