tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730356012430024497.post6600911169671399015..comments2023-03-23T09:58:48.634-04:00Comments on The Lighter Side of Darkness: What Does the Dog Think?Kristelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10883981998561876080noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730356012430024497.post-43366126972144709422012-01-31T10:13:17.252-05:002012-01-31T10:13:17.252-05:00Thanks for your comment! I think the prong is one ...Thanks for your comment! I think the prong is one of the most clear training tools out there. I think of headcollars as more of a management tool.<br /><br />I COMPLETELY understand 'Big Black Dog' stigma! Good luck with Harry:-)Kristelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10883981998561876080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730356012430024497.post-17196939265306229992012-01-30T14:01:37.563-05:002012-01-30T14:01:37.563-05:00Thank you SO much for this post. We have an 8 year...Thank you SO much for this post. We have an 8 year old Cane Corso mix (95 lbs) and he has been on a gentle leader for years. He has no problem with it but it has diminishing returns, and it was clear that he had no idea what I wanted when I was correcting him. The prong collar (carefully selected with the help of a local store with their in-store trainer, and after a lesson on correct correction) is currently working much better as a clear form of communication. He's an on-leash dog (everyone in our local LA park seems to think the leash laws don't apply to them but Harry is much more calm and happy when he has boundaries) and being able to get his attention and remind him of his job (stay on my left, heel nicely, keep eye contact) is essential. I can't thank you enough and I'll put up with the stigma. It can't be worse than the Big Black Dog stigma!BethBlogshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18387384376950014729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730356012430024497.post-28554891950392521812012-01-27T19:21:57.231-05:002012-01-27T19:21:57.231-05:00I'm glad too...thank you:-)
A retractable leas...I'm glad too...thank you:-)<br />A retractable leash is a horrible idea most of the time, and exceptionally bad with a prong collar. IMHO not only are they dangerous, but they teach dogs to pull. The dog pulls, the leash gives and reinforces the pulling. The pulling is continuous.<br /><br />Unfortunately, many people want to bypass training and look for the magic tool to solve their problems. There isn't one. Dogs aren't born automatically understanding what tightening straps or chains mean, they need for us to teach them. Even a prong collar alone won't do the teaching job for the handler; they still need to put in the work. All tools should be accompanied by training.<br /><br />No tool used incorrectly is safe or okay. I've seen far too many dogs with big rubs across their noses, and dangerously close to their eyes. Unlike a dog's neck, a dog's face is very sensitive and rife with pressure points full of social significance. <br /><br />On the other hand, they do things to each other's necks with their teeth just in play that would send you or I to the emergency room. Just this alone makes the prong appear preferable, but I still retain an open mind. Maybe my next dog will feel differently and I will act accordingly.Kristelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10883981998561876080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730356012430024497.post-27714345569773020432012-01-27T18:35:19.567-05:002012-01-27T18:35:19.567-05:00I had the same experience with a halti collar. My...I had the same experience with a halti collar. My GSD, Baker, started exhibiting on-leash aggression (caused by an unfortunate encounter with an irresponsible owner and her "friendly" off-leash dog) a few years ago. Someone recommended a halti collar as a human alternative to a prong. I think all it did was embarass and annoy Baker. She couldn't wait until the walk was over and as soon as we got to the front door after the walk she immediately put paws to the face trying to pull it off. It wasn't until we had another unfortunate event with an off-leash dog that ripped the halti off her face in his attack that I decided enough is enough. I found a wonderful trainer and together we worked on improving Baker's confidence in those situations again. I can happily say we've never replaced the halti. Thanks for sharing your story. Sarah<br />Beherebeyou.comSarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12492972021109852882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730356012430024497.post-50627225079229335072012-01-27T15:03:09.478-05:002012-01-27T15:03:09.478-05:00Those CD's are great! 'Captain Quack' ...Those CD's are great! 'Captain Quack' may also want to consider adding a 'Thundershirt' or "Anxiety Wrap" while working with the CD's. In my experience they really help with the desensitization process.Kristelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10883981998561876080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730356012430024497.post-14883768450912688802012-01-26T21:58:03.219-05:002012-01-26T21:58:03.219-05:00I'm not a fan of them in general, but I know s...I'm not a fan of them in general, but I know some folks who swear by them. My personal opinion is that a prong is safer and much more clear to the dog.Kristelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10883981998561876080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730356012430024497.post-76642131653652598672012-01-26T20:49:57.196-05:002012-01-26T20:49:57.196-05:00We never used a head collar. I had a prong collar ...We never used a head collar. I had a prong collar from my previous dog (a boxer, so powerful I was worn out and sore after every walk with the reglar choke chain) and decided to use it with my equally powerful and even more boisterous Airedale. Our walks are gentle, respectful and a joy. He knows the collar 'bites' when he lunges. With the choke collar both the boxer and airedale almost chocked themselves into