Thoughts about collars...

[Sarah Bennett]

So, my large, young boy (10.5 months, 80+lbs) is VERY energetic and LOVES to be around people.  When I have guests over, or take him places or take him to doggie daycamp, he gets SO SO SO excited.  Pulling, jumping, jumping up on people...it's almost like he never gets out of the house (which is SO not true...he's out of the house on the low end, once a week, but often more than that.  He also get's visitors often too...).  He's not mean aggressive, but he's aggressive to be your friend, play and get some love.  It is kind of out of control.  When he is home, he's really pretty laid back as long as he gets his play time (though he does occasionally get his puppy spaz time and does this crazy run around the house).  

Anyway, twice in the past week people have suggested I try to use a prong collar on him to help with the "I love people" aggression (seriously, he won't mean to hurt you, but he might knock you down to lick you...).  So, I bought one yesterday...  I have not tried it and honestly, I don't know how I feel about even owning it...  What are your thoughts about using prong collars?  I'm not gonna lie...it looks scary.  I'd appreciate thoughts.  Thanks. 

[Sarah Bennett]

Up until about a month ago (the beginning of November) I took him to the small village close to me's "dog park" (a fenced in area of yard...it's been there since the early summer) about 3-4 times per week for about 30-45 minutes (longer if someone else and their dog was there too) and kicked a soccer ball around with him, threw frisbees and tried to have him catch tennis balls (poor dog is not very coordinated...).  I try a couple of times a week to drive him into that village when I get home to walk him (it's dark around 5... I don't get out of work until 5.  I don't like to walk in the dark in the country on the roads with him).  Unfortunately I don't have a fenced in yard.  My neighbors do and let me take him over there, but once again, it's dark now when I get home and it's not a lit area.  Since the time change we have only gone out to the dog park twice :(  

[K and Racey]

It sounds like you are in a tough spot! Believe me, I get it. I live in Alaska, it was -8 when I left my house yesterday morning. The LAST thing I wanted to do was go outside with Racey. I'm lucky in that I do have a fenced yard. Last night (it had warmed up to a balmy 8 degrees) I played with the laser light (I know some people on here will scold me for it, but that's okay.) Racey LOVES to chase that light in the yard. I can stand in the house at the upstairs window and zoom that thing all over the place. So when it is too cold for me I have an escape.

The main thing I think here is that I agree with Karen. He is an extremely high energy dog and isn't able to use up that energy. You've got to find an outlet for that. It is really difficult to train a dog that is wound up-basically it's only setting yourself up for frustration.

My husband and I both work full time and this is what we do with Racey to help with all that energy...Monday-home, Tuesday-doggy day care, Wed-home, Thursday-either home, doggy day care or my in-laws (who are retired), Friday-doggy day care, Saturday-at least 1 hour of hard playing, Sunday-at least 1 hour of hard playing. We picked Tuesday and Friday for doggy day care for the following reasons-Tuesday, it breaks up the week and wears her out for Wednesday, all she really wants to do on Wednesday is stay home and sleep. By the time we get home Wed night, she is ready for some attention. Friday bc it is at the end of the week, and if we want to go out Friday night, we don't have to feel guilty about it bc we know she is at home sleeping anyway. Thursday is a crap shoot, if my in-laws are home and I get up early enough, I take her over there, she has attention all day and an older black lab to torment. Sometimes I take her to doggy day care if I know we are going to be busy in the evening and she won't get a lot of attention. Sometimes she stays home if she's had a lot of attention on Wed and I know she played hard on Tuesday. Monday she is usually recovering from the weekend so she is happy to stay home and relax. 

I know that's not helpful, and I wish there was some better advice I could give. I know it's hard, but all your hard work now will pay off in another year.

[Sarah Bennett]

Oh, Salvador and I play with a laser light a lot with me being home the most when it's dark...  I've read the different thoughts on that, but when it comes to releasing energy it's an ok option for us.  I never thought about taking it outside though... hmmmm... :)  

[Alex/Mindy/Georgia/Coral]

Kort is right on the money. Instead of a prong collar(our dog is only 18 pounds so there was no harm when she jumped) we bought a pet agree button. I don't know how everyone else feels about that kind of tool, but it worked very well for us. And as Kort said, we took her many places and would only let her be petted if she was sitting. It's still difficult as Mindy and I's parents don't follow the rules and will pet her when she is very excited, and then it's a matter of disciplining the adults lol. I think that the collar may be a good tool, but not the fix for the problem. The fix will come in form of training and correction. The Dog Whisperer has dogs that jump on people in many episodes. I would watch a few and I think you'll find great things to do to help correct this behavior. Good luck! 

[Alex/Mindy/Georgia/Coral]

Also, Salvador is adorable. I failed to mention that before.

[BG and Gavin]

I am not against prong collars if used correctly during training.  We used one, then graduated to a martingale collar then graduated to a flat collar.  However a tool is not substitute for training and I don't think you should use the collar unless you are properly trained on how to use it.  Karen submitted a good article about training dogs not to jump up in the Training Group.  Let me try and find it for you...

[BG and Gavin]

Okay, here it is:  http://thebark.com/content/five-essential-tips-training-dogs-sit-po...

[F, Calla & Luca]

I don't think you need specific training on using a prong collar but you do need information on how to size and place it. I got my first prong collar at the suggestion of Luca's trainer but we never did specific training on how to use the collar and I do think she was a good trainer. Here is some information on sizing and placement:

http://leerburg.com/fit-prong.htm

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I agree, BG.  They can be great training tools when used correctly.

[Adina P]

I have NO problem with the prong collar.  But it sounds like he needs more practice with some commands too. He needs obedience training.  You can do it on your own if you find a good book or youtube training program or something to follow.  For me there are two solutions:
1) Train a strong 'sit stay' and then practice, practice, practice.  This means NOT just alone in the house, but practice in other situations if/when you have an opportunity to do so.  Start with EASY distractions or far away distractions and work up to harder or closer distractions.  If he messes up too many times he needs you to make it easier.  If he only messes up once or twice then it's just right.

2) Until he is better at sit stay, keep him on leash or in his crate or behind a baby gate so he doesn't practice the naughty behavior.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I agree with this too!  I also don't have a problem with this tool.  I think it's great when used to teach the dog that he's made a "mistake"....and reward when he's made a good decision.  To be fair, I think first you have to teach him what is expected starting with no distractions, then little ones, then real challenges.

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

I have seen prong collars - never used one.  I don't understand how they work.  Do they "dig" into the skin or cause cuts?  Do they or can they injure the dog? If they are only exerting pressure and not digging into the skin - why not use a martingale collar that exerts the same type of pressure?