Choosing
A
Dog Collar
Choosing a
training
collar for your dog
Choosing
A | | |
| There are many choices of training
collar these days and owners often find these collars invaluable during the training
of their dogs. Remember these collars must be used carefully to avoid injuring
your dog. Certain collar designs can be effective if used carefully for short
periods of time to teach good habits to your dog. Prong Collar The prong collar is made up of metal prongs that give the dog a little pinch when the leash is gently pulled towards the owner. It is designed to emulate the sensation of a nip from the mother dog’s teeth when she corrects a wayward puppy. The prong collar must be fitted correctly and used appropriately to ensure it is safe and effective. Adjust the collar by adding or removing prongs until there is a half a finger space between the prong tips and the dog's neck. Tighter than this, the collar will hurt the dog continually, and looser could induce chaffing on the skin. This is not the right choice of training collar for a dog that continually pulls hard on the leash. The prong collar should fit snugly against the dog’s neck. As most prong collars can be adjusted by simply adding or subtracting prongs, the correct fit should be easy to achieve. A properly fitted collar should leave approximately ½ of a finger space in between your dog’s neck and the prong tip. A collar that is any looser than that won’t do its job and will needlessly chafe the dog’s skin. Halti The Halti head halter is designed to restrict or restrain your dog’s head movements. The philosophy of the design is that if you can control your dog's head then the body has no choice but to follow. When your dog pulls forwards or to one side, the harness closes, shutting the dog’s mouth and controlling his head. These types of collars are good for dogs exhibiting aggressive behaviour, although the leash should also be attached to the collar of large powerful dogs for extra security. The Halti and other such harnesses should be used very carefully to avoid injuring the dog's neck. Never snap back on the lead as this is counter-productive and risks injury. Choke Collar The choke collar, if fitted and used correctly, can be an effective training device. It tightens around the dog's neck if he pulls forward and releases when he walks properly to heel. If you decide to use a choke chain, you must make sure that the collar releases properly and thus avoid injuring your dog. Seek advice from a professional trainer if you have doubts. |