Quote: Jennifer Marshal

Flat collars IMO are not for corrections.

I use a flat collar all the time for corrections. But I understand that you are discussing a much different degree of correction from what I do when the dog focuses on a cat, or does other walk no-nos.

 Quote: rhonda parkin

Connie, I am currently re-reading the articles on groundwork and have been watching the Establishing Pack Structure DVD. We also have the basic obedience DVD and your puppy 8 weeks to 8 months. If you have some other suggestions I would love to have them. ...

I strongly recommend these:

http://leerburg.com/301.htm

and

http://leerburg.com/corrections.htm

And listen to a podcast:
http://leerburg.com/dogtrainingpodcasts.htm and scroll to "The Theory of Corrections in Dog Training."

And go here:
http://leerburg.com/groundwork.htm
and scroll down to the free eBook called (you guessed it!)
"The Theory of Corrections in Dog Training." (It's just above a heading that says "Everyone has an Opinion."

BTW, about the video -- not saying that you necessarily have a dominant/aggressive pup .... I AM saying that you will learn a ton from that video, because it covers (in depth)
* Aggression towards Owners
* Aggression towards Family and Friends
* Aggression towards Strangers
* Aggression towards Other Animals

When Does Dominance Start? Understanding temperament in dogs and how it relates to dominance; How to live with and handle a dominant puppy; The Ground Work to Becoming a Pack Leader; The importance of Exercise as it relates to dominance/aggression; Flat Collars, Prong Collars, Dominant Dog Collars, and a lot more.

Basically, it shows you how to act ... how to live with a dog who even thinks he might want to be dominant, IMO. If it doesn't all apply to your dog, so what? It's invaluable information..

I'd order it and then listen to the Corrections podcast or read the eBook.

Well thanks for your help guys, I was starting to get quite disheartened, especially with the thought that my dog may not trust me. But you have given me hope, and we will be ordering a prong collar immediately.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

 Quote: Jennifer Marshal

Flat collars IMO are not for corrections.

I use a flat collar all the time for corrections. But I understand that you are discussing a much different degree of correction from what I do when the dog focuses on a cat, or does other walk no-nos.

Connie, yeah I was in a hurry and now that I re read that I meant to say that IMO in this situation flat collars are not effective for correction. I do start all my dogs on flat collars first as pups when the correction phase begins and move to prongs once they are more mature/require it. thanks for pointing that out

Rhonda,
I believe your dog will grow to trust and respect you as you go through the pack leadership and pack structure program. It's through your being a firm and consistent pack leader that he will pick up on this. The punishment must fit the crime sort of speak when it comes to corrections.