unconsciousness. With the pinch/prong collar our walks are effortless and relaxing. At times the 'dale forgets himself and makes a lunge at something but one pinch later remembers his manners and life is easy. Now, if that collar would only work on husbands and children.....Marlishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17207863698433956073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730356012430024497.post-1779233144219040242012-01-26T20:38:12.303-05:002012-01-26T20:38:12.303-05:00You know, you make a really good point. I've ...You know, you make a really good point. I've been using a head collar with my pit mix for years, and she still hates it. She even still paws at it sometimes! I feel pretty dumb for putting her through this. I had already planned to fit a prong collar on her, so hopefully she takes to it. She pulls with a flat collar and harness, even a harness with a front attach d-ring.<br /><br />I am curious how you guys feel about choke chains/unlimited slip collars. I can't find any use for them, but I couldn't find any use for prong collars years ago either.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04770687792788463666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730356012430024497.post-40326768155686667482012-01-26T18:26:10.086-05:002012-01-26T18:26:10.086-05:00What a great post! My doberman hated the head coll...What a great post! My doberman hated the head collar and I couldn't get him used to it either. I used the Gentle leader, but it didn't give me the control I needed. I've used prongs in the past. Been taught how to use them. He responds perfectly with it and prefers it. I also have a malamute. I use the Gentle leader on her and it works perfectly for her. So, I agree with you so much! Listen to the dog!Melissa (Books and Things)https://www.blogger.com/profile/00074452958853212024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730356012430024497.post-66270464689541389932012-01-26T18:05:54.602-05:002012-01-26T18:05:54.602-05:00Great link! Very insightful. I liked the 'Chok...Great link! Very insightful. I liked the 'Choke or chafe' article too. <br /><br />And yes...it's all about communication and makeing things as clear as possible. Murphy is in public often so clear (and subtle) communication is definitely a primary objective.Kristelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10883981998561876080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730356012430024497.post-14985590445469219722012-01-26T16:51:39.665-05:002012-01-26T16:51:39.665-05:00I have a similar story only I bought the gentle le...I have a similar story only I bought the gentle leader "no pull" harness for my Pit Bull. At first it seemed to work ok & she didn't pull at all, however she always hated having it put on her. After a few months she started pulling on it & when she did it seemed to compress her chest & she would hack. I've since decided that there is nothing wrong with using a pitch collar. I had stopped using one for similar reasons. I was sick of people staring & saying I was being mean to my dog. My dog does best on a pinch collar & gets out for more walks then some other people's dogs, because I'm willing to use one. Thank You for your insightful article & making me realize I'm not alone.Keirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11048627689481999309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730356012430024497.post-4722408278052423532012-01-26T16:27:40.506-05:002012-01-26T16:27:40.506-05:00Loved this post!!! I had only one dog that tolera...Loved this post!!! I had only one dog that tolerated a head collar and that was only for cycling and he knew the difference. I have one dog I'm training with a harness and another i use a prong on...I keep going back to the prong wit her, she is ok with it! If I think I'm going to be in public, I take one of those doggie bandannas or a person bandanna and tie it over the prong collar so people don't say anything (or rarely!)Cattledog Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01357905314768097428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730356012430024497.post-51402464638350563542012-01-26T16:21:02.673-05:002012-01-26T16:21:02.673-05:00Hey Kristel -
I want to thank you for a well wr...Hey Kristel - <br /><br /> I want to thank you for a well written and delightful blog read today. I use a prong collar on my APBT Wesley, and he responds beautifully with it. When we tried the head halter, he had pretty much the exact same reaction as Murphy. I especially loved reading the analogy with the dressage horse - it's an analogy I often make myself when explaining how a prong collar CAN be used safely (eg: the prong is your bit, the leash is your rein. a tool for communication)<br /><br />I don't know if you've ever stumbled across this blog, but this article is in the same vein as your own here and I thought you might enjoy it: http://dogsintraining.wordpress.com/2011/03/12/positive-bias/<br /><br />If the link doesn't work, please just google "Positive Bias" by Dogs in Training blogCaithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14933790165989596903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730356012430024497.post-9469725111648567952012-01-26T16:08:47.791-05:002012-01-26T16:08:47.791-05:00Bad Rap posted a link to this discussion their FB ...Bad Rap posted a link to this discussion their FB page and I am glad that I stopped by to read it. <br /><br />I could not agree with you more. However, the problem is that so many people do not know how to use a prong collar properly and do not appreciate the wisdom of walking with a loose leash. Instead the have a constant death grip on the leash or worse they use the prong collar with a retractable leash... ahhhhhhh.Dog Pack Snackshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09526177215357500502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730356012430024497.post-75804927817981787532012-01-26T16:04:41.943-05:002012-01-26T16:04:41.943-05:00I happened across this blog today and actually lau...I happened across this blog today and