Archive for the ‘Dog Collars’ Category
The Risks Of Using Invisible Fences In Your Yard
For stopping your dog from fence-jumping, sometimes it is effective to erect an inner fence to interfere with the animal's approach to the barrier. In some cases, an inner fence of only 30 inches has proved to be effective. If the dog climbs the main barrier, an inward-slanting overhang can be installed along the top of the wall. You can save the expense of raising the wall by digging sunken gardens around the inside perimeter. The dry moats will interrupt the dog's approach and raised the effective height of the wall.
Corrective measures should never include shock collars, hobbles, physical punishment, electrified fences and toxic chemicals applied to the wall. Though they work in some instances, the risk of injury and adverse behavioral side effects is greater than the benefit. Complications from use of such measures to the dog have included viciousness, displaced aggression toward family, death from hanging by a collar, and self-mutilation from hobbles.
With "invisible" electronic shock fencing, an electric shock is emitted from a collar to the dog's throat if the dog crosses a wire around the perimeter of the yard. To delineate for the dog the area beyond which the dog should not pass, the perimeter is initially marked with obvious cues. The procedure requires a great deal of time and effort, and the devices are expensive, considering the electronics involved is slightly more sophisticated than a remote control garage door opener.
While manufacturers and adherents of the "invisible" fencing devices claim many successes to using this method, the system cause very serious drawbacks relative to safety of the dog and possible trespassers. These dangers warrant careful consideration, since there may be heavy legal consequences should serious injury to passersby occur. There is also the danger that a frustrated, electronically confined aggressive dog may redirect or displace his anger and frustration and turn on his family.
Aggressive stray dogs or malicious people are free to attack or harass the electrically confined dog. The conditioned pain and frustration associated with the perimeter may also be associated with passersby, including children. If the "fenced" dog feels aggressive toward outsiders and they cross the property line, the result could be unfortunate for all parties concerned. Electric shock has also been shown to induce acute stress in dogs. And stress has many undesirable side-effects, both psychological and physical, especially on their immune system.
Training Collars: Learn The Truth About Using Training Collars
Training collars are sometimes referred to as choke collars, a name that is very misleading. A training collar should never be used to choke a dog in an attempt to teach a behavior. No one - animal or human - learns anything when being choked, except to fear and dislike the individual doing the choking.
The only time it should be advocated to allow a training collar to tighten and constrict around the dog's neck is if the dog is attempting a full-fledged, vicious attack on the trainer. In this circumstance, the trainer should be using the choking procedure in a self-defense technique called "stringing the dog up." It can - and should - frighten and intimidate a dog into avoiding a future attack.
When a training collar is used properly, it will jerk and release without any choking effect. Most of the force will hit the dog on the back of the neck. This area and the chest are the strongest parts of a dog's body. The purpose of the jerk and release on the collar is to correct the dog. When performed correctly, it will cause a disagreeable feeling but will not hurt or injure your dog.
The art of jerking and releasing effectively comes with practice. The quick release is the key element. You may want to begin by practicing on something other than your dog. Place the training collar on a doorknob or on your arm. Attach the leash or place your finger through the ring where the leash would go. Jerk and quickly let go. You should hear the collar make a zipping sound.
Some elements of dog training are difficult to learn from a book, magazine, or article, and this is one of them. Only practical experience will do the job. Practice the quick release with the training collar over your arm until you feel confident you understand the procedure. Be assured that no one is born with dog training skills.
A training collar must be used properly to ensure a proper correction. First, the collar must be put on the dog correctly. It must not be put on upside down. If it is, the brunt of the jerk will hit the dog in the trachea, which could damage the dog's throat and create a chronic cough. Also, when the collar is upside down it will not release properly. Rather, it will constrict around the dog's neck, applying pressure on the throat. This can choke the dog.
Second, the collar must fit properly. A training collar should fit around the dog's neck with enough room to slide your hand between your dog's neck and the collar easily. When the collar is on the dog's neck, put your finger through the ring where the leash will attach. Gently pull up on the ring until the collar tightens to fit snugly. (Do not choke your dog.) There should not be more than three inches of excess chain. If the collar is too long, it will not release properly.
When you purchase a training collar, try to find a store that will allow you to take your dog in with you. This will make the job of obtaining a correct fit much easier. Walking into a pet store without your dog and looking at a rack of collars can be baffling. Picking the correct size collar would be like trying to guess how many jellybeans are in a jar.