Every so often the differentiation between training discipline and constraint is needlessly confused. Using verbal commands and non-verbal clues, with leashes or snacks, to solicit wanted behavior is training discipline. Using choke or 'stop-barking' collars, electronic fences or barriers and related devices is for constraint or prevention of unwanted behavior.
Constraint and the use of control devices isn't unavoidably a negative factor. Dogs naturally have and look for a community hierarchy in which someone is the boss and in any human-dog pair the person has to take that position. Sometimes control tools are called for to establish that hierarchy. If not established, the result will be property destruction, potentially unhealthy state of affairs for other animals and humans, human disappointment and an erratic dog.
Correction collars were developed to give a hand in gaining the ability to manage. Dogs, like humans, are individuals. Some are by nature more assertive or slower to be trained. For ones that don't react positively to a typical leather or nylon collar, a metal choke collar can provide for extra discouragement from tugging and jumping up.
The imminent drawback is that, used inadequately - all too simple to do - correction collars can have the opposite result to what you expected and may even be unsafe. Choke collars fit only one way and when suitably fitted should make allowance for a one to three fingers opening between the neck and the collar. Three for bigger dogs, one for smaller. Generally speaking a collar two inches longer than the length around the neck will be adequate.
Used inappropriately, by-the-way, choke collars can chafe the skin - resulting in wounds that scratching will make worse. They can also inadvertently compress the trachea. A quick jerk and then loose lead isn't harmful, however in accordance with its purpose it does create unpleasant pressure. But for dogs that persist in trying to resist the leash this device may not be enough to do the job. Generally, it is not approved of, especially for smaller dogs.
Prong collars are less menacing than they look, but - in this trainer's view - have almost no positive properties. The only positive aspect of the construction is their restricted diameter - they can only choke down so far. Nevertheless, an animal with such a determined predisposition to pull that prongs don't give him a second thought requires more than a quick fix consisting of choking and poking. That type of critter needs dedicated attention and behavior modification management.
Halter collars, which envelop the neck and the muzzle, but don't stop panting or prohibit drinking and eating can give further constraint. The drawback is they don't inhibit biting if that's an issue. If biting is not a problem an everyday tether and collar, or maybe a chest halter might be preferable.
For assistance with those dogs that carry on in barking long after the purpose of barking is gone, consider an electronic No-barking collar. Barking is an ordinary and natural response to possible menacing events and is also used to signal distress and gain attention when one becomes isolated from the communal pack. But, for reasons we don't completely understand, some animals bark continuously or at the drop of a hat.
Electronic collars that prohibit barking come in two forms: noise stimulus and shock stimulus. Noise collars generate a brief, unpleasant sound that distracts and tends to discourage continual barking.
Shock collars generate a temporary but unpleasant electric shock that is repeated during long-continuing or obstinate barking. Non-subjective evaluations of their efficiency disclose mixed results, however. As with prong collars, any dog who is a candidate for one would profit more from knowledgeable, experienced training to determine the psychological reasons for excessive barking.
Every so often an attempt at a quick fix is inviting and may be constructive... until it becomes a stand-in for more useful (both to dog and dog trainer) long-term management. Making sure you have figured out how to keep your dog's focus and compliance to training without inordinate amounts of dependence on control and restraint gear is preferred. The results are less frustration for dog handlers and happier and healthier dogs.
Constraint and the use of control devices isn't unavoidably a negative factor. Dogs naturally have and look for a community hierarchy in which someone is the boss and in any human-dog pair the person has to take that position. Sometimes control tools are called for to establish that hierarchy. If not established, the result will be property destruction, potentially unhealthy state of affairs for other animals and humans, human disappointment and an erratic dog.
Correction collars were developed to give a hand in gaining the ability to manage. Dogs, like humans, are individuals. Some are by nature more assertive or slower to be trained. For ones that don't react positively to a typical leather or nylon collar, a metal choke collar can provide for extra discouragement from tugging and jumping up.
The imminent drawback is that, used inadequately - all too simple to do - correction collars can have the opposite result to what you expected and may even be unsafe. Choke collars fit only one way and when suitably fitted should make allowance for a one to three fingers opening between the neck and the collar. Three for bigger dogs, one for smaller. Generally speaking a collar two inches longer than the length around the neck will be adequate.
Used inappropriately, by-the-way, choke collars can chafe the skin - resulting in wounds that scratching will make worse. They can also inadvertently compress the trachea. A quick jerk and then loose lead isn't harmful, however in accordance with its purpose it does create unpleasant pressure. But for dogs that persist in trying to resist the leash this device may not be enough to do the job. Generally, it is not approved of, especially for smaller dogs.
Prong collars are less menacing than they look, but - in this trainer's view - have almost no positive properties. The only positive aspect of the construction is their restricted diameter - they can only choke down so far. Nevertheless, an animal with such a determined predisposition to pull that prongs don't give him a second thought requires more than a quick fix consisting of choking and poking. That type of critter needs dedicated attention and behavior modification management.
Halter collars, which envelop the neck and the muzzle, but don't stop panting or prohibit drinking and eating can give further constraint. The drawback is they don't inhibit biting if that's an issue. If biting is not a problem an everyday tether and collar, or maybe a chest halter might be preferable.
For assistance with those dogs that carry on in barking long after the purpose of barking is gone, consider an electronic No-barking collar. Barking is an ordinary and natural response to possible menacing events and is also used to signal distress and gain attention when one becomes isolated from the communal pack. But, for reasons we don't completely understand, some animals bark continuously or at the drop of a hat.
Electronic collars that prohibit barking come in two forms: noise stimulus and shock stimulus. Noise collars generate a brief, unpleasant sound that distracts and tends to discourage continual barking.
Shock collars generate a temporary but unpleasant electric shock that is repeated during long-continuing or obstinate barking. Non-subjective evaluations of their efficiency disclose mixed results, however. As with prong collars, any dog who is a candidate for one would profit more from knowledgeable, experienced training to determine the psychological reasons for excessive barking.
Every so often an attempt at a quick fix is inviting and may be constructive... until it becomes a stand-in for more useful (both to dog and dog trainer) long-term management. Making sure you have figured out how to keep your dog's focus and compliance to training without inordinate amounts of dependence on control and restraint gear is preferred. The results are less frustration for dog handlers and happier and healthier dogs.
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