 Wife doesn't like prong collar for our new puppy
#205634 - 08/13/2008 11:44 PM |
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hi again
I've been using a prong collar with Esperanza (11 month old sherpherd/lab/chow mix) and she's really responding, especially on our walks. I've been trying to remember how and when to administer corrections correctly. It's tough but things are working nicely.
My wife, however, does not want to use the prong collar to administer corrections. She believes it hurts Espy. Also, my wife's worried that if we get attacked by another dog on our walks, pulling on Espy when she has the prong collar will injure her.
So....any thoughts on this?
Thanks,
Chuck
Los Angeles, Ca
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Re: Wife doesn't like prong collar for our new puppy
[Re: Chuck Silverman ]
#205637 - 08/14/2008 12:34 AM |
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Have her put the prong collar on her arm and give her a few corrections at the level you use on the dog.
Also, being a woman, it may also be a matter of "people will think I'm a cruel dog owner when they see this".
You could, sans comment, start tying a bandana over the collar, so folks can't see. She might not mind using it, if she doesn't have to advertise it to the Jones-es next door.
As a kid, when Ron Pace told me to put a prong collar on my dog, I damned near walked away and never came back.
The thing looked like a torture device. Once Ron gave me a correction with the collar on my arm, I realized it wasn't so bad after all.
What type of collar would she (your wife) prefer you use?
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Re: Wife doesn't like prong collar for our new pup
[Re: Chuck Silverman ]
#205641 - 08/14/2008 12:48 AM |
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I am no expert but I also use a prong collar on my GSD and my husband did not approve at first as well. That changed after he walked the dog himself with the prong collar on and saw that it did not harm the dog and that it was a lot easier to walk the dog with the prong collar on.
The prong will not injure your dog or cause any punctures, the prongs will only put pressure in order to enforce the correct behaviour on your dog f.e. not to pull, or not to chase cats.
I bought one here on this site and could not be more satisfied. I would not leave home without it when I go on my walks with my dog, I use it for protection for myself as well as for my dog.
Otherwise my dog would chase other dogs/cats across the street with, dragging me with him.
I hope this helps, good luck! 
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Re: Wife doesn't like prong collar for our new pup
[Re: Rosalinda van den Ham ]
#205642 - 08/14/2008 01:08 AM |
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You can also train without a prong collar if you can't win her over. Read up on marker training.
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Re: Wife doesn't like prong collar for our new pup
[Re: Mike J Schoonbrood ]
#205644 - 08/14/2008 04:08 AM |
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Sit down and chat with your wife about doing what's best for the dog. If you want offer to have her give a pull on your arm with the prong on it. I've sold more prongs over choke chains with this technique than any other. If you can't get agreement over it I would go with what Mike said about marker training.
Although trouble with the wife isn't quite a dog training issue comprimise with family over what is best for the family dog sometimes is. It's either your dog or our family dog and when it's our family dog you'll have to come up with a technique you'll both be comfortable with or you'll just be spinning your wheels and confusing your dog.
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Re: Wife doesn't like prong collar for our new pup
[Re: Mike J Schoonbrood ]
#205645 - 08/14/2008 04:45 AM |
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You can also train without a prong collar if you can't win her over. Read up on marker training.
I misread that quickly, and thought it said train your wife with a prong collar!! 
Here's a link to a thread I started when we had concerns over using a prong. It took a while to persuade Shalini, but this helped a lot.
http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/165236/page/3#Post165236
Now, she loves using it. It uses technique, not strength, and doesn't hurt the dog. I've lost count of how many people if demonstrated the collar on my arm for!
As Mike says, there are other options (markers maybe, or e-collar) but the key is understanding how they all work then chosing something you're both happy with.
HTH
Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought. |
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Re: Wife doesn't like prong collar for our new pup
[Re: Rob Bruce ]
#205649 - 08/14/2008 08:28 AM |
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What doesn't help the prong's reputation is that even a low level correction makes the dog yelp.
What I did is put both a choker and a prong collar on my girlfriend's arm, then showed her a low level correction with both.
Now SHE convinces our entourage that the prong is much more humane than the choker.
You could also google those german studies that proves chokers cause trachea problems in the long run, and not a well used prong.
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Re: Wife doesn't like prong collar for our new pup
[Re: Rob Bruce ]
#205651 - 08/14/2008 08:38 AM |
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I really like what Mike said about using marker training; it can replace just about any aversive most of the time. I still use a prong though, as I'm 5'2" and my dog is 98 pounds. Most of the time this doesn't matter but sometimes a running squirrel is too much of a temptation. I usually forget the prong is even there until one of those "oh squirrel" moments, but then I'm REALLY glad to have it.
Most small women quickly learn to appreciate the prong collar, even if they don't want to  . These collars are NOT popular here in my area, but I've made more than a few women 'closet converts'. The quickest way to sell it to someone is to let them use use it. Cover it with a bandanna like Alyssa suggested, or try something like this to hide it.
A prong collar is only as painful as the person using it wants it to be.
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Re: Wife doesn't like prong collar for our new pup
[Re: Kristel Smart ]
#206017 - 08/16/2008 09:16 AM |
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thanks to all of you re: the prong collar. Elaine's still not convinced. Today I'll see if I can put the prong on her and do a low level correction. Many thanks for the input!
Chuck and Esperanza
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Re: Wife doesn't like prong collar for our new pup
[Re: Chuck Silverman ]
#206018 - 08/16/2008 09:27 AM |
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Hey Chuck,
I assume you have a high quality prong collar. If you have one of those cheap things they sell at Petsmart or something, they actually may hurt and be harmful to your dog. The cheap things come apart because the whole thing is like thing wires, including the prongs, which feel like needles. I own Herm Sprenger prongs where in comparison with the ones they sell at pet stores, the prongs are much thicker and will not function like needles.
I am only saying this because if you are going to put the prongs on your wife and they are the poor ones I speak of, it may reaffirm her convictions that it is a medieval torture instrument.
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