The girls are starting "school" tomorrow night - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

BLowry · 07-09-2007, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gracie2006

I trained Gracie using a harness, not a collar. My puppy school teacher said nothing about using the harness and had lots of different methods of training so a collar was not necessary. My vet recommended that I not use a collar. Gracie wears a collar only for her tags. The leash attaches to the harness. No way would I use a collar on a Yorkie for training purposes.

I have tried (at home) using the harness for training but, I had no luck. I am going to be bringing her harness as well as her collar. I have only used a collar on Sadie for the look (it's a pretty collar) I have never used one with a leash so it will be interesting to see how she reacts to it. If it's just a little tug I don't think that will hurt her. She pulls so hard on the harness when we walk that she chokes. That's why I don't take her for walks anymore.

Gracie2006 · 07-09-2007, 06:01 AM

You might try the easy walk harness. The leash attaches to a D ring on the chest rather than on the back. It keeps dogs from pulling on the leash.

BLowry · 07-09-2007, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gracie2006

You might try the easy walk harness. The leash attaches to a D ring on the chest rather than on the back. It keeps dogs from pulling on the leash.

Thank you for the suggestion but, I have a step in harness and that doesn't work. She still pulls. I was thinking about a harness vest. maybe that would prevent the pulling on her throat. I bought a couple of harness dresses from pocomutt that seem to help but, she still pulls ...I don't enjoy walking her. I know it's my fault. I should have brought her for training when she was just a pup. Hopefully she will learn now.

FirstYorkie · 07-09-2007, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLowry

Good Luck to you too! I am interested to hear how the clicker method works. I do know a woman that trains using the clicker method but, I don't care much for this woman.

Joey is fully trained using clicker trainer. It is soooo much kinder and gentler than using leash corrections.

Here is a great website with information on training using positive methods:
http://www.clickersolutions.com/arti....htm#behaviors

Ellie May · 07-09-2007, 08:00 AM

Ellie used to wear a collar all the time (before I knew about collapsed trachea). She would constantly choke herself and the collar didn't stop her. When we got her a harness she stopped choking and I am so much more comfortable. For correction I pull up and back so the impact is on her chest, not her neck. I would rather her never learn how to walk on a leash properly then to ever use a collar again. I also started reading a book and the author is talking about the physical ramifications to an owner jerking a leash a little bit. This author quotes a dog behaviorist that said a jerk on a leash doesn't have to be forceful to injure a dog. He says that tests indicate that even a normal jerk can inflict 15 pounds of concentrated shock at 33 feet per second to a dog's spine and throat. Now, I am not ready to defend that statement because I have no idea if it is true but it really turns me off to collars.

chattiesmom · 07-09-2007, 08:51 AM

Congratulations and good luck at your training session.

When I was looking for a class for Chizzie a "training collar" was on the list of recommennded equipment. After speaking with the trainer she agreed to allow a harness for Chizzie. She cautioned me that my results might be as quick as the others, but her statement to me was, "I will not dictate what type of equipment to use on your dog. I only make recommendations." Don't get me wrong, there were certain thing she did NOT allow -- retractable leashes for one, but as far as the collars/harness issue, she was very flexible.

Chizzie went to several of the classes and we did GREAT (except Chizzie wanted to fight everyone), but alas I got sick and had to drop out. I am going to reschedule her in a future class -- this trainer is fantastic -- she guarantees her classes for the life of the dog and you can repeat the class as a refresher as many times as you want. Cyndi is a high level agility trainer/competitor and her reputation in my area is impeccable.

JuicyGirl · 07-09-2007, 11:42 AM

I also go to Petsmart for training and the trainer encourages harnesses for smaller breeds that have a high chance of collapsed trachea.

Mitzis Mom · 07-09-2007, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLowry

She said you have more control of them with a collar

Maybe you could ask her if she is aware of the sensitive trachea of our Yorkies and how you can avoid to cause a collapse with the collar on...

BLowry · 07-09-2007, 08:25 PM

Actually Sadie did very well with the collar (I posted about her first night) I was so worried about using a collar and she didn't choke once. She wasn't crazy about the whole collar leash thing, but she got used to it pretty quick. Next week my Mom is going to come with me and I will bring Lillie too. Mom will train Sadie and I will train Lillie. I think Lil is going to be a little more difficult....She likes to play......ALL THE TIME! gotta love those yorkies!

07-09-2007, 06:01 AM	#17
Gracie2006 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 4,042	You might try the easy walk harness. The leash attaches to a D ring on the chest rather than on the back. It keeps dogs from pulling on the leash. __________________ I love my precious girly girls Gracie Mae and Holly Rose! Holly wuvs Tucker! Gracie Wuvs Bailey! Proud member of the YT Gracie Girls!:

07-09-2007, 08:00 AM	#20
Ellie May YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 6,468	Ellie used to wear a collar all the time (before I knew about collapsed trachea). She would constantly choke herself and the collar didn't stop her. When we got her a harness she stopped choking and I am so much more comfortable. For correction I pull up and back so the impact is on her chest, not her neck. I would rather her never learn how to walk on a leash properly then to ever use a collar again. I also started reading a book and the author is talking about the physical ramifications to an owner jerking a leash a little bit. This author quotes a dog behaviorist that said a jerk on a leash doesn't have to be forceful to injure a dog. He says that tests indicate that even a normal jerk can inflict 15 pounds of concentrated shock at 33 feet per second to a dog's spine and throat. Now, I am not ready to defend that statement because I have no idea if it is true but it really turns me off to collars. __________________ Crystal and Ellie May

07-09-2007, 08:51 AM	#21
chattiesmom Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,912	Congratulations and good luck at your training session. When I was looking for a class for Chizzie a "training collar" was on the list of recommennded equipment. After speaking with the trainer she agreed to allow a harness for Chizzie. She cautioned me that my results might be as quick as the others, but her statement to me was, "I will not dictate what type of equipment to use on your dog. I only make recommendations." Don't get me wrong, there were certain thing she did NOT allow -- retractable leashes for one, but as far as the collars/harness issue, she was very flexible. Chizzie went to several of the classes and we did GREAT (except Chizzie wanted to fight everyone), but alas I got sick and had to drop out. I am going to reschedule her in a future class -- this trainer is fantastic -- she guarantees her classes for the life of the dog and you can repeat the class as a refresher as many times as you want. Cyndi is a high level agility trainer/competitor and her reputation in my area is impeccable. __________________ *Yorkie Yummies Silk Step-In Harnesses * NapSaks I'll see you in Alexandria, Virginia July 17 - 19, 2009!**

07-09-2007, 11:42 AM	#22
JuicyGirl YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Northern California Posts: 563	I also go to Petsmart for training and the trainer encourages harnesses for smaller breeds that have a high chance of collapsed trachea. __________________ Shannon & Lola High Fashion Advisor of the Spoiled Rotten Club

07-09-2007, 08:25 PM	#24
BLowry Loved by Sadie & Lillie Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 2,857	Actually Sadie did very well with the collar (I posted about her first night) I was so worried about using a collar and she didn't choke once. She wasn't crazy about the whole collar leash thing, but she got used to it pretty quick. Next week my Mom is going to come with me and I will bring Lillie too. Mom will train Sadie and I will train Lillie. I think Lil is going to be a little more difficult....She likes to play......ALL THE TIME! gotta love those yorkies! __________________ Brenda