Hello,
I'm wondering if anyone can shed some light on my training progression. My pitbull female is approx 1-2yrs old. High energy and had no training when I adopted her 16mos ago. I studied the info from this site about intro a second dog and pack structure. She has come along quite nicely! I initially went right to a prong collar because she had NO leash manners.
However, I began to notice that she seemed more timid while I was putting the collar on and just didn't seem to be enjoying our walks. She can get quite excited when another dog is too close.
I decided to switch to a flat collar and just use "pops" as needed but incorporated alot of marker training for the desired behavior. Her spirit seems much better and she seems more "up" and focused. Enjoying working her mind also...I think.
My other dog, who was also a rescue trained quite nicely with the prong.
Infact, tonight while walking, Tyge (Pitbull) was very focused on me and happy. There were some neighbors dogs barking like crazy....I put her in a sit, she is doing that automatically now when I stop. And I marked her when she sat quitely and focused on me. She did quite well!
Should I alternate between the two collars?? Just to mix it up a bit??

thanks,

Linda

Honestly? I you are getting great results with a flat collar, why even use a prong? Sounds like the flat is all she needs!

If she is doing fine on a flat collar I would go with that.
I have one who NEEDS the prong in order to behave on walks because he is so wound up to be out and about.
But I have another who is highly timid and just cowers with the prong on even without any sort of correction

I suppose I just assumed that the same method would work for both dogs. Its seems unusual that the Pit who is bolder and a rough & tumble type dog responded to the gentler method??
Sam, who is very timid in general and more skittish worked well with the prong.
Hey, its all kinda new to me, this journey with my dogs.

Linda

Sounds like you are doing great. Enjoy the ride!!