Keeping him leash confined
 

So we met with the doggy trainer today. One thing she told us to do, I really did not like and I just wanted everyone's input on what you think about this. So she said that he needs to learn that he cannot have a huge area of the house so she had us put his collar on and put the leash on (connected to his collar) and basically she said that this way he's with you all the time and if he tries to leave you, you tug on him to stay here. This is to allow him to be supervised better.

Ok my issue is that, everywhere I read, you should never have the leash connected to his collar because it can collapse the trachea from when he does try to pull. When we had our consultation with her last week, I told her that leash method won't really work cause his neck is so little that it's recommended not to pull on his neck at all. She basically told us that if it's going to hurt him then he's obviously not going to continue tugging on it... Um...I kind of feel like I should have really looked into a trainer that specializes in small dogs cause this is apparently a big lesson in her training agenda and we feel really uncomfortable attempting it. What are your thoughts and suggestions? Thank you!

I don't disagree with the concept, but I would definately substitute the harness for a collar.

Why not print off some information regarding collapsed trachea and give it to her before your next training session. Obviously the trainer is rather inexperienced with small dogs, flippant regarding her clients concerns safety, or simply dumber than dirt. Be sure to use your harness during the next training session - leave the collar at home :D.

When I was a young woman I trained all kinds of dogs, for show, obedience, field, and so on. But, Toy dogs are different, I NEVER hook a leash to their collar. I only train puppies and small dogs now. My training methods are also different for small dogs. Your trainer has to be someone you trust and if you strongly disagree on a point speak up. I often have clients hook a leash to their puppy and one to themself. It is an excellent method to permote bonding and is great for potty training. It is called Umbilical Tethering. BUT Not on a Yorkies Neck, tether to the harness only. Sorry to be so blunt but I feel very strongly about this.

I would not hook the leash to the collar no mater what it can end up having long term consequences.

Thanks for all the advice. I talked to the vet last night as well and he said that personally, a dog that little, should be put on a harness. It's just as effective as a collar on a big dog. He said he did not see why the trainer would insist on using a collar when you could most likely see the same results from a harness during training. My boyfriend and I agreed to talk to our trainer next session and absolutely insist she use a harness and under no circumstances will we settle for the collar. We'll probably have to be stern which we aren't too comfortable doing but at the same time Geno's health and wellbeing is so incredibly important to us. If anything happened to him we'd be devastated, especially if it was a trainer, we hired, who did it.

It is called by the right term tethering and is a staple of dog training.
Makes them clue into you and follow you and your moves and you theirs much better.
I would just use a harness in stead or a haltie to a harness.

JL