Dimo wrote:

Well, I put a Top Paw harness on her and BOOM barely any pulling.

I'd forgotten the fact that we trained dogs at the shelter on a harness and I never used a clip leash with her, so part of the problem solved. The leash was slack for most of the walk.
We are now working on keeping her focused on me.

We are using the Mekuti balance harness with double lead, suggested by a dog trainer, but only makes him want to pull more it seems :p

Lily82 wrote:

Dimo wrote:

Well, I put a Top Paw harness on her and BOOM barely any pulling.

I'd forgotten the fact that we trained dogs at the shelter on a harness and I never used a clip leash with her, so part of the problem solved. The leash was slack for most of the walk.
We are now working on keeping her focused on me.

We are using the Mekuti balance harness with double lead, suggested by a dog trainer, but only makes him want to pull more it seems :p

Mysti is the only dog I know that using a harness STOPS the pulling.

Hm... A husky wanting to pull in harness? Who'd a thought!

wpskier222 wrote:

Hm... A husky wanting to pull in harness? Who'd a thought!

A sign I don't have a pure husky. I have, to be cutesy, a "How" (Husky X Chow).

How about a Chowsky?

wpskier222 wrote:

How about a Chowsky?

That sounds like a brand of kibble.

Walks with wolf were starting to not be fun. I really enjoy walks, but I just couldn't stand the constant pulling. I tried the gentle leader, and he either layer down or got it off. Bought a prong collar, and it was like a miracle. Now walks are fun and focused, and he never really seemed bothered by it even the first time I put it on. I'm a believer. And if it did hurt, he would let me know because he's a baby.

Prongs don't cause pain anyone who says they do is politically motivated and lying.

They only deliver information and cause momentary discomfort that the dog in turn learns to avoid, rendering the collar the most gentle and least invasive tool to use.

That's so awesome that you have had success with one. Advocate for them as much as you can.

After all the suggestions I considered it, but even my dog's veterinary told me not to use prong collar. On the instructions of the collar itself it says it should be used by trainers and people who actually know what they are doing.

Have you ever seen a dog choking itself on a regular buckle tag collar? All the time, right? Have you ever seen a dog limping from pulling so hard in a No Pull harness? All the time, right?

Why don't we see the same warnings or moral lashings regarding those tools that are in fact more harmful and less effective than prong collars?

There's an emotionally charged, moral outrage over prong collars that motivates political messages against them. You have to think critically about this stuff.

Those same vets telling you not to use prong collars are the same vets recommending awful, unhealthy kibble for your dog, as well.

Lidia - no one is forcing you to use a prong collar. While there are many of us here on the forum that have successfully and humanely used a prong, if you strongly believe that it is not for you, I suggest you follow your gut. I guess I don't understand your continued protestations to those of us who do use one. Are you trying to change our minds?

No, if you already know how to use it and you are doing it successfully I don't see why I should try to make you change your mind. My point is just that -maybe- it might not be the best suggestion to give to someone who is not experienced with this kind of collar. I really don't see why attacking me like that.

Experience can be gained very easily and there are tons of free and paid information about how to properly use one.

My point about dogs choking on flat collars and limping in no pull harnesses is that any tool can be misused.

There's no danger with prong collars. They neither choke nor cause pain to dogs. They are in fact safer than any other walking tool and easier to use.

And....nobody attacked you

Lidia - my intent was not to attack you. Also - I had no experience with a prong when it was recommended to me by the shelter - never even heard of such a thing. And yes - to my mind, it looked like a medieval torture device. But I trusted the shelter director - he clearly had a soft spot for Ami in particular and animals in general. So I read up about its use, watched a few videos and used common sense. I have a happy dog who loves walks and gets lots and lots - and my shoulder is happy, too, without the pulling.

And just throwing this out there...so many people, confused or desperate with their dog's behaviors, consult who they think would be best--their vet...but vets aren't dog trainers! They know dog health, but not dog behavior or training methods. And if they do offer advice, they offer advice that's outdated and downright wrong. I've had vets tell me prong collars are evil right after telling me to shove a dog's nose in their pee if they have an accident or to use a newspaper to correct them.

Prong collars work great and are incredibly easy to use. We used it for Anya and it made a miracle of a difference. When we switched to off-leash work, we transitioned to e-collars and haven't looked back, but a prong collar is such a great tool for people getting started with a strong dog.

Kat, all kind of Amens and Thank Yous and Right Ons for your post.

Vets are not dog trainers--what an understatement.