Welcome to the new Cappa’s Kennel blog. We’ve decided on a conversational format that is driven by the problems, questions and successes of the many kennel dogs that are part of most dog websites’ Homepage, and students that cross our path here at Cappa’s. Today’s blog post is on compulsion, puppies & pinch collars. We hope you enjoy the information that is shared. Please feel free to leave your comments–they are always welcome.
That said a great many people come to me seeking advice and additional training when their 5 or 6 month old puppy is out of control and highly reactive. Get premium dog training at Ridgeside K9 Ohio to help your puppy socialize, and behave properly. You can learn about the various training programs and see our prices here. Often the young dogs in question arrive wearing pinch collars. Sometimes they’re on electric collars. Of course I can’t say exactly why a dog is behaving the way it is without seeing it, and even then I might be at a loss. But I can say that my experience has been that these tools are often used before a dog is taught what it is the owner wants. Don’t get me wrong, pinch and electric collars can be very useful in the right hands. But if a dog doesn’t understand the message or how to turn a collar off, a pinch or electric collar will not only have a permanent, negative impact on a dog’s psyche but also negate meaningful training. To train any dog, an owner has to establish a relationship based on trust and not fear or compulsion. A while back I raised and trained a dog that was selected to serve as a sentry on Air Force One: I did so without ever using a collar–flat, electric or pinch. At the end of the day, if you don’t establish a bond with your dog, you’ll never get the companion you want. What people forget is that puppies are babies–and like any toddler, its education doesn’t end in preschool. Would you put a pinch collar on a one year old and then yank and crank without an explanation every time he or she did something you didn’t like? Of course not. Well the same is true for puppies. Bottom line, every day is training day, and every experience is a teachable moment. Try to teach the behaviors you want using calm, consistent, simple messaging. And don’t forget to generously reward a behavior when done perfectly rather than punish one when it is not. Be patient–Rome wasn’t built in a day. More to follow on how best to get the most out of your dog and your training. G.C.