dog collars

[oxo]

can anybody advise me what is the best collar to use on my boxer to stop him pulling.he is only 14 months old but he is really strong,I have tried chokers and harnesses but none of them work.

[Banana-Girl]

Hi, I have a very strong lurcher and terrier now but used to have an enormous bullmastiff, we tried chokers harnesses etc etc but honestly a decent leather collar is fine its the lead wich is important, it needts t be short to lift your dogs head up and make him walk with you at your side not in front of you sniffing the ground whilst almost dragging you over, one trick we were taught was if he pulled we said a firm "NO" and then stopped walking altogether waiting a minute or so before continuing eventually the dog understands that if he pulls his walk becomes boring as he doesnt get very far and will learn to walk head held high at your side. Good luck (and please please do not buy an extendable lead, the amount of dogs injured or killed every year through these leads should be enough to put anyone off).

[terambulan]

I dont like choke-chains but bull dogs have thick necks so for training purposes u may have to resort to one. I recommend those strong leads which unwind thru a plastic box. Dog pulls away and u reel him back. Once dog realises you have this ability it will give up running from you and u can start training.

[thugulike]

A padded Halti will work. The dog may not like it at first but persevere. It worked for my 2 rotties.

[paddywak]

Thugulike is spot on I used a halti with Max (GSD) He didn't like it at first but in a matter of weeks he was walking perfectly with out pulling and now I just use an ordinary collar and short lead with no problem at all

[mirela]

i dont really think collar or harnesses working much, you just have to train it not pulling too much. our 10 months old boxer is pulling when im taking her out, but if with my bf, she knows he is very firm, when he said to her no, she normally stop pulling.

[Noweia]

One thing people never rememberis that we put harnesses on dogs so they can pull easier, e.g. sled dogs!

A halti and training as Banana-Girl suggested are the best ways of teaching your dog to walk by your side and not pull your arm out of its socket!

[happy_face]

you don't need any special collar nor lead as long as it fits the dog and is suitable for his weight.
it's not the collar or lead that does it but the handler.

you need to know how to train your dog not to pull. It's hard work and takes a lot of effort. Look at this clip and fast forward to about 1.47 and see how Mic Martin does it and how quickly the dog learns to focus on where the owner is going.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=xEXT-qwuCvQ


I did this with my two staffies and they never pull. You will have to do a reminder at the start of every walk until it's stuck in the mind of your dog.

[jules77]

no collar is going to be a magic cure, a lot of dogs wont stand a halti on, and I dont think they work in the majority of cases. As long as you let your dog pull, it will get away with, as on another thread, you should not let it go to where it wants. You should stop and walk in the opposite direction, this will take hours of patience, but will eventually work. You may never get to the end of the road for days, as if he pulls you should stop and do an about turn, and keep repeating the exercise.

[dove]

jules that is excellent advice, the dog has to know that you are top tog oxo!

[lankeela]

The type of collar is not what stops a dog pulling it is how you use it.

Enrol at a dog training class and you will be taught how to stop your dog pulling.

A Halti works on some dogs, but only while they are wearing them and only if you persevere. Check (only choke if put on wrong!) chains can be useful for some very strong dogs that have been allowed to pull, but again only if used correctly.

I always use a half check collar (sometimes called a combi collar) which has a triangle of chain between the nylon or leather bits. It gives you some leverage to get the dog back to you without tightening as much as a check chain would.
You have to have them adjusted correctly, with the chain forming part of the lead, and making an equal triangle when you put the slightest pressure on it. It works on a correct and release basis, you pull the dog back to you and then when it is in the correct place the collar falls loose to show the dog that is where you want him to be.

I am amazed at how many people allow their dogs to pull as puppies and then wonder why they pull as adults.

I also agree about the harnesses - worst invention ever made. Absolutely no good to stop a dog pulling - in fact they allow it even more! Only useful if an already trained dog has a problem with its breathing or other health issue.
They can cause all sorts of back problems too, as you see people lift and pull small dogs up by the harness and they get a banana shape in their back.