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the best training collar What do you recommend for a training collar for use when training a yorkie? Harnesses do not give the proper physical feedback to the dog, but I am concerned about trach problems with my very small 2.5 lb pup |
by training, what do you mean exactly? i just bought the premier gentle leader in the petite size ($19.99 at petsmart)... it's a collar that goes around the head to prevent pulling on the leash, jumping on people or other dogs, and more control over your pup. the dog can still open his mouth to pant, eat/drink, etc. it is not a muzzle. Kash is about 3 -3.5 lbs and it fits him perfectly... and i'm sure it could go smaller... the only thing is that Kash continuously tries to get it off when i put it on him. i know it's not hurting him... i just think he's not used to having something wrapped around his nose. i'm hoping he'll get used to it. he's about 6.5 months old and never had anything around his head, so it'll take some repitition to get him used to it... otherwise, i'll just return it to the store... anyway, i hope that's the kind of product you were talking about. :) |
I would not put any kind of collar around my Yorkie's neck. They are a small breed and training should not be a problem. Using a harness for training is safe. Being consistent is key. Patience is a must. Buddy is 16lbs and I would never use anything but a harness and I have had no problem. They learn as they go. It takes time. Using a collar or gentle leader on a 3.5lb dog I don't think is necessary. Good luck with your training. |
Please don't do a physical correction. If you have a trainer who is recommending it, find a new trainer. There are so many out there that are wonderfully skilled in positive reinforcement. You want your dog to like you, not fear you :D What exactly are you trying to train? Maybe I can give you a suggestion for another way to get the results you are looking for or a book that can explain it far better than I can. |
Choke chains and other such devises that are used on larger dogs are required because of the physical force necessary to get their attention. You just don't need this with a yorkie, and I found that a harness works very well. |
Thank you ...every post is helpful To be more specific, I am talking about what tools to use when we are learning basic commands. I am not talking about normal leash times, when we are out and about. I got my pup two weeks ago when she was 17 weeks from a great breeder in Oregon who shows dogs. She concurs that, for training, using a collar is important because it allows for extremely subtle feedback to the dog and allows her to learn easily and be very responsive. The breeder uses a regular collar on her dogs and has never had a problem. She said the leads/collars they use in the ring are not recommended because the clasps are very weak and can give way -- in the ring there is no place for the dog to go, so it is not much of a concern, but losing a collar on a dog in other settings would be a problem. |
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I have taken 4 of my yorkies to training and each place I have gone to (but one that specialized in big dogs..which I ended up not doing) has insisted that all small dogs in the trainng classes use a harness..... so that is what I use and they all walk great on a leash... sit on command, and come when called.... |
i am going to get a halti collar.. i heard they work great.. dont have one yet but regular neck collars are causing collapsed tracheas.. ouch :animal-pa i saw them at tractor trailer supply for 17.00.. they get tight when they resist, and loosen up when the dog is relaxed.. the pressure is on the back of the neck, not on the windpipe.. it helps encourage them to keep their heads up... |
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that can be used with a leash.. |
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yesterday we starting with some changes. Marci (marcerella02) gave me some tips on how to address the pack leader situation. He didn’t get to eat until we were done eating and he didn’t get any snacks without having to do a trick or something for us. We started to tell him not to jump into the couch without us telling him it’s ok. I bought a gentle leader collar sometime ago and never used it. I played the instructions DVD and decided to give it a try. I think it’s working!!!!. You know a great way to train him on who’s the boss is by leading during walks. Well, that was always kind of hard because the harness won’t let me lead him, He would pull and I would pull back, but there was nothing I could do to make him stop or pay attention. It was always hard to make him look at me while outside, he was always sniffing and looking at everything except me. The gentle leader pulls his muzzle and makes him look at me, each time he pulls, he feels it. I was afraid before because I thought it was going to be a little cruel, but it’s not! It a very gentle pull because as soon as he feels it he stops. It’s not hurting him in any way. The gentle leader has the advantages of a choke collar without all the disadvantages; it will make him obey, without hurting him. We just went for a short walk to try it, but I think this it’s going to be a great obedience exercise! I must say yesterday night Bengi was a little grumpy. I think he’s beginning to understand I’m taking over! Maybe he’s not going to like this whole thing at first, but I’m sure this is all good and it will benefit Bengi as well as the whole family in a great way Oh, I forgot, I’m still going to talk to a trainer. We’re probably going to meet one next week. |
