Leash Training

[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by Gizmo's mom

You can call me "warm and fuzzy" if you want, and I'm not saying any of you who do use choke collars carefully without hurting the dog are horrible people or anything, but I think they sound awful.

Your aren't a "warm fuzzy" and I mean this in the most understanding and compassionate way possible - you just don't know any better.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a PETA hippie or anything (um, no offense to any PETA members here). I eat meat, I wear leather, and I gave up trying to find decent shampoo that doesn't test on animals. I have no problem lightly smacking the dog on the rump or tapping her on the nose to enforce a "no."

Both of which are not good ways to deal with a corgi puppy to enforce no. I'll lend you 3 year old boys and a 7 month old puppy here now in rescue and in anyone of them the results of that type correction can be seen.

But I think some of the things we do to our four-legged "best friends" are sometimes really horrific. Declawing, tail-docking-- I'm not quite putting choke collars in that catagory, but they're out of the question for me (and I hope newcorgiowner agrees with me).

IF you are anti-docking then why choose a breed that is docked? And how can you saw tail-docking is horrific? What is your background, knowledge and experience of how this is done? Or even come close to equating a training tool/mechanism to that?

No, Gizmo does not need to have a choke collar used on her <IMO>. What I have been trying to stress to Michael is that they are out of favor with general training circles here and that they should not be the first recommendation to a new puppy owner in the States when it comes to leash breaking. What might be the first collar I would grab to begin leash training a puppy is not necessarily the one I would suggest to you. The advice I might give to someone beginning in conformation (and yes chokers are the collar of choice in the conformation ring), is not the same as I might give to Gizmo's mom. A competitive obedience class is not going to be the same as an obedience class being taught in the local Petco - there are different interests, motivations, agendas and reasons as to why the individuals are there. Advice should be geared to interest and need of the individual posing the question. <IMHO>

We're not going to show her, we do plan to enroll her in obedience classes when she's had her shots, so I don't think it's really necessary at all.

Not necessary at all for you to use a choke type collar on her. What I would like for individuals reading this thread to come away with is this; that some of the now ostracized training tools seen as great evils today are NOT necessarily so. They are tools, just like hammers and pliers and screwdrivers - all of them might be used to drive in a nail, but one is going to work better than others for that particular task. I'd like forum members to keep an open mind and realize one size does NOT fit all. Linda and Cody's first obedience class gave her one perspective. She's got that foundation and being exposed to another one now. A third class will add more perspective. She can take all this information and use what she needs to most effectively work with Cody. Down the road when she gets another puppy and begins with it, she might find the things which worked really well with Cody, might not work with this new pup at all. The things Cody didn't respond to, the new pup might take to like a duck takes to water.

For Gizmo, you might want to look into using a harness with her. That might be a good option/compromise on her leash "issues." Obedience classes will be wonderful for her and for you & NCO. Given the antics she's still pulling with being on leash, it sounds as if she is blossoming into a real pistol.

[Jhemphill]

Speaking of Collars and leashes. HOw many people use a harness on their Corgis and do you use a retractable leash or regular leash that does not retract? Just curious, I have never had a dog that could not slip a regular collar if they wanted to, we have a regular collar, as for things we do for our Corgis Maxi's regular collar is a leather Coach collar that my daughter got him for Christmas, and a choke collar that we use only when he has to be on a lead. It seems to work fine and we are careful to make sure that it is not tight on his neck, but it is there in case he gets frightened and tries to make a break for it. Not sure if he would tolerate a harness.

[darci]

I used a harness for a short time with Darci, but changed to a collar ( cant remember why ). So both Egan and Darci have collars.

We also use retractable leashes but I dont really like them I think it's easier to control them with a regular nylon type leash, just havent changed yet.

[KatC]

Maximus would probably tolerate one of the light harnesses. Abby does not like the more expensive (gift from friend) heavy one - bit like being in a straight jacket. She always wears her harness in the car. Pick the harness up and she is immediately sitting with a happy gleam in her eye knowing that she is GOING OUT. As mentioned in the thread on Puppy Walking, I used a lead on this harness in conjunction with a lead on her collar when training her, as she was so frightened of the collar leash.

She is OK now with the collar leash only, but does occasionally pull the collar off when she stops very suddenly and I dont. However you have much more control with the neck collar rather than the harness.

I carrry a retractable leash, but only use it when we are in an open area - Abby loves it. I usually attach this to her harness. If you are thinking of buying a retractable leash, look for one with a very strong breaking strain !!! and a stop leash lock !!!! A determined fast moving Corgi is very powerful force.

I would not use a retractable leash with a choker chain.

[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by Jhemphill

Speaking of Collars and leashes. HOw many people use a harness on their Corgis and do you use a retractable leash or regular leash that does not retract?

I used a harness on my 56 pounder rescue corgi - she had no neck and no collar would stay on her. A rescue I had with megaesophagus, we used a harness sometimes with him. We use a harness at herding - just kind of depends on the dog and its needs. Puppies can do well on them.

