Equipment Q&As

I have a papillon that continues to yelp every time I correct him with a prong collar, he still takes treats from me afterwards... Frankly it is embarrassing to have him yelp, but he doesn't seem that upset by it. Rebecca

Hi Cindy, First let me thank you for all your advice and the very educational DVDs that are available through your website; and second, let me apologize in advance for the questions I have in this email as I should've been able to get my answers from all the helpful Q&A sections....but apparently, I'm a "slow learner"! Ok, that said, here's my dilemma: I'm slightly confused about if the dominant dog collar is exactly what I'm looking for, or not; the more I read, the more I confuse myself!...

I am shopping for a good leather tug for my aggressive tugging Border Collie/ Staffordshire Bull terrier mix. He plays flyball. He has a leather tug stuffed with poly fill and regularly bites through it and I have heard someone makes a leather tug stuffed with rolled leather. Any ideas on finding that? I like a stiff tug I can hold out for him rather than a hanging rope or fleece tug. My current tug is a nice size, about 18 inches long and about 2 inches in diameter. Val

We have an 8 month old Golden Retriever that is training with a prong collar. We are happy with the training results, but hate the dark ring and the broken hair that results from this collar. I have been on your site and wanted to know if you think the curogan collar might be the answer for us. Thank you.

I currently use a prong collar with my german shepherd and it was in the back of my mind that these could come apart. I saw your video. I also saw the video on fitting the dominant dog collar. My question is, in using the two together, in case the prong should separate, would you get a dominant collar that was a little larger, since it is being used as a backup and not for correction? Or is there another type of collar that could be used? Thank you, Kathy

I do not understand why the chain choke collar can cause neck injuries and the dominant dog collar doesn't. I have seen the DVD on the dominant dog collar, and I understand about the value of keeping the collar right behind the ears, but it still seems to me that it is a "jerk and release" action, just like the chain choke collar. Is it the placement on the dog's neck the difference? Or the fact that it will give "softer" jerks? I'm not getting the mechanics of the difference. Thank you.

I purchased a GoughNut MAXX for my 100 lb shepherd and his teeth keep getting stuck in the hole.? Has anyone else had this problem?

I am wondering about the Dogtra Surestim 7000M, Is it possible to use the 220v european charger with this unit. I got this charger with another unit I bought from you guys last year. I am thinking of buying this for our second dog.

Hi Cindy. I have a four year old GSD that has been on a prong collar for the past three years. It's a large link version and I feel it is properly sized for his neck. He's in the prong whenever we leave the house regardless of activity: training, walking, or for a run. I started using the collar early on since the dog is very, very hard. The problem I have is the collar has created a permanent fur divot in the right side of his neck. In the areas where the slip chain feeds through the c...

Hi Ed, I've been reading through your web site and couldn't find anything on dogs chewing rawhide bones. I have searched other web sites and find good and bad articles regarding rawhide. My girl friend has a 1 year old small mixed Terrier dog and he loves to chew things. I'm trying to find answers to a couple of questions and was hoping you could help. The dog is left alone for 9 or 10 hours while she is at work. What do you recommend for this? He likes to chew rawhide stic...

Cindy, I am looking for a couple of things that I am having a hard time finding and I wanted your opinion. First my adult dog has a very strong drive for squeaky toys but any squeaky I buy him he destroys in about 15 seconds, because most squeaky toys are for small dogs and are made pretty poorly. I was trying to find something that squeaks and that would hold up a little better. The ideal toy would be just like one of your tugs that squeaks. This also would not be a toy that he is...

Cindy, What is the deal with the tug with food inside? Does the smell of the food make the tug more appealing? Is the dog supposed to open the tug during the game to get the food? I assume the food can not pass through the leather like a permiable membrane/osmosis. Thank you for the help, Mark

Cindy, I'm about to order Michael's newest DVD. I have an 18 month old Golden. Which tug toy would you recommend. I'd like to order both simultaneously and save with the free shipping!

Hi Ed: Dean Campbell here - long time since I talked to you. I bought Kato vom Leerburg from you years ago was a great dog. Thanks. Anyway, my wife has a 13 month old working line GSD male. She is using Michael Ellis approach to dog training, got the 1st DVD from you, will get the second when released. She want to get some tug toys to use with that training, do know what tugs Michael or you would suggest for his style of training. She is planning to attend a two week training with...

Is it true that the glue in a tennis ball(that holds the fuzz on) can destroy a dog's tooth enamel? My yellow Lab is a serious ball retriever at 3 1/2. Are those Chucker balls (orange and blue, made in China) safer?

Cindy, What are your best drive building toys and are they different than your training toys? I don't like those tugs with a loop on one end because my dog tends to get too close to my hand. I like something that gives more space and distinction from my hand, like a ball on a rope. But this isn't a good drive building toy is it? What do you recommend? Thanks alot, Roz Memphis

What would you recommend for a 10 mo. old male border collie that is an aggressive tugger? I have 2 tugs right now ---one is the sythetic (indoor firehose) material that he loves. It is 1 inch x 12 inches with a handle. Works well for him and me. I also have a regular (outdoor firehouse-yellow) material that doesn't work as well. He will tug with it, but it seems too wide and he slips off of it. It is a little big for my hand also. It does have a handle, but sometimes I just hold t...

I purchased 2 of your Jafco muzzles & have been very happy with them, however my dog is getting blisters on the top of his nose and bottom of his chin from rubbing from the muzzle. Do you have any suggestions of what I can do to pad the muzzle more so he doesn't get them? They break open and bleed and I just feel awful for him! I believe my step-mom emailed (and possibly sent you pictures of my bite wounds)you in December or January about the dog fight that we didn't know how to break up ...

Cindy, I'm about to order Michael's newest DVD. I have an 18 month old Golden. Which tug toy would you recommend. I'd like to order both simultaneously and save with the free shipping!

just ordered the 20 ft cotton line and think it will be great for the my new working GSD pup, but I'm afraid it might not be strong enough for when we get into schutzhund training when he is an adult dog? The people I see at the club have the thicker ones with the bigger snapp but never thought to ask untill I got my order in the mail today. Have you had any problems with these and should I buy a stronger 20 ft line with a strong snap when he get of age or will this hold him? I appreciate any...