The best collar for Tanner

[GretaJack]

I am stumped on this one. I wanted to get a jump start on obedience with Tanner before classes start in about 2 weeks. I called my trainer but she had surgery yesterday and is not going to be available for awhile. Here is my problem. Tanner's previous owner used a prong/pinch collar on him all the time. It was the only collar he had for him. That goes against all training that I have ever been through. These collars are not everyday collars they are for training only. So Tanner has been desensitized to this collar. And it seems the same thing for a slip collar. Any ideas? Right now I really just want him to learn to heel nicely. Also, another note, the only leash that Tanner had was a retractable. So he has no clue what heel means and of course wants to be at least 20 feet in front of me, if he could be, at all times. Retractable leash and a pinch collar together? Ugh. Makes no sense to me.

[dobermom]

Great collar and leash combo! UGH!
I would think a gentle leader may work on the boy.

[Lessica Jake]

I would try a gentle leader as well.
I would also go to a pet store where I could take him in and try things on him, so you're not wasting money on things that don't work.

[Trace]

From what I have seen try the Gentle Leader - I am going to try it for my two ruffians.

[BabyElephant]

Apparently the gentle leaders are great but they have to be used in conjunction with another lead & collar, you don't just use them alone. The gentle leader bit comes in when they are not in the position you want them to be, when they are in the position you want them to be you slack off on the gentle leader and use the "normal" lead & collar.

[GretaJack]

I might have to try that for now. But they do not allow gentle leaders in class. Though I don't know why. But then again they let me get away with leaving a harness on Greta in her last class. Greta hates being tied by her collar. Coughs and sp***** whether it is a slip collar or nylon. But Greta was only let into the class out of pity since my show dog just died and I already paid for the class. And Greta is a retired veteran of obedience class. Hum, I bet Chyna's gentle leader won't fit though.
And I wonder if the ex-husband would give me Duke's...

[yoda's mom]

ok call me violent, mean, nasty, hateful anything you wish but... am I the only one that wants to wring Tanner's former owner's neck? Ok... So I just re-read your first post regarding acquiring Tanner. -But sounds like problems that are far more ingrained than 3-4 months of long work hours would bring about! That poor baby.... he's so very lucky you came into his life Gretajack! I applaud you for all the hard work you are doing to 'fix' this poor boy. Something tells me that as soon as he discovers & believes his good fortune - he's gonna be an incredible pet!

Keep up the good work!

[GretaJack]

The guy told me that he had a pinch collar on because the other dog they had for awhile, a beagle, used to chew off Tanner's collar off all the time. The pinch was the only thing that they could use. And he also said that after the beagle found a new home Tanner could manage to get his own collar off and then would chew it. Tanner's former owner is a wonderful man but falls into the category of uneducated. I cringed when I went to see Tanner and saw him with the pinch collar on. And then to find out that it was used constantly and with a retractable for him going out for walks to go potty, I knew that I would have my hands full.

Yoda--thanks. I am thrilled that Tanner is in my life. He is slowly learning that life will always be good from here on out. He is a wonderful dog and is only going to get better

[yoda's mom]

it takes an incredible amount of love & compassion to do what you are doing! And without the bitterness that overcomes me in a flash! Hats off to you! Keep sharing the progress!

[GretaJack]

Originally Posted by yoda's mom

it takes an incredible amount of love & compassion to do what you are doing! And without the bitterness that overcomes me in a flash! Hats off to you! Keep sharing the progress!

Thanks! I am sure it is hard to understand. Tanner's owner continues to email me and was intitially very concerned that he was going to fit in well in his new home. I have since emailed him pictures and just quick updates and this man is simply thrilled that Tanner is being spoiled yet heartbroken that he had to let his dog go. I have offered to him that he is welcomed to visit but he says it would be too hard on him. I guess I sympathize with him too much. I don't think I could ever give up my dogs, even if it is in their best interest. But then again, my dogs are about my only interest. I do everything for them. I schedule around them so they are not home by themselves for too long. I plan my weekends around their trip to the dog park. My dogs come first to everything and anything. I bet it is going to be hard to find myself a new man that will understand my psycho obession... But who needs a man when you have dogs?