Re: [pyrnet] Training?

["Janice Swenson" <janices@austin.rr.com>]

On 15 Nov 2001 at 10:03, Shannon Russell wrote:
> So, my question is this...  Is it OK to use a pinch collar on my pyrs?

Split them up for their walk for now until you've got them walking correctly on a leash 
(loose leash).  Look at a Gentle Leader (http://www.gentleleader.com/indexgl.cfm) or 
Halti instead.  Pinch collars are not usually recommended for dogs that are prone to 
aggression (known to heighten aggression), shy, fearful dogs.  You've got yourself in 
a catch 22 so to speak.  Tightening a leash gives a signal to attack so you really 
need to work on a loose leash walking.  A tense leash signals the dog to be tense 
which is why they will show dominating or aggressive behavior.  I generally like a 
Gentle Leader for hard to control dogs.  There is controversy on pinch collars and 
even on Gentle Leaders.  Gentle Leaders are better for shy, fearful and aggressive 
dogs.  Pinch collars, pinches which does simulate a bite which they can associate 
with what they're approaching so you end up with a heightened aggressive and 
they're pulling and the leash is tight which is another signal and also found that they 
can become desensitized to pinches, as in it takes more correction to stop.  Which is 
something don't seem to find with use of Gentle Leaders.  As in any training collar it's 
a tool of training and only as good as the person knows how to use it.  

Janice, janices@austin.rr.com
Lana & Linsey (newfs), Sonny (pyr)  
http://home.austin.rr.com/janices/
Hutto, TX