If you have a question about our classes that
is not answered on this web site, please send your question to
our team of trainers - click here.
We
use a choke chain, which must be fitted to the dog, and a six
foot leather leash, with a bolt clip. We no longer allow training
with other clips on the leash because the dog can get loose during
training. These are available at your local pet stores or are
at class.
Please do not attempt to use a metal leash to train - it will
hurt your hand - or a retractable leash. Nylon leashes may be
used (with the bolt clip) but they are also rough on your hands.
To keep your dog from chewing on the leash (or other objects),
use a bitter spray on it, such as Bitter
Apple,
which may be purchased at your local pet store.
Remove all other collars, bandanas, etc. before training. They
can get tangled in the training collar and interfere with the
training.
To put the chain on your dog, first hold it out horizontally,
and then drop a loop through one of the end rings. The chain
will form the letter ‘P’.
Photo - Leash and collar (note the bolt clip)
Photo - Making the 'P'
Now make your dog stand to your left side. Then place the
chain over his head so that the long portion of the chain,
which is the straight part of the ‘P’,
lies across the top of the neck.
When you want to train your
dog on the right side, just reverse the chain.
Photo - Applying the collar
Photo - The collar placed correctly on the dog
A choke chain must be jerked quickly and released immediately. It is meant
to grab the dog’s attention and surprise it too. It must not be held
too tightly. It could cause slow strangulation if the dog is held for too long
and dragged around by it.
When you use a choke chain correctly, it feels like
someone pulling you up short by your suspenders and then letting go. The choke
chain gives the owner a high degree of control. It allows you to communicate
quickly and clearly with your dog. He will know what is correct and what is
not.
A choke chain must be used to only correct your dog. It is not a method
of punishment or an instrument of torture. It should not be used as a method
of retraining your dog either. It must be removed after a training session
is over.
Never leave the choke chain on the dog at all times. If the chain gets entangled,
the dog could get strangled. The choke chain must be used only for training
sessions and that too when you are there to control the chain. Never leave
a choke chain on a dog that is unsupervised or running around loose.
Always keep another collar on your dog when it is not being
trained, with name and phone number! If your dog gets lost
(and they do!) this is the only way someone can contact you
if they find your dog.
[Microchipping is
the best way for a vet or animal shelter to
identify your dog. Collars tags are essential, but they can
fall off or become damaged.
[Technology has made it possible
to equip your pet with a microchip for permanent identification.
A microchip costs between $20 and $30, with registration.
[Click here for
more information about microchipping your pets.]
One person should train the dog for at least the first six weeks.
Dogs
are pack animals, and there is always a “leader of
the pack” in the wild. The dog will look for the pack leader
in your family and learn to obey them first. You should determine
who is to be the dog's “pack leader” before you
start training, and be consistent with this until they have
learned the basic commands.
Dogs also learn from repetition, correction
and praise, with consistency throughout the training.
You must
project a calm confidence when training, as well as assertiveness.
You are the boss and you know it!
