I only have one "warning" of flexi leashes. Shelties can sometimes be put off very easily and scared. Please don't push down on the button of the flexi leash or get to the end of the flexi leash. It can startle your pup easily. It will be different for every dog of course, but mine freaked out when it happened to him.Thanks so much for your recommendations. I went ahead and ordered a snap collar and flexi leash. I'm a little nervous on the training. This will be my first sheltie, and I really want to do my best to take full advantage of the breed's intelligence. I plan on us participating in obedience classes as she ages. Are there any books you would recommend on training sheltie pups in specific? I have a month or so before I bring her home so I have lots of free time that I need to occupy.
8 week old puppy martingale collar
- Thread starter Zachery
- Start date
missjenneygirl
Forums Enthusiast
Don't let him get to the end of the leash where it stops him.
This is exactly what I put in my post. The flexi leash is only used for training in a positive manner without pulling the puppy along, or letting him come up short at the end of the line.
I will add, we do not walk dogs on flexi leads. They are used for leash training, and then potty breaks when we traveling.
This is exactly what I put in my post. The flexi leash is only used for training in a positive manner without pulling the puppy along, or letting him come up short at the end of the line.
I will add, we do not walk dogs on flexi leads. They are used for leash training, and then potty breaks when we traveling.
missjenneygirl
Forums Enthusiast
My breeder actually recommended getting a martingale collar because shelties can back out of regular collars. I didn't listen and just got a regular snap collar and yes he has backed out of it twice but I've been very fortunate that he just sat there and stared at me until I called him back to me. These days he's too furry to do so.
Also, Sully is very sensitive to loud and sudden noises (your puppy may be different)...so one disclaimer on a Flexi Leash: don't drop it on cement. I was walking him back in one day when he decided he wanted to bolt to the door and I wasn't prepared for it, I dropped it on the floor and it hit the cement with a loud thud and trailed him all the way back to the house at full speed...and then under the bed with him.
Also, Sully is very sensitive to loud and sudden noises (your puppy may be different)...so one disclaimer on a Flexi Leash: don't drop it on cement. I was walking him back in one day when he decided he wanted to bolt to the door and I wasn't prepared for it, I dropped it on the floor and it hit the cement with a loud thud and trailed him all the way back to the house at full speed...and then under the bed with him.
Caro
Moderator
There was a warning issued here by the consumer watchdog about flexi leads. Flexileads have sometimes snapped and flicked back hitting the dog in the eye. It was advised to only use flexileads on harnesses.
I wouldn't be using a flexi lead on the collar of a dog that isn't leash trained. To work the dog has to pull and you'll be teaching your pup to pull on it's lead from the start. You might get around this if you are an experienced trainer but I think as a new owner you are much better off investing in a normal flat lead until you get the loose lead down pat.
In my classes all beginners have to start with a flat collar or martingale and an ordinary flat lead. Harnesses are fine occasionally at home, but not for training, no head collars or no pull harnesses until they are over 6mths. It's all about laying the groundwork. People need to learn how to handle a collar and pups need to learn loose lead walking. Better to do it from the start when the pups are learning how to walk on lead. I do get tired of the number of dogs that turn up in adolescent classes who can't be trusted on a collar because the owner didn't put in the time as pups.
I wouldn't be using a flexi lead on the collar of a dog that isn't leash trained. To work the dog has to pull and you'll be teaching your pup to pull on it's lead from the start. You might get around this if you are an experienced trainer but I think as a new owner you are much better off investing in a normal flat lead until you get the loose lead down pat.
In my classes all beginners have to start with a flat collar or martingale and an ordinary flat lead. Harnesses are fine occasionally at home, but not for training, no head collars or no pull harnesses until they are over 6mths. It's all about laying the groundwork. People need to learn how to handle a collar and pups need to learn loose lead walking. Better to do it from the start when the pups are learning how to walk on lead. I do get tired of the number of dogs that turn up in adolescent classes who can't be trusted on a collar because the owner didn't put in the time as pups.
