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Home » Dogs

What kind of training “tools” do you prefer? Why?

Submitted by on March 7, 2009 – 9:14 am14 Comments
chain tools
JH asked:

Gentle Leader?
Halti?
Choke chain?
Pinch collar?
harness?

14 Comments »

  • jen says:

    Harness works great for my dog. She’s a little toy who thinks the world belongs to her alone and she needs to explore and rule over her subjects at all times. A harness is great because it is gentle and teaches them where to stand and walk without any of the cruelty of a choker. (The word alone makes me cringe) The best way to think of it is if you were to go to a foreign country and you didn’t speak the language, would you rather someone guide you, or choke you into submission for something you didn’t understand?

  • ~~~~~~~~~~~ says:

    harness
    Becuz it just looks sad when I see a dog on the other ones..

  • chesnutbayquarterhorse says:

    Harness. I beleive the choke chain and pinch collar are inhumane. I really don’t use any of those while training. The only time I use anything like that was when I was training my dog how to wait at the door until I told him he could go out and when I leash trained him and all I used was a collar and leash. I beleive in possitive reinforcement and I use the clicker and treats. Plus I give them lots of belly rubs and love!

  • jjtrue says:

    Personally I prefer to use just a collar and leash. No special products as I want my dog trained to listen to me always, not just when he’s wearing a special device. Plus I think many of the devices out there now are cruel. As for a harness, we have a St. Bernard who pulls sleds so we use a harness for that so he knows when he gets that harness put on and we say pull, it’s time to pull pull pull. If you tried to walk him with a harness on he would dislocate your shoulder. **Also an example that a dog associates certain devices with different actions.

  • Kosmo's owner says:

    I either use a collar/leash or a harness/leash (nothing that hurts the dog). I also use the clicker and give him lots of praise or a treat depending on if it’s a new trick he’s learning or something I’m trying to reinforce.

  • gorfette says:

    A gentle leader or halti is probably the best. Choke chains and pinch collars do work but can be extremely harmful if not used properly. Harnesses don’t do well at all for training purposes – they allow the dog to pull without correction. Gentle Leaders and Haltis will both stop the pulling and aid in proper correction without risking harm to your beloved dog.

  • yarmiah says:

    Of those listed, what has worked best for
    my Aussie who loved to pull-

    Pinch collar
    6 foot leash with handle close to collar and at the end
    (this is a seperate collar than the one we use when he just
    goes outside to go potty, so he knows there is a difference).

    These 2 tools are ONLY used when going for walks- the prong collar is taken off as soon as we get home.

    We are still working on walking and have made huge improvements.

    I have tried a Halti but he continues to pull it off of his head.

  • Loki_Wolfchild says:

    I don’t consider a harness a “training tool”…more of an accessory. As someone else said, harnesses enable dogs to pull without repercussion…so what are you actually “training” them to do? Drag your **** around.

    My dogs use harnesses only when they pull a sled (these same dogs are well aware that they need to behave when wearing a lead and collar).

    Personally, I use a regular slip (“choke”) collar on my dogs…but I know how to use them. I’ve taught obedience classes for many years, and most pet owners really have no concept of how to properly use a slip collar. I’ve seen them way too big, left on the dog all of the time (with a name tag/license, and all), and — of course — put on backwards.

    In some of my training classes, I had a lot of success with the head collar (gentle leader/halti). The trick is getting the owner to continue to work with the dog so that they can eventually walk them on a regular lead/collar. Many owners simply accept the head collar as a tool they will use for life — which is fine, except that much of the public still (mistakenly) sees a head collar as a muzzle, and will make assumptions.

    I have also used a prong (“pinch”) collar on my dogs. Properly used, this is a very effective training collar.

  • Christopher A says:

    The key word here is “tool.” Equipment doesn’t resolve behavioral problems. Training does. I noticed many of the writers talked about how their equipment managed manipulate the dog into compliance, but they didn’t mention getting professional help. In the dog world, many have opted for self convenience at the physical and emotional expense of their dog.

    If your dog pulls, then teach tham not to. If you can’t without hurting them by using head harnesses, pinch collars, then hire someone who can. Never hire any trainer that abdocates the use of such equipment.

    If you can’t control your dog with a common leash and collar, then get a trainer who can. If you can’t afford it, then find your dog a new home and get a pet rock.

    C

  • ragapple says:

    I look on these training tools as aids to communicate with your dog, similar to the bit with a horse. No one bit suits every horse in every situation nor would any of these suit every dog in every situation.
    None are cruel used correctly – all can be cruel & even cause injury if used incorrectly.

  • pianoplayer4life says:

    i use this thing that is sorta a cross between a regular color and a choke chain…the around part is a regulary collar, but when it connects a choke chain is looped through it and there is a ring to put the leash on….and then i use a regular rope leash …but i have a extendable leash too which is only used when their being good…the choke chain works but i don’t really like it that much…my dog chewed up the halti which ticked her off …i’ve never heard of gentle leader and don’t use pinch collar ( i don’t think) harnesses are ok …i think i just have never tried them but the collar that i have makes them respond without hurting them too much soo its great the other one i have just has a rope instead of a choke chain but it works great….choke chain one can be purchased at petsmart

  • abbyful says:

    I use a choke chain to train. I prefer this style to the traditional style:

    Only use the training collar when it’s time to “work”. The dog will recognize the different collar and know it’s training time.

    When used properly, it is an effective and human training tool. It’s up to the owner to ensure that happens. Be quick, firm, and gentle in corrections.

  • greekman says:

    The tools that I find useful the most and the ones I use all the time is the 6 foot leather leash, a prong collar and an Electric Collar. I have build an aversion towards regualr chokers as I find most of them to be quite innefective and cruel. The prong is a better tool if used correctly. The E collar is the most amazing tool that I have used yet and can shorten the training time and build a much better relationship with your dog. I use it extensively for all my training and have a great relationship with all my dogs, including ones that I train for sale. And before anyone jumps here and talks BS, read the article I posted a few days a go on E collars.

  • rmfly says:

    Gentle Leader, Halti and Harness are not training tools, they are crutches for people who have not trained their dogs properly and have no intention of trying.
    Always start with a flat collar (preferably leather, because it takes longer for them to stretch out of shape than the webbed or vinyl ones) and a standard 6 ft. leash.
    The choke chain, called a slip collar by trainers, does not choke if it is being used properly and is only when used when the level of stubbornness in the dog requires a more positive correction. The pinch collar is a last resort tool, you never choose to use it first because once you get to it there is no going back until the dog is trained and then you have to return slowly, hopefully all the way back to the flat collar.
    My students always start with a flat collar and leash. The dogs reaction and response are the only things that will cause me to have the students progress to the next step.

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