View Full Version : Warning about spoke training collars for dogs...
Under guidance of a trainer, we usually use Spoke type training collars for our two huskies. We bought a spoke style training collar (designed for 100-150lb dogs) from petco awhile back, which had a clip to unhook it, rather than squeezing the prongs together to undo the collar.
Yesterday, we took the dogs out for a walk by the lake here, with the intent of taking some wintertime photos. Our big male husky, Casper, was on one of these spoke collars. Mike took him down to the dock to get some photos, and the next thing he knew, the spoke collar snapped, and Casper jumped off the dock into the ice covered lake.
After 30 min of panic, firefighters, police and ignorant bystanders, we finally got Casper out of the water. He was cold, but his fat and winter fur kept him warm and safe. Took him to a vet just to be sure, they said he's fine.
So just a warning to those of you who use the spoke collars for your dogs! We are no longer using spoke collars at all, we're going to use full harnesses from now on. MUCH safer!
Wow...glad everything turned out okay.
I tried using those things many years ago when I got my second Great Dane, because he was already 2 years old and barely trained at all.I found out pretty quickly that they break easily.
I know you know this, Cat, but for anyone who doesn't, any type of pinch collar or choke chain collar is designed to be used ONLY during training sessions, for a quick correction when on the lead. It drives me crazy when I see dogs wearing a choke chain as a matter of course during the day instead of a regular collar. If the dog gets snagged on something, a choke collar will do just that, choke the dog, and as he struggles frantically to get free, he can be seriously hurt if there's nobody around to intervene.
I'm so glad your dog is OK, Cat. How scary for you.
Wow. I'm so glad everything's ok!
We've never had a problem with these breaking, ever. I've had my dogs on leashes with these collars as they're barking and lunging towards other dogs, and no breakage...even though they've practically taken me down trying to rein them back in. Maybe it depends on the quality of the collar? Ours are all pretty heavy-duty gauge.
The one I used was heavy-duty, but I think some of them are made with inadequate closure at the link- in other words, the link became disengaged, rather than the metal breaking.
I think the best answer is to be a fanatic about training the dog to obey your commands. When I was single, my dogs were really well-trained, but since aquiring my "significant other," my efforts at training are sabotaged by Daddy. He says, "Oh, quit trying to make him into a robot!" and then spoils them rotten. BAD DADDY, BAD!!!
bearded-one
12-19-2008, 11:31
My personal preferance is the Martingdale collars. They often use them for Greyhounds who are known to pull incesantly. They are an all fabric collar that restricts but can only do so a couple inches or so. The more they pull the harder it would be for them to get out of it. After reading some reports about necropsys done on dogs who had both choke and prong collars used and the scar tissue found I'm just not willing to do that to clyde. It's either the gentle lead or the martingdale.
Adams Family
12-19-2008, 11:45
Wow.. so glad the Husky is ok.
Sound like u all had a scary day!
My personal preferance is the Martingdale collars. They often use them for Greyhounds who are known to pull incesantly. They are an all fabric collar that restricts but can only do so a couple inches or so. The more they pull the harder it would be for them to get out of it. After reading some reports about necropsys done on dogs who had both choke and prong collars used and the scar tissue found I'm just not willing to do that to clyde. It's either the gentle lead or the martingdale.
If you take him to a basic obedience class it will do wonders. They train both the dog and the owner to walk without pulling, and best of all, they learn how to behave around other dogs.
I had the worst problem with my dogs spitting and lunging and barking at other dogs when we would pass by. I finally realized my mistake: I was letting them walk ahead of me. I got short leashes, and now they walk right @ my side. No problems anymore. :)
....I was letting them walk ahead of me. I got short leashes, and now they walk right @ my side..... :)
No forging! Bad dog!
GOOD BOY.........
You know, I'm starting to realize that I'm going stir crazy.
You know, I'm starting to realize that I'm going stir crazy.
You are just realizing that? ;)
(sorry, couldn't help myself ... I will go punish myself somehow)
You are just realizing that? ;)
(sorry, couldn't help myself ... I will go punish myself somehow)
Thank you- please post the punishment so I can enjoy it!
Thank you- please post the punishment so I can enjoy it!
I will deny myself chocolate for one week. :(
My personal preferance is the Martingdale collars. They often use them for Greyhounds who are known to pull incesantly.
Greyhounds pull just as much as other dogs, but the main reason you use a martingale on them is that their pointy little heads are narrower than their necks. :) Meaning, they can easily back out of any regular collar.
