Training tools

I wanted to avoid these but I cant anymore lol

I bought Violet a gentle leader, I read an article by Jan Donaldson that said they were a good tool to use so I thought I would give it a try.

We have been using treats and it does work IF you carry treats on your person all the time, if I walk her without treats she pulls, and she is very strong now.

I have not tried it yet as I just bought it this morning but I have been putting it on a giving her treats while she wears it just so she doesn't fight it when we do go for a walk.

What tools do you use or feel are acceptable to put to use?
When is a good time to put a tool to rest or is it ok to use the same tool for a long period of time if it works?

ETA I looked for the anti pull harness's (the ones with the clip at the front) but couldn't find them anywhere, my only fear with the gentle leader is A) she will hate it B) it looks like a muzzle which may give people the wrong impression.

I have used the gentle leader,I was not crazy about it,neither was the dog,she ate it LOL
If a tool works then I see no reason to change what isn't broke

Well tried it :o

All she wanted to do was roll in the grass for the first half but the second half was better, reduction in pulling for sure.

But I hate that it looks like a muzzle...... almost makes me feel like I am walking a horse lol

Anyways I will keep trying it until she is at least comfortable with it and then report back.

Hopefully it will work well for you and her

mcpug wrote:

What tools do you use or feel are acceptable to put to use?
When is a good time to put a tool to rest or is it ok to use the same tool for a long period of time if it works?

Though I'm not a fan of shock / electric collars and will never use one. There's nothing wrong with using any of the training tool available out there, just as long as the person has been shown by someone experienced how to use them properly. So that injury does not occur to the dog. I always recommend using the least aversive tool first (ie. a head collar over using an electric collar).

I don't agree with choke chains or prong collars being used on a puppy under the age of 6 months (would prefer not under 12 months of age) or on a newly adopted rescue dog.

I have used a choke chain, prong collar, martingale, gentle leader harness, gentle leader head collar. The prong collar and choke chain were used in the first obedience class that I had ever attended with my puppy. It was out of ignorance when it came to formally obedience training my dog and trusting a dog training who in my mind I was questioning every step of the way.

Left there and found a dog trainer who only uses +R methods and haven't looked back since. I have learned a lot about how dog's learn and +R training since then.

I do use a new trix collar (it's similar to a gentle leader head collar) but it's only used in certain situations where I know she will be extremely excited for the first 15 to 20 minutes while waiting for her turn to run the agility or rally course. Or if my son (11 years old) is going to be running her for the first round in class through the rally-o obstacles, it gives him better control of her. She does settle after her first round and it's not needed after that. It's something I'm still working on with her, but I think it's mainly she is taking longer than most Rotts to mature her age. Could be due to having her spayed early.

JMO

I started using a Gentle Leader at puppy class for the Malamute on the recommendation of the trainer. We had no problems with it at that age. She didn't mind having it on at all, still wears it and she's going to be 4 in Sept. The trick is putting it on at a very early age. I used one for my last mal too but got it when she was older she used to roll around on the grass too, but that will pass, just make sure it is tight enough around the neck so she can't get it off. I recommend giving Violet a really special treat every time you put it on her so she will associate the halter with good things to come. It really is a godsend to have on a very large dog who decides to pull you.

I used to use the Halti all the time on Tank as he is a puller, he hated it but it worked really well. Now I don't care as much and just use the flexi leash and let him run loose.... mostly because I want to let him be able to run loose in the park but I don't let him in case there are other dogs around.. He isn't the nicest player, he likes to tackle and play rough.

Well we just got back from an almost 2 hour walk, it was GREAT.

The gentle leader works really well and violet was not fighting it at all today. I would not have been able to manage violet and the kids with just a collar and lead so it helped out a lot.

I took the kids downtown and we sat and got a slice of pizza and then walked back..... tired kids + tied dog = ahhhhhhhhh I am a happy woman right now

Hopefully you have found the tool you need to better work with Violet

that's good news McPug

Glad to hear that you, the kids and Violet had a nice walk today. To me there is noting nicer then having dogs that walk with you and not against you. Congrats on taking the time to try and find an ideal solution. Would love to see some pics of Violet walking like a good girl.

I just ordered a prong collar for Bosco. He has been really good in our little sessions so far. So I haven't had to use it. I think you should use any trainning devices that work for you and your dog.

There are some I do not like and do not work with our dogs.

I can see the shock collars not work with our pyrs.. Because electric fencing doesn't stop them.. lol..

Mini wrote:

I just ordered a prong collar for Bosco. He has been really good in our little sessions so far. So I haven't had to use it. I think you should use any trainning devices that work for you and your dog.

There are some I do not like and do not work with our dogs.

I can see the shock collars not work with our pyrs.. Because electric fencing doesn't stop them.. lol..

I think the shock collars are just not ok...my mini-pin had one on when we got her and the poor thing is still bald from where it would shock her. For the first month or two she would barely bark and now she is starting to find her voice again.

Kewl Chick wrote:

Mini wrote:

I just ordered a prong collar for Bosco. He has been really good in our little sessions so far. So I haven't had to use it. I think you should use any trainning devices that work for you and your dog.

There are some I do not like and do not work with our dogs.

I can see the shock collars not work with our pyrs.. Because electric fencing doesn't stop them.. lol..

I think the shock collars are just not ok...my mini-pin had one on when we got her and the poor thing is still bald from where it would shock her. For the first month or two she would barely bark and now she is starting to find her voice again.

It depends on how you use them.... Shock collars for barking purposes.. Sometimes depends on what you are using them for .. I don't agree with using them on little dogs... I have never used them. Have no need to.. Because the Pyrs don't go with the shock. Like I said they would be shocked by our old electric fencing and not even welp.. LMAO..

I know and poor LuLu had hers on while the lady was out and she was in her crate...I knew I couldn't leave the poor little thing there.

I have never used a shock collar, BUT for barkers I would probably try a more humane spray type collar first, they have some now that make a beeping noise that the dog does not appreciate and ones that spray various smelly things lol.

We had a dog come through rescue who was trained with a barking type shock collar, only the barking was aggressive barking which in turn made a very aggressive non vocal dog...... a dog that bit/attacked without warning. Kinda scary, thank god he was a pug lol.