actually laughed out loud. I too had a similar experience with my Pittie mix, who, I felt needed something more "gentle" than the prong collar. While walking one day during the beginning transition period he decided to throw a massive tantrum on the side of the road. One minute I was walking my dog the next I was dragging him by his head collar. He refused to get up for what felt like an eternity as drivers slowed to see the "dead" dog. After he did get up, he proceeded to have 3 more tantrums during our walk by throwing his body to the ground with his feet sticking straight out, and then rubbing his face so hard on the ground he ended up having scratches on his nose and cheeks. That was the longest walk of my life and we have not used the "gentle" collar since. I now have a much happier dog who enjoys walks again : )Good Hope Farmsteadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00828312434826729968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730356012430024497.post-18868923682298990712012-01-26T15:36:55.874-05:002012-01-26T15:36:55.874-05:00Wow...it's great to see such thoughtful and ra...Wow...it's great to see such thoughtful and rational discussion around the use of prong collars... I had prepared myself for some not-so-nice commentary. Thanks!<br /><br />I am a positive trainer too, and it always strikes me as odd that so many folks assume you can't clicker train AND use a prong collar. They aren't mutually exclusive, and with Murphy's valuable insight I've learned that 'positive' and 'prongs' compliment each other nicely:-)Kristelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10883981998561876080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730356012430024497.post-75444197104124208842012-01-26T15:35:40.753-05:002012-01-26T15:35:40.753-05:00I was so glad to read this. My pit mix had similar...I was so glad to read this. My pit mix had similar feelings about headcollars, was too high energy/prey drive to walk on a flat collar (squirrels beware), and has no problem with a pronged collar. I use the prong collar and we are both happy with that. We get comments and questions from well-intentioned strangers on occasion, and I have explained how the prongs don't really stab the dog, and how the prong collar is safer than a chain because the restriction is limited. That may be more detail than is needed. Next time I will just say "Mikey doesn't mind it at all".Teresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03923444594358383192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730356012430024497.post-49835348504189997912012-01-26T15:13:57.202-05:002012-01-26T15:13:57.202-05:00This is by far and away the best discussion I'...This is by far and away the best discussion I've ever seen of how (and why) to use a prong collar! @miss_pico my retired service dog prefers a martingale, so that's what she gets, but my late service dog failure, Hero, loved his prong collar! He had super thin skin, not a lot of hair, and some painful scars from an embedded collar as a puppy. Anything else (collar or harness) would rub on a walk and become adversive. I am a positive trainer and I got all sorts of flak about the collar, but after trying several different things and ending up with raw spots, I wasn't willing to expose him to anything else!<br /><br />Captain Quack - if your Lab is literally 'Gun Shy', I would recommend the Sounds Good CD's. They have one for guns and ammo and one for thunder (and several others), in my experience, the guns one worked for both guns and thunder, but if you have a dog afraid of both, I'd start with the one that scares them the least. I started out playing it super softly (so I had to put my ear to the speaker to tell it was on) during meals - quiet enough that there was no reaction. Gradually we upped the volume and added in playing it during playtime and belly rub time.Julihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01636388860994577583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730356012430024497.post-57922806451360535592012-01-26T15:10:46.712-05:002012-01-26T15:10:46.712-05:00Glad I read this. I've been using a prong coll...Glad I read this. I've been using a prong collar on my Dogue de Bordeaux since she was a puppy (now 5) and I've gotten quite a few comments and dirty looks from people. Truth is though, I only used a prong collar because that's what my dog's trainer recommended for such a large breed. I never questioned what the "expert" had recommended until people began commenting. I have considered a martingale collar but after having read this, I've realized that my dog has never objected to wearing her prong and my decision to switch was strictly "emotional". I think you've convinced me to stick with what has been working fine for 5 years! Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730356012430024497.post-82234933119723673942012-01-26T15:05:02.338-05:002012-01-26T15:05:02.338-05:00When you 85# kid is a rescue and was created for t...When you 85# kid is a rescue and was created for the first 1 1/2 of his life I have tried both the buckle color for the first year, cause he was so scared of the pinch(power steering for kids), but after the first year he is not walking on a pinch because he thinks that well lets see got this far and I know she feels sorry for me..He too is now a service dog for me but at 2 1/2 he still is learning about being a puppy & teenager at the same time (it can be hell when you want to go your way and he sits down and nope mom its my way) it does come in handy..so its each to their own and in our case whatever makes our lives easierAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730356012430024497.post-31012555215675015592012-01-26T14:55:08.068-05:002012-01-26T14:55:08.068-05:00While my 85# Lab is neutral on her head collar, yo...While my 85# Lab is neutral on her head collar, your remarks make sense. Now if you have some advice on getting her over her "gun shy" problem, that would really help. Captain Quack, FLCaptain Quackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08417386738177079072noreply@blogger.com