[Nelson]

I have a soon to be five month old beautiful 52 lbs Rottie(Diesel) that I recently sent away to basictraining for two weeks.I thought I asked all the right questions prior to enrolling Diesel in this program about the training methodsthat they utilized and to my dismay when I went to pick him up,Dieselwas trainedutilizing a prong choke collar. I questioned them in regards to this type of training, which they reffered to as leash trainingand they swore by it. I must admit that Diesel was very calm prior to training and when I went through the basic commands like sit, down and stay he performed them to a Tafter training.The problem is that I am not fond of the prong choke collar and it looks and is mid-evil. The trainor insisted that all it does is apply equal pressure when jerked slightly, but I don't buy it. He also says that the training has to be reenforced with this collar. What should I do, I don't want to use this collar anymore

 

[BrodiesMom]

First off, never send your dog away to be trained. Get yourself and your pup enrolled inobedience classes so that both you and your pup learn how to work together. Secondly the prong collar is not a mid-eviltorture device. It is a training tool. What the trainer said is correct in that the prong distributes the pressure evenly about the neck. It is not designed to hurt the dog, although if used improperly it can. In order to feel how the collar works, put it around your thigh and give it a tug like you give a correction and you will feel how the collar distributes the pressure across your thigh .If you do not like the prong, don't use it. But as I said before you need to get yourself and your pup enrolled in classes so that you can learn how to work with the dog.

 

[BrodiesMom]

Something I forgot to mention. A prong collar and a choke collar are two entirely different collars. Neither of these collars should be left on a dog 24/7. They are for training purposes only and when not in use should be taken off the dog so that they do not get caught on anything. I have heard from owners that left a choke collar on their dog and it got caught and the dog very nearly choked to death trying to get itself free.Edited by: BrodiesMom

 

[Nelson]

Brodiesmom, thank you for the advice on thechoke and prong collars. Although Diesel was sent away for two weeks of training, after the training I was also givena day of training in regard to workingDiesel with the new training he hadreceived. Diesel has responded well to the trainingwith theprong collar and also the choke collar. I was just concerned about the prong collar because it seemed a bit much for a five month old Rottie, but all in all thank you again for the advice.

 

[BrodiesMom]

It is good that they took the time to show you how to work with the dog and collar. But, training in an ongoing thing, especially with breeds like Rotties. One 2 week class should not be the end of training. A good group class is a great way to keep honing your skills and the dogs, it is also a great place to socialize with other dogs and people. Brodie has been in training for 2 years and I don't see that stopping anytime soon.

 

[TaBorah05]

Ok, The prong collar is not a bad thing. All it does is replicate a correction that their mothers give them. It would be different if the prongs were sharpened to a point. But I highly recommend it. Although our rotties are the most beautiful sweetest things, they are quite hard headed. Mind you it does not need to be left on 24/7 just during training sessions. The prong collar should fit so that the prongs stand up so they dont really feel it until you apply pressure to it for a correction. It's FAR from any type of cruelty, otherwise you wouldnt be able to find them in dang near every pet store. Be confident that your techniques are good, it will show in your dog.

T. Goffney.

 

[TaBorah05]

Oh yeah! Also, I don't reccomend sending your dog off for training classes. Part of the whole training experience is bonding with your dog and forming that Alpha dog role. I mean I dont know whats going on in your life, you may not have time to go to classes every evening with him. But I would reccomend you going in with your dog.

 

[NINAsMOM]

IM NO DOG TRAINER BUT FOR NINA I USED A PRONG COLLAR TO TRAIN HER .... MAINLY FOR WALKING AND THATS THE ONLY TIME I USE EM OR PUT HERS ON.... IT REALLY HELPED ME. HECK SHE WALKS BETTER THEN ANY OF MY JACK RUSSELLS WHOM I NEVER USED ONE ON.

 

[rutylr]

The names really need to change on collars.The choke chain is a training collar.


The prong collar is use for corrections.And no collar should ever be left on a dog if a leash is not attached to it.


Donna