Finger Pinch
If you correct a puppy with a pinch collar?
Hello, Adam!
My husband and I recently purchased a white German shepherd. She is 12 weeks old today and quite a handful. Sometimes it can be so sweet, but other times it is actually quite vicious.
Well, I do not know if it is vicious the right word, but when I say "No!" she just gets more agitated and lunges at me with teeth exposed.
I have a small pinch collar since she is a puppy, but I have a question about how to fit. When I take two forks is snug against the neck and it worries me very tight. When I only take one points out, a kind of slide by the neck a little and constantly scratches and circles around your neck and does not stand still. What is the right fit?
She is really a handful and I think the pinch collar is a great tool, but I want to make sure it is well not to cause any discomfort.
You say in the book that you should be able to slide your finger through there, but I guess I'm just confused as to how adjustment should be judged.
Please help! I'm afraid my time is running out to look to start to obey. She sees me as the alpha dog quite yet and is very frustrating to be with her for long periods of time. I say "Duchess, come" that only comes when he feels like. With the pinch collar, what is the best way to ensure that she comes every time you call? I do not want to walk by pulling on the neck, but at the same time she needs me to respect. Any advice that I can provide to make sure she sees me as the boss would be very useful!
Thanks,
Cassidy
Dear Cassidy:
When I refer "half of a toe room" in terms of accommodating the pinch collar, what I mean is:
– If the average person's finger is ½ inch wide, then there should be approximately ¼ inch of space between the end of the stem and skin of the dog's neck.
So, why what I just said, "1 / 4 inch of space? Because it is easier to judge by sticking your finger under the legs of what is breaking the old school rule secondary.
Many of you (newsletter subscribers) are no doubt wondering why I would recommend a pinch collar for a puppy. And my answer is: I'm not. At least not for most puppies.
But there are some puppies that will not answer a simple or verbal, "No." They bite and cause puncture wounds in the legs and arms, if not corrected for this behavior. Therefore, if you have tried other methods to try to "tweak puppy" I have described in the book, then you will have to move to a small pinch collar. (Also described in the book.)
"But there are too young people for a pinch collar? "You're probably thinking.
The answer is: No.
They are too young for training formal obedience. (IE, sit, down, Come, Heel, House). [This should begin when you see the adult teeth come in. .. in about 4-5 months old.]
But a puppy should be corrected to bite … if you've found that to divert attention to a chew toy or other activity is not working.
Why? Because the mother dog would not allow the puppy to bite. If the dog bites too hard, which in turn, and bite the puppies neck.
From the perspective of puppies, it hurts.
However, no harm.
And that is why the puppy does not decide to bite the dog mama. Because it feels good.
This is the same reason it is well to correct a puppy to bite too hard on the pinch collar. The pinch collar dog repeats the mother.
Trust me on this: I've seen 11 week old Rottweiler puppy and 10 week old Jack Russell terrier had bitten through (literally) to their owners with their fingers in the form of needle teeth. The owners are about to mourn with the idea that they may have to put your puppy to sleep. They have tried all the rubbish mindless reading dog magazines.
Things like shouting in a loud voice. Or put the puppy in the cage. Or give the dog back. But none of that works in a puppy that he intends to bite as hard as you can in your soft, human flesh.
Getting back on track … By correcting the puppy, just use the common sense. Just because your car can accelerate to 140 mph, does not mean you should or need to drive fast. The same applies to the pinch collar. If you are a adult who can use reason and common sense, then you should be able to adapt the level of adequate correction match the temperament of your dog.
How to do this? You test.
If you correct the puppy to bite, the next should immediately offered his hand again. If you immediately he bites again … so now we know that the correction was not significant.
That's all for now folks!
Adam
About the Author
Adam G. Katz is the author of the book, “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer: An Insider’s Guide To The Most Jealously Guarded Dog Training Secrets In History.” Get a free copy of his report “Games To Play With Your Dog” when you sign up for his free weekly dog training tips e-zine at: http://www.dogproblems.com
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