Should You Correct A Puppy With A Pinch Collar
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Home Family -> subcategory Pets.
Should You Use a Pinch Collar on a Puppy?
Understanding the Use of Pinch Collars
Hello, Adam!
My husband and I just got a 12-week-old white German Shepherd who is quite the handful. She can be sweet at times, but when I tell her "No," she often becomes agitated and lunges at me with her teeth bared.
I've bought a small pinch collar for her, but I'm unsure about the right fit. Removing two prongs makes it snug, but I worry it might be too tight. With only one prong out, it slides around and she keeps scratching at it. What fit is best?
The book suggests there should be enough space for half a finger under the collar. Could you clarify this?
I'm eager to teach her to obey commands like "come" without causing her distress, and it's challenging because she doesn’t see me as the leader yet. Any advice on asserting this gently but firmly would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you,
Cassidy
Advice for Cassidy
Dear Cassidy,
When I mention "half a finger space" for fitting a pinch collar, I mean there should be approximately ¼ inch of space between the prong and the dog's neck. It's easier to measure by feeling with your finger than using a ruler.
Why Consider a Pinch Collar?
While I generally don't recommend pinch collars for most puppies, some may require them if they don't respond to distraction or verbal commands. Puppies can sometimes be overly nippy, leading to bites that can be painful for owners. If other techniques from my book aren’t working, a small pinch collar might be necessary.
Are Puppies Too Young for Pinch Collars?
No, puppies are not too young for correction if they're biting too hard. They may be too young for formal obedience training, which should start around 4 to 5 months, but not for learning boundaries. If a puppy bites its mother too hard, she will correct it by biting its neck, which is painful but not harmful. This natural correction teaches them not to repeat the behavior.
The pinch collar serves as a similar corrective tool.
Practical Tips for Using Pinch Collars
When using the collar for correction, apply common sense. Just like driving a car, the intensity of the correction should match the puppy's behavior. Start with a gentle correction and observe the response. If the puppy continues to bite, strengthen the correction slightly until she understands.
Remember, the aim is not to cause distress but to teach. Try offering your hand again after a correction; if she bites again, it means the first correction wasn’t effective.
That's all for now, folks!
Adam
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