Three Questions On Selecting A Dog Training Collar And Dog B

Judy wrote to me with the following question:

"Hi, Adam! I enjoyed your website, but still need help choosing the right collar for my hard headed Jack Russell. She does go swimming to chase and catch my ducks in our pond, she chases cars, and she sometimes sneaks up behind visitors and bites them on the leg. She does not listen at all when she is so intensely concentrating on doing what she is not supposed to do...ignores us completely. Other than being so aggravating 1/4 of the time, she is a good little dog. But, when she is bad...she is BAD!

What collar would be best for such a small dog...she is not a fat Jack Russell...she runs to much for that. She is probably around 12 - 15 pounds, but I am just guessing. I want a collar that goes at least 1/2 mile. We live out in the country and she runs around our 10 acres.

Thanks so much,
- Judy"

Dear Judy,

When choosing a training collar, the pinch collar is the best choice. It communicates with the dog in it's natural language, using the "teeth" of the collar similar to how an Alpha dog would correct a subordinate or a mother dog correct her puppies. The small size would probably work best for your Jack Russell terrier.

By not listening to you, she is showing her disrespect of your Alpha position in the family "pack." When you get the pinch collar, you must keep it and a leash on her all the time when supervision is available so you can correct any behaviors you don't want. A good place to start learning about how to train yourself on how to train your dog is my book and videos.

By keeping up a regimen of tough love and obedience, you can correct her negative behaviors and don't forget to praise her whenever she does something right. Mental stimulation is as important as physical and she will be glad to be working for you in obedience.

Jason wrote to me with a similar question about training collars:

"Hello Adam- I have recently purchased the full package of your book and DVD's that you offer which I have found to be very useful. I have two questions that I hope you may be able to answer:

1) How old must a dog be before training with the pinch collar?

I have a 4 month old chocolate lab that is very intelligent. Prior to your instructions, I was already able to teach her to shake, sit, and roll-over all with food as the reward.

However, down is a different story-she only goes down when I point all the way to the ground-finger pointing and touching the floor-since having food in my hand when the training began she only responds to my hand as a signal and not the word. This is at best inconsistent and a bit frustrating. I have begun the down-stay but the spike collar I have is only using 3 rings and does not seem very efficient. I feel compelled to break this bad habit which I have helped create, and look for your suggestions on this topic.

2) How do I use a ball drive (which is extremely strong in my lab) to make my dog not only retrieve (which she does) but catch a Frisbee in the air?

I have already started bouncing balls of the wall and she is getting better at catching the ball on the run, but I don