My greys have loose tag collars they wear all the time, and then an assortment of ridiculously fancy martingales with matching leashes.
Jennifer
I will deny myself chocolate for one week. :(
No, no!! I can't have that on my conscience. Not at Christmastime with snow on the ground. I absolve you of your offence and urge you to go eat some chocolate and drink hot cocoa right away.
Greyhounds pull just as much as other dogs, but the main reason you use a martingale on them is that their pointy little heads are narrower than their necks. :) Meaning, they can easily back out of any regular collar.
My greys have loose tag collars they wear all the time, and then an assortment of ridiculously fancy martingales with matching leashes.
Jennifer
You think they're tough? Try putting a collar on a fat little pug.
redlilly
12-29-2008, 09:38
Oh the ice part is so scary. I would have freaked out to the max.
One word of advice from someone who tried... DO NOT USE A HARNESS!! ESPECIALLY ON A PULLING DOG LIKE A HUSKY! The way harnesses fit, it allows the dog to be able to pull even harder. Just get a proper fitting collar and a good leash, not a retractable one. If pulling is an issue, there is a collar we trained with that goes around the muzzle of the dog and attaches around the neck to keep it secure, if the dog tries to pull, it pulls on the front of his face, turning his head to the side. A dog will not pull with it's head twisted around to one side. Prong collars are great, as are choke collars for training sessions, not for general walking. If you need any help training stubborn dogs like huskies, let me know, my wife and I trained our 2 Akitas to the point they were awarded the Canine Good Citizen Award back in 05. Here they are while practicing for their tests.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b66/bmb527/000_0097.jpg
Bill
What a couple of cutie-pies!
I think training is essential for dogs, and not just casual training around the house but a training class with other dogs, taught by professionals who can pick up on any mistakes you make and give you feed-back. A well-trained dog heels when on lead, and doesn't need to be yelled at and tugged back all the way down the street.
A well-trained dog heels when on lead, and doesn't need to be yelled at and tugged back all the way down the street.
Amen. It definitely took some work with 2 of our dogs in that department, but now they all heel like champs. I can't tell you how many times I've had to put my dogs in a sit-stay while I grab someone else's dog that's gotten away from their person and come running towards us. The problem most every time is inadequate collars &/or leashes. Quite often, it's one of those flimsy retractable leashes on the other end of a 90+lb dog. :rolleyes: At least with the little ones I can just scoop them up.
Misskiwi67
01-03-2009, 22:06
After my boxer mix broke a heavy duty choke chain to run into a yard with two aggressive labradors (gotta love invisible fences!) I have become a HUGE fan of the gentle leader.
Get the video that goes with it though... it requires special training techniques and special fitting, and just like anything else, if you train incorrectly, you won't have ANY success at all.
I hate invisible fences. Some dogs have very high pain thresholds and simply don't care, if the motivation to cross it is strong enough.
Choke collars were never designed to be restraints. They were designed to be used with a simple, QUICK, corrective jerk on the lead, followed by praise immediately as the dog quits forging, or sniffing, or pulling, or whatever. They should not be on the dog if the dog is not in an active training session.
It's actually dangerous to the dog to keep one on him as a regular collar, because if he snags it on something, he can start to choke, and in his ensuing panic he can really injure himself.
onebadrr
01-03-2009, 22:29
I hate invisible fences. Some dogs have very high pain thresholds and simply don't care, if the motivation to cross it is strong enough.
My friends german shepherd/rott mix followed us 6 blocks with his collar going off. We let him in the truck and the dog was so happy he caught us, but you could hear his collar going "beep beep beep beep beep"
I just think they are accidents waiting to happen. The other thing that I think is creepy is the bark collar- I knew someone who used one on her dog and the dog became very agitated and unpredictable- she was afraid it would hurt the kids so she found an adults-only home for it. Later they discovered that the collar didn't work properly and was randomly shocking the dog for no reason.
There's just no substitute for good old fashioned training. The problem is that we humans are lazy and never want to put in the time required to really train a dog well.
dalvers63
01-04-2009, 12:22
I hate invisible fences. Some dogs have very high pain thresholds and simply don't care, if the motivation to cross it is strong enough.
They work for SOME dogs, but not all. If you have a dog that likes to run, they won't even feel the shock as the zip across the barrier. For dogs that are not so fast it works. Our Molli would be over the line and gone faster than she knew what hit her.
As Cecilia says, and I agree wholeheartedly, there's nothing that replaces good training for a happy and healthy pack (both human AND dog).
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