Methods of Training

A solid steel chain of interlocking links with rings at both ends. 

A leash is attached to one end and as it's jerked, the chain slides through the opposite end. This causes the choker to collapse round the dog's neck like a hangman's noose. A steel choker is preferred by most users because it can withstand repeated strong jerks without breaking. They're also made of nylon, cotton and other materials, however all choke collars have the same function: they choke the dog!

Why do you think it's called choker?

The choke collar is used on all types of training courses: obedience, behavior, protection, guard, attack, etc ...

The choke collar method of training is effective but a very painful way to train a dog. 

The choke collar method is actually crushing your dog's esophagus while cutting off the flow of blood and oxygen to their brain.

A collar that has a double row of 20 (or more) 2-inch long metal spikes with sharp points.

A chain runs through each end and is connected to one solid steel ring that is attached to the leash. Some trainers start their training by using a spike collar. The majority only use it as the next step up in progression pain once the a dog becomes resistant to the low-level pain from the choke collar.

The spike collar delivers much more pain than a choker!

A correction is applied by forcefully jerking the leash. This causes all the spikes to be drawn inward simultaneously, collapsing against the dog's throat, which sinks the spikes deep into the sensitive nerves. Sometimes when jerking it turns in a circular motion, ripping hair and skin from the dog's neck.

The spike collar method is effective but an extremely painful way to train any dog. Dog Trainers that use this method usually justify it for the money.

Dog owners who use this method are usually just uninformed, which is where Ohio State K-9 College comes in. We think dog owners should know better, but unfortunately many do not! However, after witnessing the interaction between our Master Trainer and their dog, our customers realize how we continuously prove that the choke and spike collar methods are inappropriate and unnecessary.

Some dog owners (especially men) tell us that they thought physical domination is the appropriate way to train a dog, no mater which type they chose to use.

The spike collar method can permanently damage your dog's trachea, larynx or esophagus, even pinch a nerve causing temporary or permanent nerve damage. Worse yet, your dog could become completely paralyzed!

An electronic device on a collar that is battery operated and activated by a hand held remote control.

Just like a car battery, the shock collar has negative and positive posts called electrodes that touch the dog's skin for connection. For a correction, simply push a button to shock the dog. The shock collar eliminates the need to use both hands to jerk on a leash, like the choke or spike collar methods.

The pain of the electric current from the shock collar running through the dog's body punishes them.

The people who use this method (except trainer's who do it for the money) normally have a lot of anger or frustration, therefore feel they have a justifiable reason, like an item costing thousands of dollars ruined. Imagine coming home from an evening out or a hard day's work and finding an item like this ruined. 

Wouldn't you rather avoid this situation by giving your dog the expert training they need, so they'll know how to behave even when you're not home?

The shock collar method really speaks for itself. Most people realize that this method is the ultimate of the 3 levels of pain.

Using treats for training your dog is absolutely wrong. As a matter of fact, it will create more PROBLEMS for you and your dog than all 3 pain methods combined!

A command is given and if obeyed the dog gets a treat, if not no treat. Sounds innocent enough doesn't it? In reality even with the best of intentions, you're teasing or bribing your dog. After giving a command with no results, you look into your dog's confused eyes and repeat it again but still no results. You keep repeating the command hoping and praying they will figure it out, meanwhile the dog keeps staring at the treat. Realizing the dog's frustration and understanding that they have no idea of what is wanted from them, many of us give in and give the treat. Not realizing giving the treat will teach the dog that they don't have to obey to get a treat.

If we don't give the treat, we will have TEASED them. By giving the treat without the proper results, we've confused them. It's a no-win situation!

Now let's assume the dog obeys, they get a treat. All of us have seen a parent bribing a child, "If you do this, I will give you that." How will they get their child or dog to behave without a bribe?

The treat BRIBING method doesn't teach what you really want, which is your dog's respect!

When the treat method is used in a group class or boarding school environment, their trainers like to call it positive reinforcement! Do any of the results look positive to you?

The treat method will teach your dog to acquire a craving for people-food or treats. When not given, the dog will try and get them on their own, stealing them from kids' hands, off tables, floors, or even the garbage inside or out, etc... What the treat method creates is a sneak-thief or a dog that begs for food whenever possible (usually both) and a dog that can be easily poisoned by a criminal or accidentally. The treat method creates a dog that is not willing to perform without a treat. These are the results of an amateur trainer.

Only the voice is used to teach the dog to obey and respect the owner.

All reprimands are verbal. NO choking, spiking, shocking or treats are used.

We also use the praise method to balance our training, so the dog will enjoy learning and gain confidence in themselves and their relationship with the owner.

The Ohio State K-9 College prefers only the voice control method because it achieves the utmost RESPECT from the dog.

The other schools use one or more of the 4 worst methods!

The voice control method can achieve complete off leash control of your dog. No leash or collar needed.

Now that you fully understand the quality differences between all five methods that trainers use, you should be even more concerned with learning the quality differences between all three styles they use.