The only thing I would recommend for a Yorkie is a harness if it will be pulled on at all. It is healthier for them to not have anything pulling on their necks. I don't like the Gentle Leader either but the Easy Walk is okay. I found that it didn't work on Ellie though (because the mechanism in the front doesn't have that much room to work with her small size I guess). I stick with a regular harness. |
I'm a trainer and have worked with several small/toy dogs. I have never used a collar on any of them. You should be able to train your dog just find on a harness and regular nylon or leather leash. Just avoid retractable leashes at all costs! I suggest if your trainer wants you to teach your dog basic commands with a collar at that size, you need to find another trainer. |
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Erin, thats really helpful information. thanks. I've had a ton of problems leash training my puppy and I do use a retractable leash... He constantly pulls and pulls. I recently ordered a Gentle Leader as an attempt to teach him not to pull so much. I hope it helps. |
Haltie are great if you use them right!!!! It must be tight on the head and also be hooked to a collar or a harness with a front D ring. You have to desensitize the dog to it over a long period of time and just not back it into a corner and slap it on. You need to be aware that it is not for correction work at all as you can tug on the neck and strain the tendons and do great damage to the neck. If at any time the dog looks withdrawn and or worried in one get it off and stop using. Training can be done on a harness and or a flat buckle collar at all times. There is never any need to use corrections to train. Only real reason to run a dog in a gentle leader or haltie at a small size is do to aggression. If the dog pulls while walking teach it to not too. These items are tools and should at some point be not used again do to continued training..... unless and only if you have a contract do to aggression that says all the time for ever. Using Tellington touch method of harnessing a dog does give more contact with the dog for guidance but in a gentle way. There are more then a few no pull harnesses out there and again once in use training should continue till they are no longer needed and a normal harness can be used. Retractable leashes are not useful do to the fact they teach a dog to pull. think about it how does the dog get the leash out of the unit. It has a dog at the end of a long rope that can not be gathered in as easy as a long line in the case of an emergency. Go to IPDTA web site and they have a study and write up on other reasons not to use those leashes are bad. JL |
yikes, I would not put a collar on my babies neck. Hope someone here has some alternate options for you but I recommend you dont use a collar for training/correction. |
The trainer Abby went to recommended buckle collars or choke chains and a short leash. I called her at home before I went to class as I was concerned about all I had heard with choke chains. She said whatever I preferred was fine so I went with a buckle collar. I went to the class and she said the major problem with choke chains is people do not place them on the dog correctly and when you pull on them they lock and choke the dog. If they are placed on correctly (look on the internet under choke chains and it shows the right and wrong way) they are slack at all times until you do a quick snap correction and they tighten enough to let the dog know in a second and they loosen instantly. I had her try it on Abby and another yorkie there used it. She only used this collar to learn to heel. She did not fear me or choke and comes to me as it is easily slipped over her head when we use it. She is about 7lbs. I only recommend it if you know someone who is knowledgeable about them. This trainer is all about praise and gentle techniques so Abby did great with it. I am sure alot of people will disagree and that is fine. I am just saying that is what worked with us. |
