News about Stella the wonder dog and stupid owner which is me

[Micky]

well you all know how perfect my Stella is, if it wasn’t for me J just when she looks so cute there is just no way I can get really mad at her, I admit I am a total softie, even friends of mine tell me that I need to be a bit tougher with her, but what can I say she is my baby (yes I know she is a GSD and needs to behave as one)
Anyhow my biggest problem was that prong collar, just seeing those sharp things surrounding the little neck made me shiver with fear of pain. So Stella and I tried the choke collar, all went well she behaved there was no trouble of any kind, just wonderful and happy walks in sun and rain, that was when my baby was a baby.
Time moved on and Stella grew up a little, choke collar Stella and I went for walks as normal, till I noticed well I have no control over her at all. She attacked driving cars, pulled me from one end to the other and it seemed that she has forgotten anything which was firmly installed in her brain.
Talking to my friend a GSD breeder, having been told seeing that I am such a soft touch it might be time for a prong,. Well my first look at that prong made me think of medieval times, but as she explained to me, this is just a steering wheel for a Ferrari; I thought to myself she might have a point.
Putting it on for the first time, I do not know who was more surprised Stella or me, she gave me that look, what the **** is that, and I gave her that look, hey you are a Ferrari and you need to behave the first car came and she went for it, noticing that jumping at it wasn’t such a good idea, the collar does pinch, I on the other hand just stood there looked at her and told her that I had no part in it and she did this all to herself.
Over the last couple of days Stella, I and the collar have become friends, she is almost back to normal, doesn’t pull, one or two cars are still getting her attention, but I have been told that over time that will go.
Conclusion: would I have known and not afraid of hurting the noodle how easy it is with a prong, I would have never touched the choke.

[jprice103]

Actually, I believe that the prong collar is actually more humane and less painful that the choke. They key to BOTH is placement...they need to be HIGH on the neck, right under the ears...should never be around the neck like a regular collar. Many people do not properly place these collars and as a result, the poor dog can suffer serious injury to the trachea.

One other thing to note. My first prong was a cheap one from Petco. When I met with one trainer, he showed me what a quality prong collar should feel like. Wow...what a difference. The Petco one's prongs were very sharp, as they just snip the metal leaving a rough sharp edge!! The quality one's prongs were nicely rounded and smooth. Needless to say the cheap one is in the trash now!

Anyway...glad that you are having success with the prong. I fought it at first because I thought it was inhumane...but it really doesn't hurt them at all...just gets their attention!