If you are the proud owner of a
new dog or puppy or you just feel that your dog could use some more training,
you may be wondering how to approach the teaching process.
Many people overlook the use of dog training
collars because they feel they are unsafe and inhumane. In fact, these collars can be invaluable
tools and can help you train your dog more quickly and efficiently.
Keith Benson is the general
manager of Triple Crown Dog Academy, a premier dog training, boarding and event
center in Hutto, Texas. He says of
training collars for dogs:
They are very safe and effective
when used in the right manner. With a
good training program and understanding of proper use, the GPS collars source become very
easy to use and very effective. The proper
use of dog training collars is key to both their efficacy and their safety.
Proper use involves:
* Having a collar that is the
right size the fits correctly on your dog.
* Using dog training collars in
conjunction with other training methods, such as rewards and praising.
The best dog training collars,
such as the Innotek IUT 300, are contoured to fit your dogs neck and let you
know when the collar is positioned correctly.
Like the Innotek, most dog training collars are now made to be easy to
use so you don’t need to be a professional trainer to see results.
There are various types of dog
collars on the market today. Let’s take
a quick look at each and see if they’re right for you and your dog.
Prong Collars
A prong collar is made up of
little metal prongs that have been linked together. When pressure is exerted by pulling on the
leash, the prongs give a little pinch.
These should be used for training only,
and if your dog does not pull excessively at his leash. Proper fit is crucial – there should be a
space between the dog’s neck and the collar about the size of half a
finger. The idea is to condition your
dog to avoid certain behaviors.
Gentle Leaders
Instead of conditioning, these
collars restrict movement with a halter-like harness that fits over your dog’s
head. These are a bit trickier and
should be used with more caution than other types of dog training collars.
There is the risk that if you pull too hard, you
will injure your dogs neck, so proper use is a must. These collars should be considered if your
dog bites, lunges, or displays other dangerous, aggressive behavior.
Choke Collars
Choke collars work when trainers
pull on the leash and the collar cinches tighter on the dogs neck. Similar to the prong collars, the idea is to
curb undesirable behavior by giving a physical reminder.
The danger with these, though, is in improper
fitting or usage. If the collar is too
big or small it may harm your dog, and if you use it excessively, it lacks
effectiveness. Choke collars can be a good
option for your dog; just make sure you know how to use the collar before you
start training.
Electronic Collars
As mentioned before, the premier
electronic dog training collars fit your dog properly to eliminate the chance
of injury. These work by administering a tiny shock to your dog when he engages
in behavior that you want to correct, such as barking.
These shocks are not large enough to hurt
your dog – it feels like getting a shock from static electricity – but does
deter him from the behavior. There have
been many advances in this type of collar, and they come in a variety of sizes
and styles. These are effective and
humane tools with which to teach your dog.
Dog training collars can be very
effective and safe if you are committed to using them properly. Before you decide on a collar, make sure it
is the right one for your dog and make sure you are prepped on how to use it.
