Training/Equipt. question???? - Page 1

    I'm wondering what kind of collar or harness should I use? I asked at the club and was told, that is each persons own choice. I seen some dogs with wide leather collars,some with thick leather collars...one with a handle in the collar and a couple with harnesses, and a young dog with a pinch collar.

     My boy walks real good on the leash,no pulling..he heels real good on and off the leash. Suggestions and opinions are needed. I'd also appreciate the reasons behind the choices.

     As you all are aware,,I am new to this. I've spent endless hours reading and researching schutzhund. I have come to respect a great many people on this board and their knowledge...that's why I come here..

Do you mean for protection or obedience?

I think that the clubs statement is incorrect.  It is not one's own choice.  You don't say, "Well, I like the looks of this one because it looks good with Rover's coat".  I think you base the decision on the dog.  Whether it is Obedience or Protection, the dog is the one that ultimately tells you what type of gear to use.  No, you do not need E-collar or a pinch for a soft dog that will crumble.  No, you do not use a flat for a hard dog that it is ineffective. 

It also depends on what stage your dog is at.  You wouldn't put a harness on a 5 yr old dog that is 35x Sch3, would ya?  I think you would be beyond that point. 

It's really hard to say without knowing your dog.  For myself, I like agitation harness for a dog who is new to the sport.

 I have and really like this agitation harness:

http://www.dogequipment.com/products/HARNESSES-ULTRA_leather.html

If you don't have a fur saver, you should go ahead and get one.  Most likely you are going to need a pinch collar down the road, I like Herm Sprenger brand.  

     I am at  stage ONE, my first day of training will be Saturday. My dog is 16 months old. Very well behaved, VERY high drive. He has had zero training for protection, and his obedience has just been everyday obedience, out and about on a leash, sit, heel,etc..

     I have been waiting for the opportunity to get professional schutzhund training done on him, with him. We are both new to this. I have been under the impression that, "No training was better than Bad training."

     Which would I use to start obedience, and which would I use to start protection?  My plan is to take Duke,all the way to  Sch3. Yes I know it is a long haul, and my plan is to get there.

    Keep in mind, We are both new to the sport!!!

KitKat

Because he is new to the training, does not tell you 100% what to use.  The dog itself answers these questions.

To answer your question very generally...You will need a good 6' lead...I like leather or the leather alternatives...a 30' long line...Nylon line about 1...to 1+ inches wide...Collar wise I would suggest you get a fur saver...a stainless steel one will save you time and money...A leather agitation collar...approx 1 1/2 to 1 5/8" wide...good equipment will cost you at first but is well worth your money...That's all that I would suggest for the time being...You might need a harness later on but not necessary to begin with...

I personally don't like harnesses but are needed sometimes...I have 3 harnesses and I use them about once every 3 or 4 years..

Everyone and every trainer has their own personal preferences....I would only buy what you need to begin with and then as your trainer lets you know what he wants you to use you can buy more equipment...You will also gain a feeling of what you need and what you like for your own dog...Because as the other folks have said...every dog is different and requires different things to specialize their training...Good Luck with training...and welcome to the world of dog training...

~Bob~

I Forgot about tracking stuff.  If I were you I would get a couple of 15 foot lines to use as plow lines.  Hopefully the club will be helping you in the beginning at least, with tracking, but in the meantime, take a look at  this site for some great info on schutzhund style tracking:  http://www.schutzhundtracking.com/index.html

I do like to use a harness for protection most of the time.  Especially for a young or higher drive dog.  I started with the very very wide leather collar but have found the dogs less likely to lose their breath with a harness.  The collar can restrict breathing when they are pulling very hard, while a harness doesn't do so.   As you and your dog progress, you'll get away from the harness so much and more to collars.  This is in general and not for every dog.

Options for lines and leashes are: leather, biothane, nylon, and gripper (biothane).  I like leather for obedience, 4' with a ring at the end so I can snap it around my shoulder/side.  I use a biothane for protection.  I have both biothane and leather for tracking.

Herms Sprenger!  Stainless, not chrome plated.  For both fur saver and pinch.

The main thing is get quality equipment.  With as much as we have invested in the dogs why try to cut corners for their gear?  If you take care of it good equipment will last for many many years, or until your dog eats it. 

Glad you're having some fun with this!

My  Tiekerhook dog used to  break blood vessels in his eyes when I used an agitation collar when he was a very young dog, so I switched to agitation harnessess back then.  I actually find them easier to control the dog with too.