Training Collars
Jono | May 24, 2008Collars
What sort of collar do you use for training your Beagle?
I use the choke (check) chain collar when training Bosco, but only because it’s so easy to slip on. I have been looking at different types of dog collars that are available, and am trying to figure out which one is right for my Beagle. So we start with the check chain. The chain is made into a loop and placed around the dog’s neck, and attached to a lead. When the lead is pulled, the chain is tightened around the dog’s neck. The purpose of a check chain is not to ‘choke’ them, but to offer a sharp pull to distract them from their train of thought. This is probably not the best type of collar for someone who gets wound up easily, as giving the chain a good yank can be all too tempting.
Now we look at the gentle leader, like a harness, but around the face, you lead the dog a bit like you would lead a horse A muzzle covers the dog’s snout and the lead is attached to it. There is controversy behind these, and a hard pull of the leash could cause neck injury
Ok, let’s look at the dreaded Prong collar. These are metal chain-like collar, but with prongs pointing inwards, so when you pull the chain, your dog gets poked in the neck. I must admit that the only time I have seen it used was on an episode of the Dog Whisperer, but you would never catch me ever putting them on my beagle. As I see it they are inhumane, they are not meant to be painful, but I can’t imagine wearing one being a very pleasant experience.
Electric dog collars. You put the collar on the dog, and let him run. When he does something you don’t want him to, you push a button on a remote and give him a small electric shock. Although this would be beneficial, especially to ignorant Beagles, I’m sure it wouldn’t be nice for them so I wouldn’t personally use them. Not to mention the price, I saw one in a hunting magazine for US$400!
My personal recommendation: The check chain. Nice and simple and effective.
We have got a 1 year old male beagle who
John | November 17, 2008We have got a 1 year old male beagle who started chasing sheep so something had to be done to stop it, after a lot of deliberation I bought a shock collar which retails around £100. I went out with the lead on the dog and went to where I knew there were sheep. He started chasing the sheep so I us used the shock collar and it stopped him in his tracks. Because the collar makes a beep sound before he feels the shock I only had to shock him twice before he learnt that when he hears the beep that there is a shock coming next.
I then went to where I could see another sheep to see what he would do and as soon as he showed an interest in that sheep I pressed the button on the remote to make the beep sound, this was enough to distract him and he came running back to me.
Since then I put the collar on him when we are going out near sheep but he does not show any interest in the sheep.
I would recommend the use of a shock collar for this kind of behavior but it has to be used sensibly and within the manufacturers guidelines, I do not use the collar for general training as it could have the wrong effect if you get the timing wrong and I feel that it’s better to reward the dog for good behavior instead of punishing him for being a bit naughty.
I just thought I would make a suggestion. The next
Elizabeth | August 5, 2009I just thought I would make a suggestion. The next time you go to the pet-store, put a prong collar around your arm/leg and then put a choke collar around your arm/leg. Which one hurts worse? Which one gets your attention faster? You might be surprised. If you are really brave, put it around your neck and try the same thing.
Prong collars are less painful in all three instances. They don’t harm the dogs sensitive trachea, the dog isn’t likely to hurt its neck or shoulder (as in the Halti and Gentle Leader) and it is very effective at mimicking how a mother would get a young puppies attention.