Prong Collar?! Tell Me About Them.

[Peaches Lee]

To put it in even better context I might use a retractable leash on my own dogs occasionally but wouldn’t recommend them to very many people with bigger dogs. Just because some of us can do it doesn’t mean everyone can. Theres about 1500 videos online now with all the doorbell cameras in use of people being yanked off their own porch when they bring their dog out for a walk because they wanted to chase something. Most likely a training issue but everyone’s idea of a trained dog varies widely.

*gasp* you said a bad word....retractable leash...the bane of anyone who's ever worked at a Vet clinic ever!
excited dog+harness+retractable leash/distracted owner=

@DogAndCat36 Since you are getting a puppy, you have the advantage of starting training immediately and developing a relationship with your companion. When I think of a prong collar, I think of the working dogs (Schutzhund, police K9s etc.) You most likely wont need one, a simple well-fitted collar and leather lead would be fine. I find that leather is softer in your hands and gives you better feel--that's just my personal preference--you can get whatever lead takes your fancy (except..ahem..a retractable leash LOL!)

Good luck with your new puppy!

 

[Folly's place]

I've used prong collars on a few of our dogs; two were adult untrained yahoos from the shelter, and two were strong minded working dogs who needed to notice me at the other end of the leash. Properly used, they work very well.
Retractable leashes teach the dog to pull!!! Hate them! And have the same vet clinic experience that's already been mentioned.
It just depends on the individual dog, and the owner's expectations...
Mary

 

[roosterhavoc]

*gasp* you said a bad word....retractable leash...the bane of anyone who's ever worked at a Vet clinic ever!
excited dog+harness+retractable leash/distracted owner=

@DogAndCat36 Since you are getting a puppy, you have the advantage of starting training immediately and developing a relationship with your companion. When I think of a prong collar, I think of the working dogs (Schutzhund, police K9s etc.) You most likely wont need one, a simple well-fitted collar and leather lead would be fine. I find that leather is softer in your hands and gives you better feel--that's just my personal preference--you can get whatever lead takes your fancy (except..ahem..a retractable leash LOL!)

Good luck with your new puppy!

retractable leashes are a disaster waiting to happen!
I agree about the leather leashes. I have all kinds of leashes like fancy nylon with reinforced stitching every inch with extra handle etc but I still use the leather leashes I’ve had for over 10 yrs.
I like this one the most. I’ve got 2 of them and they’ve held up well.
https://boldleaddesigns.com/shop/8-way-lead-6-ft-multi-functional-leash/

 

[roosterhavoc]

This kind of leash is rough on your hands unless your actually holding it like you’re supposed to. Lol

 

[Folly's place]

I too like a nice leather leash. Make sure whatever you buy is comfortable in your hand! This can be a problem with most nylon leashes, it hurts when pulling happens. Not such a big deal when the dog is polite on leash, or with a tiny dog.
Mary

 

[aart]

Never sprung for a leather leash, nylon worked just fine.
Fav was a heavy wide one with a second handle.
Always liked the rolled leather collars tho.

 

[Geena]

Never sprung for a leather leash, nylon worked just fine.
Fav was a heavy wide one with a second handle.
Always liked the rolled leather collars tho.

Yes, the rolled leather collars are especially nice for heavy coated dogs. I must confess though, my dogs generally don't wear collars. I only put them on when we go somewhere and take them back off as soon as we get home.

 

[tripletfeb]

I have to use a chain leash with nylon handle for my pup. He chews through everything! We were hiking at Hocking Hills in Ohio over the summer and I didn't notice he chewed halfway through his nylon leash. One good hike up those cliffs and it broke in half! Good thing I trained him well, he stayed right by me the rest of the hike. And I agree, retractable leashes are horrible!

 

[aart]

Yes, the rolled leather collars are especially nice for heavy coated dogs. I must confess though, my dogs generally don't wear collars. I only put them on when we go somewhere and take them back off as soon as we get home.

My 3rd and last dog didn't wear one for the last few years of his life.
Th others tended to roam, so I left them on for ID just in case they went off the property.

 

[rosemarythyme]

My mother in law uses a prong collar on her Rottie, had her trainer fit it and train the dog to using it after the Rottie pulled her over one day, breaking her wrist. Works by pinching and her dog has responded well to it, so hopefully there won't be another broken bone incident.

I've used everything from head collars to harnesses to martingale collars so we have an assortment of stuff in the house. I do have a choke chain too but it's just for bathtime as it's easier to rinse around it vs a standard collar.