Proper Use of Slip Collars

"The slip collar, commonly miscalled a choke collar, is available in various styles, most people will associate the chain slip collar as the primary training collar. Slip collars are available in all types of materials from chain, cord, elastic stretch (bungee cord), fabric, flat strap, and safeties.

“Choke Chains” are not intended to choke your dog! The intent is that when the collar is tugged it will pinch the brachial nerve in the dogs neck (much like pinching the funny bone) or according to some people it is intended to simulate how a mother will nip a puppy on the neck to correct it. The Slip Collar is NOT intended to choke your dog. If your dog is choking with the use of this collar then use a different collar!

If you are going to use a slip collar; be it chain, cord, leather, or strap, learn how to use it properly before you put it on your dog. Do some reading. Watch them in use. The first consideration is size. A collar that is too large will only detract from its primary effectiveness. Measure the size of your dogs neck high on the neck, not close to the shoulders. Then add an inch or two. That will be the size you want to buy. The proper fit should just slide over the dogs head without unduly pulling on the dogs ears.

Don’t buy large thinking “they’ll grow into it”. Instead buy 4 collars, one the correct size and another 2 inches larger and 2 other types of training collars in the proper size. Use the collar which gives you the level of correction you need. There is nothing that says you have to use one collar and one collar only during training. If a collar works during training for Sit/Stay but doesn’t work during training to Heel feel free to move to another collar. Switch back and forth. There is a benefit to this in that your dog will not become collar smart.

There is only two ways to put a slip collar on. You’d think people would get it right 50% of the time by chance, this doesn’t seem to be the case. The free end which connects to the lead should be over the dogs neck not come under. The position is important, over the neck the collar immediately releases pressure when slack is given. Under the neck this is not the case.

In use there should be no tension in the lead and approximately six inches of slack, the collar should be completely relaxed. Giving corrections with the slip collar should be short tugs. DON’T haul back like you’re setting a gaff in a fish. It is very easy to damage the dogs throat. DON’T let your dog run and hit the end of the lead. DON’T hold steady pressure on the lead constricting the dogs breathing. NEVER yank on the lead in anger. You can crush the dogs throat and kill them. Yes sad to say it does happen.

If the dog is hauling on the lead and choking constantly, this is not the appropriate time to use the slip collar. You must first teach it to not pull using another method. Many other training tools are available, such as martingale collars, halties (gentle leaders) and harnesses.

The slip collar is a training collar only. It should be on your dog only when training and under your direct control. If your dog is running free and having a blast being off lead then it shouldn’t be wearing a slip collar. I have seen a dog, wearing a chain slip collar, run and jump through a brush pile. The free ring got caught in a branch effectively hanging the dog. In this instance the owner was close enough to see what had happed and immediately rescued the dog, this is not always the outcome.

Remove the slip collar as soon as you are done training. Slip collars should never be on dogs that are tied outside. The dog is not under your direct control when tied out. Remember it is easy for a dog to back out of a slip collar. Also never leave the slip collar on the dog when you are not home. It could get caught on something and strangle the dog."

Note: I didnt personally write this blog. It was information I found on the internet, on the Fort Smith Animal Society website, so I cant credit the trainer. I have put the information in quotations, as not to mislead anyone. In closing, training tools are only as effective and humane as we are in using them. Any sort of correction, or "punishment" should be done thoughtfully and carefully, with the welfare of the animal as a priority.

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Use These Suggestions To Aid Your Pet

Puppy training can be a matter of essential significance to anyone with a residential canine friend. The most beneficial way to help the family pet achieve a suitable degree of obedience would be to completely educate yourself which techniques work and that offers little assist. By following the tips on this page, you will be well on your way into a relaxing, supportive partnership with the family pet.

When you have gotten a brand new canine or dog, you should work with training them immediately. Should they will probably be indoors dogs, you can start crate training them . This prevents restroom mishaps or even your products simply being chewed on. Start out with the right measured crate, so they have enough place from the kennel to move around a little.

After it is time for you to leash workout your dog or dog, you should allow him to know you are boss. Consequence does simply make him afraid of you and also it doesnt in fact right the behaviour. One thing that you ought to do, is come up with a simple leash to ensure that he needs to continue to be appropriate with you. Do not let him guide you. You happen to be leader, not him.

When you are interested in education your dog, keep in mind to become a puppy in the course of training. Puppies create manage and conduct by way of actual physical orders and less by way of spoken control. When you wish your pet to display a definite actions, use nudges or position alterations personally together with your oral commands. They are characteristics your dog is expecting and definately will answer appropriately.

Right up until your pet is well trained, instruction should be continuous. In case you are unsure your canine follows any order that you give, training will not be carried out. Each and every interaction with your pet must be handled from the superior, instruction standpoint. You ought to consistently instruct your pet dog that you are currently in charge, just like a true pack head does.

If you can, placement your dogs kennel close to your your bed. This can be a crucial part of educating him that is where you want him to sleep. Because you are still inside of sight he isnt as more likely to panic about experiencing to remain in the crate on an extended period of time.

Producing excellent puppy training involves determination, encouragement as well as a good incentive program. What you ought to do is begin a top quality prize system for if they are doing the proper issues. Supplementing positive habits with snacks is a wonderful way to start, and as time passes you are able to teach them another prize system including kind comments and fondness. The most important thing to target is inspiring these people to perform the right factor.

Glance at the front door prior to your dog, consume your own personal dinner first and always make sure that you earn tug-of-battle, if you take aside the plaything when youre completed. This asserts you are the pack leader plus your canine is subordinate. This will assist curb other obedience problems and aid in other elements of education since your dog knows that he Have to do everything you say. Its how hes hard-hard wired.

