Most training collars that emit sound, vibration or static shocks aren’t meant for dogs under six months old. Work with your puppy to establish the fundamentals-sit, stay, potty training, etc., before moving onto training collars. Martingale collars are ideal for dogs who are leash training or have narrower necks, like Greyhounds.ĭo not jump head-first into the world of training collars before your dog has a firm grasp of basic commands. “If your dog pulls hard or tries to shake their way out of their collar, that extra loop of fabric quickly tightens the collar so your dog cannot get out – and it does so without choking them,” Gillihan said. These collars provide a separate loop of fabric for the leash connection. Gillihan also recommends fully adjustable martingale collars. They stop dogs from doing what they’re doing and redirect their attention to you. These collars, and those that emit high-pitched sounds, achieve the same goals as shocks. On the other hand, the ASPCA says collars that use vibrations only can be enormously beneficial to dogs-especially hearing-impaired or deaf canines. “These collars may temporarily change your dog’s behavior, but they are not long-term fixes.” “We do not recommend the use of aversive collars like prong collars, choke collars, or shock collars, as these collars are ‘correct’ and ‘punishing’ your dog for an unwanted behavior,” Gillihan told us. Some users have reported defective shock training collars burning their dogs’ skin. Once this happens, you’ve frightened and potentially harmed your dog, making future relationship building and training sessions infinitely more difficult. It’s also unwise to try out a shock collar on older dogs, puppies younger than six months and dogs with existing health conditions.Īnother big issue with shock collars is you may inadvertently administer a harsher shock than anticipated (most shock training collars come with levels of intensity). In fact, many training collars with shock capabilities advise against using them on dogs who already display aggression or reactivity, as it can exacerbate this trait. For example, the ASPCA warns shock collars that use electricity or static charges to administer small shocks to dogs during obedience sessions “can create fear, anxiety and aggression in your dog toward you or other animals.” Some training collars are generally accepted as more ethical than others. Many dog owners interested in training collars are hesitant. They need to know exactly which behavior you're responding to so they can associate it with a particular result. Praising (or scolding) your dog in a general sense won’t teach them anything. The key is administering rewards immediately-almost instantly -after the desired action. Positive reinforcement training means rewarding good behaviors to signal your dog which actions they should continue. Fear-based training establishes unhealthy relationships and your dog is more likely to develop anxious or aggressive behaviors. Canines are emotionally intelligent (that’s what makes them pros at therapy work!). Negative, dominance or “alpha male” training, like verbal anger or physical force in response to unwanted behavior, often sends dogs in the opposite direction we want them to go. “Using this method, your dog will become excited to train with you and pick up skills much faster…The best fix for pulling, barking or jumping is training-and your dog will work so much better if they are being rewarded for doing something right!” Hannah Gillihan, a Certified Dog Trainer at Zoom Room Dog Training, says positive reinforcement training is Zoom Room’s entire brand. In the past few decades, researchers have established time and again that canines learn best through positive reinforcement.
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