About the choke collar and Anne's very clear comment: It has been posted more than once on this board the opinion that all other training tools were better than the choke collar. I agree.

Oh my god. Now I am really scared. Do you think I injured my pup. I had taken him to a pup sociolizing event yesterday and one of the trainers kind was harsh with him with the collar afer that I took the chain from him and said I would do it.
I called my vet but he is gone for the day. He is drinking and eating well.

Rashmi

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I've encountered many dogs with just about no self confidence, extremely soft temperaments (one glare would send them cowering), and who placed themselves at the bottom of the rank ladder. If I used a prong on these types of dogs, I think a few of them would have shut down.

If the dog shuts down
a) the dog may not know the meaning of praise words and doesn't associate them with a positive state of mind, making the praise ineffective
b) not enough praise being used. You must praise with the same timing as your correction.

When a dog shuts down and you stop, you are setting it up for problems (fear aggression, false pain cries etc) You must work the dog through or the dog learns that fear/fear aggression is an acceptable response to an unfamiliar/unpleasant stimulus. Correct the dog for crouching by both baiting and using gentle tugs to get the dogs moving forward. PRAISE LIKE MAD - TREAT TREAT TREAT Take a break and massage the dog deeply behind the bell of its ears and under the front edge of its shoulder blades, putting the dog into a positive state of mind. When its breathing has transfered from it's chest to its belly, the dog is ready to go back to where you were before it the dog shut down. Go into a teach mode rather than train mode. If leerburg does not have video on this, I do. It's a dramatic transformation.

QUOTE: the dog may not know the meaning of praise words END

But the dog does know the difference in the tone of voice. "No" is uttered in a totally different tone of voice from "Good dog!"

All tones are calm and unexcited, but I have three: Low-voiced and firm (and maybe loud) for "no," low-voiced and commanding for........well, for commands!, and somewhat higher and happier (not excited) for "Good boy!"

QUOTE: Oh my god. Now I am really scared. Do you think I injured my pup END

No, I don't think one small incident harmed your dog. Just ask the vet next time he's in the office.........and I think you did the right thing when you said "I will do it." Other comments?

I completely agree with you. When I say "no" in a firm voice, he just looks into my eyes and back up and the moment he does that I go bonkers in praising him and he comes running wagging his tail, lies down and then in a second walks aways to play with his fav toy.

Rashmi

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But the dog does know the difference in the tone of voice. "No" is uttered in a totally different tone of voice from "Good dog!"

All tones are calm and unexcited, but I have three: Low-voiced and firm (and maybe loud) for "no," low-voiced and commanding for........well, for commands!, and somewhat higher and happier (not excited) for "Good boy!"

Absolutely correct.

But more also
I use the exact same tone for praise words and commands in OB training sessions - low and gruff. But the dogs have been taught to associate the praise words with a calm positive state of mind.

The reason I do it is so I can give commands and praise that no one else can hear - which it very helpful in the nursing home. To others the dogs behave "magically"

But Connie is absolutely correct that dogs respond almost entirely to tone. Only in the case of a completely unsocialized dog or a neglected or abused dog would a trainer find absolute necessity in teaching praise words.

I am never taking him there. I don't trust them. And as he never gasped or coughed, I think it perhaps was not that bad. You are right. I will call the vet tomorrow again to ask his opinion.

Rashmi

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Oh my god. Now I am really scared. Do you think I injured my pup. I had taken him to a pup sociolizing event yesterday and one of the trainers kind was harsh with him with the collar afer that I took the chain from him and said I would do it.
I called my vet but he is gone for the day. He is drinking and eating well.

You would hear excessive coughing persisting for about three days after excessive pressure. My Abby has a weak trachea from wearing a choke collar while in an animal shelter. She cannot even be walked on a flat collar because of it. (And if she is she will cough and cough for 3-4 days)

I am so sorry to hear that.

How is she now?

Rashmi