Dennis, are you referring to the "Good Dog Collar" made by Triple Crown? ( http://www.aboutdogtraining.com/panel.php?5 ).

Personally, I think they are an accident waiting to happen. They are plastic, with a nylon 'rope' where the leash attaches. Any determined dog could easily break one of these collars if he decided to take off after something, and to me, it looks like the 'prongs' on this collar are much 'sharper' than the prongs on the traditional metal collars. I guess it's a step for the UK though.

That's one of the variants I've seen. I'm sure UK K9 units are waivered and use prongs of some type. They make gun and auto parts out of plastics, along with bullet proof vest so I'm sure they can make a collar secure enough. or just put two collars on one lead

I'm interested in that style to maybe avoid having to answer ignorant questions from peta pukes and they're ilk. I'm just not comfortable giving one fingered salutes like Will R. suggested. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Simone,
Most of what we post applies to the U.S.A.. There are a lot of differences between us and the UK.
You're a Subject of the Crown, we're Citizens. We overall have more freedom and individuality than British residents.
We have constitutional rights against government tyranny that allows us to own firearms, for instance. We'd never put up with the restrictions and laws that ya'll tolerate - and we had a revolution over here to make that point a few centuries ago. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Most American's would find the "Nanny State" mentality of the UK pretty tiring.

If you find these differences "fascinating", maybe you need to open your mind a bit and study some culture and history, it's as simple as that.

All I can say is god bless the prong collar as well as the dominant dog collar.....my guess is if you have never really needed one of these tools, you have never really had the kind of dog that requires them.

Dennis,
I always try to take cultural differences into account, hence I'm striving to be polite here.
On the other hand, I'm respectful of those differences, so I wouldn't post an inflammatory comment like the original poster did, it was pointless - she already has her mind made up and is just posting a comment, not a question.

And yes, to hard-core PETA types I'm not too nice, but if they're posting on a forum like this they're just trolling to begin with.

Simone, many people have tried the prong collar out on themselves before putting the collar on their dogs, like strapping one on the thigh then giving "corrections." Many find that it's not painful at all, instead it's rather effective at attention-getting.

Prongs, as someone has said, tighten only to a certain point. They do tend to release tension fairly quickly and reliably. If they get out of position, they don't work as well but they still work, giving a correction then loosening up when tension is released. There's a reason why Ed says it's "power steering for dogs." It's amazingly effective when used correctly! Choke chains have a history of getting caught up in fur, not loosening automatically, getting out of position, not giving enough correction, easily put on incorrectly.. also it's suspected that choke chains have caused a LOT of neck injuries (there was a study done, but I don't think anyone has found the actual study paperwork, though I may be wrong on that). Prongs may look scary, but looks can be deceiving.

Of course, like any training tool, it can be used and abused. A slight jerk on the lead goes a much longer way on a prong than any other collar, thus reducing the need for intense corrections unless the dog truly needs it.

Is the UK still thinking about banning foxhunting and all other hunting-with-dogs sports? I hope the bans don't go through.

Some of us have even tried the prong around our own necks. I gave myself a "medium" correction. no problem.

On the uk and freedom...at least in the UK you have the right idea about country rambles on private land...the right to ramble, I like that one.

I think people need to understand that even those who use the prong collar for corrections still spend 95% of their time building drives, motivating the dog, making the dog like to work. Corrections are the critical 5% of training, not the abusive 95%.

 Quote:

I think people need to understand that even those who use the prong collar for corrections still spend 95% of their time building drives, motivating the dog, making the dog like to work. Corrections are the critical 5% of training, not the abusive 95%.

Excellent point!

I was watching a well known dressage trainer on TV last week who said that with horse training it is 85% positive reinforcement, 10% correction and 5% punishment. Seems to me that it would be the same for dogs, children too for that matter! Punishment doesn't necessarily mean abuse, sometimes it can just be something as slight as a firmer attitude from the handler....with most animals it depends on their temperament and attitude. Hearing this statement helped me realize that there is a distinct difference in a correction and punishment. I guess as we say in America..."let the punishment fit the crime".

Regards,
Debbie