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How to Fit a “Dominant Dog Collar” for a Reactive Dog

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In this article, I want to show you how to properly fit a dominant dog collar, or what I simply call a slip lead. This type of collar is highly effective for calming reactive dogs, especially those who are leash reactive or tend to freak out around other dogs. It’s a great tool to help your dog relax without immediately resorting to more corrective tools like pinch collars.

Why Choose a Dominant Dog Collar?

The slip lead is designed to help calm your dog. It’s not about correcting behavior through sharp jerks,or activating but rather about providing gentle control and reducing reactivity. If you have a dog that overreacts to other dogs or becomes highly excited on the leash, starting with a slip lead or a dominant dog collar can be very beneficial. A slip lead is different than a dominant dog collar but my PEI language – Island slang, often calls all the collars “slip leads. IT is good to note that Slip, leads,  slip collars, as well as dominant dog collars are all different tools by nature but can be used similar. 

NOTE: Dominant dog collar is the collar in the video and size requirements are needed, not as much for slip leads. Size and measurements differ depending on where you get the collar. 

Fitting the Dominant Dog Collar

Getting the right fit is crucial for the collar to work effectively. Here’s how to measure and fit the collar properly:

  1. Measure the Neck: Use a measuring tape or a piece of string to measure around the dog’s neck, just behind the ears. You want this measurement to be snug, as a loose collar will not stay in place.
  2. Choose the Right Size: Once you have the neck measurement, select a slip lead that matches. If the measurement is between sizes, it’s generally better to choose the smaller size to ensure a snug fit.
  3. Positioning: The collar should sit high on the dog’s neck, right behind the ears. This is critical because a collar that sits too low will not provide the control you need and can slide down.
  4. Fitting: When you put the collar on, the clip should be in your left hand with the dog facing you. This allows for easier and more effective handling. The collar should be snug enough that you can fit your fingers underneath but not so loose that you can fit your whole hand.

Checking the Fit

To ensure the collar is fitted correctly, attach the leash and pull gently. You should only see a small amount of slack, ideally just the length of your finger. If there’s more slack, the collar may be too loose and will not stay in the correct position.

Using the Dominant Dog Collar or any Slip Lead

When using the slip lead, keep in mind that it’s a tool to help your dog stay calm. It is important to teach your dog how to responded to the collar first in a few training sessions so the dog understands how to get its advantage. Teach your dog to be in control of it and learn how to remove it and avoid it.  Just before your dog starts to react or pull, add gentle pressure and known command and reinforce a sit or a different behaviour it knows and likes.  Then removing the discomfort encouraging your dog to relax and focus. It’s not meant to jerk over and over and or cause pain, but to guide and help then keep calm.

Benefits of a Proper Fit

A well-fitted slip lead:

  • Helps calm leash-reactive dogs by applying gentle pressure they want to avoid.
  • Keeps the collar in place high on the neck, where it’s most effective.
  • Prevents the collar from sliding down becoming un effective. ensuring consistent communication between you and your dog and having motivation is important. 

Final Thoughts

For reactive dogs, starting with a slip lead can make a significant difference in their behavior on walks or outings while they learn to walk. Add food for positive reinforcement in training after the release of pressure of the lead to 10X the power! It provides enough consistent control and helps to calm your dog without the need for harsh corrections.  If you’re looking for more training tips and personalized guidance, consider joining me in UPX our Unleashed Potential Experience community. We offer bi-weekly live training and coching sessions, access to our comprehensive online courses, and a supportive community to help you achieve your dog training goals. Jon a challenge, learn about breathwork and more. 

Consider UPX Personal Development and training for YOU and YOUR dog. 

For more information and to join us in UPX, visit https://www.dukeferguson.com/upx/membership and take the next step towards unleashing you and your dogs full potential. 

Building Confidence in Nervous Dogs: Tackling Food Bowl Anxiety

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Hey there, it’s your trainer and coach, Uncle Duke from Unleashed Potential. Today, I want to address a common issue many dog owners face: dogs being nervous of different tings and sounds. We normally think about loud sounds like guns and fireworks, but some dogs are nervous of metal food bowls or water dishes. You might not notice it, but it’s a reality for many dogs. Ive seen thirsty dogs who refused fresh drink from a dog bucket that was metal.  The clinking noise of their collar hitting the bowl can cause hesitation and anxiety. If you have a dog who has weak nerves or is fearful then this video and post is FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG! This post will walk you through techniques to help your dog build confidence and become more courageous around their food bowl. This confidence will bleed out in other life things in a more positive way. Take what I teach and add it to different situations in life with your dog. Same principles apply on other areas and to other things. This is the food bowl confidence builder. 

 

Understanding the Anxiety

Dogs can develop nervousness around food bowls due to the noise they make when their collar or leash hits the dish and they have never learned to overcome it.  This is particularly true for dogs that are naturally timid or have had negative experiences in the past. WE the humans often feel bad for the dog and make things more comfortable for them by using a different bowl and avoiding the issue of the initial fear.  This is unproductive for for making the dog more courageous and resilient to life and more anxiety increases becasue the dogs never learn to take on a challenge and struggle then win to become stronger and tougher and more confident in life. 

