Porky Pie: Wish me luck...

[doxielady5569128]

Porky Pie here:  Well, I gots to go to da 'bedience classes starting tomorrow.  Dey are 6 weeks of classes ebery Monday.  I'm weally nervous 'bout it.  I onwy wike to do da twicks when I feel wike it.  Momma says dis is to teach me to dem anytime she says.   Awso, da 'stuctor asked momma to use a chain cowar wif me.  We bof didn't weally wike  dat.   We's gonna show up wif da chain cowar tomorrow, but ask if next time we can use a harness 'nstead.  Momma pwacticed a wittle wif da chain collar and I did pwetty good, but we just aren't too comforable wif using it all da time.   

Momma says I better be weawy good and make it worf her money.  Wat do you fink?  Is a chain cowar too much for wittle old me?  It's not wike I'm a 200 pound wottweiwer!   I onwy weigh 10 pounds.  (on my heavy days.)      We'll see how i do wif it I guess.  I'm awso hoping I don't go cwazy when I see da odder dogs.  I usuawy get weawy 'cited.  I will wet you know how I did on Tuesday. 

[Leslie]

Well, Porky, if the chain collar helped you pay 'tenshun maybe you should stick with it for awhile.  The obdience lady sounds a little strict, though.  Does she give treats and praise for rewards when you do the good stuff? GOOD LUCK!!!!!

[Doxherding Karen]

Porky Pie:

My hooman, Karen, got talked into using a prong collar on our border collie/lab mix Cooper (rest in peace!) and it really worked better than a choke collar.

Now, if you only weigh 10 pounds, I don't know if they make them that small.  The prongs imitate the teeth of a mother dog or alpha pack member around your neck - sort of that "now, now, pay attention" kind of action.  As opposed to a choke collar cutting off your air supply!  She uses one from time to time on Merlin, but he's a big boy and not a good listener, so it works for him.  But Guinness is just too little and too old and too crabby to deal with.  If he won't listen, Karen just reels him in on his harness!

Anyway, hope you show dem you da man!

Roscoe - the handsome one

[doxielady5569128]

Fanks for da 'couragment.    :apls:  Dats da pwoblem why momma and I are nervous, we heard from fwee peoples dat da lady is nice and gentle wif da dogs.  Den we heard fwom anodder wady dat she is kinda wough.     She came highwy weccommended by all da vets in da town, so we're hoping it will be okay.   We do know she gib tweats and praise for good fings.  Cause she telled us to bwing lots of our favowite tweats.  She did say dat if she finks we are out of contwol she will walk ober to us ad gib us one on one 'struction.  She eben said dats dere are some BIG dogs in da cwas so she might sepawate us into two gworups when we do off da weash fings.   Phew! 

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

I agree that although a prong collar looks like a torture device, it really is kinder on their neck than any kind of choke collar. With a choke collar all of the pressure is directly opposite the direction of the pull so a lot of pressure does on that part of the neck (or trachea). A prong should only be used with supervision or if you really know what you are doing, you would never want to give it a big jerk or let the dog run out and hit the end of the leash with one on, but when used properly it is very kind and easier on them as the pressure is equal around most of his neck. And it's not as painful as it looks the ends are blunt, put one around your own wrist and give it a good hard jerk, the ends don't bite in or hurt your arm. Before I even started obedience work with Hallie, I trained her not to pull on her lead (either with collar or harness, I always walk her in a harness and only use a collar for the ring) so she understood going in that she was not to pull (really bad on little doxie backs).

Porky may be good and not pull much but if he does don't let him pull and keep pressure against it, and don't let the instructor talk you into giving him a big jerk, just a small tug and release accompanied with a word you choose...but leave it the same, I use "easy" which means you are starting to pull, back off a little. I make that an exercise itself, take him on the collar, when he tightens say "easy!" and give a slight tug, as soon as there is slack in the leash again praise and treat until he understands the concept.

Sheesh sorry I am not your instructor LOL I just get into this training stuff it's fun I'm sure you and Porky will have a great time.

[doxielady5569128]

Thanks again for the great advice!  I think Karen and I posted at the same time.  LOL   I wondered if a prong collar might be a little bit easier on him.  Do you think I should talk to the instructor about switching to a prong, assuming I can find one small enough?   
Dee Dee, No need to apologize for your great advice!   It was very helpful.  :apls: Besides, we asked for your advice.    Porky is quite the puller unless he is kinda tired.  I'm debating about whether or not to take him for a good walk before we go to class.  I don't wanthim to tired to concentrate, but I want him to be calm enough to pay attention.  What do you think?

