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Originally Posted by alaskayorkie  I had the same experience when I started out in obedience 7 years ago with Eddie. The biggest training center in the city advocated choke chains or pronged collars. They even specifically said Eddie should be on a pronged collar because he was pulling.
I was new to training, but it just didn't seem right. I switched schools, and they allowed me to use a harness and emphasized treat or toy rewards. His improvement was immediate.
I do understand the idea behind corrections, but for my little dog, it didn't work. My feeling is many little dogs are naturally afraid of things, and you have to do everything you can to make training fun -- and corrections aren't fun.
That said, I do let my dogs self-correct when walking on harness. If they're pulling, I'll stop and they'll get a self-induced tug on the harness. That's all I've needed.
Interestingly, or sadly I should say, the AKC requires dogs to wear a neck collar when taking the Canine Good Citizen test. To use a harness, you have to get a note from your vet saying the dog has a "severe" neck injury and would be harmed if using a neck collar. Absolutely ridiculous in this day and age. My dogs have passed the Delta Society therapy dog test on harnesses, but I refuse to test them in a neck collar for the much-easier Canine Good Citizen test.
Good luck. I hope you can find a new trainer that uses more modern techniques. |
I think AKC has changed on that. Sadie took the CGC recently wearing an easy walk harness. Delta used to not allow it and they do now also. This is what AKC says:
Equipment in Test
All tests must be performed on leash. For collars, dogs should wear well-fitting buckle or slip collars. Martingale style (sometimes called "limited slip") collars are permitted. Special training collars such as pinch collars, head halters, and electronic collars are not permitted in the CGC test.
As of November 4, 2010, body harnesses may be used in the CGC test. The evaluator should check to make sure the harness is not of a type that completely restricts the dog's movement such that it could not pull or jump up if it tried.
We recognize that special training equipment such as head collars and no-jump harnesses may be very useful tools for beginning dog trainers, however, we feel that dogs are ready to take the CGC test at the point at which they are transitioned to equipment that allows the evaluator to see that the dog has been trained.
The evaluator supplies a 20-foot lead for the test. The owner/handler should bring the dog's brush or comb to the test.