Collars

[JPerrelli]

I'm wondering if anyone can suggest a good collar to use. I'm working on "Heel" with my 8 month old. I've tried the regular choke collar, and moved up to the prong, but I'm afraid I'm hurting her neck. She heels beautifully when we practice in the yard, but once we hit the street, it's like she has no idea what I'm talking about. I walk both my dogs together, and my 4 year old does great. Should I not walk them at the same time until the puppy starts doing better?

 

[bearbearsmom]

Hi Janet - I am a real believer in the prong collar. I have an almost 8-month-old boy and my obedience instructor suggested it to me because she could tell he was becoming too strong for me with just the regular choker. It worked wonderfully. When I put that collar on him he is such a gentleman, very well behaved in public and walks right beside me like a champ. I really don't have to tug on it very hard at all, he gets the point right away. Some here may disagree, but the prong collar worked wonders for us. Good luck.

Nancy and Bear

 

[JPerrelli]

Thanks for the support on the prong collar. I'm using a prong collar now, but I also attach it her her regular collar because the prong sometimes comes off. Can you tell me what type of prong you're using?
I'm feeling out of control walking two dogs that total almost 200 pounds, and one of them drags me all over the neighborhood!

 

[IrishMist428]

Hi Janet,
I agree with Nancy completely. I had rope burns on my hands from trying to hold the leash. As soon as I put the prong collar on, she did most of the work learning not to pull. At first I kept her leash short. If she pulled further than my side, I didn't pull her back but would stop and say heal. We still have to practice in very distrating situations, but it has helped a great deal. I don't know what kind I bought.I got the heavy weight one with the swivel leash clip at PetCo.
Good Luck
Patty & Akira

 

[Kodiak]

I'm a firm believer of prong collars Using a prong collar is like having a newf with "power steering". Kodi was trained in obedience class with it and now only wears it when we leave the house. I also put his choke collar on and clip the prong to it for a security measure. If it is fitted correctly and used properly, it will not hurt a newfies neck. I use the medium weight prong and add extenders to size it. It's a pleasure walking a 145 lb dog that's not taking me for a walk!

Brenda and Kodi

 

[berryann]

I know there are lots of opinions about collars, and this is mine. I don't like prong collars and use Gentle Leader head halters on my dogs for training. They are used differently than choke or prong collars, so I recommend some instruction on their use, and I also think the Gentle Leader or Promise collars are much better than the Halti head collars, which seem to slip off sometimes. I've heard people talk about neck injuries from them, but I belong to a large all-breed obedience club that has used them extensively for years and this has not been a problem.
With a Gentle Leader on, my kids are comfortable walking both my newf and my very active mixed breed. It gives strong but gentle control.

 

[mollysmom]

My vet is a strong advocate for the gentle leader too. She fitted my two goldens with them.

Within a week, one of my goldens had scratched the side of his face so badly (trying to get it off) that he got an infection and had to have the whole side of his face shaved off. What a mess. He absolutely hated the gentle leader and completely freaked out every time I put it on him... so, I am NOT a believer in the gentle leader. I'd definately go with a properly fitted prong.

 

[JPerrelli]

Thanks for all your help. I think I figured out what I was doing wrong with the prong collar. I attached the leash to the prong collar and also her regular leather collar. I did this because sometimes the prong collar will fall off. I don't think she was feeling the effect of the prong collar.
Tonight I only put the leash on the prong collar, and it was like walking a different dog!! I was so proud of her, she walked right by my side!
I like the idea of using the regular choke collar with the prong collar. I'll try that for our morning walk. It just makes me feel better if I have something else attached to the prong collar.
It sure was nice not to be dragged around the neighborhood tonight!

 

[brendapiepiorka]

Just read back a bit about my experience with a collar breaking. It was a prong collar and it just snapped. Could have been a disaster. Maggie learned to heel by my side with treats and coaxing like" with me". I have turned to the prong collar mainly because of her strength and if we come upon an unforseen situation(Like a squirrel or another dog) I'd rather be safe than sorry.I also have her collar attached to her other collar now as well.

 

[IrishMist428]

HI There,
Brenda has shown me her 2 collar hook-up
She has the right idea for added security of the prong. Took her advise and I have not had a problem with Akira's chain falling but I know if it did the added collar would hold out. I don't want to judge or give advise
Just want to post what I have experienced

prong collar tests was given to me to decide.....

G/L
Patty & Akira, I MISS HER SOOOOO MUCH !!!!!
Simple Spaying .... I am a wreck. My house is never, ever so clean

 

[macgirl13ca]

With Bubba, I am blessed with the heel command. He has never pulled, ignores other people and dogs when walking and I haven't considered using a prong collar. Before Bubba, I walked my neighbour's a 110 lbs. Shepherd cross, very protective of me, and not used to being walked. The prong collar was the only way this dog got walked, and he did behave as long as it was being used. I also have a friend who may be 100 lbs. soaking wet, and walks a 100 lb. Lab cross, she will only walk Coal with the prong. I too believe as long as it is used properly the prong is a fine collar.

 

[JPerrelli]

Thanks for all your help, and the site that talks about the prong collars. I feel much better about using one now. I've used one on my 4 year old Pyr, but I wasn't sure about using one on an 8 month old.
I'm now using the prong and attaching it to the choke collar. She listens much better, even when we come across the squirrels I used to dread!