The Official "Dogs of the DMF" Thread

[Popeye the Sailor]

Actually I was just thinking I try to keep the collars on ours as much as possible-in case they ever get out, I want to get 'em home.


I mean-why else have them? Not like anyone ever plans on escaping dogs.

ATCATT

All The Collar, All The Time

[GLantern]

I always keep a collar on my dogs and on the tags i always put "Needs Rx" because nobody wants a dog that needs meds.  Just a little tip    Collars are a great tool and a good way to deter thieves combined with the RFID Chip.

[cyrus buelton]

Actually I was just thinking I try to keep the collars on ours as much as possible-in case they ever get out, I want to get 'em home.


I mean-why else have them? Not like anyone ever plans on escaping dogs.

ATCATT

All The Collar, All The Time

When we are done for the day of playing, walks, etc, that is when the collars come off and get put back on in the morning.


It's hard to escape through my courtyard gate and front/sliding doors.

[duccarlos]

Collar all the time. As for the gentle leader, it does work, but convincing you otherwise is useless. Whatever helps your dog learn that's what you should use. There are various dogs at the park with shock collars. Next time I see you I'll slap one on you so that when you start up I can give you a quick shock to shut you up.

[cyrus buelton]

Collar all the time. As for the gentle leader, it does work, but convincing you otherwise is useless. Whatever helps your dog learn that's what you should use. There are various dogs at the park with shock collars. Next time I see you I'll slap one on you so that when you start up I can give you a quick shock to shut you up.

The problem I have with the gentle leader is they are expensive and when your dog is gaining about 5lbs a week, you'll spend 200$ by the time he is full grown.

Pinch collars were very good if used properly. Choke chains are bad as I have heard and read of people pulling hard and damaging their animals wind pipe.


re: "shock collar"

I already have one, bro.

Next time I see you we can hook it up to you; I've already shocked myself.

It isn't much of a shock verse an interesting "pulse"

I have a sportdog brand one; I use it with Greta for off leash training when we go to wide open areas (i.e. not the dog park)

[somegirl]

I put "Reward if found" on our dog tags. 

Although the only time in semi-recent years that one of my dogs was found by someone else, they were staying with a friend who had taken the collars off (too noisy for her).  The person that found Watson took her to the SPCA, then saw my friend's posters half an hour later and called me.  I was able to pick her up very quickly thanks to her microchip.

Gentle leaders work great for us.

[cyrus buelton]

Gentle leaders work great for us.

My co-worker says the same thing about them; she has an italian greyhound.



does anyone with large breed animals use them? (German Shephards, Dobes, Rotts, etc)

I've just found those pinch collars to rock.

I can now walk Greta with a normal collar; only problem is when she sees a rabbit, squirrel, etc.


Then we got problems.

[1KDS]

I use one with my 85lb lab/coonhound mix, works for me.  You have to get it positioned right on their head and it needs to be tight.

[Johnny OrganDonor]

The pinch collar (along with liberal praise and reward) is very effective at getting a stubborn or distractable dog's attention instantly and training them not to pull and surge on a leash.  It's just gotta be used properly so poochie doesn't interpret the correction as aggression (think teeth on throat.)  It doesn't take much, a few consistent lessons early on and you won't need the collar or correction when they get huge.

[somegirl]

does anyone with large breed animals use them? (German Shephards, Dobes, Rotts, etc)

Actually I've mostly seen them used with large breed animals, including mastiffs, ridgebacks, etc.  The only type of dog I think they don't work well with are those with very flat faces such as bulldogs.

We only need them because of our dogs' high prey drive.  If there were nothing for them to chase I wouldn't need them (thank you clicker training).
I think they saved me from breaking my neck when I lived in a 2nd story apartment and one of the neighbors liked to feed squirrels at the bottom of the staircase.

[cyrus buelton]

just out of curiosity and not trying to start an argument.......


what are your feelings on the pinch collars?

[somegirl]

just out of curiosity and not trying to start an argument.......


what are your feelings on the pinch collars?

I prefer the gentle leader for my dogs but I do think the pinch collars are much better than choke collars.  I think choke collars are the most likely to cause injury.

Interestingly, the AKC has rules against the use of both pinch collars and gentle leaders at any of their events...choke collars are allowed though.

[cyrus buelton]

I prefer the gentle leader for my dogs but I do think the pinch collars are much better than choke collars.  I think choke collars are the most likely to cause injury.

Interestingly, the AKC has rules against the use of both pinch collars and gentle leaders at any of their events...choke collars are allowed though.

I think it comes down to what your dog is most receptive too.

We tried out a gentle leader on greta at the locally owned pet store (love it is locally owned!!! They are great people) for about 20 minutes and it was awful. she hated it.

The pinch collar worked instantly with her.

I agree on the choke chain...........very odd about the AKC on that ruling.......political organization, what do you expect?!

[IZ]

I prefer the gentle leader for my dogs

In case anyone buys one..a gentle leader is worthless on an English Mastiff.

[Kopfjager]

In case anyone buys one..a gentle leader is worthless on an English Mastiff.

Yeah, you need a bridle and a bit.