Look, I don't make rules. The dog is not a robot that you can suddenly say, "He's done" and expect him to act consistently for rest of his life. Like any relationship you have with another person, boundaries need to be established and maintained. The dog is like your wife or husband… they will eventually test you. :)

[Akeisha] Last question, how can dog not realize don't have it on since it feels a lot different than buckle? Its like my id around my neck at school I have gotten used to it but I do realize when it is off? Just for record I have no problem with pinches, many members in my 4-H club use them and they work great on right dog.

[ Adam: ] Because way you should be using pinch collar is that dog (since he has limited reason and logic) does not KNOW that it is pinch collar that allows you to give him good corrections. But it's more than pinch collar. If I put dog in a number of small yards, with no collar on ... and I'm able to chase him down and make him come back to me, if he doesn't come when I call... then dog will learn THE UNDERLYING PREMISE that I can make him do it, if he doesn't. So, pinch collar and long line make my job easier, but ultimately, dog knows (or he thinks at least) that I am a man of my word and when I tell him to do something: If he doesn't do it, I'm going to make him do it. And his life will be a lot more fun if he does it willingly. So dog starts to extrapolate this principle to other commands, too.

[Akeisha] Hope I am not being irritating I just like to know why certain trainers value certain methods over others since I love competing in obedience with my dog.

[Adam:] Keep training. -Adam.

Do you want to be able to take your dog anywhere, and KNOW that he'll listen to you... even if tempted by another dog, a cat, or even a piece of food??? Then check out: "Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer: An Insider's Guide To The Most Jealously Guarded Dog Training Secrets In History!" By Adam G. Katz, Owner of South Bay K-9 Academy. For more information, go to: http://tinyurl.com/4efaq

Dear Oliver: Set a plate with a cookie on it, off in distance. (Point B). Start a Point A, with dog, and with a broad hand motion, point to plate and say, “Go out.” Your dog will run in direction you point, to plate. Gradually move plate farther away. Then find a shallow hill, and place plate on top of hill. Point, and do same things as described above. After you’ve been doing this consistently for several days, begin placing plate “behind horizon,” but let dog see you do it. Next, do it again (after a few successful days) but don’t let dog see you put plate out. Repeat in a variety of situations, always using same command.

To read more of my dog training ramblings, read about my book (click below): http://tinyurl.com/4efaq Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!