There is never a reason to run a choke and if there is more then one way to do something then you run a risk of get it wrong. Chokes should not be out for genral sale to the public at all without a writen understanding of the use of them. For them to work right you must pop the leash but as you do you can get upset and pop harder. things it as you do it you have the dog adjusts to the pop strenght level and the ckoke stops working well. To make it work well you need to blow the dog off it feet firt time and run the risk of wreaking a dogs mind if you are unaware you have a fraglie dog. JL Chokers are fear based training why would one want to train with fear ??? International Positive Dog Training Association Body: Tool: Choke Chain Training Collar Rating: Unacceptable due to high potential for misuse and/or abuse Operant Sequence: Positive Punishment - adding the choke correction to decrease the likelihood that the behaviour will be repeated. ie: snapping the choke chain to stop the dog from pulling on the leash. Negative Reinforcement - ending the choke correction to increase the likelihood that the behaviour will be repeated. ie: releasing the choke sensation to increase the likelihood that the dog will stay in heel position (avoidance conditioning) Use of Tool: Powerful Aversive Proper Application: To put a choke chain on properly stand facing the dog. Make the letter “P” with the collar and slip it over the dog’s head. When the leash is pulled the chain tightens against the dog’s trachea and neck causing a choking sensation, physical discomfort and/or pain. Proper use of the choke chain involves holding the leash in your right hand with the dog in heel position on your left. The correction is made with a quick snap-release movement across your body away from the dog. Some believe that the sound of the chain is a correction in itself. Parameters: Timing of the correction must be exact for the dog to realize which behaviour will predict the correction and which behaviour will prevent it. The severity of the correction must match the dog’s level of sensitivity. The dog must be taught the desired behaviour before being corrected for the undesirable behaviour. Benefits: The dog is less likely to back out of the collar because it tightens as the dog backs up. R1 Drawbacks, Risks and Warnings: Physical If the collar is tightened for an extended period of time it can cause discomfort, pain, injury and/or asphyxiation.. Too severe a correction can cause injury to the trachea or cause the trachea to collapse. Too severe a correction or tightening for an extended period of time can cause discomfort, pain, injury to the muscles of the dog’s neck, spinal injury, blindness. R2, brain damage, R3 and even death. The narrower the collar, the higher the risk to the dog. R4 The higher the collar on the dog’s neck, the higher the risk to the dog. R5 Since an uneducated handler has a 50% chance of putting the collar on correctly, there is a 50% chance that the collar will lock in a choke position. Because proper use of the choke chain involves good timing and reflexes, coordination, awareness and sensitivity, the risk for abuse is high. Choke chains have been known to cause irritation, wounds and infection. If the choke collar is left on the dog when unsupervised, the dog can become caught by the collar and can injure itself, cause de-gloving of the skin on the neck and head, strangulation or even death. If the choke collar is left on a growing dog the collar will become tighter and tighter and eventually break through the fur and skin causing irritation, wounds, discomfort, pain, strangulation and even death. If the choke chain is left on while two dogs are playing together, a dog’s jaw can become caught in the chain causing injury to one or both dogs. If the dog hits the end of the leash, life line or retractable leash with any force it can cause injury. If positioned too close to the ears, the correction will affect the sensitive nerve bundles that exit just below the dog’s ears. Due to the factors listed above, it is the opinion of IPDTA members that the risks involved outweigh the benefits. Behavioural Choke chain collars have been known to cause fear, submission, aggression, stress, depression and avoidance behaviours. Improper use of the choke chain is seldom effective in changing unwanted behaviour. The anxiety caused by the correction can increase aggressive behaviour, the severity and frequency of aggressive episodes. Psychological Unwanted associations may be created if the dog pairs up the unpleasant experience with someone or something in the environment at the moment it is choked. For example; if the dog is focused on a child when corrected, it may create an unpleasant association with children. This association can cause fear of the child which could lead to fear aggression. The unpleasant experience can create fear and distrust of the handler. The unpleasant experience can create fear and distrust of anyone or anything in the environment. In order to effectively stop an unwanted behaviour with as few corrections as possible, the dog’s temperament and level of sensitivity must be known. Since there is no way to know how sensitive the dog is to the physical correction without correcting it, the risk of making a mistake is high. If you start too high and work your way down you can create fear