Good Collar for Walking? - Page 1

I have a 5 month old female GSD who likes to pull when I take her for walks. She has out grown her puppy collar, a simple nylon collar, and I need to buy her a new one. I would love some advice on which collars would be best for training a young dog to stop pulling! Or training advice, I do a leash correction, but it doesn't phase her. Also switch direction when she pulls....no luck. She also has started jumping up, I'm not sure how to correct it. HELP!?!

Have you taught her any commands? How far do you walk? How often do you walk each week? Are you correcting when she's already pulled far ahead?

So far I've taught her sit, lay, leave it, load (get in the car), out, night-night (to get in her kennel, lol). I try to walk her every day twice a day for about 30 mins, if I am unable to walk her I let her outside for several times for 20 mins with my other dog to play and exercise. When she pulls on the leash I try my best to corrected it as soon as she tugs or lunges. I know it is pointless to correct something thats already been done, lol. I plan to take her to the parade this afternoon and would like to get a good collar to help control her better.

Hello,

I personally use a 'pinch' or pronged collar. They are very effective and are not cruel at all if used properly. I have a young male, 9 1/2 months old and over 100#. He is a VERY strong dog. I have a neighbor who has several dogs who are contained by an Invisible Fence. Every time I walked by the house (out on the road) those dogs come charging out, barking, whining and howling like fools. Of course they put on the brakes about 40 feet away, but not before it would send my guy into fits trying to 'protect' me. Even though my guy KNOWS this will happen (he actually watches for them), and knows they won't hurt me he is not a happy camper. Once I started using the pinch, he very quickly learned to not pull. Now that he is older, I still walk in the pinch even though he now behaves probably 95% of the time.

Thanks srbarabs! If I purchase a pinch will it fit a 5 month old pup? Whatg is the correct way to use it?

I use martingales for babies...mostly so the little tarts can't slip the lead when going into a tantrum alligator roll but they work great for pulling as well.  I use the stop and stare for baby pullers.  It confuses them.  They pull you stop, they pull you stop this goes on until they keep their eyes on you. no more pulling.  If she knows the sit command, tell her to sit if she is jumping up.  Easy to fix.

Do not use a Prong collar on a pup, a choke chain or martingale will work fine for you.









Kim

Just give a strong pull (like a correction) using the choke collar and say "easy". The dog should feel the correction and I think she learns not to pull almost immediately.
Just give a correction and say easy and she gets it. I started with a pinch collar but at the age of 1yr but a 6 months puppy doesnt need it. 



 

I also like to teach a puppy to "turn back" or get back of just back and back them up until they learn to backup on command; whatever that command might be that you want to use.  I also use hand signals at the same time.  Teaches them to "watch you" and back up at the same time.  Focus or watch or (sorry I forgot the German word for watch) geb laubt??  Anyway as far as collars I would probably use a medium choke, if that does not work with her, I would probably try a pinch collar, but you need to find a trainer to help you learn how to use this as a tool for your advantage.  Best of luck with her; is that her in your avatar??  If so she's really cute, those EARS. 

Reason I say consult a trainer is because I did not catch this problem with my girl soon enough and now I have her in an e-collar and at 2 1/2 years old she still wants to pull.  I just waive the control unit and tell her back and she jumps back like she has a fire cracker in her butt.  It has taken me a long, long time to get her back where I want her especially with other dogs approaching or passing.  Your timing is very important that is why I suggest getting a trainer involved to help you with this process.  Nan

Thanks everyone! I appreciate all the great advice. I purchased a Martingale Collar before the parade today. She did great with it, as soon as she pulled I snapped the leash and she stopped dead in her tracks, giving me full attention. :) She was such a joy at the parade,v I am so proud of how well she did. She just sat like a good girl through the entire parade. Cars, peple, and kids. The only issue was when peolpe would make a fuss over her and want to pet her...she got really excited, lol. Nothing bad though. Nans gsd, thank you! She has some huge ears and paws!! She will be a very big girl when she is fully grown. I would love to get her into obediance class, but there aren't any trainers around where I live. The closest place I know of is Petsmart...and I have heard that they let any regular Joe train. Opinions? I've been sick lately & I swear she knows I feel bad. We are currently cuddled up on the couch watching TV.