AKC Obedience?

Question

This question is for you that train and show dogs in AKC obedience. What type of collar and lead do you use in training and in the show ring? What type of dog is this that you are showing in obedience. There seems to be so many people that do not like using choke collars at all, and suggest halti's or gentle leaders. That might be fine for the general person to use, but for you people suggesting this, you CAN NOT use Halti's, Gentle leaders or Pinch collars in the show ring. I use chokes on my German Shepherds from about 6 to 7 months of age for training AKC obedience. Almost all dogs at our obedience club are trained with chokers from Basic class through Utility. Chokes are permitted in the AKC obedience ring and show chokes are used with some breeds in the AKC conformation ring. If a choke is used correctly, by an experienced person, they are a very effective training tool. So what do you use with what breed while training for and showing in the AKC obedience ring? Leads too

I have always used a 6 foot leather lead for obedience and also I use a narrower one for conformation. With the Shepherds, we train them to pull out at the end of the lead in conformation. The Nylon leads tend to rip your hands up! LOLOL

Answer 1

I have shown in obedience for years and in rally since it's inception as a recognized AKC event. I use training (choke) collars on my dogs for this and I also use 6' leather leashes.I have also used martingale collars in the OB ring too.

In conformation I use a thinner nylon training collar or a leather one. I use a shorter,lighter leather lead for this then I do in OB/rally.

In ob/rallly training I use a standard chain collar and a regular 6' lead....in conformation training I usually use a light nylon and a light nylon lead.

I show Danes and a German Shorthair.

Answer 2

I start my puppies in a flat buckle collar and 6' leather lead. I am not a fan of Halti's/Gentle Leaders as most people have problems transistioning to the choke chain. If you want to do competitive Obedience...GO TO CLASS! You need to know how to fit and use the choke collar correctly! I am stunned at how many people I see with incorrectly fitted/incorrectly positioned choke collars!

I show Conformation mainly now and do training for the CGC and Therapy dog certifications. I have done Obedience and Field work in the past. Good luck and have fun!

Answer 3

Well since 90% of the use of collar & lead bayond basic obedience is for sutle communication, I find different collar & leads have worked best of different of my dogs (all whippets). My first whippet trained on a snap choke (which are now leagal in the OB ring). the second I found that every time I put a choke on him things went to pot- it was like the lead had no end. He's entered next weekend in open - on a buckle collar, the only thing I train him on. Dog 3 - I discovered during breed handling worked 300% better on the choke than the resco so she works OB on a choke too. Dog #4 started on the snap coke but as she gained understanding of the job I once again had a lead with no end and switched to the flat collar - she has her RN & is entered next weekend in Novice.
One bit isn't best for every horse why should one type collar for every dog?
I think half of the choke problem is the name & half the fact it frequntly missused - the only use should be the quick pop AND LET SLACK OUT- which is attention getter similar to tapping a daydreaming student on the shoulder.... that works fine on a buckle collar on a dog as small as a whippet too...
This is not to say that a halti or a prong can't be used to gain enough control to teach dog ... I've seen them as a godsend on too many class dogs... and seen them misused and driving the dog nuts too.....

Answer 4

Boy you made really think on this one. I never used anything else but a choke. Back when I was doing all the AKC obedience you couldn't use anything else, also used a 6 foot leather lead. I only showed dogs for a few years but then I used a show collar and lead there too. I don't recommend them here because they will be used incorrectly. Most people don't even know to put them on right. I hate the head leads and have never used them either.
A lot of trainer recommend them to their clients but then they will not be showing or doing any in AKC anyway.
I suppose they have their place but I never had the need to use any of them.
I hope this answers your question.

Answer 5

I've shown and/or titled toy poodles, several MinPIns, Gsds, Rotts,and a Dobe in obed. and use the same equipment on all. Pinch collars for training, training(choke) collars for show and 6 foot leather leads. Haltis and Gentle Leaders do not train they restrain dogs. I always use a pinch on any sized dog as they are much more humane than a traditional choke collar and can not do damage. I've known several dogs permanetly injured from choke collars during training. For the breed ring I use a snake chain collar and lite leather lead, again for all my dogs. Just the size of the equipment varies..lol.. I often showed my MinPins in breed and obed at the same show and got points and legs w/o anyone missing auto sits or sitting in the breed ring. I've rescued and rehabbed many dogs and still use the same equipment. I have used Haltis b4 on MinPins and big breeds just to experiment and to run dogs next to a bike.

Answer 6

I have a Blue Heeler and a Tenterfield Terrier Cross that are currently training and trialing. I use a choker on both of them in training and the ring. If a choker is used properly they are at no harm to the dog, they are actually better I think because if the dog is doing the right thing then its loss so more comfortable. When they are just at home they are flat collars on and when I go for a walk in the afternoons my blue heeler has a halti and my tenterfield has a harness. I have better control of my heeler on a halti. I use twisted leads )two strands twisted together) for my leads because I believe they are stonger. My mum shows English Bull Terriers and she uses chokers on them as well but she uses a weaved lead. I guess its personal perference on what lead you use. This is in the Australian Odebience Club and Kennel Club.

Answer 7

For training we always use a 6 foot lead and a choke collar.
If showing in conformation I use a martingale on all of my dogs. Weims and Dobermans.
For the field trials I use a flat nylon collar that is covered in a plastic rubbery type stuff to keep it from getting wet and loosing their color. It has a metal loop in the center for a bell or for your lead to attach to.
When doing obedience I have always used a regular choke and a 6foot lead. I use a mountain climbing rope lead. It is a rolled rope and very easy on the hands and NEVER breaks.Even after years of use and getting wet or what ever they are great.

Answer 8

I use a 4-foot nylon slip lead and collar in Obedience for training and in the ring. I prefer to use the lightest-weight collar and lead possible. When training the perfect heel, I use a very small-ring chain collar for corrections. I use this collar also in the show ring, but my show Goldens also are trained in the obedience ring, so it is not for corrections, only for control.
I am not a fan of using corrective training collars or leads, whether in competition or just basic training.
Once you compete in the Utility ring, you do not use a lead.

Answer 9

I have always used choke collars and a 6' nylon leash; jewel choke (at least that's what they used to be called) in conformation. (This is for Canadian Kennel Club shows, but the rules are pretty much the same.) And I totally agree that choke collars are an effective training tool provided you know how to use them. Some dogs never wear a choke once they're training's done, they just don't need them.

Answer 10

to function directly to something Jr Handler besides being separate from conformation is likewise separate kind obedience. Its it own ingredient- however the object is how nicely the Jr handler exhibits the canines as though its interior the conformation ring.... you may show interior the breed ring, junior handler, AND obedience on a similar show (in case you elect to be run ragged vbg) beginner A earns a similar identify and does a similar issues as beginner B yet is that in case you on no account titled a canines before (IN AKC obedience in basic terms if your caniadian ect) in the adventure that your canines is co-owned with the help of a breeder or a discern in the event that they have titled in obedience before or are a decide in any AKC adventure you may desire to show in B.