| Many dog owners find that their efforts toward | | | | There are drawbacks, however, to using a head |
| training their pet are greatly aided by the use of a | | | | halter device. Most dogs will not take very easily |
| training collar. There are many types of collars | | | | to any device that positions a strap over its nose. |
| available and each employs a different mechanism | | | | You may have to struggle with your dog many, |
| meant to guide your pet, restrain him or | | | | many times before he will submit to wearing it. |
| discourage bad or disobedient behavior. Some | | | | Another drawback is that pulling at your dog's |
| training collars can harm a dog if they are not | | | | head makes it a lot more likely that you will |
| used appropriately or are the wrong size; so, you | | | | inadvertently injure the dog's neck or back. To |
| should research training collars thoroughly before | | | | avoid injury, you should always make sure you |
| choosing one and consult with a training expert if | | | | are restraining your dog in the correct manner. |
| you are unfamiliar with how to use a chosen | | | | Choke Collar |
| collar. Some common dog training collars are: the | | | | The choke collar is one of those dog training |
| prong collar, the Halti, the Gentle Leader, the | | | | devices that is often surrounded by controversy. |
| choke collar and the electronic collar. | | | | Proponents of the choke collar point to its |
| Prong Collar | | | | humane effectiveness, while critics say that the |
| The prong collar looks a lot more painful to the | | | | collar is more torture device than training tool. The |
| dog than it actually is. This collar is made up of | | | | truth is that what the collar becomes is largely |
| metal prongs that have been linked together. | | | | dependent upon who is using it. |
| When you apply a pulling pressure to the collar | | | | A properly fitted choke collar works by tightening |
| (via the leash), it gives the dog a little pinch that is | | | | around the dog's throat when the trainer pulls on |
| meant to duplicate the effect of a mother dog's | | | | the leash and then releasing pressure when the |
| teeth when she grabs here pup by the scruff of | | | | trainer does. If the collar is not put on correctly, |
| the neck. The prong collar is a safe and effective | | | | however, the pressure will remain and the dog |
| training tool as long as the fit is correct and the | | | | could truly choke to death. These collars are not |
| collar is used appropriately. The prong collar should | | | | meant for dogs that consistently pull at their leash |
| not be used if your dog is one to consistently | | | | or for inexperienced trainers. As is the case with |
| yank at his leash. | | | | head halters, the choke collar has the potential to |
| The prong collar should fit snugly against the dog's | | | | cause injury to the dog's neck. |
| neck. As most prong collars can be adjusted by | | | | Electronic Collar |
| simply adding or subtracting prongs, the correct | | | | Just mention the option of an electronic dog collar |
| fit should be easy to achieve. A properly fitted | | | | and many dog owners (even some people with |
| collar should leave approximately half of a finger | | | | no pets at all) will look at you as if you have |
| space in between your dog'ss neck and the prong | | | | suggested training your dog with a stun gun. The |
| tip. A collar that is any looser than that will not do | | | | reality is that electronic collars can be a very |
| its job and will needlessly chafe the dog's skin. | | | | humane way to train a dog. As with any other |
| Halti and Gentle Leader | | | | training device, however, whether or not it is used |
| Both the Halti and Gentle Leader head halter | | | | for purposes of cruelty is totally dependent upon |
| devices look a lot like the harnesses that are used | | | | the intentions and experience of the trainer. |
| to control horses. While the prong collar is | | | | The electronic collar works by allowing the trainer |
| designed to condition behavior and movement, | | | | to give the dog small, electric shocks (via remote |
| the head halter is designed to restrict or restrain | | | | control) in order to modify its behavior. The |
| your dog's movements. The thought behind the | | | | intensity of the shock is left to the trainer. In |
| halter's design is that if you can control the head, | | | | general, the setting should be strong enough to |
| the body will follow its movement. When you pull | | | | make the dog's ears twitch. If the dog howls or |
| on the attached leash the device closes the dog's | | | | yelps when the shock is delivered, then the |
| mouth and restrains his head. These types of | | | | setting is too high. Again, the electronic collar |
| collars are great for dogs that lunge, bite or | | | | should only be used by experienced trainers. |
| display other aggressive behaviors. | | | | |