After raising a GSD back when they were the "devil" dog I got pretty good at ignoring or saying, "Uh, thanks" when people told me my dog was going to go crazy and rip me to shreds.

Now I use a remote collar as a last ditch safety if Molly breaks another collar when out in public or pulls the leash out of my hands. I've gotten a few comments on that but nothing really nasty. A couple things I do bring up is the fact that where I live now I've lost three dogs on the road. I figure a little zap on the remote collar is better than a tire over the head.

Just a week ago at OB class I had a spastic muscle in my back and put a prong on Molly for the class. Usually she is pretty good with a flat collar unless something excites her then she can pull like an ox. Haven't had anyone say anything about it yet but If I continue to use it I imagine someone will.

Here's a good technical explanation of how and why a prong collar isn't cruel and what it really does.

Thing about the prong collars that I've noted is that they work a lot like the "bed of nails" trick in a martial arts demonstration (I used to do that stuff myself). The prongs are spaced close enough together that they don't put much pressure on any individual prong. Just like the bed of nails the closeness of the prongs support each other.

If you will look at the the chain with the rings it's placed high off the dog's neck. This prevents the kind of damage that a choke causes and allows the correction to pull both sides of the collar together. Actually the term "pinch collar" doesn't really apply to the prong. It doesn't pinch as much as it pulls evenly all around the neck. It's really a "squeeze" rather than a pinch. Try it on your arm and see.

I love long detailed technical answers. Most people will doze off about half way through and wander away like they are in a daze.

 Quote: steve strom

Maybe I'm just argumentative but I enjoy those exchanges. In fact I think when I go home tonight I'm gonna put 2 prongs, an e-collar,a bark collar, and an old rusty choke on the puppy and head into petsmart. Can you give him a treat? I'm not sure,lets give it a try.

LMAO. We think alike, scary. Can't wait to parade Tessa around in social environments with a pronged collar. One lady in my neighborhood wanted to pet her last week while on our walks. I said no and explained why and the lady got quite ticked, saying..."That's not right to not let people pet the dog." I asked if her she knew anything about Service or Protection training, or knew what Schutzhund was, then I asked if she paid for my dog, paid for her food, vet bills, cleaned up her poop (well I actually said sh1t because I was pissed), took her for walks then I asked how well she liked other people telling her how to raise her kids. That last one got her attention, then I told her to mind her own business. Isn't it funny how so many people in this world think you should live and breathe like they think you should.