My pup Chico. As I am going to put the leash on his collar, has a tendency to reject the holding of the collar, then come's the so call biting and fussing. Once it is on, he is calm as a little time goes bye. We are talking about a flat box store collar with corresponding leash. He knows most of the tricks, trows his weight on the ground and move his front paws to manipulate the situation. This is not new, I think I might have spoke of it before, with some other stuff. (new dog owner syndrome) I am laughing at myself. Chico turned five months yesterday.

The reason I am bringing this up is frankly two fold. One I am getting tired of it. plus there is much more fight, with a prong collar I just bought for use on walks, to control the easy walks. I don't use it for say corrections 'Cause there is no need, just to power stair the walk.

Since I am reaching out asking for help, I haven't been able to join a good schutzhund club. So there is only the two walks a day, weather permits, that burns out the excess energy. and rely on the tapes from Mr. Frawley. I am mostly using engagement and our connection thru food. Can I use marker training to make the transition to the collar more pleasurable? Plus , how long before I hurt us by not finding a club so we can learn our work? Dan

Marker training works wonders with the collar grab. There is a video somewhere on here. I'll see if I can find it for you.

Here ya go: http://leerburg.com/playem.htm?name=flv/collargrab.flv

The video is aimed at sport dogs to keep them from going out of drive. I found it worked well for PITA pet purposes, too.

Lauren, Thanks. I knew that marker would work, But did not know how or were to begin. That was easy, Let's see about the handler.(smile). Dan

Let us know how it works out.
Good luck!!!!

I think you will have good luck with it.

Tasha was a keep away master. I did this training and now she thinks nothing of it when I go for her collar.

I guess I don't break it down that much. I'd give him a smack upside the head and tell him to knock it off and continue on with whatever we are doing.

 Quote: Lauren Jeffery

Here ya go: http://leerburg.com/playem.htm?name=flv/collargrab.flv

The video is aimed at sport dogs to keep them from going out of drive. I found it worked well for PITA pet purposes, too.

Dan, you can modify this technique somewhat to exactly fit your situation. First, make sure you have really good treats, (real food) and start when your dog is hungry.

Start with just your hand to the collar, then mark and reward. Once Chico is getting that touching his collar gets him a reward, introduce the leash. Keep it in your hand and touch the collar with it. Don't clip it on, just touch the collar. Mark and reward.

Once he's comfortable, move on to clipping the leash on. Mark, reward and take the leash off, then mark and reward. Repeat, repeat, repeat!

You get the idea...

PS, I had the same problem with Chula when she was your pup's age. When it comes to the prong collar, you may need to up the ante re the reward. I used to use Chula's raw food (placed in a location where she could see it and smell it) as her reward. She very quickly decided that sporting a prong was well worth the reward!

Good reply to all, bunch of good people, started already with good results, will continue. I was surprise as how quick he took to letting me touch the collar. well I guess as he is a chow hound. real easy. Dan

 Quote: Danilo A. Nelson

Good reply to all, bunch of good people, started already with good results, will continue. I was surprise as how quick he took to letting me touch the collar. well I guess as he is a chow hound. real easy. Dan

A real chow hound who has a dad who introduced him early to marker training and who works hard with his pup... Not a bad combination, in my book.