Training Tip #4: Petdumb

[Note: LL, this post is for you!]


Unless and until a dog is properly trained to heel, buckle collars and harnesses are completely useless for getting a dog to behave on leash. Especially in a place like Petsmart where distractions are highest. That's why I'm always amazed to see people taking their dogs to Petsmart just because they can. Just because Petsmart allows pet-owners to take their dogs, doesn't mean they should. And if they do, they should realize that they are taking a big risk by not properly leash-training their pooches first.

The situation gets exacerbated by pet-owners using buckle collars, or worse, harnesses to restrain their dogs (not to mention my pet peeve, flexi leashes). Next time you go to Petsmart, try counting how many dogs are literally "standing" on their hind legs, their upper bodies outstretched in the air as they pull as hard as they can against their leash. They are literally being held up by their necks.

A harness is for restraint in a vehicle.
A buckle collar is for holding identification tags.

Unless a dog is completely heel-trained and will walk along side of you with a completely slack leash amongst any and all distractions, then a training collar MUST be used. Slip collars, prong collars, halti loops, along with a 1-inch wide 6-foot cotton/leather lead, are all appropriate.


Specifically for LL: Until Jack is heel trained, ALWAYS use the slip collar to walk him. In fact, when he has to go potty, use a 6-foot lead with the slip collar to get him outside, then switch to the flex and buckle collar so he can potty. Then back to the slip collar and leash to walk him back inside. You can have both collars on him, just switch the leash hookups.

Why? Because every interaction with a dog is a training opportunity. Use the time spent taking the dog out to potty to do a few minutes of leash training.

If you try walking a dog with a buckle collar after using the proper training collars, you are taking a step back in the dog's training.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I have done as you asked...potty time is: slip chain collar/regular leash (while his buckle leash is just on) and then I take the regular leash off (after he has sit at the edge of the 'potty area') and attach the evil flexi-leash and then say go potty...after he does his business we do the switch again. Correct anything for me that I just said!

There are obvious improvements in his heel already (since we go out at least three times a day).

--ll
9:21 PM
The WillaWoman said…
EEEEEEEEEEEEEE-Vil!!! You are awesome, girl!
9:58 PM
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