Dog Training Tools How to Choose the Right Dog Training Tools
- on 03.01.10
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Having the right dog training tools will make a huge difference in your success as a dog owner. Choose the wrong tools, and you can end up with more dog problems. The wrong equipment or tools used the wrong way can make your dog uncomfortable and distressed, which is not conducive to training.
There are some things to consider first.
1. The breed of dog (size, strength, physical peculiarities)
2. Your dog’s level of training
3. The purpose (walking, playing, unsupervised restraint)
Most likely, you will need more than one leash and collar. If in doubt, ask your dog supply provider which is best for your needs. For specialized collars as those needed for agility training, seek the advice of a dog training professional to be sure you get the right information.
Flat Collar
These come in varying styles and are made from leather, nylon or other fabric. A proper fit allows you to slide two fingers between the dog’s neck and the collar. This particular style does not give you much control and can be slipped off easily by dogs that are determined to be free. It is the best choice for young puppies because they are not yet at the stage when strong correction or restraint is necessary.
Choke Chain
The choke chain is usually made from links of chain with a large ring on each end. The chain is slipped through one of the rings to form a loop that is then slid on over the dog’s neck. When the chain is pulled, it tightens on the dog’s throat encouraging it to stop pulling. It’s effectiveness lies in how the handler applies any correction. However, as a training tool, it is one of the worst choices.
Some dogs learn to ignore the choking and pull anyway. If the chain is allowed to hang loosely, it can fall over the dog’s head when he sniffs the ground.
It is essential that the choke chain be put on and used correctly, otherwise injuries to the dog’s throat and neck can occur. If it is put on backwards, the chain will not tighten and release properly as it is tightened.
The Halter
The halter is one of the better dog training tools because there is little if any chance of harming your dog. This style fits over the dog’s muzzle like a horse halter, giving you control over your dog’s head. It is great for redirecting your dog’s attention, especially if your dog tends to become focused on what he wants to do rather than on what you want him to do.
There are other collars available that are designed for agility training and other types of activities. You want to make sure you have the right one so there is no risk of your dog’s collar getting caught and causing injury.
As with any dog training tools, a collar alone will not provide training. You must put your dog through the proper lessons and use the collar as a tool, otherwise you will have a dog that walks fine with the collar, but has little to no obedience without it.
Francis N. Tressler
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/dog-training-tools-how-to-choose-the-right-dog-training-tools-697285.html
Some crate questions. ?
It’s me again – more questions in preparation for my coming rotti pup.
I have yet to choose a crate.
I’ve read that it’s not good to get rid of or stop using a crate, even after it’s served it’s purpose as a training tool. This makes sense to me, of course – the crate is supposed to serve as a safe, den-like space. However, my dogs have always been right up in the bed and/or furniture with me, which is where I like them to be. I’ve found that dogs who are crated, at least those I’ve met, continue to prefer their crate as a resting area, rather than beside their owner. So, question one for those of you who do or have crated their dogs. If they aren’t confined to the crate at night (after house broken, of course), do they stick near you or choose the crate? And during the day when they’re out?
Another thing I’m having trouble deciding is plastic or wire. My cats often climb up onto the rabbit and ferret cages and sleep there. I suspect they’d do the same on a wire crate, and I’m uncertain if this would bother the dog. However, with where I will be putting the crate, no light will get into the crate through the sides and possibly not much through the front, and wonder if it would bother to dog to be in the dark like that. Also, my room can be somewhat warm, as I house my reptiles in there as well. With the wire crate, there’d be more ventilation and I don’t think it would be unusually warm where it would be situated. With the plastic, it seems like there would be less air flow and I worry about it getting uncomfortably warm. What sort of setting is your crate in during the day?
It’s going to cost around a hundred dollars or more, whichever crate I get. Obviously, the pup is going to grow quite large, and if I’m going to continue making the crate available after he’s housebroken, I’ll need something much bigger than what he’d use as a puppy. Rather than buy two, I was wondering if there’s a good way to divide a large crate, so that I can buy one big enough to last. This question is more for those with large dogs – did you start with a smaller crate, or a large? Why?
Some say not to put food or water in the crate, some say do, and some say just one or the other. Which is it? The longest he will be in the crate, besides at night, is just over three hours (I leave at quarter to nine and get back around five after twelve for lunch, at which time he will be immediately taken out). I would obviously remove anything at night, but am uncertain about the best choice for during the day. Do you make food or water available in your crate? Have you always done that? Why/why not?
These probably sound a bit silly, but I’ve never even considered crating a dog before. Those I know who do crate their dogs have had little success in other areas (the dogs jump, chew, and/or have poor obedience skills), so I don’t want to rely on their answers either. I’ll probably be back with more questions, but this is all that’s come to mind right now.
