I need "power steering" for Abby

[XTOL]

Or maybe what I really need is power brakes...

To say that Abby pulls on the leash is an understatement. She is
strong as an ox and stubbornly determined to drag me wherever we
are going. Its gotten bad enough that no one else can walk her.
And even though Im a fairly big guy she has pulled me off my feet
twice in the past week.

Ive tried all the normal fixes and while some help in the short term
none have made any real difference. So Im thinking its time for the
dreaded prong collar. In reading all the threads I could find on prong
collars and other web pages Ive seen a couple of references that
putting a prong collar on your dog is like "getting power steering
for your dog".

After all that reading I do have a couple of questions since I have
never used a prong collar before. First of all...where to get one.
None of the local pet outlets have anything that looks like it could
manage a dog with the power of a small locomotive. They have
cheap flimsy looking made in China stuff.

There are lots of online places but a lot of times you dont know
if the web page you are looking is even in the USA. So a reliable
reference would help.

Secondly...what to get. I read a lot of conflicting info on getting
the right size. Many recommend getting a smaller size and adding
additional links. Since I have to mail order and cant try it on first
I need to know what to get.

Im also open to other suggestions. There are LOTS of special
collars, leaders, harnesses, and halters that claim to be the ultimate
solution to pulling dogs. Most probably dont work as claimed.
But if someone has some experience with something let me know.

One way or another little Miss Abby is done dragging me around.

[doggiedad]

find a trainer. train, train, train
and socializie, socialize socialize, everyday.
train in short sessions many times.
train day and night, indoors, outside, etc.

[vat]

Leerburg | Prong Collars and Fur Saver Collars
I do not have one of theirs but they come highly recommended from many people here. Give it a look over.

[Wolfiesmom]

I got one at Petsmart. I got it a little too big and took the links out. It works wonders. I am a very small woman ( 5 feet 2 inches tall ) and Wolfie is a big strong male GSD. He pulled me once with the prong on and never again. He walks right by my side, and I only need one hand on a loose leash.

[Stosh]

I can't believe you said 'dreaded' prong collar!! They're a wonderful tool and much easier on the dog's neck than yanking and pulling. I started Stosh with one when he was about 6 mos old and we've never had to go through the yank and drag. Leerburg has a lot of info on how to fit and use one, but if you're really in doubt get a trainer to help you. My trainer put one around my arm so I could feel how it works. I still use one on Stosh when we're going somewhere new and I want to know I have control- he responds instantly just to wearing it now.

[Chicagocanine]

What else have you tried? No-pull front attach harness? Head collar? Clicker training? Penalty yards? 'Be a tree'? If you let us know what you've already tried people might have some ideas.

[jakeandrenee]

Originally Posted by vat

Leerburg | Prong Collars and Fur Saver Collars
I do not have one of theirs but they come highly recommended from many people here. Give it a look over.

I agree with this, also there is a great video on how to properly fit the dog which is SO important.

[BadLieutenant]

Also bought one from leerburg. Ended up taking around 4 links out but wish i would have went to the prong immediately rather than spending around 100 bucks on useless harnesses, collars etc.

[onyx'girl]

I would get a Herm Springer...don't go cheap.
They can be purchased online or if you have a Pet Supplies Plus, they carry them too. If your dog is short coated then get a smaller gauged prong, long coats are better off in the larger gauge as their coat will tangle with the smaller size.

[BlackPuppy]

I have 2, one came with Doerak, and the other is a Herm Sprenger, which I have never used.

If you get one from a store, make sure it does not have any sharp edges on the prongs. Those are the cheap ones. The prongs should be nice and round and smooth.

The Leerburg page is a good start to see about fitting. Chances are, whichever you buy is going to be too big and you will have to take links out. You should NOT be able to slip it over the dogs head, nor do you want to. You put it on the dog by removing a connection in the links and then restoring that connection. Unless you have one with a quick release.

Prongs are nice, but do you really need one?

Balto is a tank. He was the strongest 3 month old, 15 pound puppy I ever met. I even tried it tie the leash around my waist when we went for walks and that HURT! Balto still pulls when I let him get his way. However, when I insist, he will keep a slack leash.

How do I insist? I use the often heard methods of 1) being a tree, and 2) walk the other direction. I have never tried the "no-pull" products and my 2 prong collars are hanging on a hook in the garage. I once tried using the prong collar on Balto. Never seen anything like it before. Didn't slow him down one bit!

Just want to put that out there. I'm not against the prong, use it for a little while during a training period. But I am against using it for the life of the dog as a crutch and ignoring training.

BTW, if that's a photo of Abby in your avatar, she's adorable!!

(Balto has his CD and RAE, so he knows how to heel. LOL!)