Why I Always Use a Pinch Dog Collar

Buddy the Wonder Dog, with his pinch collar and leather leash, smiling in the morning sunlight. Copyright 2012 Frank J Casella.

There are different sizes of pinch collars; for large dogs, for small dogs, miniature pinch for toy sized dogs. The reason it is called a pinch collar is because you have to pinch on the links to put the collar on and remove it from the dog.

Sometimes these are called prong collars, but that I think is the wrong word. Because the prongs on the collar, when used correctly, mimic the teeth of a mother dog in correcting her litter. Watch the mom and you know how to use the collar.

The dog harness, instead of a collar, has become popular because advocates say it works the same as a horse harness, but I say this is flawed thinking. Because with a horse you need a harness because you ride it. You don’t ride on a dog. When on a horse you are close to it’s head when you pull on the reins, no so much with a dog.

A dog collar is used for identification of a dog, not for walking or training. You can also attach a pinch collar to the dog collar as a back up in case the pinch comes loose (which only happened once to me, and it was my fault). A dog collar has some give to it, which makes it hard to lead or control the dog.

With a pinch collar, you don’t need to pull on it to use it correctly. Let the dog pull on it and make the corrections. You use hand and voice commands to lead the dog to listen and have eye contact with you. The pinch collar provides a night and day difference in the response from the dog.

This and more reasons is why I always use a pinch collar. Do an internet search on how to properly use it, and don’t listen to anyone who doesn’t use it.

Let Dogs Be Dogs

Photo: ‘Happy Fall Dog Walk – Heat Effect‘ A golden retriever goes for a neighborhood walk down a sidewalk through colorful Fall leaves in Midwest America. Copyright 2018 Frank J Casella. Note: The motion in this image is intentional. The abstract and heat effects are added for presentation

While on a recent dog walk I noticed down the sidewalk two people approaching me with their dogs. Once they spotted me they seemed to have stopped and where standing there talking with each other .. waiting.

I said to myself, “I wonder if they are waiting to see if I will be crossing the street” … “well, my dog is trained so I’m not gong anywhere”. And sure enough, as soon as I got ‘two driveways’ away from them they went and crossed the street.

Once they got across the street, they waved at me in a friendly like manner. I wanted to say to them, ‘nice way to socialize your dogs’.

This is a common thing today, and I don’t know why or what is causing it. It seems instead of dog owners making the time to lead their dogs and train them to be social with other dogs, they just simply cross the street. This is not very good for the dog. But us humans take the path of least resistance when we can.

For example when dogs sniff trees, and pee on them, it not only helps to relieve themselves, but they also communicate with, and learn about, each other by the odors in their pee .. yes, you can call it p-mail.

All of my dogs have been rescue dogs, and one even came with a form of aggression. The dog behaviorist who worked with us showed us how taking the lead with your dog on walks helps him with how well he behaves at home. It took about nine months, but we helped that dog to become a dog again.