[Dies_Corts_21]

Hi!
I have a 1 and a half year old Yorkshire Terrier, Minature Terrier puppy called Diesel. He is a lovely dog and he wouldnt hurt a fly. He is toilet trained he is a very very good boy but the only thing is when I take him to the park he is SOOO disobeidient. He just runs off everytime he is off his lead. When he sees a dog,cat,people and the elderly. He just legs it !! But I have tried soo many times to get him back when we take him to the Park. So I have 2 go with my mum everytime I go to the park. Because I feel he should be able to have a free run around. But he cannot do that when he is with me so I HAVE 2 go with my mum which is a pain cause she is mostly busy everytime I want to take Dies for a walk!...

If any of you have any Advice please let me know

Thanks xx

[DoggyMom]

My first question to you, has your dog had any obedience training? I think you need to do reinforcement training, to train your dog to listen to you, especially on the "come" command, which from your post, he obviously doesn't listen to! I know you believe your dog should be able to run around, but I think you should keep him on the lead until he learns that running off and not listening is NOT okay. Perhaps you could find a fenced in area where he can run around freely, but you can always catch him if you need to.

[DoggyMom]

Personally, I HATE prong collars, or choke collars. I would never use the advice given in this video since he suggests using one.

[StarfishSaving]

I'm actually not against prong collars PROVIDED THAT you are using them properly and have been given adequate instructions on how to use them.

However, using prong collars on a long line is NOT "proper use." Prongs are meant for walking your dog in heel where you have utter control over both dog and collar. Using a long line, your dog can build a lot of momentum and if he hits the end of the line while wearing the prong he can cause a lot of damage to his neck. A long line should only be used with a harness (preferably) or at least a wide flat buckle collar. This is the second time today that someone has posted a video from this website (DogBehaviorOnline), I'm pretty sure it's just an advertising ploy.

[Tulip]

I don't have experience with Prongs, but choker collars do really upset me. Too many people use them for well-built breeds and defend it with 'He's a Rottie/Staffie/Mastiff/Bulldog, he can handle it.' when the poor thing isn't recieving praise for staying to heel, just punishment when he leaves heel.

[StarfishSaving]

My problem is that most people you see using chokers and prongs are doing it because they think it's a magic pill that will solve their dog's unrulyness on a lead. They have not been properly trained in how to use one and they don't understand that it is a TEMPORARY tool used to help keep your dog under control while you are learning how to teach him to heel. I still sometimes use one or the other when I need to have absolute control of my dogs in a new situation where they may forget their training, but I can absolutely assure you that my dogs are not being harmed. The majority of owners and even some trainers don't realize that they ARE causing harm by using the tools for punishment and not for simple correction/reminder.

[louise_674]

i am totally against prong collars and thankfully they are ILLEGAL in the UK - that is how bad they are. Check chains are also awful and only to be used by professional trainers. If you can't train your dog on a flat or at least half check (can be handy as the dog cannot slip them easily) then that trainer does not know his/her trade.

Recall wise, make the association between food and whistle. At guide dogs we ask the dog to sit, put the food on the floor, blow on the whistle twice and allow the dog to eat. Then when you are out, two whistles and back comes the dog expecting a treat! Make sure you take really really tasty treats out with you. Using a long line is a great idea but as already said NOT with a prong collar!

[Tulip]

I need to invest in a whistle - it's getting too windy for me to be bellowing 'COME!' and waving my arms about like mad for Freddy, who looks back at me and comes barreling towards me. There's always a split second of 'Oh no...' when I realise he's not slowing down, but thankfully he never shoots past me, he always sits right in front of me, and I SWEAR he's grinning.
I use sausage for recall - the tastiest thing for him as recall is the most important thing in my opinion to teach him.

[AdinaP]

Your dog should NOT be off leash in an unfenced area until he is obedience trained. You are setting him up for failure and possibly something dangerous. Keep your dog on leash...he will be fine. And in the meantime train him!

As for prongs and chokes...I use both. It's not the tool that makes a well trained dog, it's the USE of the tool. You can yank a dog around till he turns blue...if you're not using a method that helps the dog learn it's useless and possibly harmful. Cruelty doesn't turn a poorly trained dog into a well trained dog. Neither does abuse. That's one thing to remember...if a method is truly cruel, unfair and hurtful...it won't work. That doesn't mean the choke chain and prong is cruel/unfair/hurtful. There are ways to use it that are fair, and gives the dog choice and ability to understand WHAT you want it to do and then the ability to choose and be rewarded for the RIGHT choice (as well as corrected for the wrong)... Prongs are so absolutely benign I'm amazed they are banned. Unless you just put it on a dog and let it pull you around it doesn't hurt the dog at all. Unless you do things to the dog to injure it...it doesn't injure. But I digress.

[louise_674]

That's one thing to remember...if a method is truly cruel, unfair and hurtful...it won't work. That doesn't mean the choke chain and prong is cruel/unfair/hurtful.

Unfortunately this is not true. Electric shock therapy is cruel and hurtful (physically and mentally) that often leads to learnt helplessness. This is the same with prong and choke collars. It is a direct pinch onto one of the most delicate and dangerous places for a dog - the wind pipe.

Rubbing a dogs nose in their urine, eventually works - is this ethical? Is this the best way - no obviously not. Kicking a dog every time it pulls on the lead - eventually it will stop pulling, yes but again its just not on. The prong collars inflicting any kind of pain on the neck is exactly the same thing it just doesn't look so bad.

Negative reinforcement - taking away something good like treats is a far kinder, modern and realistic approach as opposed to the positive punishment - adding something bad, the painful pinch of ten metal prongs being pushed against your throat. You can teach a dog what no means without causing physical harm. If it comes to it use a noise or a water pistol.

When a child is too young to understand the concept of 'no' you would not tie a noose around their neck and yank it to teach them what is wrong - no matter how well delivered and how well timed it is highly unethical.

Lets get with the time here and leave the ceaser millan stuff at the door.