Dog Training - How To Succeed - Using Wolf Collars

Summary

There are Different Types Of Collar used in Dog Training – Shock Collars, Wolf Collars, Head Halters, Martingale Collars, Prong Collars, Slip Collars, Basic Collars


TYPES OF DOG TRAINING COLLAR - WOLF COLLARS

A Wolf Collar was originally designed to be worn by a dog, in its role as a protector of livestock, to prevent it from being attacked by wolves.

The Collar, normally made from iron, had large spikes imbedded in its circumference, which would fan out all around the dog’s neck. Understandably, the Collar was very heavy, but this acted as an additional defence for the dog since it could be used as a weapon in itself by impaling the wolf on its spikes.

In today’s society, Wolf Collars are banned in most countries since it is seen as cruel to subject a dog to such an indignity. However, the Collar is still used in Spain whilst in Turkey dogs still maintain the tradition of wearing a Wolf Collar when protecting livestock.

A Wolf Collar in use in Turkey today would, for safety reasons, have the spikes sheathed in plastic. This is just as well since the spikes can, in some instances, be anything up to 6 inches in length, although it is more common for the spikes to be about 3 inches long. The choice of the length of the spike is solely in the hands of the blacksmith creating the Collar.


Aspects of Dog Training: Wolf Collar

Dog Training - How To Succeed - Using Head Halters

Summary

There are Different Types Of Collar used in Dog Training – Shock Collars, Wolf Collars, Head Halters, Martingale Collars, Prong Collars, Slip Collars, Basic Collars






Head Halter







TYPES OF DOG TRAINING COLLAR - HEAD HALTERS


A Head Halter (see photo) is designed in such a way that the rear portion is attached around the back of the dog’s neck whilst the front portion slips over the top of the muzzle. The advantage of this arrangement is that the owner has a greater degree of control over the dog. This manifests itself in the fact that, should the dog surge forward against the leash, its head would be pulled backwards so restricting its freedom of movement.

Although there are obvious advantages in respect of control of the dog when compared with more conventionally-styled Collars fitting around the neck, there are certainly some distinct drawbacks.

It has been suggested that when the leash is pulled back to restrain the dog, unless the Halter is fitted correctly, the front portion, positioned over the muzzle, could actually be pulled over the dog’s eyes. Further, the act of pulling the dog’s head back when it is being restrained could, in certain circumstances, cause actual injury to the dog’s neck.


Aspects of Dog Training: Head Halter

Dog Training - How To Succeed - Using Martingale Collars

Summary

There are Different Types Of Collar used in Dog Training – Shock Collars, Wolf Collars, Head Halters, Martingale Collars, Prong Collars, Slip Collars, Basic Collars






Martingale Collar

TYPES OF DOG TRAINING COLLAR - MARTINGALE COLLARS


A Martingale Collar (see photo) consists of a broad outer Collar attached to which is a lightweight metal chain containing an outer ring. When the Collar is not being used, it fits gently around the dog’s neck. However, when the loop on the metal chain is pulled, it compresses the outer Collar in such a way that it fits firmly around the dog’s neck, so providing essential control.

The Martingale Collar is particularly appropriate to dogs that have long necks and comparatively small heads, such as Whippets, Greyhounds and the Hound group in general. In the case of such dogs, other types of Collar can sometimes slip over the small head and therefore become inoperative.

Although Martingale Collars are very popular with this breed of dog, their application can extend to many more dog breeds.

One of the main advantages of the Martingale Collar, when compared with other Collars, is that even when the metal outer ring is pulled, the broadness of the outer Collar spreads the pressure evenly across the dog’s neck. In this way, the risk of choking the dog is minimized.


Aspects of Dog Training: Martingale Collars

Dog Training - How To Succeed - Using Prong Collars

Summary

There are Different Types Of Collar used in Dog Training – Shock Collars, Wolf Collars, Head Halters, Martingale Collars, Prong Collars, Slip Collars, Basic Collars





Prong Collar

TYPES OF DOG TRAINING COLLAR - PRONG COLLARS

A Prong Collar (see photo) bears a certain resemblance to the Slip Collar in that it is, essentially, a lightweight metal chain in the form of a loop. However, the main difference lies in the fact that part of the chain is splayed open. The purpose of this arrangement is that when the Collar is placed around the dog’s neck, the splayed ends gently encompass the soft skin underneath the dog’s neck without it causing any discomfort.

