Charles and Kyle

[drof]

Charles has been with us 3 years at the end of the month (formerly Chaz) and he will be 14 on February 14th. He is still doing great, a little slower but still loves chasing after a ball, he is a real sweetie and has been no bother at all, we are so pleased to have him as part of our Family.
Kyle (fomerly Kia) will have been with us 2 years in a couple of months, he will be 4 in March. Some of you may remember I asked for advice about Kyle as he had real problems with other dogs, so much so that I got bit by him twice when we had encounters with other dogs. I tried all the advice I was kindly given,canny collars,water pistols, dog spray ,clickers, agility, dog training classes but it was suggested to me by the trainer that Kyle wasn't really getting any better in the company of other dogs and perhaps we shouldn't come anymore. So I tried to get by using all the tools I had and Kyle was better but still not great if dogs came to close and I had to be prepared all the time for other dogs. On one occasion Kyle lunged and I ended up with a broken little finger and it was dislocated as well...I ended up in hospital having an operation my finger pinned back together. So as much as I loved Kyle I was at a loss as to what to do to help him. I then contacted another trainer told her the problem and asked if she could do a one to one meeting with me to see if she could help. She did and watched how Kyle reacted when she brought one of her dogs into view. She said he was showing fearful aggression and felt the only to stop him was to use a pinch collar, I was a bit unsure as I had heard about these but never seen or used one. Anyway she explained how they worked and how I should use it, I decided to try it and she brought her dog back in view,Kyle immediately lunged but the collar stopped him, after that he was a different dog we were able to walk by the other dog without a problem. We can now be close to other dogs and he is much more relaxed, he has even played with other dogs and enjoyed it. I thought I would tell you this long story as I know pinch collars are not very popular but I think in some cases such as Kyle's,they can be used as a last resort, it has made a difference for us. Kyle has turned into a great dog, I am so glad he is now enjoying his life so much more, as indeed I am.












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[Mad Maisie]

I agree with Abi!!! Well done!!! I do not know about Pnch collars but if by using this in an ordered manner has helped Kyle then that is better than just giving up.

Gill, Meg and Maisie

[tosca100]

Well done on your perseverence. So glad Kyle is happier. Hopefully once she realises she doesn't need to be so defensive you will be able to do without the collar. Looking forward to pics.

Sara

[Glenys]

Well done for your care of Kyle many would have given up but you stood the test even after being injured so all the more good testament to your care.

Pinch collars : I dont know much about them only the general reaction is with shock horror what an awful thing to use but if it worked and you now have a good dog then good horses for courses.

I hope he continues to do you proud and thankyou for sticking by him.

[rhoda4]

Hi - Pleased that Kyle can now be more relaxed around other dogs and that life is more enjoyable for you all. It must have been a huge relief to find a trainer who could help - escpecially after the training classes didn't work. If this type of collar is also known as a prong collar, then I have heard something of the controversy surrounding its use. I'm glad that after all else failed, and acting only on professional advice and guidance, you found something that worked. All credit to you for not giving up on Kyle. Sorry to hear about you needing the operation on your finger. How is it now?

Ann, Paul & Zac x

[kathryn]

Well thankyou from me for going through all this and STILL persevering, i just wish so many others would do this, its never easy and I remember them both, and lovely to hear Charles is still with you..so a very big thankyou from me, and love to see pictures of them both together.

kathryn.x

[warrengl]

I've really enjoyed reading your update and can only congratulate you for sticking by Kyle and not giving up on him. Well done to you both!

[jackiem]

Well done for sticking with it and not giving up. I've just seen the photos and both Charles and Kyle are lovely dogs.

Having seen your post I googled pinch collars and although they look like an instrument of torture, the effect is just a short moment of discomfort. I believe from what I have read that it is supposed to mimic how a bitch would teach a pup a wrongdoing. No matter whatever the theory it has worked and that is what matters so well done!

[drof]

Yes the collars do look horrible but that's how the Trainer explained it to me that it was similair to how a bitch would chastise a puppy and the collar doesn't damage the dogs neck as a choke chain or repeated yanking on the dogs neck would. I was at the stage of worrying about Kyle injuring someone else by accident ( if they got in the way of him and another dog) so felt I needed to take any action to try and sort out the problem. The Trainer said he was viewing any dog as a enemy, which was true, he would even try and attack puppies, she said the collar would snap him out of the behaviour and I would probably only have to use the collar a couple of times before he got the message. And that's what happened it was like a switch being turned off in his brain, he is still a little wary when he sees another dog but I just tell him to leave and he does, he just looks at me then walks on. I hope if anyone is having the same problem and they read this it may help them to resolve their problem not just 'get rid' of the dog as so many people had said to me. I am really glad I persevered he's worth the effort.