I was looking at Herm Sprenger Neck-tech Prong Collars. I was not interested in the collar for its more original teeth feel, but rather the dogs comfort.

Is the new Neck Tech Prong collar less comfortable for the dog or more un-comfortable?

My GSD is a 3 yo Mobility Service Dog from Vet Dogs and I use a Sprenger Prong collar. The dog hates the Haltie or anything else on his muzzle and likes the collar better. He also uses a mobility harness made by Bold Lead Designs.

Sometimes when I am hurting and I cannot walk very fast and the dog has more energy in him than is good for me, he pulls me a bit. This is unacceptable in even the smallest bit. I am missing part of my right leg w/prosthetic.

Using a hard correction with a regular collar will pull on my back which is broken and I have four herniated disks. The prong collar works just perfect. I use it gently and the dog just performs like precision with it on. He does not pull at all. VetDogs gave me the collar. It is a Sprengler. The dog is very well trained, and heels very well. His ears are always pointed back listening for me and he is always looking out for me, but sometimes, I just have to walk really really slow. This is not a training problem in my opinion. It is a communication issue from me to his leash, so that he knows how to adjust his speed accordingly. He is only three years old and has a very strong drive.

Recently however, my Vet found out I used a prong collar and told me he will not treat my dog if I continue to use a prong collar. He says that it is painful for the dog. He suggested I put it around my neck and try it. I did. Didn't seem bad to me, but it wasn't comfortable. He is an old guy 80+ and a good vet. He is a mobile vet and one of the few that I can get that will bill the VA for my dogs costs. I don't want to loose such a knowledgeable vet over an opinion. I really like him a lot. I know many people have strong feelings about these collars, so I forgive his ignorance. I on the other hand, I would like to address it, if I can.

I have a Checkmate Collar by EzyDog and it does not perform. I am considering purchasing a martingale collar and trying it. Then I came across the Neck Tech and figured i would ask before I bought.

Bottom line. I CAN lie to the vet, make sure the prong collar is off when he comes for a check up. I only put it on, when we work outside the home anyway. Inside the home my dog has no problem pulling at all. Outside, especially in new areas such as trains, airports, etc., he can start pulling me due to excitement. He has a harness with a handle on it made by Bold Lead Designs specifically for Disable Veterans with mobility problems. I pull the leash over the handle and tighten or relax the pressure on the prong collar as i need to communicate to the dog.

If he gets excited and wants to walk a bit fast, I can stop, he will back up and heel where he is supposed to be right away. No matter how many times I do this, his energy naturally enters the equation without the prong collar to communicate with him. He continues to pull a little bit a head. I am constantly working with him, but I cannot do this when I am out and about. I think he is almost dependent on the prong collar to communicate.

There is no way that my health is worth some small discomfort for the dog, but I do not want to be hurting him. My trainers have told me the Vet does not know what he is talking about. The tell me, I am not hurting my dog. I would prefer to give the dog a more comfortable option if I could. Without lose of control. He is 120 lbs and at 3 years.

Honestly the dog is so relaxed with the prong collar on, performs perfectly, no need to jerk him with it on, or hurt him. I am very gentle with my dog. With the prong on, he is on power steering. I know I am not hurting him and I never would. I understand the abuse is in the abuser, not the collar. I have all of your cds and I have the support of the VetDogs facility if he needs more training. I don't think ALL excitement could be trained out of him at this age, but I could be wrong. He is going to pull here and there once and a while, and I cannot have that. Not even once. One bad pull down an escalator and I am hurt bad. Please refer me to your training cd if I need to reinforce something. I have them all.

What is your opinion on the Neck Tech, or maybe trying the Martingale? Is the Neck Tech more painful or less than the regular prong? I also thought about putting the rubber ends on the prongs.

Thank you.

I have no experience with the Neck Tech prong collar, but I do have plenty of experience with the martingale, if this is what you are referring to:

http://www.amazon.com/Premier-Pet-Collar-Large-1-Inch/dp/B000JCWB7Y/ref=cm_lmf_tit_1

I have a heavy puller, but he is nowhere near the size of your dog. He's only about 82 pounds. The martingale collar does nothing to discourage his pulling, nada, zip. I may as well have just a plain nylon buckle collar on him.

What I do like very much about the martingale collar, though, is that it is a much harder collar for a dog to slip out of. When leash pressure is applied, the collar does indeed tighten around the dog's neck, unlike a plain buckle collar. There are no buckles to break or come loose. For the collar to fail, the nylon itself or one of the metal rings would have to break. So I believe it does have advantages if you have a dog that may try to escape his collar or perhaps a rambunctious puppy who is just learning to accept walking politely on a leash. They're also very easy to put on and take off. It doesn't sound like these are the kinds of issues you're wanting to resolve, though.

That's just been my personal experience with the martingale, but perhaps others will chime in with reports of success in reducing pulling.

I used a starmark collar on my dog which is a little bit similar to the neck tech, The starmark was made of a resin like material but not effective at all. I currently use a prong, that I have considered putting caps on and I use a martingale as my backup if the prong breaks. The neck tech seems pretty pricey. And I would be concered about the links tearing out chunks of hair.
I have used different collars on my high strung dog, haltis, harnesses, etc the only one that consistently has given a good result is the prong. And I was initially not a fan.
Interesting about your vet not liking a prong, I've recently seen covers to put on to hide that you are using a prong.

Cheri, does the sizing on your martingale slip?

 Quote: Jodi Moen

Cheri, does the sizing on your martingale slip?

If you mean does it loosen up over time and have to be readjusted, no, I haven't had that experience. They stay exactly where I set them.

BTW, I also own the Starmark in two different size links. Like Jodi, I found it to be pretty ineffective for my heavy puller. It might work fine for a dog that just needs a mild correction.

I don't have experience with the neck tech, but this collar has become my new favorite: http://lolalimited.net/secret-powers/

They are sort of a combination between a prong and a martingale.

Have you considered using a DD collar in tandem with his flat collar or harness? Would your vet be more accepting?

http://leerburg.com/746.htm

http://leerburg.com/5131.htm

Wouldn't a DD collar be a poor choice for a pulling dog? Not trying to step on any toes here, but...

Well, those are certainly things I can try. If it hurts him less and gets the job done, I will give it a go.

Melissa;

It is not an intended use for the DD collar, but Ken is using the prong as a no-pull collar, instead of as a correction collar as it is intended. Others have suggested a Martingale.

I guess I don't really envision a great difference between the DD and the slip-lead here, except that the DD would have the added benefit of not engaging UNLESS the dog pulled, and then it would do exactly what a Martingale does. It is also easier to use in tandem with other equipment.

It was just an idea.