[Training] Proper Selection of Training Collars

[Twitchin Kitten]

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Please note that these collars are for training your dog only. This is NOT a lesson on how to use these collars, but a description on their differences.

These types of collars, no matter the material they are made of, should NEVER, EVER be left on your dog unsupervised or as it's regular collar. There are no exceptions to this.

Using these types of collars as your pet's regular attire can maim or even kill if it gets caught on something while you are not around.

I am NOT responsible for your stupidity, failure to understand these instructions, or stubbornness thinking you know better. I don't want to hear it. Period.

Proper Selection of Training Collars

There are two types of training collars one can use to aid you in conveying the proper commands to Rex during the basic and continuing training sessions throughout his life.

A) The basic "choke" chain

  chokers.jpg (Size: 80.16 KB / Downloads: 11)

B) The "prong" or "pinch" collar
   

Many people don’t like either collar citing they are cruel and painful. I disagree and frankly, the most humane looking device can cause harm in the wrong hands and vice versa.

We are going to talk a bit on the proper use of these collars and how they are to sit on the dogs neck for the most humane and effective use.

The prong collar

This collar believe it or not is more humane when properly used than the choke or even the regular leather or nylon collar.
This type of collar is designed to mimic another dog giving Rex a small ‘teaching’ bite on the neck, much like he would get while another member of a dog pack would do.

Some prong collars come with a quick release clip where others do not. I have had nothing but bad experiences with the quick release coming apart for no apparent reason and I wouldn’t suggest buying this kind. Please buy the kind that is more difficult to take on and off that uses the method of un-linking one link from another. It is 100% safer. As your dog grows, you can purchase extra links to add to this type collar to give Rex more room. You can also purchase rubber tips that slip onto the prongs to cushion the ‘pinch’ some if your dog is extra responsive or extremely sensitive.

This collar should fit around the neck snugly without any slack but does not pinch simply from sitting comfortably on the neck. You should be able to turn the collar around the dogs neck without resistance or the collar ‘grabbing’ skin. It should not be so loose as to ‘droop’.

I cannot stress enough that you need to learn how to use this type of collar before going out to buy one and simply expect results. This and ANY type collar are not to be used to simplify your training methods but they are only a tool with which you incorporate into your training program. You can learn the proper use of this collar from a qualified trainer. Please don’t try to figure this out by yourself if you've never used one of these.

This collar has been banned in some countries due to the improper use of it and people using them in the wrong manner and the wrong purpose. Do check in our member forums to see if this has been banned where you live.

The chain choke collar

Here is a short discussion how to correctly place the chain collar on your dog. Correct placement is extremely important because if you do not put this collar on correctly you can cause a dog to feel a lot of pain, and the collar will have little effect as well.

I cannot stress enough that this is NOT a collar to be left on any animal without constant supervision especially if you don’t have it on correctly. I have seen many animals with severely damaged necks because of these collars. Your animal can also choke to death if this collar is on and the animal gets hung up on something and cannot release itself. Again, like the prong collar, this collar should be a training tool and NOT a quick fix for making an obedient dog. Proper training is a must.

The dog's regular should not be removed and the choke collar will be placed above that. You want the choke collar as high up on the neck as possible, close to the ears. The collar should be of a size that is easily slipped over the dog's head with about 2 inches of slack. It should be loose when not being tugged on. There is a proper way and improper way to have the collar on as well. We'll call it right side up or upside down. Take note of the rings attached to the chain ends. The stationary ring (the ring without the leash clip) should be on the bottom like you see in image 1. This is right side up. When the ring is in this position, the collar will release the moment the leash is relaxed and the 'choke' part is stopped immediately.

When the collar is on upside down, the bottom ring will be on top, and the collar will NOT release when the leash is relaxed like you see in image 2.


  a_proper_relaxed_2.jpg (Size: 36.98 KB / Downloads: 11)
  a_improper_relaxed.jpg (Size: 50.87 KB / Downloads: 11)

Now you know the proper application of the chain and prong collars. Always double check your collars when putting them on your dog.