Training Dog Collars
Why the Use of a Training Dog Collars Sometimes Counterproductive
Dog trainers, especially those who are not professionals in the field, usually confuse dog training with control. In any dog-man pair, the human always have the need to gain control. This is not really bad except that sometimes, the man abuses the privileged of control.
Dog training collars provide that control. While the intention is normally good- to remove unwanted (but instinctual) behaviors of the dogs for example- the process of training is sometimes incorrect and abusive of the dog's weaknesses and the tools used for training are not well-adapted to the needs of the dog.
We, humans, often forget that dogs are individuals too. Some dogs are very aggressive and hard to control, some are funny and gives us much comfort and joy, others are just laid back and refuse to undergo training and some are naturally fast learners while others are slow learners.
Training collars were invented to gain enough control over the canines, however some people fail to adhere to the basic principles of these tools. Choke or chain collars, for example, are one of the very first tools invented to help lessen the tension between man and dog.
But there are people who overuse and misuse the choke collars. Some handlers are so harsh that many dogs experience neck damages and some even choke to death. In short the use of this type of collars is very dangerous, if not counter-productive.
Some handlers, on the other hand, lack sufficient knowledge on the specific collars that would work well with their dogs. For example, the popular choice of collar these days are the electronic dog collar due to its remote access to dogs which provide continuous "training" for even when the owner is not around. While this may be a popular alternative to old fashioned dog training collars, many people just don’t completely understand its disadvantages.
There are some very mundane reasons as to why collars could be, at times, counterproductive. For one, there are people who just don’t take the extra time to check if the collar is fit or not. With improper fitting, the collar could pinch the skin (especially the Martingale collar) and scratch it causing burning spots.
These are very uncomfortable to dogs as much as having skin lesions would make someone feel irritated. The rule of thumb for getting the right fit of collar for your dog is to allow two to three inches gap between the attached collar and the neck.
Another reason why dog collars could be potentially counterproductive is that they work on the principle of pain and fear and not really on discipline. Electronic training collars work by sending electronic shocks to the dog wearing it or unpleasant sound that will discourage the dog from barking.
Even when it proves to be efficient in delivering its purpose- to distract the dog from barking- the results are not as good. Why? Because the dog starts to lose its confidence.
Quick fixes for behavior control are more often than not tempting to use and leads to overdependence to control devices. While doing it the long way usually proves to be more valuable.
Therefore, before one chooses a dog training collar, it is recommended to do your research first so your dog's comfort would not be compromised.
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... typical dog trainer will not buy other training aids but would definitely subscribe to the use of collars. Dog collars come in various types with different functions, materials and appeal. As to the function the usual varieties include choke or chain collar, martingale collar, spoke collar, shock collar or electronic collar. As to the material used to manufacture the dog collar the most famous are the leather collars, nylon collars, fabric collars and metal collars. Harness A common alternative to dog leashes, the harness is a training device that is typically used in conjunction with or in replacement ...
... owner buys a dog from a breeder with the intention of making a service dog out of it, the breeder would first give prior training on basic commands such as sit, come, stay and no. Then, the owner would fill in the newer commands that he needs such as opening the door or turning off the lights. On the other hand, program-trained dogs are especially bred and trained for service works. Normally, these dogs are trained for more than a year to get acclimatized on special situations and people to whom they are trained to respond. Training could be administered in a number of ways. In United States, training ...
... supervised. Prong Training Collar Also popular for its name pinch collar, is characterized by chains with open ends that are turned towards the dog's neck. Thus, when the collar is tightened the dog feels the spikes on the loose skin of his neck. Unlike choke training collars, prong collars have limited adjustment which also limits the amount of pinching the spikes could give the dog. Because of the spreading effect of the blunted spikes it is difficult to puncture the skin of the dog. However, many owners still prefer to cover the tips of the spikes with rubber. This should be worn in the same ...
... is the dog training harness. The harness is most useful if you want to take the dog for a walk. This is one perfect bonding activity that you and your dog can do. It provides you and your dog an opportunity to exercise and get some fresh air. For quite sometime, the more common equipment used is the collar. Unfortunately, this material may pose a danger to your pet. Collars, while placed around the neck, may cause your dog to choke or get hurt as you tug the leash or as the dog tries to break away. Also, your dog may find it difficult to bark because of irritation in the neck area. The same cannot ...