dog whisperer and collar

It's called an illusion collar, and I believe it costs 30 or 40 bucks

[linkhttp://cesarmillan.securesites.net/icollar.php]http://cesarmillan.securesites.net/icollar.php[/link]

Please don't just try equipment willy nilly without truly understanding your dog's issue.  Some dogs that bark at other dogs are frustrated (just want to get to them to say hi), some are aggressive (if I get to you, I'll kill you), and some are just frightened (get away, get away, you scary thing).
There is a great book called "Scaredy Dog: Understanding and Rehabilitating Your Reactive Dog" by Ali Brown.  I urge you to get it, and see if you recognize your dog's behavior.  80% of reactive behavior is based in fear or frustration, not true aggression.  But, reactivity is usually handler-exacerbated, so if you yank back on your dog, or use a piece of equipment incorrectly, you may make matters much worse instead of better.  

The illusion collar is a modified coke.  I wouldn't reccomend it for a reactive dog of any sort.  I've used n on a few dogs and have had good results, but there only problem were lazy owners.

ORIGINAL: k9therapist

The illusion collar is a modified coke.  I wouldn't reccomend it for a reactive dog of any sort.  I've used n on a few dogs and have had good results, but there only problem were lazy owners.

The Illusion collar isn't a modified choke.  It's simply a regular buckle collar designed to stay at the top of the neck, under the dogs chin.  It's easier to control a dog with the collar high on the neck rather than at the bottom, where their neck is the strongest.  I personally prefer a prong collar to stop pulling, but stick with whatever works for you and what you're most comfortable with and always get the proper training before using any kind of collar on your dog.

Actaully it IS a modified chocke.  There are buckles on the top and bottom of the collar, and you are correct in that it does keep the collar up on the neck.  On the inside of the top collar there is a black nylon cord that consticts when the dog pulls.  The black cord is what makes it a modified choke.

A modified thin nylon choke fitted high on the dog's neck, under the chin, is what old-fashioned dog trainers call a dominant dog collar.  It is fitted high on the chin because that is the most sensitive area of the neck, where it's easiest to choke the dog and apply maximal pain. Yank n spank trainers use this collar to "correct" a reactive or aggressive dog by "hanging": lift the dog straight up off his feet. The pain and cut off airway usually shock the dog into stopping his current behavior. At least until next time. In actual practice many dogs "corrected" this way tend to get more reactive and more aggressive over time; others completely shut down.
Milan' s illusion collar is just a variant on the dominant dog collar. Apparently they used to show him "hanging" dogs on his show, but now they appear to cut those scenes out because they tend to be rather disturbing to watch.
If you're really having trouble controlling your dog, a prong collar fitted midway down the dog's neck is a humane option. However, if your dog is truly reactive, a program of desensitization will cure the problem and you won't need special collars.

Trevell, I am curious whether you have tried an Easy Walk Harness on your own dog.   I always think it's better to start with the least painful device and work up, rather than with the most painful and work down.
I don't have a problem with anyone using a prong if they can't control their dog on a less aversive device, but I am a proponent of humane control while *training* the dog to walk nicely beside the handler.

ORIGINAL: k9therapist

Actaully it IS a modified chocke.  There are buckles on the top and bottom of the collar, and you are correct in that it does keep the collar up on the neck.  On the inside of the top collar there is a black nylon cord that consticts when the dog pulls.  The black cord is what makes it a modified choke.

I stand corrected.  Sorry, I didn't see the black cord.  I guess that's what the whole "Illusion" is all about!

ORIGINAL: tbr202

Hi, does anyone know about the collar that he uses in one show? It is two red collars looks like a turtleneck with space. We use a gentle leader but i don't think that it allows me to show Smoochie what I want to show her.

She barks at other dogs,

but when i take her out our front door she often goes first, We live in an apartment and the door is easy to snap shut and the dogs are scared, we've just moved in.

Tommy in the village

 
You can show in an Illusion collar?

ORIGINAL: spiritdogs

Trevell, I am curious whether you have tried an Easy Walk Harness on your own dog.   I always think it's better to start with the least painful device and work up, rather than with the most painful and work down.
I don't have a problem with anyone using a prong if they can't control their dog on a less aversive device, but I am a proponent of humane control while *training* the dog to walk nicely beside the handler.

