Training Using the Pinch Collar

The pinch collar (also known as a prong collar) is a great training device. It can effectively teach your dogs commands such as down, sit, heel, stay and come. It has many benefits if used properly. At first glance many people get the wrong impression of the pinch collar; they consider it to be a cruel torturing device. Before you jump to these harsh conclusions there are some things you should know and understand.

The pinch collar is not as scary as it looks, in fact the dog is already familiar with what it does. Consider this, when dogs are young puppies the mother will nip the skin around their neck. This will not be hard enough to injure her pup, it will simply pinch the skin. She does this to correct any bad behaviors that she does not approve of.

When a pup goes to the bathroom in their sleeping area, the mother will correct the pup. She will also do this when she feels it is time for her pups to stop breast feeding. The pinch collar is simply continuing on the training methods of the mother. Your dog remembers this feeling and knows that it means he/she has done something wrong.

Studies have been done that showed using a normal nylon collar on an untrained dog can cause damage to the neck and trachea. An untrained dog will pull on the leash and you will hear them gasping for air. If a dog experiences this for a long time, it can cause irreversible damage. A pinch collar will not cause this damage. This is because if the dog starts to pull they will feel a correction; which is the pinch.

It is important to know the proper way to use a pinch collar. It should never be used forcefully or out of anger. It is a very useful training device when used responsibly. When you buy a pinch collar for your dog, look on the package and pick the one for your size of dog. Using a large pinch collar on a small dog will not work, and can cause damage to your dog. Just like using a small pinch collar on a large dog will do nothing and not be effective.

Pinch collars are made of multiple links which allow them to move into each other creating the pinch. Therefor one size does not fit all. There should be room to fit 2 fingers between your dogs neck and the collar. This will allow for the proper motions of the links to create the pinch, also having it too tight would be uncomfortable for your dog.

To train a dog using a pinch collar you will give a correction when a command is not obeyed. A correction is is a downwards jerk of the leash. This is what will cause the links to move together and pinch your dog. If a pinch collar is used properly corrections will not need to be given often, because the dog will learn quickly.

Training with a pinch collar requires consistency. If you choose to sometimes correct and others not; your dog will not know why they are being corrected. You must have a command to give with an exact result in mind and correct every time your dog disobeys. Always use the pinch collar with consistency and you will be able to have a dog who can; sit, heel, stay, down and come on command. The possibilities of what you can train your dog to do is endless.

A pinch collar offers a healthy way to train your dog. If it is used responsibly it is a very effective training device. When using the pinch collar there is no need to give food as a reward for obedience, praise will be healthier and more effective . Training creates a great bonding opportunity, use it to build a life long friendship between you and your canine companion.