First Obedience Collar?

[NoodleNut]

Hi All,

Our pup has been to puppy school .. now waiting to go on to obedience (will be at least 3-4 weeks waiting for the second vaccination to kick in).

Any suggestions as to what collar we should be using for walks .. at the moment Blackdog soft collar and lead. She pulls a bit .. only 13 weeks .. use verbal & lead correction at the moment. I have a Sporn harness - should I use it? If not .. other suggestions? I thought her a bit younger for halters - thoughts?

[Erny]

Flat collar for now. I presume "puppy school" gave you some tuition on teaching your youngster the early basics of loose lead walking skills?

Why one month's wait? That's a long time. Admittedly, I'm not one for waiting until all vaccinations are completed - prefer to weigh things up and stir in a good dolup of common sense approach (ie choosing wisely where my pup would go).

What training tool you end up using later depends on your dog.

I would definitely not use a head collar of any description on a young pup (I'm not a fan anyway, given the very high and real potention to physical harm) and your pup is too young for any corrective collar at this stage.

Edited March 5, 2008 by Erny

[NoodleNut]

Flat collar for now. I presume "puppy school" gave you some tuition on teaching your youngster the early basics of loose lead walking skills?

Why one month's wait? That's a long time. Admittedly, I'm not one for waiting until all vaccinations are completed - prefer to weigh things up and stir in a good dolup of common sense approach (ie choosing wisely where my pup would go).

What training tool you end up using later depends on your dog.

I would definitely not use a head collar of any description on a young pup (I'm not a fan anyway, given the very high and real potention to physical harm) and your pup is too young for any corrective collar at this stage.

Hi thank you for your quick reply.

At puppy school we did sit, drop, recall, food manners, some basic agility type activities (through tunnels etc) and socialisation with other pups - no lead training in the 4 nights.

The obedience club has said we have to wait for 3 weeks from time of second vaccination to be able to have her start obedience classes. The vet said at least 3 weeks for it to 'kick in'. We have been sensible and been taking her out and about (not into parks frequented by dogs - only on the footpath (the vet and puppy school were of the opinion that this was 'safe' in that it has rained intermittently to clean off the paths. She has not been near unvaccinated dogs or near any droppings on our walks. Both vet and puppy school were of the opinion that more dogs are put down due to poor socialisation in the early days than from parvo. Yes, we know this is the risk we take. So far we are pleased with how 'unfazed' she is by trucks, cars, lawn mowers, other children, goat (yes, she met a goat at 10 weeks!), cats and ducks ... no barking as yet at any of these.

[Tilly]

If you didn't want to use a flat collar then maybe try a limited slip collar (Martingale Collars).

[helen]

I think what you have is the best

[Law]

I agree with just using flat collar. I know some obedience clubs require you to have a flat collar.

Thats odd that you didn't even touch on lead walking in puppy school.

Yes I thought the standard was 2 weeks with vaccinations.

[Paulp]

I would definitely not use a head collar of any description on a young pup (I'm not a fan anyway, given the very high and real potention to physical harm) and your pup is too young for any corrective collar at this stage.

Have you seen the sporn pack leader head collars? They work similarly to a gentle leader or halti but the attachment point is behind the neck.

To the OP, if your dog does not pull constantly you should be able to train it on a flat collar. As long as there is time to praise and reward between pulling you should be able to train it out.

[Tonymc]

I am totally with Erny on this one.a normal flat collar is best for the job.Keep the headcollars for Horses or to start the Fire with. Tony

[Guest Tess32]

I would go with the blackdog martingales. I never use flat collars, there's always the chance of an accidental slippage.

[jesomil]

Definately flat collar on a pup or even a martingale if you prefer.

if your dog does not pull constantly you should be able to train it on a flat collar. As long as there is time to praise and reward between pulling you should be able to train it out.

There are many methods of training a dog not to pull and you can do it on any collar. You dont need time to praise and reward between pulling. Even the strongest puller can be trained on a flat collar if the handler has the experience and ability.

[kelpiesrule]

I love the martingales because i have had a few babies pull out of their flat collars if they get a fright... I find you have to put a flat collar on too tight to stop that from happening. The martingale allows a lovely loose feel but will tighten just enough to stop slipping out of it (without choking the pup like a chain will) I even keep martingales on them right up to adulthood.