When instruction your pet, keep your objectives and objectives to your pet sensible. The same as when you make an effort to find out something new, your pet isnt likely to learn new tricks at the first try you train them. Various dog breeds and even various pet dogs in the identical dog breed, may have different quantities of receptivity toward instruction.

Begin small when you begin to function on coaching your pet dog to provide your pet dog a fairly easy start. This could cause anyone to buy your canine to learn its initial secret swiftly, which can be fulfilling. It is going to show your pet what training is all about. This will give you awesome results throughout the education approach.

Set up targets for coaching your pet. Make a decision what time of day you can expect to work with your dog and the way extended you may job. Make a decision exactly what you would like to operate on, and be constant. Job about the same things, likewise, at the same time every day until finally mastered. After you have accomplished one goal, build on it with the help of something new. Dont ignore all around or even be irregular. This can be perplexing for your personal pet.

If you wish your pet dog to answer commands such as sit, you must devote up to ten minutes every day placement your pet inside the appropriate placement and practicing the command. Your pet dog will relate the saying with the act of sitting down. Remain calm and incentive your dog each and every time it obeys the control.

No person that has possibly owned a pet dog will question the essential character of proper training. By attaining an awareness of effective training strategies, it can be possible to nurture a caring, properly-behaved partner. Consider these pointers to cardiovascular system, and you will probably tremendously raise the chance that your particular dog can become the delighted, properly-tweaked puppy you always desired.

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Why Yawns Are Contagious Calming Signals in Dogs and How We Can Use Them

We all know that dogs can’t talk (whether or not we care to admit it is another thing altogether).  What they do rely on is body language – lots and lots of body language.  While we might approach a stranger and say, “Hey, I’m new here. It’s nice to meet you,” a dog might walk up to another dog in an arc with a slow, circular wagging tail, its ears back and drop into a butt-up, front down stretch.  They are both ways to express “I’m friendly and mean no harm.”

Calming signals are just what they sound like.  They are behaviors offered by a dog in an attempt to keep a situation calm.  We aren’t completely sure if they are used by one dog solely to calm another dog, solely to calm themselves, or a combination of both.  My feeling is that the latter is true, especially since calming signals are often both offered and returned.  We can help our dogs feel comfortable by learning what their calming signals are and respecting them, and even by responding in kind, repeating their gesture as best we can (tail wagging obviously excluded).

Before getting into what calming signals can be, I want to emphasize that context is important.  Think of how a person telling another “you fool!” can be issued as an insult or an expression of teasing affection.  Context is important, regardless of species.  For example, ears held back on a dog’s head can be a calming signal, a sign of fear, or even just the physical nature of the breed. 

You may or may not notice calming signals with your own dog.  Unless you recently adopted your dog or have a new puppy, chances are your relationship is fairly established.  Your dog may not feel the need to offer these signals on a regular or frequent basis.  Unfortunately we can also extinguish calming signals in our pets, even without intention.  If a dog offers calming signals that are repeatedly ignored or corrected, eventually they will stop trying.  Think about people – if your partner brought you flowers after a fight and you always responded with snide comments about wasting money or stinking up the house, chances are your partner would stop buying flowers – at least for you!  Since we are frequently our dog’s entire world, our response (or lack thereof) to their behavior is critically important.

Calming signals may include:

·         “Look aways” (turning the head to the side, away from the other dog or person)

·         Yawning

·         Sniffing (becoming very interested in not much of anything)

·         Paw raises (raising one of the front paws off the ground)

·         Shake offs (can be a slight shake off or entire body, as if wet)

·         Scratching (like they are itchy – a sudden case of “fleas”)

·         Blinking

·         Lip licking (or nose licking)

·         Moving in an arc (approaching or leaving in a semi-circle, not a direct path)

·         Sitting or lying down

·         Stretching (particularly into a play bow position, though not quite the same behavior)

·         Making a “soft face” – ears back, soft eyes, etc.

There are a few signals that you may want to try, either with your dog or a dog you are just meeting.*  They can help a dog feel more comfortable, and may even be offered back to you.

Blinking is pretty universal between species – go for slow, deliberate blinks (not fast fluttering). Lip licking is also simple to duplicate.  Again, make it slow and obvious. You can actually lick your lips or even just stick your tongue out a few times.  “Look aways” involve turning your head to either side, away from the dog. You may then look back, without making eye contact, then look away again.  A paw lift is a little more difficult (largely since we don’t have paws and walk on two legs, not four).  But if you are feeling daring you can try it with one arm, holding it as if you were imitating a hurt paw. 

You may have figured out now how yawning can be contagious.  Offered as a calming signal between dogs, or even from dog to human (and human to dog), a yawn is much more than feeling sleepy.  It can be offered back and forth, and maybe thats why we feel the urge to yawn when someone near us yawns.

For additional information on calming signals, read On Talking Terms with Dogs by Turid Rugaas.  Rugaas is an internationally acclaimed dog trainer from Norway who has done extensive studies on calming signals in dogs.  You can visit her website at http://www.canis.no/rugaas/index.php .  A good visual example of using calming signals with dogs can be found in KikoPup’s collection of YouTube videos (http://youtu.be/MgnLgHFRJu4 ).  While you’re there check out her other videos – Emily has produced a goldmine of how-to videos on clicker training everything from cool tricks to problem behaviors.

 Video: KikoPups How To Communicate With Dogs in Their Own Language

* Offering calming signals doesn’t make it safe to approach an aggressive dog.  When in doubt, keep your distance.

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