Three Questions On Selecting A Dog Training Collar And Dog Behavior

 Judy wrote to me with the following question:

"Hi, Adam! I enjoyed your website, but still need help choosing the right collar for my hard headed Jack Russell. She does go swimming to chase and catch my ducks in our pond, she chases cars, and she sometimes sneaks up behind visitors and bites them on the leg. She does not listen at all when she is so intensely concentrating on doing what she is not supposed to do...ignores us completely. Other than being so aggravating 1/4 of the time, she is a good little dog. But, when she is bad...she is BAD!

What collar would be best for such a small dog...she is not a fat Jack Russell...she runs to much for that. She is probably around 12 - 15 pounds, but I am just guessing. I want a collar that goes at least 1/2 mile. We live out in the country and she runs around our 10 acres.

Thanks so much, - Judy"

Dear Judy,

When choosing a training collar, the pinch collar is the best choice. It communicates with the dog in it's natural language, using the "teeth" of the collar similar to how an Alpha dog would correct a subordinate or a mother dog correct her puppies. The small size would probably work best for your Jack Russell terrier.

By not listening to you, she is showing her disrespect of your Alpha position in the family "pack." When you get the pinch collar, you must keep it and a leash on her all the time when supervision is available so you can correct any behaviors you don't want. A good place to start learning about how to train yourself on how to train your dog is my book and videos.

By keeping up a regimen of tough love and obedience, you can correct her negative behaviors and don't forget to praise her whenever she does something right. Mental stimulation is as important as physical and she will be glad to be working for you in obedience.

Jason wrote to me with a similar question about training collars:

"Hello Adam- I have recently purchased the full package of your book and DVD's that you offer which I have found to be very useful. I have two questions that I hope you may be able to answer:

1) How old must a dog be before training with the pinch collar?

I have a 4 month old chocolate lab that is very intelligent. Prior to your instructions, I was already able to teach her to shake, sit, and roll-over all with food as the reward.

However, down is a different story-she only goes down when I point all the way to the ground-finger pointing and touching the floor-since having food in my hand when the training began she only responds to my hand as a signal and not the word. This is at best inconsistent and a bit frustrating. I have begun the down-stay but the spike collar I have is only using 3 rings and does not seem very efficient. I feel compelled to break this bad habit which I have helped create, and look for your suggestions on this topic.

2) How do I use a ball drive (which is extremely strong in my lab) to make my dog not only retrieve (which she does) but catch a Frisbee in the air?

I have already started bouncing balls of the wall and she is getting better at catching the ball on the run, but I don't know how this can evolve into a Frisbee catch and was a bit shocked not finding this in your book.

Thank you for anything you can do or suggest for me to do,

-- Jason"

Dear Jason,

To be at it's best efficiency, the pinch collar should have at least 5 links with pronged tips. You might want to find the next size down for your dog and remove links until you have the proper fit. Remember that the pinch collar is recommended for the dog usually when she gets her adult teeth (usually around 4 to 4.5 months). If you do need to use it before then, be gentle with your corrections, as training at this age is usually done through positive reinforcement, motivation, and light corrections (vocal, not giving a treat, etc).

Make sure she knows the command "Down" as well as the hand signal. If you have to start from square one in teaching it to her, do it. Praise her when she does anything right and let her know when she needs to give you a little more effort.

Instead of using a ball for teaching her how to catch a Frisbee, use a Frisbee; the two toys are very different in dimension. Make sure she's excited about the Frisbee and gently throw it to her from a few feet away, aiming for her chest, and tell her "Catch!" If she even attempts, praise her. Keep trying and use the word "Catch" whenever you throw it and as she learns to catch it, throw it from farther away and have her run short distances. However, be careful of how hard you exercise her, as her joints are still growing. At a future point, you will know when you can stop using the word "Catch" and simply ask her if she wants to play Frisbee.

Whereas Marie wanted to know how to incorporate the use of the training collar into fixing her dog's problem of ankle biting:

"Dear Adam: I have a five month-old Maltese and I'm having a problem with him nipping at my ankles and pulling on my pant legs. Also could I use a pinch collar on him? He only weighs 4lbs. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Regards, Marie"

Dear Marie,

By biting your ankles and pulling your pant legs, he is asking for attention. I find it hard to think that he is trying to dominate you at this age, so the behavior is probably more related to attention. You need to eliminate this behavior verbal correction IN CONJUNCTION WITH grabbing the scruff of his neck and giving a firm pull.