Retractable leads - only use them in open areas and when I have a dog that needs to stretch its legs such as when they've been cooped up at a dog show for example. I hate nothing more than to be walking down an aisle at PetsMart and have dog at the end of a flexi-lead come running around the end of another aisle - owner nowhere in site. PetsMart and places like that - I use a four foot regular lead w/any dog I have there. Walking in the neighborhood - I'll use a 6 foot regular lead. I have some leather leads I use for certain classes, an assortment of show leads and collars.

we have a regular collar, as for things we do for our Corgis Maxi's regular collar is a leather Coach collar that my daughter got him for Christmas, and a choke collar that we use only when he has to be on a lead.

Whoa, Maxi IS a well dressed fellow!!!! I know people who use both. Identification is attached to the buckle/regular collar and the leash attached to the choke. A little extra security can't hurt.

Debbie

[corgimom]

Oh my, a 56 pound Corgi - how sad - what is it with people not being able
to resist stuffing anything and everything into their mouths.

lina

[Michael Romanos]

Debbie - you've seen too much. A 56 pound Corgi - didn't you or someone several months ago, discuss a 58 pound Corgi - and a Cardi who had 17 pups.

If those enormous Corgis lived in Windy Wellington, they would be blown away in a regular gale just like a balloon.

[glencorgi]

The 56 pound girl was the result of not keeping cat food out of reach and sharing of gravy biscuits. I posted a link to photos of a 70 pound corgi in the past <http://www.honeyfoxcorgis.com/faq-feeding.htm>. (Her new/current owner was at the TN corgi picnic Bonnie and today Reba is a known affectionately as Reba the Svelte.) Corgi rescue in Colorado had another 70 pound one, but the largest one yet was covered in a news story and was from down under Michael!

The Cardigan litter of 17 was also from downunder - Australia to be exact. 14 survived. Now what was it you were saying about US litters?

Wise dog show mentors told me the day one has seen everything in dogs is either the day one dies or one gets out of dogs.

Debbie

[corgimom]

Dogs do love cat food - my cats are not free fed, but are fed 2 meals daily and Cody does not get any of it. I remember the picture of the 70 pound Corgi; I had to take a glance at her again - I have no idea how that poor thing even moved.

Linda

[CorgiMum]

Originally Posted by glencorgi

PetsMart and places like that - I use a four foot regular lead w/any dog I have there. Walking in the neighborhood - I'll use a 6 foot regular lead. I have some leather leads I use for certain classes, an assortment of show leads and collars.
Debbie

I do not use or personally like the Flxi Leads, that is beacuse the majority of people that I have seen with them, do not know how to use them. They can be dangerous to the handler, cut fingers, and can tangle up a dog fairly quickly if not rectacted properly.

I walk with my dog and have never felt the need to use anything other than a 4 ft or 6 ft leather lead, unless we are out in a field and then I use a flat woven 40ft lead to let the dogs romp out safely.

I've never tried a harness on any of my dogs.

People walking their dog on a flexi, into my dog, while it is extended is a particular pet peeve of mine. Even more so than the ones that let the dog out far enough to let him deficate, and then pretend they don't see that a clean up is needed.

Climbing off of my Flexi Lead saopbox now.

[grnrom]

I use just a normal nylon collar and a nylon leash. No problems here. I have a 6ft leash that I use. Rarely will I ever walk with Darwin with 6ft slack. I am trainig him to walk at my side. He is doing just fine with that. I dont want to be a dog owner with an out of control dog. I see them all the time and it is just not safe. The dog could get seriously hurt or ran over by a car. There is a dog in my neighborhood that walks next to his owner all the time. He does what she says even with all the distractions around and the dog is never on a leash. That is just awesome to see.
With regards to the choke collar, it's working great with Darwin. If there are other ways that are working without a choke collar, that's cool, too.

[Jane Austen]

I find a flex leash very convenient for the type of terrain (roadside) where I do a lot of walking with Duchess. I let her roam and smell into the bushes. I had never used one (B.D.)before Duchess. But this discussion has opened my eyes to the downside of it's use in more crowded circumstances.

[darci]

Jane,
I agree...
Where I walk , big yard and very quite neighborhood the flex is fine.
But I think in crowds, stores, vet office I will be using 4 ft leash ( non flexi ).

[CorgiMum]

Originally Posted by grnrom

There is a dog in my neighborhood that walks next to his owner all the time. He does what she says even with all the distractions around and the dog is never on a leash. That is just awesome to see.

Yes it is! And good for you for setting that goal for you and Darwin. The walking I mean, not the dog being off leash. That is dangerous, and that does not prove to anyone that the dog is leash trained.

[corgimom]

I agree with you Barbara,

To me no matter how good a dog obeys, to be walking on streets without a leash seems too dangerous to me - all it takes is one driver to swerve and there one would be with their dog and no real way to control it to get it out of the way .

Linda