03 Dec 2009 4:50 pm

shawniec said:

Good, sounds like the martingale should help you with that - it's specifically to help prevent slipping out of the collar. Good luck.

03 Dec 2009 3:55 pm

Diamondv123 said:

Thank you the 2 second collar looks good, i just
need the collar for walks because if anything spooks her she will slip out and run home(luckily), But when we bring her to the park in the city she slips out and its very hard to get her back (and its dangerous!)

02 Dec 2009 11:52 am

shawniec said:

That's a great question, and honestly you'll find a ton of different opinions on it. It is one of many training tools available to you, and it's good you're looking to carefully evaluate what the issue is and whether this is the right tool for you.

You'll find in a PetSmart training class that slip collars aren't used or recommended. There, they focus on positive reinforcement rather than correction, which is what the slip collar does. There are other training groups that will only train with a slip collar. Many people feel this is cruel to the dog, while many others feel that, if used properly, it provides a humane correction that a dog understands as similar to the correction a mother dog would give her pup. I train my dogs with Phoenix Field and Obedience Club and use a slip collar during training and I'm very comfortable that it's not harmful to my dogs. Part of that is because I was taught how to use it properly.

So, if you're considering using one, please make sure that you look into how to use it safely. For example, it should only be used to provide a quick correction, not contstant pressure, and it should be used as a training tool and only when under your direct control. This means that when you're not having your dog on leash, you should change out the collar.

There is also a right way and a wrong way to put the collar on, so make sure you know how to do it properly. I looked online for a good illustration to show you the right way (because it can seem confusing) and the best image I've found is here: http://petsupplies4less.wordpress.com/2009/02/03/proper-use-of-a-slip-co....

For a dog that slips out of their collar, you may consider a Martingale collar: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2751399. It's a good solution for that. Again, it's meant as a training collar and shouldn't be used as their collar when not being under your direct supervision.

You can also seek the advice of a PetSmart pet trainer in our stores, or a professional trainer. They can show you the right way to use that or any other training collar, and help you pick one that will help you train to resolve the issue you have.

~ Shana, PetSmart