Spiritdogs, I've never tried the Easy Walk.  Here's a brief history of the different collars I've used for my rescue dog who I found on the street at six months:

I stared out with a regular flat buckle, leather collar and my dog would pull ahead to the point of choking himself.  After a couple months, I enrolled in a Petsmart class and my trainer sold everyone on the Gentle Leader.  I thought this collar was a miracal!  Although he seemed slightly uncomfortable having the loop around his muzzle, he walked perfectly!  It was amazing!  I figured after several months on the GL I could switch back to his regular collar, but whenever I switched back he would go right back to pulling as hard as he could again.  Also, his attempts at pawing off the loop part got worse. 

I did some research on different collars and decided to try out a prong.  I learned how to use and fit it correctly and conditioned him to it for about a month, meaning, I'd take it on and off several times a day without using any corrections.  Surprisingly, he didn't mind the prong at all. 

After the month of conditioning, I hooked it up to my leash (dead ring only) And walked.  He got in line right away.  I didn't have to admisister any more than an occasional light tug every now and then.  After about a month or two, I switched him back to his original flat buckle leather collar and he now walks perfectly on the leash!  No more prong, no more GL, just a regular, old fashioned leather dog collar!

ORIGINAL: spiritdogs

Please don't just try equipment willy nilly without truly understanding your dog's issue.  Some dogs that bark at other dogs are frustrated (just want to get to them to say hi), some are aggressive (if I get to you, I'll kill you), and some are just frightened (get away, get away, you scary thing).
There is a great book called "Scaredy Dog: Understanding and Rehabilitating Your Reactive Dog" by Ali Brown.  I urge you to get it, and see if you recognize your dog's behavior.  80% of reactive behavior is based in fear or frustration, not true aggression.  But, reactivity is usually handler-exacerbated, so if you yank back on your dog, or use a piece of equipment incorrectly, you may make matters much worse instead of better.  

 
Hi, SpiritDogs.
 
I just got in from a walk with our dog Baxter (a bijon-frise).  I ran into a neighbor whom I've never really met.  She had her dog with her, a male mutt.  Part poodle, and part two other breeds that I can't remember.  Her dog is the same size as mine.  Yet, her dog was very scared of mine.  He didn't bark or show signs of aggression.  He just would not go near my dog, even when the neighbor tried to.  It didn't help any that her dog was on a retractable leash, that made it easy for him to hide.  Her dog isn't used to being with other dogs I guess.  I figured I'd try and help her with advice next time I see her. 
 
With all the info I've read online and seen on TV, you'd think I could tell her what to do.  You haven't read that book have you, the one you recommended ("Scaredy Dog: Understanding and Rehabilitating Your Reactive Dog" by Ali Brown)?  I'm wondering without me reading that book what I should recommend to her.  We tried picking both dogs up and putting them face to face.  That didn't help any, her dog was still very scared.  Apparently, her dogs will bark at bigger dogs.  My dog was putting his tail down, so that is probably why her dog didn't bark.  My dog was being very friednly, and not intimidating at all.     

ORIGINAL: sillysally

ORIGINAL: tbr202

Hi, does anyone know about the collar that he uses in one show? It is two red collars looks like a turtleneck with space. We use a gentle leader but i don't think that it allows me to show Smoochie what I want to show her.

She barks at other dogs,

but when i take her out our front door she often goes first, We live in an apartment and the door is easy to snap shut and the dogs are scared, we've just moved in.

Tommy in the village

You can show in an Illusion collar?

They were talking about his TV show, not a dog show.  []

Cesar doesn't use the "hanging" technique. In some episodes, he has held the leash while a dog has spun out of control, resisting Cesar until the dog has exhausted its momentary hysteria, and then is ready to be calm and submissive. The dog is working against the leash in the period before submission, but Cesar is not hanging him or suspending the dog in the air.  Instead, Cesar holds the leash steady, while the dog does all the crazy stuff that makes the dog uncomfortable. These dogs do not become more resistant, as hanged dogs do, but become calm, submissive, and very happy dogs with Cesar's patient and loving guidance.  Trainers who use the hanging technique are irresponsible and cruel, and should be retrained themselves.