The Prong Collar is designed with a smaller loop than in the case of the Slip Collar. The advantage of this is that, if the owner pulls on the Collar or the dog surges forward, the additional pressure applied to the Collar is spread over a larger area of the dog’s neck.

A Prong Collar should be positioned just behind the dog’s ears.

Should an owner feel uncomfortable about the fact that the splayed open ends of the Prong Collar are actually gripping the dog’s neck, it is possible to turn the splayed ends around so that the protruding points of the Collar face away from the dog’s neck. In this arrangement, the points are sheathed in rubber to act as a safety measure.

One disadvantage of the Prong Collar is that a determined dog can shake itself loose from the Collar and therefore be out of the control of the owner. However, this can be compensated by the use of a different type of Collar in conjunction with the Prong Collar – typically, a Buckle Collar is also used in this respect.

Aspects of Dog Training: Prong Collars

Dog Training - How To Succeed - Using Slip Collars

Summary

There are Different Types Of Collar used in Dog Training – Shock Collars, Wolf Collars, Head Halters, Martingale Collars, Prong Collars, Slip Collars, Basic Collars






Slip collar







TYPES OF DOG TRAINING COLLAR - SLIP COLLARS


A Slip Collar (see photo) consists of a lightweight metal chain incorporating rings at both ends and configured in the form of a loop. The Collar slides over the dog’s neck and is positioned behind the ears.

When a leash is attached to one of the rings, this allows for control of the dog without it causing any constriction on the dog’s neck. However, if the leash was attached to the other ring, this would have the following effect: when the leash is pulled, the Collar tightens around the dog’s neck so acting as a constraint to forward movement. On the other hand, should any tension be taken off the leash, the Collar will become loose so giving the dog a certain element of freedom.

In this way, should the dog act in an unacceptable manner, the leash may be pulled sharply, for a moment, so that the collar will tighten around the dog’s neck indicating to the dog that this action must cease.

The main disadvantage inherent in a Slip Collar lies in the fact that, when the leash is pulled, there is no limit as to how far the Collar can compress the dog’s neck – there is a distinct possibility that, in extreme circumstances, the dog could choke.

However, there is a version of the basic Slip Collar that has in inbuilt mechanism that limits the amount of compression applied to the dog’s neck so preventing the risk of chocking.


Aspects of Dog Training: Slip Collars

Dog Training - How To Succeed - Using Basic Collars

Summary

There are Different Types Of Collar used in Dog Training – Shock Collars, Wolf Collars, Head Halters, Martingale Collars, Prong Collars, Slip Collars, Basic Collars

Essentially, a Dog Collar is primarily used to maintain control of the dog, by the owner or handler, by the simple expedient of holding on to the collar. They often incorporate tags for identifying the dog and can be used, for additional control, by being connected to a leash.





Buckle Collar






TYPES OF DOG TRAINING COLLAR - BASIC COLLARS


A Buckle Collar (see photo), usually made of leather, is attached around the neck of the dog and is held in place by means of a metal buckle. It is possible to fix a leash by way of the loop incorporated in the collar. Also known as Flat Collars, they can also include a dog identification tag. Some versions offer a special form of buckle which allows the dog to be released quickly.


An Elizabethan Collar is commonly used if the dog has an infection or cut in the region of its neck or head. It is shaped like a cone and is fitted around the neck with the open end facing forward in such a way that the dog is unable to make contact with the infection, so preventing its spread.

A Stud Collar is used where there is a risk to the dog being bitten around the neck by another dog. This Collar incorporates studs throughout its surface which act as the deterrent.

A Flea Collar is usually worn in conjunction with a Flat Collar. Its purpose is solely to reduce the incidence of fleas which can be a major irritant to some dogs. This Collar contains special chemicals which kills the fleas but does not harm the dog.

A Break-Away Collar incorporates a special mechanism in which the dog can free itself from the Collar in circumstances where an undue pressure is applied to the Collar. In this way, the chance of the dog being strangled is eliminated.

Aspects of Dog Training: Basic Collars

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Peter Radford currently writes a series of informative articles on various aspects relating to Dog Training under the broad heading: How To Succeed Using …….…Dog Training Collars, Dog Training Methods, Specialist Dog Training. _______________________________________________________