I use a large wire crate that can be divided in sections. It is also collapsible for easy storage or transport. It has a large plastic base that is very easy to clean. I leave the door open all the time except if I have to be gone. I do place a food and water dish in the corner as I think they are more comfortable being able to eat and drink when they feel like it. I also put chew toys in for them to play with. During the day my dogs will go in there and lay down when they want to get away or there is to much noise. I really don’t care a lot for most plastic carriers because I think they are to dark and confining and I think they are difficult to keep clean and I think the dog becomes to warm in them because the ventilation isn’t very good. I have a little bed for each or my dogs near where I sleep. All but one love their beds. The other one is an older dog and she likes to lay on the bed near my legs. I don’t think your questions are silly at all. It shows me that you care and want to do what is best for your dog. It sounds like your plans should work just fine. Good luck with the latest edition to your household.
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Your questions are not silly and it is super to find someone who really asks pertinent questions which we can answer to the b est of our ability. l have always had large dogs and used folding wire crates no matter how big a puppy as it grows it will need the larger crate.At night time when y ou are house training do not put water in there.you can offer a dog biscuit or two at night before sleep that is fine.Asto where to put it that is up to you .As you know pups want to be with you all the time and although your room is warm if it is a breed that can cope with a little heat you can have it in your room if you have space or alternatively where you think is applicable.With pups l cover the crate if not in my room for privacy and so the siamese cats do not annoy the pup nor the dawn which will wake the pup earlier than you may want.Put only newspaper in the crate at first until house trained unless you are prepared to do a lot of washing and getting torn blankets.You can and l do put toys in so if pup wakes up and is bored or yelling for you and YOU DO NOT COME than it will entertain itself.When you leave pup during the day put water in the crate in a ceramic or really heavy container as they will knock it over or walk in it as you know.l have bred for 40 years was used to dogs before crates came about and we used to leave our dogs or pups in the laundry contained at night that is your choice but l can assure you the crate will never cause obediance problems or any other it only gives them thieir space and their own security blanket.Once trained my house dogs sleep wherever they l ike usually on the bed or couch or whatever but in the main wiith me on the bed except summer when it is too hot and they know to lie on the sheepskins next to the bed.Of course pups wil chew they are teething and it hurts but they outgrow this. l never feed my pups or dogs in crates it is solely used as a house breaking aid and if l go away and need the crate for the dogs l have it as most people do not want strange dogs on their beds.Food bowls should be ceramic or stainless steel not plastic as the latter is hard to clean and easily chomped by pups.The reason l do not leave water at night with pups is they will then wee in the crate as they are meant to sleep not eat or drink at night.Hope this helped and any other questions just contact
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Breeder,vet nurse,trainer
My dogs were all crate-trained and they still use them. I’ll crate them when I’m gone for more than an hour or so, and will crate any dog that I don’t trust not to get into things when I’m not around. They’ll go into their crates when the doors are open to snooze or to get away from the other dogs as well. All, however, are still more than happy to snuggle with us, lie on the couch, and sleep next to the bed.
I use wire crates in my home and at shows. They’re easy to clean, easy to see into, and look nicer than the plastic ones. If a particular dog likes a more enclosed area, I’ll cover the top or even the sides with a sheet or crate cover and leave the front open. They also fold well for travel, carrying up stairs, etc. I also have two fabric crates for hotel rooms or when visiting friends when I don’t want to carry a heavy crate along.
My dogs are in heavy-duty plastic Vari-Kennels in the car. PetPorter from Wal-Mart used to be decent, but the plastic is cheap and weak now. If you want a plastic crate, go for the Vari-Kennel. I’ve seen dogs survive some horrific car crashes in a plastic crate– it flexes and is more secure. A wire crate in a car accident will crumple and can crush or even skewer the dog on broken wires. I have two plastic crates that live permanently in the back of my SUV. When the dogs are in the car, that’s where they ride. I also like the plastic crates for young puppies being introduced to crating. They tend to feel more secure, and are much less likely to get a toe or foot caught and injure themselves while learning to accept being confined. Once they’re comfortable with the idea, they will graduate to a wire crate. If you choose a plastic crate and feel there isn’t enough airflow, set a box fan ahead of it in hot weather.
I don’t put food or water in a crate for a puppy– they’ll spill it, and some pups have drowned if they happen to get caught in the water. A puppy shouldn’t be crated long enough to require food and water in the crate. For my older dogs, I’ll hang a 1 or 1.5 quart stainless steel bucket (find them in pet supply catalogs, online, or at dog shows) with a carabiner clip with the hinge to the outside so the dog can’t catch a lip on it. All dogs in crates have collars removed.
Needless to say, I have more crates than dogs. Right now I have two smaller crates for puppies that are in the basement unused, three wire crates for in the house, three more in storage for shows, three Vari-Kennels, 2 heavy-duty fabric crates, and an x-pen.
