[ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Prong Discussion
- From: <cnnpmm2@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <ladyaramis1@xxxxxxxxxxx>, <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:31:25 -0400
Great post, Lee! I felt the same way as you about using pinch
collars. Until a couple months ago...
The co-owner of a huge male I imported finally resorted to using one
on this dog. He had been in training with a professional trainer for
a month or so and would not respond when wearing a choke. He is a
*very* hard, very strong dog.
The trainer suggested the co-owner come to class with a pinch collar
for the next session. All it took was one time of this dog
"self-correcting" in a pinch collar and he became very focused. A
few weeks later, the dog earned his CGC.
As many people pointed out... A pinch collar when used correctly can
be a very valuable thing. Personally, I have never used a pinch
collar and would never use one unless *I* was trained how to use it
correctly.
Paulette McGuirt, GSDCA Member
Allemande German Shepherd Dogs
Qui Me Amat, Amat et Canem Meam
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lee Smith" <ladyaramis1@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 10:56 PM
Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Prong Discussion
I was dead set against using a pinch collar. It was cruel and
heartless and
my need for a pinch collar was an indication of my lack of training
abilities. My GSD, Rex, was an oversized, strong willed, tough dog
with a
sharp mind and a humourous spirit. I had already put a CD on him and
I was
an assistant obedience instructor for a well known instructor, Mary
Lou
Hughes. We taught the Volhard method, which is a structured program
that is
very motivational. As a behaviorist, Wendy Volhard is one of the
pioneers in
using an understanding of basic drives to utilize a dog's own
motivations to
train. She has been extremely successful as an OB competitor at the
highest
levels and has written many books.
I ended up going to her school for obedience instructors -- a very
intensive
one-week course that starts at breakfast and ends about 9:00 at
night. Since
there are three obedience classes a day as well as additional
training
sessions, it is recommended that you take two dogs so you don't
exhaust
them. I took Rex and my sheltie, Misty.
On the third day, Wendy introduced me to the pinch collar -- for Rex.
When
other students asked how she could ever recommend a pinch collar
she'd point
to me and say in a cultured English accent, "I have a student whose
dog is
as big as she is (that is when I was much thinner). He's a dominant
male who
can push her every button, is tough as nails and has a very high pain
tolerance. She needs a little extra help."
She showed me how to use it. By the way, he could and would do a 198
point
routine when he wanted. The next day he would jump out of the ring to
lick a
child's ice cream cone and then jump back in the ring to beautifully
finish
the off lead exercise. While at the school, I was taking a class on
recalls
and he came to me than kept running. There was a lake in the distance
where
the water sports were being taugh. Wendy, in her soft spoken way
said, "On
my! He's going to take a swim." He returned about 15 minutes latter
happy as
a little clam.
Well, next class, she had him wearing a pinch. He did a well timed
lunge and
yelped. He looked at me and paid attention. He wasn't hurt just
surprised.
Now, she did say it should never be used in a beginner class. The
handler
needs to learn how to control the dog and gain control of the leash
before a
pinch is ever introduced, and there are specific ways to train using
a
pinch, since it is not allowed in OB or even on show grounds.
It has its place and I have never had to use one since. Loved that
dog.
Lee Smith
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