I have a 11 week old Pomeranian,named Dolce, that will finally be ready to go outside for a walk in 2 weeks or so(after parvo shots).

I have watched a couple of the leerburg videos(basic dog obedience and the puppy one) and a couple other trainer videos. I see that the collar is a fundamental tool for training and harness's are discouraged unless absolutely needed. The collar I have is soft woven cotton. This last week or so I have been putting Dolce on a leash and attaching the leash to a chair leg. It is something I learned from a different trainers video. The first day he went crazy trying to get 'out of range' and not realizing that no matter how hard he tried he will not be able to. But after doing it 3-4 times now for 30 minute intervals, other than a little whining initially he just plays with his toys that are in range and doesn't fight the leash( other than chewing on it).

I have been practicing walking with him as well, and he follows nicely. If he doesn't follow, usually a SOFT pop will get him going. It seems like this routine is working perfectly to set up Dolce for success on walking on a leash obediently.

BUT the other day I read that pomeranians are susceptible to collapsed trachea's and should not be on a collar. I read this in multiple places, but it was all in 'dog lover' websites and not trainers or obedience trainers saying it. I wanted to know if there is truth to this. Keep in mind Dolce will not be one of those toy pomeranians that are known to be super fragile. He is a little over 3lb right now, but will grow up to be 7lb's or so.

Is it safe to keep using a collar for training and walking? If I'm actually doing any kind of permanent harm then obviously I will want to stop. It just seems that many of the things 'dog lover' sites say are contradictory to trainers and are based on emotion rather than actual truths.

Dang .... I lost my post and now I have to run, but at least I can bump the thread.

A pinch collar, correctly worn and correctly used is easier on a dog's trachea then just about anything out there. It doesn't put pressure on the trachea, just even pressure "around" the neck.

Marker training also.

Also one of the Ellis DVDs (can't recall which one off hand) shows how to teach a dog to give to leash pressure. No yanks, no pops!
Stay away from the pet dog sites. Most of those folks are nucking futs!

 Quote: Bob Scott

A pinch collar, correctly worn and correctly used is easier on a dog's trachea then just about anything out there. It doesn't put pressure on the trachea, just even pressure "around" the neck.

Also one of the Ellis DVDs shows how to teach a dog to give to leash pressure. No yanks, no pops!

Absolutely 100% correct; if it's true that the trachea may be fragile, a pinch collar would be much better than pops with any fixed/flat collar.

Thanks for the replies guys. So then a pinch collar is something that he can wear during walks his entire life? I thought it was more of a training tool.

So if I understand correctly, the pinch collar is much safer in this situation because the pinch collar is based on putting pressure/sting on the skin instead of jerking the neck. So then you can pop lightly enough for them to feel it in their skin with minimal neck/trachea pressure. Is that correct?

Pretty much. In time you won't even need pops or pressure. My mature GSD goes bananas when the prong comes out cause she knows she's going for a walk and, to her, life just doesn't get any better than a walk with her man!
It is true that it is a training tool, but once you're dog learns what it is for, you will always want to use one (except around the "dog lover" fanatics LOL). However, once the dog is trained, you can discontinue using it, if that's what you want to do.
Also, pinch (prong) collars and fursavers are way better than chokers. There are lots of free videos on LB about this.

 Quote: Dolce Pom

So if I understand correctly, the pinch collar is much safer in this situation because the pinch collar is based on putting pressure/sting on the skin instead of jerking the neck. So then you can pop lightly enough for them to feel it in their skin with minimal neck/trachea pressure. Is that correct?

To clarify, it's not about skin vs jerking; it distributes pressure evenly rather than directly putting pressure on the trachea. Make sure you fit it properly. It should ride up on the dog's neck, under the chin; not directly in contact with the windpipe. There are several explanations about proper fit in the free videos, as well.
Also, don't leave it on the dog all the time, and especially in a pen or crate.

Gotchya. Yea I have a couple of Leerburg's videos, and he explains how to put it on and such. So I have a last questions about it. Pomeranians obviously have a very thick coat, would this collar be just as effective, since I'm guessing its going to be buffered by alot of fur.

I checked on this site, and he has prong collars specially designed for small breed dogs. There is an under 5lb's and over 5 lb's. Dolce is a lil over 3lb's right now but will grow up to be 7lbs or so. I assume buying the over 5lb one and starting to use that now, will not be a problem...

Thick coat doesn't affect anything.
You are correct... buy the larger one, remove excess links, then add them again later as he grows.

Personally I don't use corrections during the learning phase of any training (a soft lead pop is a correction). Instead use the marker training to teach him to walk on a lead. You can also use fun games to teach him.

Unless you're really jerking him, doing hard corrections (which you're not)a collaped trachea would be unlikely,especially with a buckle collar. A pinch is best but he's still a bit young for one IMHO. But when you fit one, make sure to work it under all that hair (and thank your Stars that he's not a Rough Collie LOL)

It sounds as if he's used to the feel of the lead now, so make walking with you fun and interesting for him.