Finding myself on the fence on two issues.....

[Blanketback]

I'm not going anywhere anytime soon, lol. Besides, isn't it the end of the world on Dec. 21st? JK! DH will look after my menagerie if I die unexpectedly. I know what you mean about people being pulled around by Rotties, I have a neighbor just like that and I can't understand why she refuses to train her dog not to jerk her down the road! I can't stand watching them, seriously. I'd show her my prong, except her JRT is one of the most aggressive dog's I've ever seen and I'm afraid to get near it, lmao.

[x11]

personally i like my gsd to walk straining at the end of the leash fanning out in front of me cutting half circles back and forth - to me its how a gsd should present itself.

[wolfy dog]

Originally Posted by x11

personally i like my gsd to walk straining at the end of the leash fanning out in front of me cutting half circles back and forth - to me its how a gsd should present itself.

So, who is leading who here? What do you do when he sees something from an alien planet that scares the **** out of him/her when he is "fanning out in front of you"?
WD is only 9 months old so he can respond in an unpredictable way. Otherwise he is nicely trained but it is that "life pops up" stuff you can't avoid. And yes, I have handled horses on a flat halter. If they want they pull over anyone, even you I am sure.

[marshies]

Originally Posted by Liesje

I've not had problems with dogs associating prongs with bad things. In fact if you jingle a prong they will coming running and want to go out! I would not use a prong if you plan to just put it on and let the dog lunge (I know a lot of people think this is how to use it, "self-correcting"). If you use it you need to be comfortable with *using* it, like giving your dog corrections and helping him learn what is appropriate/allowed. When I use a prong for behavior or for training specific things I use "NePoPo" which means the negative is paired with positive, so my dog always gets feedback for responding to the correction and then making the right choice.

What is the NePoPo...?

[x11]

Originally Posted by marshies

What is the NePoPo...?

ita a nice way of saying that pleasure will be the absence of the pain you are now recieving, it's not escape training at all, bart bellon "invented" it, and he wins big trials so no one else is allowed to have an opinion that differs i predict.

[Blanketback]

Originally Posted by x11

personally i like my gsd to walk straining at the end of the leash fanning out in front of me cutting half circles back and forth - to me its how a gsd should present itself.

To each his own, I think a GSD should present itself by walking leash-free with its owner. But that's what so nice about the breed - the versatility. BTW, my puppy agress with you. He prefers the fanning out as well.

[x11]

haha, sounds like a good un. you can always reel it in when you need to.

[Kayos and Havoc]

Wolfy Dog, looks like it got off track a little......

6 GSD's. Have used prongs on all of them. This is the one I use: Herm Sprenger Stainless Steel Snap Prong Collar w/Extra Strap - dogsportgear.com

I like it as it does not tighten but still gives additional control.
I too prefer positive methods and never use a prong on a dog under 7 or 8 months. The only time I use the prong is when walking multiple dogs. I do not use it to train heel or other behaviors.

I am only about 125 pounds and yes, my male can pull me over if he chose to. Havoc is a great boy and very obedient but there are times when the prong is simply another control tool just like a gentle leader or front cliip harness. I have never had a dog create a negative association with it. I suppose that can happen if you are using the prong as a correction collar in the prescence of things the dog shows interest in. If the dog is accustomed to the prong this should not happen.

[wolfy dog]

Thanks everybody. I have now enough input to sit on the fence and make up my mind

[blackshep]

Originally Posted by x11

i already switched from thoroughbreds to warmbloods when next a straight cold blood?

You're going the wrong direction.

You should be going from drafts, to WB, to TB's to pony's to mini's as you age.