 Instead, anxiety increases in different areas of life over time. This affects overall health, performance and wellness of the dog in a negative way. It is the same in humans.  There is a healthy way and an unhealthy way to look at things that effect our choices and outcomes in life. Often doig the hard things, taking on the challenge is what helps us grow and learn and become stronger mentally and physically. We won’t do it if we are not motivated and we wont be if others will do it for us. 😉  I cant say enough about having a good coach in your corner and as for the dogs, they  need us humans as their coach whos in their corner, just like we need coaches in our life to grow and succeed. This is why I became a certified professional dog trainer and high performance coach. 

  I feel there are ”to many” humans and dogs who end up on anti anxiety medication when it is not required.  Most often other things in combination work excellent to combat anxiety. To name a few examples for humans and dogs: Getting enough rest and exercise, proper nutrition, therapy or coaching, training and personal development for dogs and humans, breathwork and more hobby or play. By taking on challenges to learn to serve and grow and doing hard tings that is what is required fir growth and resilience to life and reduce anxiety.   

In the video, the goal is to counter condition or desensitize them to the noise and make the eating experience positive and stress-free.

Desensitization Techniques

One effective way to build your dog’s confidence is through gradual desensitization. Here’s how I approach this training:

  1. Introduce the Noise Gradually: Start by dropping food into the bowl while your dog is near it. If they’re hesitant or jumpy, it’s okay. The idea is to get them used to the sound bit by bit.
  2. Observe and Adjust: Pay close attention to your dog’s reactions. If they show signs of stress, like jumping or backing away, take note. The key is to proceed slowly and not push them past their comfort zone to much to fast. Let the dog try harder then you do. It is healthy to let the dog struggle to figure out how to gain its advantage. 
  3. Positive Associations: Each time you drop food into the bowl,  the experience and sound means something positive. Over time, they will start to associate the clinking noise with something good—food!!!!  and the noise will be a desired sound when it was once a fear sound. Decreasing the anxiety. BUT the dog needs to want the reward bad enough to try hard. Letting the dog struggle so it can find its own advantages is POWERFUL!! 

Step-by-Step Process

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the process:

  1. Initial Introduction: Place some food in the bowl and let your dog approach it. If they hesitate simply wait and just be there with them.  If they jump at the noise, it’s a sign that they’re still nervous, but don’t worry—this is normal. This is a matter of time and patience. Just be! I call this waiting for the water to boil before we can get cooking potatoes and lobster. See that in a different youtube video. LOL! 
  2. Increasing the Challenge in small steps:: As your dog becomes more comfortable, start making a bit more challenging with noises and places with the bowl. Make it a game of growth and it will become fun as long as you dont make it to hard.  For instance, you can tap the bowl lightly. Watch their reaction closely. If they remain calm, reward them with food. If at any point they seem too stressed, dial it back a bit. See the video for best example. 
  3. Incorporating Other Noises: To further build confidence, you can introduce other noises and distractions. For example, use a stick or another object to create sounds near the food bowl. This helps your dog become more resilient to various noises. Place the bowl on different surfaces and be creative and make it fun. Challenge build up idea:  I set the bowl on a skate board and begin tapping on it as the dog eats.  If you can do this post the video in UPX community if you are a member and we can celebrate! Besure to tage me and you could win a prize! . If you are not in UPX training and coaching community then I invite you to join me in UPX today.  

Real-Life Application

During a training session, I noticed my dog was nervous about the noise of his food bowl. I began by dropping food into the bowl and observed his reaction. Initially, he startled at the noise, but with consistent practice “opening and closing the kitchen” and making positive reinforcement work, he became more comfortable. 

One exercise I used was tapping the bowl while he was eating. At first,I took it slow since he was a little anxious,, but over time, he learned to associate the noise with food and became less anxious, mentally stronger and more confident.  It’s similar to building muscle; you start with light weights and gradually increase the load as you get stronger. The same principle applies here—small steps lead to big improvements. 

Final Thoughts

Training and dog and helping them to overcome their fears and build confidence takes time and patience and they need you as that  coach. They cnt do it alone.  Just like us humans, when we want to grow and transform and succeed we also need a good coach.  Do you and your dog have a good coach?

  It’s essential to give yourself patience and grace for you and your dog to learn and grow. Life, relationships and growth is a process and a struggle for dogs and humans. Honour the struggle is something I say in UPX, you should join us if you have not already. 

  By using these techniques, you can help your dog become more courageous and relaxed around their food bowl and other noises.

Dont go at life alone with your dog, find a like minded tribe and community.  If you’re in to dog training, personal development, breathwork and outdoors and if you are  looking for more guidance and support or more challenges and growth for you and your dog then  join the Unleashed Potential Experience (UPX) community. In UPX, we offer live community group training and coaching sessions with me and my team. NePoPO® Dog Training and behaviour shaping, personalized coaching one to one live, recorded lives for viewing, supportive and inspiring community of extraordinary growth minded people  to help you achieve your dog training goals easier and faster knowing your not alone. For more information and to sign up for my free video series on dog training, visit unleashpotential.ca or dukeferguson.com.

Remember, building a confident, well-adjusted, better version of you and your dog is a process and a journey to honour. With patience and the right approach, you can help your dog overcome their anxieties and thrive.