Development
Who Developed the Scruffy Guider® Collar?
The Scruffy Guider Collar is the design of Jeff Woods, professional dog trainer and owner of Misty Pines Dog Park. Jeff has been successfully training, consulting and teaching thousands of dogs and their owners to "howl with success" since 1975. This experience, coupled with education from Cornell, the University of Guelph and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), led to the development of this training tool. Jeff uses and recommends this collar everyday as a collar that provides not only a safe way to train for the owner, but a collar that was developed with the dog's well being in mind. It has been used by thousands and has had tremendous success.
Jeff also devotes much of his time and his facility to organizations like the Humane Society and Animal Friends, donating a portion of the Scruffy Guider Collar proceeds to these organizations. He has also developed the DAF Program (Dogs Adopted for Friendship), an adoption service working with dog shelters locally.
Jeff's love of dogs inspired his development of a 25-acre dog park allowing a half acre of fenced-in dog playground. It is complete with obstacles, hiking trails, and a pond where dogs can take a swim, with lots of running space in a secure environment. As open spaces disappear, and parks don't allow dogs, Misty Pines Dog Park offers a place where dogs and their owners can experience freedom without the risks. Misty Pines also has incorporated a Doggie Convention Center which is a state of the art 5,400 sq. ft. facility, completely equipped for professional training, dog events, and shows.
Testimonials
Pat Miller, CPDT, CDBC, of Peaceable Paws, and author of "The Power of positive Dog Training and "Positive Perspectives" had this to say in the May 1999 issue of The Whole Dog Journal
"The perfect training collar is the Holy Grail of the dog training world. There is a firm belief that such a thing must exist, people will go to great effort to try to find it, and the search, for the most part, is disappointing and frustrating. It's refreshing to find a humane training collar that delivers at least some of what it promises. The Scruffy Guider is such a product."
"...the collars fit and rode well, with one strap high on the neck and the other resting at the base, and did seem to more widely distribute any pressure caused by the dog's pulling, as promised."
"I discovered that the handle, offered only on the slip collar, did come in handy on several occasions."
Ask me why the Scruffy Guider® works so well!
“I
have been a professional trainer for over 10
years. I started out using choke chains,
prong collars, and traditional training,
then, 8 years ago I was "turned on" to
Positive Reinforcement, and found out you
didn't have to hurt your dog to teach them
good manners." I joined APDT (Assoc. of Pet
Dog Trainers) and through the APDT list
posts by other trainers, I found out about
the Scruffy Guider Collar. I found it to be
a very important addition to my "toolbox."
Owners of large dogs in particular find it
helpful for managing their dog's behavior in
the house thanks to the handle design. I
have a client that I assisted in training
his service/seeing eye dog, and he loves the
Scruffy Guider, the double collar system
allowed him to feel if her head turned or
dipped during training, and the handle
allowed him to hold her closer if it were
necessary. Small dogs can benefit from the
Scruffy because it does not cause the
choking problems like a regular buckle
collar can. I would love to introduce this
collar to Police K-9 units, I think they
would find it very useful. I have a set at
my classes so I can allow my clients to try
them on. I have a Scruffy for one of my dogs
and she gets excited whenever she sees it.
The only bad thing I can say about the
Scruffy Guider is, "Darn, why didn't I think
of it!?"
Connie Price, CPDT, Gentle Touch Dog
Training, Stockton, CA
“The Scruffy Guider is an ideal tool for stopping “bad” behaviors and redirecting dogs toward good behaviors that win them praise. The Scruffy Guider’s prominent handle allows dog owners to interrupt problem behaviors without a lot of fumbling around. In addition, due to the unique, two-buckle design the Scruffy Guider distributes the strength of the owner over the full length of the dog’s neck. This gives the owner control over the dog without putting pressure on one spot on the young dog’s undeveloped neck. The owner can more effectively stop problem behaviors. Once the behavior is interrupted, the Scruffy Guider enables the owner to continue guiding the dog into a sit or down position. The dog can then be rewarded for being in control."
Sherie Gintner, Canine Behavior Counselor (Western PA. Humane Society)
“Just wanted to let you know I'm a trainer and have used your Scruffy Guider in a rather surprising way - on a 5 year old female german shepherd who has only three legs (has lost her front leg). It's a great collar for her as she uses it like a brace when she is training on lead. Her family is thrilled with it."
"The Scruffy Guider changed my dog into a loving, kind, happy dog."
"An excellent training tool, helps give me better control without hurting the dog."
"The Scruffy Guider is the best collar we've ever used. We had at least 4 collars before this one. Our dog is 50 lbs. of muscle (Bulldog), and this collar gives us the control to handle him. It's great!"
"The Scruffy Guider saved my arms and allowed me to continue to love her. It really helps me to guide her. I tell all my friends about it!"
"The collar has been wonderful at helping me gain control without feeling I'm hurting my dog. The handle is great for working through agility obstacles."
Glenis Levine (18 month, Gold Retriever)
"With having such a large dog, the Scruffy Guider really helped us gain control. Other collars slipped lower on her neck where she couldn't feel it. The Scruffy Guider stays high up and gives us great control!"
"Emma tended to pull back when timid or pull ahead when excited. These behavioral problems caused me anxiety because I felt like I was stretching her neck. The Scruffy Guider lessened my anxiety and eased the pull on her neck. Thanks."
"Humane, efficient, great training device."
"Scruffy has been a great tool for our "high energy" dog. The handle feature of the collar is especially useful. Our dog has shown wonderful progress in just a few weeks."
"We've had Jasper's "Scruffy" since she was 6 months old. We would have been lost without it. It is essential for any dog who pulls. Both our dogs wear "Scruffy". They are invaluable."
