Not usually in this forum - usually dog rescue - however if you were looking for a harness that was effective, could I recommend the "Sporn Halter". I know that Ruddocks are a supplier. I have recently tried a couple of these out on the rescue Staffords "that pulled like trains" on a flat collar and the change was near immediate (as well as a number of other troublesome walkers). Have also met a couple with huge, overweight, labradors that were uncontrollable to walk together on a range of collars - in a Sporn Halter the woman could walk them both together by herself. The dogs loved them too. Haven't used them for formal "training" though but can't imagine there would be a huge difference really as the mechanicals of it are fitted to the top of the collar.
Regardless of collar type, I use both check chains and flat collars and the Black Dog Wear martingale collar (depending on the dog, I have a stafford that lays on her back if a check chain is on her at all, but is fine in a flat collar), I would recommend that practicing attention exercises where the dog will look at you on request (lots of well timed treats/praise when the dog attention meets your face (then slowly increase eye contact time helps marvellously). Slowly incorporating this learnt practice into your heelwork etc, will assist those difficult dogs. As they say - it wont happen overnight but with consistent training and slowly introducing distractions - attention will happen. Really, that's the name of the game, because if their attention is on you - you've got them, they are happy to be with you, train with you, etc.
Can't see anything wrong with the "correct" use of a check chain, however you often see many a handler not using them correctly which causes the nasty stigma they have gained (mind you many handlers can do as much damage with they way they some of them use their flat collars). Holding a dog's front legs off the ground is one that wouldn't be a use that I would be thinking of, that would fall into the later category. I'm sure that there are other methods that would assist.
Good luck with your commitment to training! It is great to see your keenness to learn! I can see that you'll have a well-trained companion in the future.
Correction Chains
in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports
Posted
Not usually in this forum - usually dog rescue - however if you were looking for a harness that was effective, could I recommend the "Sporn Halter". I know that Ruddocks are a supplier. I have recently tried a couple of these out on the rescue Staffords "that pulled like trains" on a flat collar and the change was near immediate (as well as a number of other troublesome walkers). Have also met a couple with huge, overweight, labradors that were uncontrollable to walk together on a range of collars - in a Sporn Halter the woman could walk them both together by herself. The dogs loved them too. Haven't used them for formal "training" though but can't imagine there would be a huge difference really as the mechanicals of it are fitted to the top of the collar.
Regardless of collar type, I use both check chains and flat collars and the Black Dog Wear martingale collar (depending on the dog, I have a stafford that lays on her back if a check chain is on her at all, but is fine in a flat collar), I would recommend that practicing attention exercises where the dog will look at you on request (lots of well timed treats/praise when the dog attention meets your face (then slowly increase eye contact time helps marvellously). Slowly incorporating this learnt practice into your heelwork etc, will assist those difficult dogs. As they say - it wont happen overnight but with consistent training and slowly introducing distractions - attention will happen. Really, that's the name of the game, because if their attention is on you - you've got them, they are happy to be with you, train with you, etc.
Can't see anything wrong with the "correct" use of a check chain, however you often see many a handler not using them correctly which causes the nasty stigma they have gained (mind you many handlers can do as much damage with they way they some of them use their flat collars). Holding a dog's front legs off the ground is one that wouldn't be a use that I would be thinking of, that would fall into the later category. I'm sure that there are other methods that would assist.
Good luck with your commitment to training! It is great to see your keenness to learn! I can see that you'll have a well-trained companion in the future.
Raelene