#inglenook ta
Whaaaat!?!? An Ethologist science based LIMA trainer actually standing up for *proper* prong collar use!?!
Yes. I’m 99% R+, but have been properly educated (& maintain ongoing training & education) in operant conditioning, classical conditioning, counter conditioning, and other training & behavioral modification methods.
YES I will only use a training tool that I have first tried on myself at MAXIMUM stimulation.
YES I use LIMA methodology and will exhaust / incorporate all other methods of R+, replacement reinforcement, & other B-mod methods before introducing / increaseing tools.
YES I train so that the tools are not needed long term. It is all about teaching the dog how to be set up for communication success! Think scaffolding on a building / sculpture. Eventually you want to see the finished piece in all it’s glory. FADING TOOLS IS IMPORTANT!
ANY Training tools (be it flat collar, harness, martingale, vibration, prong, verbal cue, sign language, body language, food, leash, etc) should be used to promote healthy communication - not punishment or feed frustration - to both ends of the leash!
NOT every training tool is for every dog. The tool is not magic and I get a disturbing number of behavioral cases from humans who thought they could just slap a prong on their dog and “fix them”. THIS IS WHY TRAINING TOOLS GET A BAD RAP!! 1) The dog didnt need fixing, they needed clarity of communication. 2) Now the uneducated but well meaning human made the issue 1000x worse and my job 1000x more difficult vs if they just sought professional help with their dog from the start.
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Personal snobbery:
@hermsprengerusa are the ONLY prong / necktech collars I’ll use. Rounded tips. High quality strong metal that doesn’t bend, warp, rust, or otherwise deteriorate into a DANGEROUS piece of trash. Dont cheap out on your gear. It isnt worth the risk.
*not sponsored but I should be*
A well fitting collar (regardless of type) and leather* leash makes a world of difference. Toss those retractable leashes and ill fitting collars in the rubbish where they belong!
* I prefer responsibly sourced leather b/c it is better on my hands, ages well & lasts FOREVER, doesn’t give me rope burns, doesn’t dry rot / deteriorate into micro plastics like vegan leather.
Check out my tiktoks or insta (InglenookAcademy) for more!!