and/or aggression, if you start too low and work your way up you can desensitize the dog to the correction and/or cause habituation; which is the ability to stop reacting to meaningless stimuli through repeat exposure. R6 When this happens you will require higher and higher levels of correction to stop the unwanted behaviour. Therefore, finding the correct intensity of choke risks causing pain, physical harm, damaging the dog’s temperament and/or creating new behavioural problems. The unpleasant experience can cause stress, anxiety, and/or depression, leading to other behavior issues and/or the inability to learn. Mechanical Unlike the pinch collar the choke chain does not have limited constriction increasing the risk of abuse. Limitations: Excellent timing and reflexes, coordination, awareness and sensitivity are essential to proper use of the choke chain. Since it takes very little strength to deliver a severe correction, the risk for misuse and abuse is high. Because human behaviour is often affected by emotions, there is a risk of bad judgement and/or timing on part of the handler. The dog may not be able to feel the correction if there is too much hair between the chain and the skin. This tool can only be effective once the dog understands the desired response. The choke chain is only effective if put on and used properly. If the collar is too tight it can cause non-stop pain and/or discomfort. The choke chain collar can only be used during supervised training. Viable Alternatives A suitable, well-fitting head halter Counter-conditioning Obedience training Systematic desensitization Negative Punishment - Remove something pleasant to decrease a behaviour Positive Punishment - Add something unpleasant to decrease a behaviour (Extremely Limited - ie; "Ah Ah" - must not cause fear or pain) Negative Reinforcement - Remove something unpleasant to increase a behaviour (Extremely Limited - ie; "Ah Ah" - must not cause fear or pain) Positive Reinforcement - Add something pleasant to increase a behaviour Interrupt and redirect Create a reliable “on-off” switch to put the behaviour on cue Create other acceptable outlets for the unwanted behaviour Environmental management to prevent the unwanted behaviour from occurring References R1 -Professional Standards for Dog Trainers, Delta Society 2001, Page 20 R2 - Guide to Humane Dog Training, American Humane Association 1998-2001 Page 28 R3 - Guide to Humane Dog Training, American Humane Association 1998-2001 Page 28 R4 - Guide to Humane Dog Training, American Humane Association 1998-2001 Page 28 R5 - Guide to Humane Dog Training, American Humane Association 1998-2001 Page 28 R6 -“Habituation” - Excel-lerated Learning, Pamela J Reid Ph.D., James & Kenneth Publishers 1996 Page 37-38 |
I wouldnt use a choke collar on a yorkie their tracheas are too delicate |
Training collar I have a positive experience with using Dog Training Collars for small dogs. They are perfect for Yorkshire terriers, but you must use them in the right way. The useful information you can find on this link: How to use electronic dog training collars effectively in 7 steps - Dog Training Collars |
I have only used harnesses due to their delicate trachea - she is now 8 years old and has never had a collar on. No problems with walking or doing her agility training. |
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Dogs have been successfully trained that way for years. That way the dog doesn't worry some sudden buzzing or scary, mysterious shock is going to come out of the ether and overtake him when he least expects it! That kind of worrying dread potentially could make an already uncertain, nervous dog suddenly unstable whereas proper motivation, mindful repetition and good associations will flood your dog's brain with those wonderful things called oxytocins and actually work far, far better in training him and teaching him that only good things come from doing what you ask, not a bad lesson for any dog. Not to mention the loving, forever bond you two form in that kind of upbeat, positive-reinforcement training process! Try it, I think you'll both love it. |
Collars are great for identification tags. Mario wears a cat collar (please don't tell him THAT!!) all the time with his tags and a harness for walking. Mario came to us (from the local pound) with zero training, and loads of bad habits. I trained him to be our daughter's service dog. Feedback is small treats and lots of love, positive praise, and firm no's. You must be very consistant, and very loving. That is mainly the only feedback a smart dog needs for any level of training. I am curious, what type of feedback can be given using a collar anyway? Negative feedback with a collar is a bad idea with small breeds, and I cannot fathom how one could give positive feedback with a collar. |
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As the above comments mentioned, positive reinforcement goes a long way. Yorkies love to please! |
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