If its not broke, don't fix it

One question I get asked quite often is 'what do you feel about.....' followed by 'this brand of dog food' or 'pinch collars' or 'electric fences'or puppy pads'. Or whatever they want validation for using.
My opinion on most things is 'if it works for you'.
Usually. Mostly.
I can always tell when someone is going to another local trainer because their ten week old puppy comes in on a pinch collar, or they ask me to help fit them with one. Now, I think a pinch collar has an occasional and specific purpose, but never on a ten week old puppy.

And I don't say 'never' lightly. It teaches the puppy something but its not how to walk on a leash, not how to learn, but only that bad things happen when pinch collar is on.

But I had a very nervous, hyper alpha wanna-be snapping, barking, whining, 2 year old German Shepherd that calmed down for the first time ever within five minutes of putting on a pinch collar. Now we can focus on other behaviors.

Puppy pads. I usually don't like - okay - really dislike - dogs using my floor for a bathroom. However. Its freaking cold here.

If I had a teeny tiny unhousebroken puppy, I'd be putting pads down and not taking them out in the minus six wind chill to pee. While I was blessing the person who thought of them.


Equipment is just that. A tool that can be used for good or evil.