My gsd pup is almost 6 months old. (not of the working variety)...but is still a handful with a ton of drive and vigor.

i am still having issues with "on leash" walking and want to know if you all agree with using a slip/choke collar a tthis age.

i bought one last nite and it seemed to make a difference right from the start. (although we were only around the house, and there were almost no distractions).....

the reason i got it was b/c my pup wants to dictate the walk and or drag me while in public. i would consider him a level 10 hard dog...he does not respond to corrections, or at least acts like i have not done anything, with even a hard jerk to th eleash...which i dont like to do...i also like the idea of the choke collar b/c i can position it on the side of his neck and he cant pull at it like he does the nylon collar when it gets to the top of his neck...

i also want this to be how i teach him to walk on my left side....

any input?

I used a prong on my pup when he was about 5 1/2 months. He was getting super aggressive towards other people and dogs on walks and the flat collar correction just wasn't doing anything. He's way too strong for that now.

With the addition of the prong, ONE low level correction was enough that I have no problems on the walk anymore. Actually, since that one prong correction, I can go back to giving him a low level correction on the flat collar when confronted with dogs or people. All he seems to need now is an occasional reminder.

I honestly don't think the lesson was learned on the flat collar. I don't think it was willfull disobedience...I don't think the flat collar communicated anything to him initially because it couldn't break through the high drive he was in.

But once it WAS learned (on the prong) he got the point and has been great ever since. He's still alert and watchful, but now he looks to me for an appropriate response. This is not to say that he won't start trying to push the issue later on. I keep the prong handy, just in case.

I do not agree with using a "slip collar" AKA a choke chain.

My last dog's voice box was damaged by one, to the point where she could no longer bark.

I will never, ever use one again.

Please, throw your choke chain into the garbage immediately, and buy a prong collar. They're much safer, and more effective.

 Quote: angela burrell

I do not agree with using a "slip collar" AKA a choke chain.

My last dog's voice box was damaged by one, to the point where she could no longer bark.

I will never, ever use one again.

Please, throw your choke chain into the garbage immediately, and buy a prong collar. They're much safer, and more effective.

A dominant dog collar the Ed sells works well also.
The choke collar, as with any piece of training equipment, has to be fitted, placed and used correctly otherwise, yes, they can do damage. I use fur saver collars. I like them better than a ordinary choke collar.
A prong collar is the same way.
http://leerburg.com/fit-prong.htm
http://leerburg.com/746.htm
http://leerburg.com/885.htm
http://leerburg.com/prong.htm#881

I love my fur saver collar for good looks, but I use the prong collar AND the dominant dog collar together to walk the dogs. I remember Ed saying that if, for any reason, the prong collar came apart or broke apart, you still had the dominant collar on for back-up. Works great for me! And also adds a bit more peace of mind.

ok...thanks guys/galz...

one note, i am familliar with where to place the prong collar....and the dominant dog collar looks like it is in the same spot....

am i correct in placing the slip collar high on the neck just behind the ear area, where it is shown in the above link??

Yep, you are correct...

As long as the slip/choke collar is sitting correctly, not constantly tight around his throat and not jerked hard enough to make him gag it should be fine.
If you can though, get your hands on one made of fabric instead of metal. It might just be my own opinion, but I think they are a better collar than the metal ones.

with walking corrections...let me ask you guys/galz a question...

i know that my dog is still a puppy...and that he will do puppy stuff...lord knows i want him to be himself, but in a respectable way.

that said....is hs still too young to be understanding that i want him to walk to my left side?

do all of you stop and let your dog (@ ~ 6mos age) sniff a ton of stuff, or if you are walking, do you encourage the dog to follow you? do you use a small pop on the leash? yo usee where i am going....

this is kind of my routine...he is pretty active and loves running to smell and sniff at everything....

i love seeing him grow, and by nature he is becoming more protective....i love it...but only to a certain extent...i am not raising a working dog...or one for protection...just a very obedient family frined...

i just feel that @ this point in his life he needs more "direction" from me...stability...and obedience...am i looking for too much too quickly???

Check out the thread "Walking Puppies". I know your pup is a little bit older, but I think some, if not most, of that advice could pertain to your situation.