Gentle Lead Collar, or Choker Chain for heel training?

[arentspowell]

I personally don't like prongs, I don't want to offend anybody but they seem to be just cruel for me but that's just me - I bought halti for Barney & I used it for not even a week as remorse were just killing me .... I read few books and started working with him using just normal collar & I've proven that to myself it was possible to teach him without using any violence, just treats and toys + loads of my time.

"Violent" is a gross mischaracterization of the prong. Good for you for training your dog with just a flat buckle but for others the prong is a godsend.

[Maxx&Emma]

I personally don't like prongs, I don't want to offend anybody but they seem to be just cruel for me but that's just me - I bought halti for Barney & I used it for not even a week as remorse were just killing me .... I read few books and started working with him using just normal collar & I've proven that to myself it was possible to teach him without using any violence, just treats and toys + loads of my time.

I used to feel the same way until I had one issue that was possibly a tragedy in the making. Out of the clear blue sky on a walk one day Maxx bolted after an Amish horse and buggy. It scared me to death. I asked for help from some great people and involved his trainer immediately. The prong stopped him but he still had too much focus so we moved to an e-collar. I had never used either tool before and always thought people that did were awful. Used properly, with training, they are both great tools. I never would have tried either without proper training but honestly their was nothing cruel about either. I do hate watching random people use a choke chain. Rarely have I seen one fitted or used properly. It makes me crazy! Sometimes it is necessary and if you know what you are doing there should be no cruelty involved. An e-collar stopped an accident waiting to happen for Maxx, I am greatful. I definitely understand your feelings, I previously felt the same way!

[smartrock]

Here's an article on types of collars/harnesses and neck and spine health that someone (Sue) posted recently. Caring for your Dog's Neck and Spine: Dog Collar Issues - DogBreedz.com BeataK, you may find some interesting info on the prong collar there.

Of the 3 different trainers we've used for our 2 most recent dogs, one trainer recommended Volrath snap round training collars Snap Around Volhard Training Collar

The 2 more recent trainers wanted all dogs on prong collars- even little bitty dogs were using prongs.

[Berna]

I personally don't like prongs, I don't want to offend anybody but they seem to be just cruel for me but that's just me - I bought halti for Barney & I used it for not even a week as remorse were just killing me .... I read few books and started working with him using just normal collar & I've proven that to myself it was possible to teach him without using any violence, just treats and toys + loads of my time.

A dog pulling my arms out is cruel for me. A dog choking on a flat collar or choke collar is cruel for me. A dog that has marks from the gentle leader on his muzzle is cruel for me. A dog healing properly after a few short corrections with a prong collar is anything but cruel for me! Not all dogs are the same, not all dogs are stubborn pullers and not all dogs need the same strength of correction. Not all dogs are interested in treats or squeaky toys when they have so many interesting scents around them.

[BeataK]

As I stated above I don't want to offend anybody, just shared how I feel about things like that. Maybe it's only because I never met a dog that couldn't be trained using positive methods... For sure wouldn't recommend to use such things at the beginning of training route.

[kwillia]

Tucker is almost 16 weeks and I'm really happy with the progress using a regular collar and 6ft lead. I use lots of mini treats and use the command "watch me" frequently. When he starts to pull I stop and wait for him to look at me and come back. I then give him a treat. I think it depends on the personality of the dog and how confident you are with him. I would try a regular collar and if that doesn't work then go to the next type of collar. When we first started this, we didn't leave the driveway but now we are going out of the driveway and down the street. When I feel he has had enough I stop. Hope this helps.

[Laura]

I find that the best way not to offend anyone is not to put "I don't want to offend anyone", but to offer good and helpful suggestions of what works for you. If you get advice that you don't like, you always have the option of not following it.
I have a niece that frequently says "Not to be rude or anything, but..." Of course, the next thing to come out of her mouth is rude.

I've had a Lab that walked well on a flat collar. I've also had a Lab that had the potential of injuring both of us without a prong collar. Better a pinched neck that a blown shoulder.

[emma_Dad]

Make sure to start off with just 2 steps inside your house and work your way up. Once you can get 20 steps in a row between treats move to another environment and start the process all over again from just 2 steps repeat for new locations and distractions. It takes some time but it produces a great heal and loose leash walking.They should catch on pretty quick. All you need to find is the right motivator for your dog. For Emma it's food and her getting to play tug. She only gets to play tug as a reward.

I'm also 100% convince you can train any dog with positive methods! Some dog might just take a little longer and its harder to find the right reward.

[kayepaye]

I used an easy-walk harness(the ones that have the clip at the front) with my pup, it worked amazingly well, and I prefer not to use collars for walking. Now that she is trained we just use an h-style harness, but the easy-walk was AMAZING to teach her not to pull.
It is gentle, humane, and safe. It will still take some patience, but if you have an especially difficult little one, the easy-walk harness is a huge help.

[arentspowell]

I used an easy-walk harness(the ones that have the clip at the front) with my pup, it worked amazingly well, and I prefer not to use collars for walking. Now that she is trained we just use an h-style harness, but the easy-walk was AMAZING to teach her not to pull. It is gentle, humane, and safe. It will still take some patience, but if you have an especially difficult little one, the easy-walk harness is a huge help.

You have to be careful with harnesses. That harness in particular with the way the straps sit on the dog has been known to cause strain and injury.

The No-Pull Debate - Whole Dog Journal Article