Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Prong Collar Vs Gentle Leader

We're looking for a new prong collar for Cadie that doesn't make her neck ugly (the one we have now must be covered in something that's rubbing off on her). 

I'm thinking of a Herm Sprenger Prong Collar with Quick Release, size Medium.

I posted something on a labs forum and got shot down about how horrible prong collars are (I don't necessarily agree, but figured I'd look into their suggestions) - a lot of people recommended a gentle leader. 

Cadie's really good at walking now (with her prong collar) - no pulling, good with kids around, much calmer.  And I definitely need to have control over her when the baby comes and I have a stroller and a dog to walk. 

Thoughts? 

PS Quick release or just the 'normal' connection for the prong collar?

1 comment:

  1. Hi Lauren,

    I like the Gentle Leader, and also the "Halti" as alternatives to the pinch collar. They work like a horse halter, steering the dog by redirecting its face; where the nose points, the body will follow. Too hard of a pull against a fast moving dog could cause cervical vertebral damage. Additionally, they are used more to control a dog rather than to teach intrinsically based self control; when the equipment comes off, typically so does the "training." The pinch collar is a temporary tool, generally used--without "jerking"--to lighten a dog on a collar in preparation to transition to softer--but actually potentially more harmful--equipment. A buckle collar is a source of direct contact against a single point on the dog's neck; the trachea. If a dog is a hard puller, this can cause damage to the dog. (It also can result in torn rotator cuffs for you!) The pinch collar applies dull points of contact dispersed across much more of the dog's neck, and therefore diffuses the "correction." It also functions based on cause and effect--as the dog pulls, the collar tightens and squeezes; as the dog reduces pulling, the collar slackens. There were studies performed on these collars, which demonstrate they are not cruel training devices from a veterinary standpoint. In the end, it is what feels good to you--and your dog's neck!--that matters and will guide your decision. I hope this helps!

    Peggy Moran

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