Prong Collar Success for other than walking?

[Stephanie]

Hi everyone,

 

Perry (almost 14 weeks - female Goldendoodle)  is doing wonderfully on her crate training, and even leash walking , she's not a puller, and walks pretty calmly!

However, she has began to start testing us to the extremes with following commands.  We have had to begin walking her for potty on leash only,  and as of this moning, after 2 episodes on biting my son's hand pretty badly - I put her on leash ALL MORNING  - and pretty much reverted to a non stop - "earn it mode"    She will not potty FIRST if she's let out with out a leash - she goes straight to eating mulch and playing - and forgets to get her busniess  done. We are going back to all outside play is earned.

Also, the CHASE ME game has begun if I catch her eating or playing when she should be pottying. I will NOT play the chase game and do find a way to distract her back in,  after MANY attempts at a "come" command....

She has also gotten more rowdy in the evenings and mornings and not settling down.  We have increased excersise and walks to help combat this.  But it's as if I can feel her "slipping" if you know what I mean -  like, I have taken her past good behavior for granted and now she's really pushing the limits.  We want a reminder to her that we remain in charge.

I want to regain this control, and reinforce things like, lay on your spot, etc.

I have heard the prong collars are effective training tools, and most training classes ask that you have one on them - but  I was uncertian if they are mainly only effective for walking, or also for everyday household reinforcement.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

If you are asking if a prong is just for walking then I must assume you have not had any formal Traing in using a prong. They are great training tools if used correctly. I urge you to find a professional trainer so you learn to use one :)
I don't recommend anyone using one to just pick one up to try. Go to a training class for the best benefits for you and your dog. A lot more goes into it than just placing a collar on the dog and expecting results Good luck.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good response!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I use prong collars with my dogs when I walk them, but they are three and two years old. I do not use them in the house or for any other reason and they come off immediately after our walk. In my opinion, Perry is too young for a prong collar and is exhibiting normal puppy behavior. Puppies are naturally curious and want to explore their surroundings and they go through many stages. They come cute so we keep them....LOL!! When Fudge was at her naughtiness, most of the time she was tired or overstimulated and I had no problem putting her in her crate, so we could both have a time out and regroup. I think a puppy class would be great for you and they come home exhausted, which is the best kind of puppy :) I think a prong collar can be a great training tool, but I really think Perry is far too young. Good luck and keep us updated.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I don't think prong collars should be used until a dog is at 4, preferably 6 months old. Puppies when tired are just like babies, they need a nap so crating them when they start acting up is a good idea.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I agree with this.  I also use the prong collar for Murphy, but I would not use this as my training tool for a puppy. 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I agree with Laurie.  Perry is just in the beginning stages of learning how to properly behave in the world of humans. She is still an infant basically and her mind can only understand and retain a certain level of information much like a human child. At this stage I think time outs and positive reinforcements are best.

One other thing...it is important to not repeat the "come command". It should only be spoken once. Otherwise your doodle will learn that she doesn't REALLY have to come the first time and you don't really mean it until the 5th or 6th time you say it! I used a long line on Tara when she was outside and I was training the "come" command. It was a way that I could let her know that I meant it.  Then she would get a reward for coming too.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Also with the "COME" command, never use it unless you can enforce it.  So, if you have no way to make her come if she doesn't, then don't tell her to.  Thus the reason for the 15 or 20 lead on her ... if you tell her and she doesn't you can just reel her in with the long leash.  I still take our girls who are 4 now out to potty on leash, particularly if I'm in a hurry.  That way they know it is potty time, not play time.  They also know that they don't need to go to the door and bark or whine to get outside to just play because if they ask to go potty they are going out on a leash.  I agree with the others that your little one is still very much a puppy and your expectations can't be too high at this point.  As for the evening zoomies, we have all been there.  Our 1st trainer explained this as a toddler that is over tired and just needs to go to bed.  So, even if it is earlier than you go to bed, it might be puppy bedtime anyway.

[Stephanie]

Thanks,

 

I just feel bad crating her for a time out when she's been crated during the day ( I do come home for a lunch break) and it's only from 8 am to 3 pm....   She has a play pen, but she's quickly overpowering it, and pushing it around as well.  I don't have a problem putting her in "time out" , I just hate that is has to be the crate again....  ;(   But if it works,  I'll  do it.

[Janice Hammond]

She is being a normal puppy.She needs training and consistency but is way too young for a prong collar.

Is this your first puppy?

[Christine & Shelby]

I personally am not a fan of prong collars.  And... your puppy is only 14 weeks old (I didn't even start walking Shelby until she was about 17 weeks based on her Vet's recommendation - Parvo is a big problem in my area).   Much of this behavior sounds pretty normal to me and I think you need to stick to your current training, be consistent, keep her on leash/teathered to you until she takes care of her business.   Just my two cents...

[BG and Gavin]

I agree with other posters - no prong in house.  It is a tool for walking in my opinion.  She is just gaining confidence and sowing her oats a bit, very normal.  Tether her to you in the house.  She will have to follow you around, you can keep her from engaging in naughty behaviour and it provides mental stimulation.  Training class will be fun and exciting with this smart young girl!

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I would never leave a prong collar on unattended and would only use it if really necessary - i prefer to train with positive rewards rather than negative attention (yelling, hurting etc). I would say that Perry is just testing boundaries. Sometimes she may need to be put in her crate and "forced" to rest - we had to do this with Cooper for a long time, she couldnt just lay down and relax. Cooper just turned 3 and even now, if I really need her to go potty i take her out on a leash, otherwise she will play and forget to potty. 14 weeks is still very very young