If it's easier, use a prong collar on because the collar only pinches the skin instead of constricting against the neck. While they are very hard to find in conventional pet stores, they are available online and can be found by typing "micro prong collar" into a search engine. It will help you communicate with your dog in a way he understands. However, it's unlikely.
About the Author

Adam G. Katz is the author of the book, "Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer: An Insider's Guide To The Most Jealously Guarded Dog Training Secrets In History." Get a free copy of his report "Games To Play With Your Dog" when you sign up for his free weekly dog training tips e-zine at: http://www.dogproblems.com

 Adam Katz

More Articles 

Common Signs of Arthritis in Dogs - Overview of Dog Arthritis Medications and Supplements - Valerie Goettsch
Unfortunately, arthritis in dogs is about as common as it is in people. It may range from mild to moderate or severe. If your dog is overweight, the extra pressure on joints can exacerbate the problem. And, as with humans, there may be joint...

Tips In Choosing The Best Dog Breeders - Jack Russell
Dog breeders could be found anywhere. However, buying the best-looking puppy in the pet store does not necessarily guarantee that you bought a pet with a top breed. What are the different types of breeders? Which of them provide the best...

Dog Health Conditions and Terms You Should Know, Part 3... - Daniel Lesser
Continued from part two. Epilepsy/seizure disorder When your Boxer is between 2 to 5 years old, he may develop seizure disorder. When he has an epilepsy attack, he'd be unconscious and may look like he is not breathing but he is. He is not...

Eliminating Problem Dog Behaviors - Jumping And Roaming - Dawn Keadic
Every dog owner must eventually deal with some unwanted behaviors on the part of their four legged companions. Some of the most frequently encountered training problems with puppies and dogs alike are jumping on people and performing...

How Do I help My Dog Lose Weight? - Russell Richer
http://www.DogDayPets.com Much like their owners, more and more dogs worldwide are showing signs of obesity. Besides limiting their enjoyment of life as a dog, extra body weight can lead to to joint and heart problems, shorter lives, and sometimes...

The Five Most Important Considerations When Buying a Protection Dog - Sean Muratet
Man's Best Friend has been a trusted protector of our homes for thousands of years. Their keen senses and awareness, along with a pack mentality, have made dogs a valuable asset to man in his effort to keep his home secure. In today's...

Taking Care of Your Sick Dog - Jane K
Just like humans, dogs are subject to diseases and illnesses. If your dog gets sick, you may have to take him to the vet for treatment or even surgery. Your dog may have to stay at the clinic for a few days. When he comes home you will have to take...

Things You should never feed your Dog - A M Wilmont
Unfortunately, there are a number of household items which we tend to take for granted that are potentially very dangerous to your dog's health. It is especially important to be aware of this because as you know, dogs are essentially scavengers and...

Review of K9 Bytes Dog Collars - Patty King
This is an amazingly strong collar for one that is handcrafted. I got one for a large dog who has been known to break collars in the past. Not only is this one sturdy enough for her, but there were so many gorgeous styles to choose from. You are...

Doggie Diets - 4 Keys to Slimming Down From Tubby to Healthy - Fred Ege
You've been told by your vet, and probably your friends that your dog needs to lose weight, and as your dog gets older with less activity they tend to gain even more weight. So, how can I get my companion pet to slim down? Here are the main...

Is a Boxer Dog The Right Pet For You? - Amy Howells
Having a boxer dog as a pet, although low-maintenance, require your consistent attention, exercise, human interaction, consistent obedience training and lots of love. You cannot leave them to their own design for too long or they will get lonely,...

Yes, Your Dog Will Be Happier If You Use These Dog Grooming Tips - Niall Kennedy
Most dogs handle their own grooming needs. But, you can offer a helping hand as necessary. If you do this, you will have many benefits to it. For example, it helps the two of you to bond. And, it allows for you to catch diseases or other...