It's dangerous to use a collar with any small dog and you don't have to do everything just because someone who is teaching obedience tells you to do it. I was told to use a collar on my Bichon in obedience class, too, and I just simply said I don't use a collar with him because it could injure his throat and stuck with it. The trainer didn't argue. I guess I looked and sounded pretty final. If she had insisted, I would have dropped the class and asked for my money back. It's my dog and I'll have to handle anything bad that might happen because of a collar. I think you have more control with a harness because you can exert any pressure you need to without hurting them. You only have more control with a collar because it causes them discomfort and you don't want them to learn things by causing them pain. Bottom line is "my dog, my rules." |