MissyGallant
Forums Enthusiast
My Clara is itsy bitsy. She was a year old before she grew into a small size collar. And honestly, she can still get away with an extra small. I haven't had a problem with a dog walking on a leash. I put the leash on them and say, Come on and my dogs have always came on. (Comed on? Followed? You know.) I guess I'm not a lot of help there. I will say that if that is what your sheltie knows, it's what she will know.
Most likely, you didn't have the collar tight enough or it was a faulty collar (it loosened itself)
Honey is amazing at slipping her collar. It can be extremely tight to the point it's too tight and she slips it. She's also my reactive dog, any animal, person, car she freaks out. BUT, she is well trained that if I tell her sit stay she'll let me slip the collar back over her head and back on without moving. She's slipped her collar once for my fiance and unfortunately went after a neighbor that was outside (not biting or anything, just running to and barking at) Needless to say, my city just passed a new law about dogs chasing after people (not biting, just chasing) and Honey now has a new collar coming in the mail. I'm convinced it's her collar not staying tight (it is 8 yrs old)
All my dogs have been taught to walk on a flexi with the exception of Tinsel. We used a lunge line with him. I do have a strap attached to the handle that wraps around my wrist so that if my hand drops it, it is still attached. The newest one did not come with one so I bought a puppy collar and put it through the handle, over my wrist and snapped it up. Every dog here has the nicest leash manners because handler pulling tends to cause the dog to pull back. Hard to do with a 16 foot lead.
I do not care for harnesses unless they are Freedom Harnesses. However, shelties, especially, easily get out of collars it seems. We have had a number of dogs of different breeds get out of them around our little town. Coated dogs are often not fitted well and many harnesses are loose in the shoulder - chest area. This is why I prefer the Freedom Harness. It is nice and snug where it needs to be without chafing.
One word of caution. When teaching your pup to walk with a flexi, be aware of the fact they often dart sideways toward the road and this can be dangerous. Do not be taking the dog down city streets with it until you are able to tighten the length by putting the stop on without it being a pull on the dog. You do not want the puppy darting into traffic or tangling up with another dog or obstacle. These leads are great for going around a park or down the trails but are a bit of a hazard in town.
As for collars, I use a martingdale on Tinsel that does up like a snap collar. It allowed me to fit it to him well and then just put it on as opposed to having to adust it all the time. For a baby, I would get a small collar with a regular buckle instead of a snap. They do up better and are less likely to come over the head.
I never leave a collar on the dogs when they are in the house. Apart from the hair damage and discolouring it does, I have had 2 experiences of animals getting caught up - one on a heat vent when the tag slipped through and then turned and the other on a cupboard door handle - that made me decide it was not worth it.
Good luck wth your new baby. We will expect to see pictures.
I do not care for harnesses unless they are Freedom Harnesses. However, shelties, especially, easily get out of collars it seems. We have had a number of dogs of different breeds get out of them around our little town. Coated dogs are often not fitted well and many harnesses are loose in the shoulder - chest area. This is why I prefer the Freedom Harness. It is nice and snug where it needs to be without chafing.
One word of caution. When teaching your pup to walk with a flexi, be aware of the fact they often dart sideways toward the road and this can be dangerous. Do not be taking the dog down city streets with it until you are able to tighten the length by putting the stop on without it being a pull on the dog. You do not want the puppy darting into traffic or tangling up with another dog or obstacle. These leads are great for going around a park or down the trails but are a bit of a hazard in town.
As for collars, I use a martingdale on Tinsel that does up like a snap collar. It allowed me to fit it to him well and then just put it on as opposed to having to adust it all the time. For a baby, I would get a small collar with a regular buckle instead of a snap. They do up better and are less likely to come over the head.
I never leave a collar on the dogs when they are in the house. Apart from the hair damage and discolouring it does, I have had 2 experiences of animals getting caught up - one on a heat vent when the tag slipped through and then turned and the other on a cupboard door handle - that made me decide it was not worth it.
Good luck wth your new baby. We will expect to see pictures.