Archive for the ‘Training Collars’ Category
Electronic Dog Collars – What You Should Know Before You Buy
Electronic dog collars also have their place in accomplishing training goals. There are two goals, one to control excessive barking, and one for roaming with radio fencing. No matter how well you have socialized your dog some dogs just refuse to be good neighbors, barking continuously while in the yard.
The idea of electronic dog collars in this circumstance is when your dog is barking uncontrollably you press a button delivering a “shock.” Over time, they will learn proper behavior when in the yard. Radio fencing has become quite popular, as many new subdivisions do not allow standard fencing.
When your dog gets too close to the wire, it delivers a shock. This can work well if your dog likes to roam from the yard, however, a hound dog breed’s instincts will take over and they will chase anything smaller then they are. The damage in using an electronic dog collar is it will then prevent him/her from returning home when they calm down.
We bought an electronic training collar for our animal shelter rescued American Eskimo who 
barked ALL THE TIME. By barked all the time, I mean he barked and kept barking for 10 minutes or more. He barked at us, at the other dogs, at the cats, he barked at any noises inside or outside, whenever someone walked in the door, while he played and he barked in his kennel.
The worst part was when he would start barking at 4 in the morning and nonstop until we let him out at 8. For two months, we tried everything we could think of, and everything a certified trainer could think of… with absolutely no luck.
The first day I put the electronic training collar on my dog he barked up to the 3rd or 4th setting before he gave a yelp and stopped barking. It was the kind of yelp he does when he is roughhousing with the other dogs; the yelp that says, “Okay, you win, I give up” NOT “I’m in pain.”
We used the training collar every evening after work and through the night… for about 2 weeks. Now we might have to put it on him once a week for a couple of hours, just as a reminder. These electronic training collars are the best.
Martingale Collars – Choke Collar Alternative
For pet owners seeking an alternative to the choke collar but still wish to have the benefits of a choke the Martingale collar is the right choice. Sometime referred to as a “Show Collar” as it is favored by handlers, comes in different sizes as well as an all-in-one leash and collar.
The Martingale collar has a nylon or leather collar connected by a small chain. The leash is attached at the large loop and when the dog pulls, the collar closes. This offers a similar feeling as a choke collar but with the safety of stopping short of actually choking your dog.
When fitted properly, the Martingale collar when closed should fit snuggly around your dog neck. The rule of thumb for a properly fit dog collar is two fingers of space under the collar when it is around your dog’s neck. The nylon variety has an adjustable buckle for minor corrections to achieve the perfect fit.
Perhaps the most important training tool you will purchase for your new dog is his/her dog collar. As a new owner searching for the right dog collar can be a confusing time. There are several varieties of pet collars to choose from; here are a few with the pros and cons from a training perspective.
Choke dog collar – Perhaps one of the most suitable for training covering the broadest range of dog breeds and most damaging to the dog if used improperly. When putting this collar on your dog, hold up the collar facing your dog. If the collar is set-up correctly, it should represent the letter “P” with the tail of the collar no more than three inches long when placed high around your dog’s neck. This will allow the “slip” to release when you release pressure on the leash.
Leather or Fashion Collars – Great for attaching dog tags and charms but not a very good training dog collar. It is a good idea to have one of these collars, as ID tags are important should your new dog roam from the yard.
Harnesses – Also, not a very good training tool, however, they will work well once your dog has been trained to walk properly with the appropriate training collar. If used as a training tool harnesses actually encourage leash-pulling making walking your dog challenging to say the least.
Pinch Collars – Perhaps the most misunderstood and no wonder they look like something from medieval times aimed at torture instead of dog training. This collar has saved many dogs’ lives; they are great for large strong breeds where the owners are weaker then the dog. Unlike dog choke collars, these collars put even pressure on the neck and do not damage the throat.
Before you choose your dog training collar, determine your training goals and needs and pick the best dog collar for your newest family member.