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

They have a micro pinch which would fit him fine. If your instructor doesn't normally work with a prong I wouldn't ask her to let you, but I would tell her your concerns about pulling on his neck especially since he does pull, for doxie back issues. A harness would be hard to train them in, there isn't as much control since the leash is hooked on farther back from his neck. The best is to teach him not to pull at all. It can be done, I trained my 150 lb Great Dane not to pull and at first he would fly me like a kite! 

I don't know that I'd get him too tired out you might walk him a little but you don't want him to get tired toward the end of class and not have a positive experience. I usually train Hallie for short periods, all fun and treats and praise and we stop while she's still anxious for more so she looks forward to the next time.

[doxielady5569128]

Well, I do know my instructor has used prong collars in the past.   So, it should be okay as long as I ask her opinion.  Also, any idea where I can find one?   We don't have any pet supply stores here other than Walmart and Murdochs (a farming store).  Sorry I'm full of questions today. 

[PattyInAK]

Willy and Alex here:  We went to school, and had to have collars on instead of harnesses cuz then mom would have more control over our attention.  But we could just wear the cloth collars.  School was fun because there was a constant stream of treats!  Small ones, but treats just the same.  We loved going to school, even though we are not very socialized.  We were good and didn't bark at anyone.

[Teresa]

If you had to order one online, at you you should be able to have it by the second class. That may be your best bet. I know you've said before that PetSmart or Petco is 2 hrs away, so mailorder may be best.

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

I agree, online would be your best bet. The nylon or leather collars have the same problem as the choke, they still have all of the force concentrated in a smaller area of the neck. They do have nylon surcingle (sp?) types but they can still pull pretty hard on those. I worry about the pulling and the doxie spines I know how hard these little guys can pull.

[papbouv]

I just bought Patches a micro pinch collar from    Leerburg.com   they have the micro sizes I was sent a 9" collar but I called back and ordered 2 more links. I had been using a Doxie harness and the little brat thought she was a sled dog in it could not walk Patches & Buddy together. now with the prong collar I let her correct herself she walks very nice now never had to give her a correction.Choke chains can really damage the neck I would call Leerburg and  order a Prong collar to use in obedience class you do not have to ask the instructor about it either. Please remember what i said about handing the lead over to anyone Instructor included i did that once and lost my dogs trust for a very long time.
Buddy & I also are starting obedience class again since he is over his Pano problem we also go on Monday night.
Papbouv

[TerriL]

Porky Pie, dis is Beatrice.  I went to school but I only had to wear da cloth collar.  Course, it was puppy school so maybe dat was different den yer school.   I will say dat der were a lot of tweats involved wif da school.  PLUS der was a lot of kisses and luvin goin on which I WEALLY like!
Mama sez dat I still act like I been waised by da wolves.... but I did learn a few manners. 
I think yer gonna like it Porky! 

[Ruth in MT]

eLlIe here.        Mama and I are Obedience School Dropouts ....... I think one reason is that Mama would not put a choke collar on little me.     

[Barb]

Oh Porky - school is fun - you should do fine - I bet you will soon be "telling" the big dogs what for !!!!

Look forward to hearing about your first day at school !

[doxielady5569128]

Fanks Again for more gweat advice!!!  Beatwice, your cwass sounds wike wots of fun.  Since i'm two and wif da BIG dogs dey hafta hab da ouchie collars.  Not da nice cwoth ones.  Elle- dats wat momma's worried bout.  LOL  We's don't wanna be dwopouts like my cousin Chickory.   Fanks Barb you are making me feel wots better bout dis fing.

Well momma taked me for a walk outside wif da choke collar and i did weally well today!   She was weally pwoud of me and I eben gots some jerky as a tweat!!   :meme:  Dat was tasty!   Da cwouds are building up so, maybe we'll be lucky and it will rain.  Den da cwass will be cancelled.   :thinik:  Maybe i'm just a being chicken.  I will wet you all know how cwass goes tomorrow. 

[cheryl186]

Good luck Porky on your class...I am sure you will make your momma proud!!!   :thumb:

[Sandishooligans]

I hope you like your class, Porky.  I bet you're gonna be the teacher's pet.   

[Barb]

Porky - did you have class last night?