Pinch Collars - Page 1

If you plan to use a pinch collar on  your dog, put a backup system on the dog so that if the pinch comes unclipped or breaks you still have your dog on some sort of collar.

My friend just lost her beautiful 2nd time around champion male as he darted into traffic after  his pinch collar broke and there was no stopping him; he died at the scene. 

So for your dogs protection, have a flat, choke or something else not just a pinch collar. N

Sad advice, sorry to hear your friend lost her dog.
I've seen pinch collars pop apart, the really bad ones are the "Easy on" quick release type, they are realy not well built and they often pop apart. Also the cheap knock off pinch collars can easily bend causing loss of tention neded to keep the collar intact. Herms still makes the best.
I only use a pinch for training. The rest of the time i walk my dogs on a choker. Never had one of them fail.
I hope this can help save someone else's dog life.
Sorry again for your friend's loss.
Fry

The good ones typically don't fail, if fitted properly. You're right dragonfry. 

Sad story, but even more important than a back-up, is obedience. It's a good practice not to take dogs out near traffic that really "need" a leash in case of equipment failure. That dog really needs to be trustworthy to stop when you say stop. 

What a tragedy that must've been to witness. So sorry for her loss. 

Yes, can you imagine having that picture engraved in your memory bank.  JHC. 

My pinch collar is a herm sprenger (SP??), however, I bought it from that doberman guy (now retired) that used to put extra rivets along with using heavy duty links and wove heavy duty leather thru the links.  Was pricey but very, very reliable.  Had it for almost 8 years for my boy and is still reliable.

I hope this helps to save someone elses dog(s) also, that is why I posted it.  This person was a novice but shame on the trainer for not knowing how to keep the dog safe even on a busy street.  Traffic savey is monumental and the training that goes with it is as important as any other training.

Better days ahead everyone,  Nan

How awful for your friend Nan.  :(

Thanks for the warning. I have never used a pinch collar before, so never thought of that, but I'm getting my first GSD soon. If that is a piece of equipment I ever end up using, I'll be sure to have a backup of some sort.

Do you think something like this would work? This is a bucking strap for horses, but you could maybe clip it tot he snap of your leash, and then onto a flat collar? I think it should be long enough to not interfere with the pinch chain action, but not so long that it's in the way?


http://www.perrisleather.com/product/437994/1235/_/Grab_Strap_w_Snaps

"Sad story, but even more important than a back-up, is obedience. It's a good practice not to take dogs out near traffic that really "need" a leash in case of equipment failure. That dog really needs to be trustworthy to stop when you say stop."

I agree.  The importance of 100% reliability in a few basic commands can not be overemphasized when it comes to the safety of your dog(s).

Having said that, I've owned many Hermes Sprenger prong collars with quick release buckles and have never had one fail.

For back up I used prong/pinch (call either) and a light choke chain and both were clipped to leash; especially during traffic training which in So. Cal is every where you go.  You can't get away from traffic.

You can also have any type harness with second leash hooked to it or pull tab to grab in case you need to.  There are many ways to back up your collar even use just a flat collar which most people (especially novice) use as rabies tags etc are on them.  This particular dog did not have his on as it was ripping out his coat and he was being shown so owner was trying to get his coat grown back in.  And yes he was a handful being a young in tact male.  So, just a heads up.  Nan

PS:  Keith, do you really think you can get 100% realiability?  I used to think so until my Rotti crossed his boundary lines and went after another dog;  the boundary training for me was a big deal;  he was NEVER, NEVER allowed to cross this line even ON leash but did it anyway; bit another dog and the owner was stupid enough to try to get in the middle.  I did call him off, thank you for the knowledge of an e-collar and did not feel I could ever trust him again.  His life changed at that point forever.  So that was that.  Nan  Boy my training sucks if that is the case.

Such a sad story, I'm sorry for your friends loss. As mentioned before, Sprengers are the best pinch collars, and well worth the investment (compared to the other cheap ones you can buy at Petco or petsmart)

Also, Jenni is right. More important than making sure to use a safety, is solid obedience. Even IF my dogs' pinches were to fall off, they would just sit there and stare at me.

As long as you are a conscious owner and check your equipment regularly for widened links (which shouldn't be hard if you are using it regularly), collars falling off should not be an issue. An important thing to know about pinch collars, though, is that you NEED to put it on/take it off at the same spot (the designated prong and fastener at the top) everytime it is used. Otherwise, all the links will slowly get wider and then you really risk the collar busting one day. By putting it on/removing it at the same spot, you only mess with one link, which can easily be replaced when you notice that it's too wide.

"Keith, do you really think you can get 100% realiability?"

Probably not but if that isn't the goal you train for, you'll undoubtedly never even get close.

No really Keith:  are these dogs REALLY capable of 100%??  I mean mentally?  Can they handle that pressure?  Of course I would love 100% but years ago someone told me that you or anyone would NEVER get 100% out of a dog no matter how hard you train.  Or how effectively you train??  Just asking.  Nan  Thx for your input.  N