When to use a prong, choke and electric collar

The loudest people are always the ones with the strongest opinion.

Yet again I read another training article on training a dog not to pull. I am curious by nature and sometimes I am pleasantly surprised, other times (most times) I am greatly saddened by the state of affairs in the dog training community.

And I quote "The good ol' choker is a classic. It works very simply to cut off the dog's air supply until he does what you want. If he can't figure it out, you just keep jerking until he learns how to avoid being suffocated. Fun for the whole family."(for my own sanity I wont publish the link outright but if you want me to send it send me a private message)

If you seriously think this is how they work. You are so terribly wrong and I feel so sorry from you and you should really just shut up till you know better.

My 'abused' dog in his shock collar a year ago.

Giving a correction is an art form. It is not for a newbie or really anyone who has never given a correction before, and would probably take a whole book to define let alone teach. The prong, choke and electric collar are all for giving corrections. Used properly they can change a dogs behavior and outlook without harm to the dog. My belief is they are a band-aids, I want my dogs to be able to work on a flat collar but hey they can't always yet. If the environment is to stimulating I need to be able to keep control. Corrections are by feel, I want subtle and soft dogs. I know how to use a prong, choke and shock collar to get me there. I know how to be safe, my dogs are excited when I pull out the chains cause we are going somewhere interesting and new. They do not fear me. If I have to correct them more than I few times I have an error somewhere in my communication.

I wish I could teach the correction in words but I can't. If you think you may need one of these ask someone who has spent years using them. General positive trainers don't know how and I think it's unfortunate. If you don't know how they work you will never learn how to help a dog off one.

But please find someone who knows how to use one nothing rubs me raw then seeing them on wrong with the dog chocking and no one figuring out that's not supposed to happen. Some people call 'em chokes, I call them a chain because it's what they are not because enough idiots got together and got their dogs gasping for air and snapping their trachea's.

If you have learned to use one, then you will know when you need one. It is that easy. I know my dogs, I know when to use one. There is no magic cure all in training and no magic answer. You have to do what you think is right and if your wrong, learn from it and try something else.

Dog whistle hanging in the rear view...

 

There is a dog whistle that hangs on my cars rear view mirror, a subtle testament to the life that I live.  Some people hang dog tags, dream catchers, crosses, ear plugs, anything that reminds them of their life and for easy access. It's one of the ways we display to the rest of the world who we are and what we do. 

Well every time I take a turn it swings into my view and I am reminded that hey maybe I should take my dogs out working.

They say training is a way of life, for me it is. 

Photos..

I would have stories to tell but its been a long day...

Start of Fall Photos

Just three images from our morning walk on Oct. 2nd ...

Training Anarchy

It is an every trainer for themselves kind of thing, it's the everyone is wrong approach, it's the wrong approach. Today I was pleased to find a trainer who I didn't know who responded with this same gripe. But the vibe was still there she looked at me with disdain when I said positive trainer. I look at her and said for the new owner with a new puppy why overwhelm them, let's make the choice simple like we do for the dogs and start them easy. I am never apposed to teaching a dog no, once she got that bit the air seemed to lighten a little bit. But the point stands why do we fight other trainers so hard. There are tons of us and even more dogs. Not every person is right for every trainer and every dog. I have tried to keep an open mind and heart in these situations but still I inadvertently put my guard up.
It's every trainer for themselves, a dog eat dog world, out there... one day I hope it's not and I no longer worry about running into another trainer.

~Happy Tails~