Crates are invaluable for house training and keeping your dog safe, as well as providing your dog with his ‘own space.’ Good luck with your future puppy!
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dog owner, trainer, and show exhibitor for nearly 30 years
I have done both and now feel crate trained is the way to go.I have used a wire collapsable crate which is now stored. It was for a black lab so fairly large but still ok for a puppy. I did not keep food or water in them. Puppies until they are housebroken need to have their intake limited. If you can put the cage where it wont be so warm, I would. My dogs now sleep with me no problem an d have their own comfortable dog beds also for when I dont want them on the bed. Daily 5 to 10 minutes of training a new dog is essential. remember to praise the behavior you want immediately and never hit your dog, they dont know why you did just that you did. Puppies are the equivalent of human babies and need to be watched and even a full grown dog unless highly trained is no smarter than a 3 or 4 year old. People that drive with their windows wide open or the dog in the back of a pickup drive me nuts. That dog does NOT know better than to jump out. I use the crate for about 9 months to a year until I am sure the dog is an obdient pet.
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I have crate trained both my dogs, one is a large breed and one a small breed and after they were completely housebroke and I left the door to the crate open, they never have chosen the crate over sleeping outside it. Not once. My large dog chooses the couch and my small dog hops into bed with me.
I do not put food or water in the crate, never have. I gave the puppy a chance to drink just a little before bed and then I crated him. They don’t have strong bladder control and it’s unrealistic to expect them to hold it all through the night with a full bladder of water. Same with food, they should have regular feeding times and not near bedtime.
The crate should only be big enough for them to comfortably be able to stand up and turn around in. If it’s bigger than that, then they can just choose to go to the other end, poop or pee, and then go back to the other end.
You can divide the crate like you said if you are worried about costs.
And wire is harder to clean than plastic because you have to wipe down each rung when cleaning it, plastic you just wipe the whole thing down. They are also easier for travel and seem more comfortable for the dogs when you put a fleece blanket or something down.
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The idea of crating sounds cruel, but it’s actually good for both you and the dog. It’s a good safe haven to put your dog when you are away and cannot monitor them around the home. I use both a plastic crate and a different crated material (this one: http://www.petco.com/product/10028/PETCO-Home-and-Travel-Portable-Canvas-Crate.aspx). If you are afraid that it might get "too hot" for them, I suggest the 2nd crate. It’s expensive, but I feel comfortable with it. As far as the plastic ones go, I’ve never had a problem with it.
I crate my dogs when I am gone, but most of the time, they are free to run around as they please. It depends if you want them to sleep in their crate or with you. My oldest dog sleeps both ways, crate or with/near me. My youngest is more needy and ends up sleeping with me.
I consider the crate as their sleeping/chill out den. I don’t put water or food in the crate, as I’m afraid that they will poop or pee inside. I always make sure they get adequate water and food before putting them in the crate. Thus, the purpose of using the crate to potty train.
Crates shouldn’t be big enough for them to walk around, as they are susceptible to defecating or urinating inside. Dogs don’t pee or poop where they are sleeping. That’s how you should measure your crate. If you have a puppy, I suggest getting a wire crate then and using a divider (some are sold with one). When they get bigger, just shift the divider accordingly.
Oh yeah, I also add their favorite chew toy (something I know won’t harm them) to make them comfortable.
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i have 2 dogs
I kennels trained both my dogs. In my experience it has worked well to both my dogs and my benefit. To your first question about do they stick near you or your crate? My dogs loves nothing more then to be right next to me on my couch, on my bed or where ever I maybe. Trust me it will not change the comfort of them wanting to be with you. They will always prefer to be with there owner.
I own a plastic kennels so I don’t know how the wires one work. I got a plastic one cause I got my dog when I lived in Hawaii and to have your dogs fly they have to be in a plastic one non colapsable. The lighting of the kennels does not matter to them. During the day have your blinds open they will get plenty of light.
For the size of the crate I personally don’t think you need to have 2 just buy the large one all though they can get big it also gives them more room and makes it more comfortable for your dog. Your dog in a kennel should be able to sit up straight in the kennel and not hit the top, stand up and turn around comfortably
About the food and water for short periods of time I wouldn’t stress about if you put food in there or water but if your gone for a longer period of time you should put food and water in it for them but not alot. But I do always put a bone for them to chew on. It helps them stay occupied.
My experience with kennels has been good. While you are not home you don’t have to worry about them being destructive in your house. I did though stop useing a kennel once I trusted my dog in the house with out me or anyone else in the house. I recently got another dog which is currently in the kennel when I am not home. Was in it at night until she got that peeing in the house was a bad thing.
The people you know with little success has nothing to do with the dog being kenneled. Both my dogs are well trained and listen very well. Lately I have been getting asked by people to help train there dogs. So don’t worry this wont have a affect on your dog its all in the training your dog in that area. Hope this is helpfull
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