I am new to the boards and I have been enjoying all the helpful information. Now I find myself with a question.

I have my 5 month old Pekingese Takara in a Puppy training class. On 2 separate occasions I have gotten conflicting information regarding collars for her. My vet seems insistant on a choke collar for her. And my trainer is using a harness. I really do not like choke collars and can't understand why my vet keeps insisting on one for such a small dog. She doesn't pull away from me with a regular collar. I am not sure if she will start, but the harness has been working with the methods trainer has been suggesting.
I was wonder if anyone out there had any suggesstions or opinions on the subject.

For such a small puppy, no not a choke. I recommend a harness though, their really good and its harder to slip out of.

I personally would question the vet and look for another opinion. It's rare for someone to suggest a choker collar on a small dog, especially with a "novice" owner.

Unless you have a really hard to control dog, I wouldn't use a choker collar until you get better "prepared" I guess you could say, for the use of one.

I would never trust a choker in the hand of someone who's not familiar with them. I would go with the trainer in this case.

Harness.

Choke collar is silly for so many reasons. Too small of a dog, choke collars are tricky to use, choke collars are used for "problem" dogs, etc.

Your vet is slightly crazy. LOL

Vets are animal health experts, not training experts.

You're vet is barking up the wrong tree! On this subject I'd take the word of a trainer over a vet. If what you're using is working; why change?

By the way; did your vet give you any reasons for switching collars?

I use collars and harnesses on my teacup yorkies. I recommend harnesses though because it gives more security and safety. My friends pug was shook by a malatute/shepherd and they thing that saved her life was her harness.

quote:

Originally posted by applesmom1:
You're vet is barking up the wrong tree! On this subject I'd take the word of a trainer over a vet. If what you're using is working; why change?

By the way; did your vet give you any reasons for switching collars?

Yes... he said that with a regular collar they will could pull out and they have never seen a dog that was trained with a harness that walks properly on a leash.

Ok, seriously, I trained ferrets to walk on a leash after using harnasses. Do you know how HARD that is? lol. If a ferret can do it a dog can do it.

On top of that, what about seeing eye dogs? they have to use harnasses and then switch to leashes for varisious reasons.

Rescue dogs? how bout those?

Seriously, your vet must be new to the game or never watched animal planet

quote:

Originally posted by galaxygoddess:
Ok, seriously, I trained ferrets to walk on a leash after using harnasses. Do you know how HARD that is? lol. If a ferret can do it a dog can do it.

On top of that, what about seeing eye dogs? they have to use harnasses and then switch to leashes for varisious reasons.

Rescue dogs? how bout those?

Seriously, your vet must be new to the game or never watched animal planet

Galaygoddess...you just made me laugh . He is actually an older gentelman.. maybe too old. I am seriously considering switching vets. I stopped going to this animal hospital once before because he made me uneasy with my other dog (pug). I only went back with my new pup because it was where the pet shop ( I know... don't say it... it was a one time thing and a gift from my finance... I just saw her and couldn't put her down)... as I was saying.. it was where they had her set up and the 1st couple of visits were included. I thought his son took over the practice because I saw him for her 1st 2 visits... and then the last 2... geez. It's really starting to freak me out.. and she is scheduled to be spayed soon... Him with a knife around my dog!!

I won't say it o.< though I'd really like to... *groan*

But in any case, if you don't trust the vet to basic care, I wouldn't trust him to operate! *shudder*

I would consider looking up other vets in your area, maybe get a basic feel for the places before deciding. You need someone you feel comfortable with above all. Now some quack who likes the fluffy things :P

Thanks for all your post. I am really glad I found this site. I am addicted to Animal Planet and never even knew this site was out here.

I have started checking for other vets. It is either that or specifically asking for the "JR" on every visit. Luckily she just had her last set of puppy shots so I have at least this week to think about it and make a decision.

A choke collar on that sized dog? Wow, that's silly. I can see if you had a pit or something, but... I guess (and this is only a guess to try to find reasoning in your vet's advice) that maybe it is quicker and easier to get a dog up on the exam table and examined with a choke collar on than it is with a harness. A good vet has the vet tech take off the collars and leashes and everything for examination and harnesses can be a pain, and a choke collar just slips over the head. So, that may or may not be the issue.