[shrtlver]

hi all Im new here and have a question about pinch collars. I have to very big dogs well puppies they are Danes and at 11 months they are already 150 pounds. i have a difficult time walking them. people have told me to use a pinch collar...i have head positive and negative about them, i really hate how intemidating they look and my dogs aren't mean or aggressive at all...I have researched alot and I have found some invisible pinch collars and have heard from a few people that use them and they work the same I am told. has anyone used them they look cool, I found them on ebay. they come in different collars so no one will know im actually using a pinch collar.. any thoughts or tips?????

[Tucker]

How about using halters with the leashes? That should make it harder for them to pull and won't damage their necks or affect their dispositions. Especially since they are such big dogs, it might help to take them to obedience classes where they can help you learn how to handle them. It really helped me with a rambunctious lab puppy .

[Todd]

I would never use the pincher collar. I believe they are safer than choker collars but that's beside the point. Pain is not the answer in ANY situation. Have you tried a gentle leader? I would assume the problem is them pulling you correct? I'd invest in another contraption which connects both leashes so they don't get tangled, the name is escaping my memory, hopefully someone can help me out. Then teach your dogs to heel so they will not pull. What type of leash do you use? Hopefully not an extendable one because this may teach the dog to pull because of the leeway.

Here's some info I dug up online on training your dog the heel command for walking on leash;

The "heel" command is a formal obedience exercise in which a dog walks precisely by a handler's knee, matching her pace and immediately sitting when the handler halts. Your four-legged friend should know this valuable obedience exercise-for your sake and his.

As a pet owner whose dog is a companion first and obedience trial champion second (if at all), you may not be interested in the formal choreography of the "heel" exercise, either on or off lead (leash). However, though this particular command may have less day-to-day utility than "sit," its usefulness may surprise you.

A Safety Tool

When navigating crowded streets, for example, you may wish your dog would walk politely beside you without pulling on his lead. Or, there may come a day when your dog's leash is torn or lost and you have to maneuver him back to your car through a busy playground.

Whatever the reason, "heel" may prove to be an important part of your dog's obedience vocabulary, once he's old enough to practice some serious self-control. While the formal "heel" command may have to wait until your puppy's a little older, even very young puppies can be taught to walk on lead without pulling.

A necessary first step, of course, is that your dog can walk on a leash without pulling. Unlike this practical skill, however, "heel" doesn't permit your dog to sniff fire hydrants or otherwise stray from the very small window beside your left knee. In practical terms, you may decide that brief breaks in your dog's otherwise undivided attention -e.g. for urination-are no problem, as long as he walks beside you again when asked.

Training with a Food Lure

The basis of positive "heeling" -as with other obedience exercises-is finding an enticing reward-such as food-and using it as a lure. Holding your dog's leash in your right hand, while taking up its slack in your left, start with your dog on your left and tell him to "Sit!" While holding a food tidbit in your left hand, bring it to his nose and say, "Spot, HEEL!" in a bright voice. Next, walk briskly for about ten paces, keeping the food slightly elevated at your side. When you stop (not too abruptly!), lift the treat slightly or pull up on the lead so that your dog sits. Now you can reward him.

If you are a more visual learner, here's a vid;

YouTube- How to Teach Your Dog to Heel on a Leash For Dummies

[Lara's mom]

They're called splitter leads. I bought one for the Jacks. Works like a charm!

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

They're called splitter leads. I bought one for the Jacks. Works like a charm!

Oh OK. Thanks for clarifying that for me!

[cookie]

Originally Posted by Tucker

How about using halters with the leashes? That should make it harder for them to pull and won't damage their necks

I have a question about this. I have a serious puller, not anywhere near Great Dane size, but strong nonetheless. Isn't it possible to still damage their necks by restraining them from the front, if they are pulling away from you? It seems counterproductive to me. But, granted--I haven't tried that type of lead. Looking for opinions here.

[Yogi]

Large or small makes no difference with regards to the size of the dog. The weakest point in any dog is its neck. Avoiding the pulling from a collar type unit is always best. The gentle has proven to work usually pretty well as it is similar to a horse's reigns in that it pulls the head down not the neck. Though there is still some pressure, the goal is that when the snout is brought down, instinctively the dog slows down. Using a harness and leader would always be first choice for those who have dogs that were not leashed trained young to work with a collar and leash.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Yogi

Large or small makes no difference with regards to the size of the dog. The weakest point in any dog is its neck. Avoiding the pulling from a collar type unit is always best. The gentle has proven to work usually pretty well as it is similar to a horse's reigns in that it pulls the head down not the neck. Though there is still some pressure, the goal is that when the snout is brought down, instinctively the dog slows down. Using a harness and leader would always be first choice for those who have dogs that were not leashed trained young to work with a collar and leash.

Yep. I agree. That's what I mentioned earlier. A gentle leader will take stress off the neck itself.

Yogi, quick clarification. Are there several types of gentle leaders? I have seem some that go around the dogs neck and then snout but others go around just the chest area. Would the second description technically be just a harness and not technically considered a gentle leader? Thanks in advance.

[Yogi]

It was my understanding with the gentle leader that it was designed to work similar to that of the reigns of a horse. Based on that theory, the second one would be a harness type lead.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Yogi

It was my understanding with the gentle leader that it was designed to work similar to that of the reigns of a horse. Based on that theory, the second one would be a harness type lead.

OK thanks for clearing that up for me. That's what would have made sense to me but people often get the two mixed up. Thanks again!

[Lara's mom]

I wonder if they make those for dogs as small as mine? They're about 12 - 14 pounds and about 10 inches high at the shoulder. Their"snouts" are tiny.

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

I wonder if they make those for dogs as small as mine? They're about 12 - 14 pounds and about 10 inches high at the shoulder. Their"snouts" are tiny.

My understanding is that they do. Be reminded, most of mine are about the same size as yours. I think they come for basically any size dog. In addition, I would think even more so for the smaller breeds to avoid more easy neck injuries.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Yogi

My understanding is that they do. Be reminded, most of mine are about the same size as yours. I think they come for basically any size dog. In addition, I would think even more so for the smaller breeds to avoid more easy neck injuries.

I agree. They probably do. I used to have a harness for my cat. If all else fails just use a cat harness.

[Lara's mom]

They both have harnesses already. I just thought these gentle leaders might teach them to walk like civilized dogs.

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

They both have harnesses already. I just thought these gentle leaders might teach them to walk like civilized dogs.

"Civilized dogs", "Military Intelligence" what is wrong with these statements?:-D