As with any dog training tool it must be used responsibly to ensure effectiveness, and safety for your dog.
It's important to pay attention to how the collar fits the dog. It is essential that the training collar be properly fitted to the dog. A properly fitted training collar is easier to use and safer for the dog. There is a right way and a wrong way to fit a training collar, and putting it on wrong will make it both ineffective and potentially dangerous. A training collar should be used as a sharp reminder to the dog, not as punishment. It is important that constant pressure be avoided when using a training collar. Pay attention to the weight of the chain and the size of the links on the training collar. It is important that the weight and size of the chain be appropriate to the size and weight of the dog. Determining if the training collar is the right size is relatively easy. The ideal size training collar should fit snugly, yet comfortably over the dog's head. It is important that the training collar not fit too tightly, but it should not be too loose either. A training collar that is too tight will be too hard to put on and off. On the other hand, a training collar that is too loose can accidentally fall off of the dog's head when it lowers its head.
It is also important to know that a training collar that is too long for the dog requires a great deal of finesse to use properly. A collar that is too long can still be used, but it will require more skill on the part of the handler.
It is best to measure the dog's neck with a tape measure, then add 2 to 3 inches to that measurement. So if your dog has a neck 12? in diameter, you would want to buy a training collar that is 14? in length. Chain slip collars are generally sized in two inch increments.
When fitting a training collar, the loop of the chain which is connected to the leash should be on the top of the dog's neck. This ensures that the collar releases the instant the leash is loosened. Training collars work most effectively when they're able to tighten and loosen quickly. Tightening the collar is the first part of the correction, and loosening it is the second part of the process, by way of reinforcement for your dog. It is the transient nature of the tightening that really gives the dog the message that the tightening will occur immediately there is an undesired behavior.
If the loop of the training collar that is attached to the leash is not on the top of the dog's neck, the collar can still be tightened relatively easily, but it will not release back to a loose state as quickly. The more constant pressure on the dog's neck which results, initiates a counter response on the part of the animal, and your dog will then react by pulling and straining against the leash.
Finally, it is important to use a training collar that is well made and strong. Buying a high quality training collar, slip collar or choke collar can be vital to the safety of yourself and your dog.
If the worst happens, and your dog's training collar does break, it is important not to panic. Most dogs will be unaware that they have broken the collar, at least for a few seconds. In most cases, if you act as if the leash is still connected, you can usually regain control of your dog perhaps even before the dog realizes he is free.
Last time we talked about a potentially dangerous situation involving your animal when it comes to other people. It is quite a dangerous and nerve racking situation when you go over to see someone only to be confronted by their vicious dog who has the intent on either biting you or worse. In a way you can't really blame the animal because it is his instinct to act this way. It's not something that he is doing wrong but mainly something that you are doing wrong. In order to have a healthy pet and a healthy relationship with your pet you need to play by the rules so to speak. Your dog responds to certain stimulus mainly you acting like his leader but not so much physically as much as emotionally and mentally.
The pack mentality is something that looks quite simple but it is more complicated than it seems. It mainly revolves around one leader who pretty much makes all the rules and tells everyone what they need to do and how they need to do it. He also corrects them when they do something that is not up to his standards. This same principal needs to apply to you when you train your pet and as the last article said the best way to do this is to take a walk.
When you take a walk you need to be vigilant about what your dog does. You need to pay attention to how he acts and you need to correct anything that doesn't meet your standards. For example, when he pulls you or tries to jump ahead of you, you need to stop him and correct him by raising your voice slightly and telling him no. This is sure to get through to him if you do it enough times. The main thing you need to always do is be consistent because it won't be as effective if you stop him one day and then don't the next because you are in a rush or just plainly don't feel like it. You can't slack off when doing this because this is what will eventually work and you need to do this in order to save him. That itself should be your motivation.
When you walk always make sure that he is not in front of you. That to him means that he is leading you instead of the way it should be which is you leading him. As soon as this happens you need to correct him. You cannot allow him to feel or even think that he is leading because only pack leaders can lead and you need to make sure that he knows that you are the pack leader and not him. This is crucial when training him on the walk because this is the mentality that he needs to understand in order for him to be submissive. When you have achieved this submissive state you will notice that he doesn't get out of line anymore but that doesn't mean that you can relax now. It only means that you have achieved what you wanted and now you just need to maintain it.
Both Brigitte Smith & Sarah Mcdermott are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Brigitte Smith has sinced written about articles on various topics from Dogs, Wedding Bells and Dog Pet Food. Brigitte Smith runs two websites dedicated to dog training, dog care and dog health:Grab your free special report here: