Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i'm planning on getting a newfoundland puppy this summer. i was wondering, when i buy the choke chain for training, should i buy one that it will be able to grow into and wear as an adult? or should i buy a smaller size and buy a larger one when he gets older? and also, what is your opinion about martingale collars?

>>i'm planning on getting a newfoundland puppy this summer. i was wondering, when i buy the choke chain for training, should i buy one that it will be able to grow into and wear as an adult? or should i buy a smaller size and buy a larger one when he gets older? and also, what is your opinion about martingale collars?

>>>>>>>>>>

A Martingale collar is a better choice for a puppy. Collars have to fit, and you will need to buy bigger ones as your puppy grows. A collar that will fit him as an adult would be useless on him as a puppy. Collars are not that expensive. Puppy vaccinations and proper food for a growing Newfoundland are expensive, as is any illness he gets. The cost of paying for a puppy is only a fraction of the real cost.
-----
Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

That's good advice on getting a flat chain collar to fit properly. We like to call it a training collar rather than a choke chain, because our goal is to train, not choke.

When a chain collar fits right, the dog benefits because it can hear the chain before it even gets tight but it will get tight if he fights it. I know, not everyone agrees that "corrections" is the way to go. I'm not debating that here. The point is that if you DO decide to go flat chain collar, get one that fits properly and with a Newf (I have 5), you know you will outgrow them quickly. That's just part of the game. On the up side, Newfies are so smart and so willing to learn, that it won't take them long.

Luck.
My Carting Site

to use either collar. Start with positive reenforcement training from the beginning and you shouldn't need a "training" collar.

a flat buckle collar is 'safest' cos its less likely to catch on something, then you can get the martingale which slips over her head

I'd do that, just to get her used to wearing the collar & being 'collared'
I say "collar" each time I put the collar on. As a pup this type of handling will be vital later.

Never leave the collars on when not supervised.

in the beginning you can 'lure' the pup to follow you, walk beside your left side after a treat in your hand.

do sev. brief sessions, sev. times a day. with lots of encouragement & praise.

the leash/collar is basically so that the pup won't run off & I'd avoid tugging/pulling the pup or she'll learn to dislike the collar.

when I put on collars, all mine try to get collared. as part of recall they know that they'll get collared and praised/treated. this could save yourdog's life.

there are plenty of trainers that do not use metal chain/choke collars at all. one good collar is a gentle leader. do research & ask about positive reinforcement training.

keep us posted, I'm excited for you getting your pup.