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Originally Posted by Jeni D
I've read the article on "being like a tree" and we have been working on that for a week or two now with some improvement. Then, I came across a thread on different collars you could use. I really considered a harness, but then everyone kept mentioning the martingale collar. So, my questions are: How do you use it? Do you put it on the same way as a traditional collar? Does it cause any harm to the dog? Any tips/tricks to using it successfully?
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Ok, here's my opinion, first, IMO you don't need to change collars you need to change your method. Teach him to heel. Teach him "easy" or "no pulling" Teach him the right way to walk. It can be done on any collar.
And better than being a tree is changing direction. Yeah, he'll fall off balance a few times, but he'll get the message. (My mom is a nut and I have to keep a close eye on her as she never knows where she's going.) When he gets suprised you just say something like "what happened? You'd better watch me."
As for harnesses, well, they allow a dog to pull even more. IMO a harness should only be used for a dog that can't wear a collar due to a neck injury. Harnesses do not give you as much control as a collar.
Martingale collars are ok, but won't be a magic cure all for teaching a dog to walk on a leash properly. They can pull with a martengale just as much as they can with a buckle collar. (And I prefer the limited slip collars myself.)
For training I prefer a training collar, aka "choke" collar. Used properly they do not choke a dog and are a great training tool.
You might consider obedience classes too. Those would be a great help for you and teach him to walk nicley as well as sit and stay, etc.
Peggy