Kathryn,
you can look on http://www.cherrybrook.com for a wide selection of martingales in larger sizes. i sued them for many yrs showing full grown aussies. they have fatter ones adn thinner ones, some like dental floss (ouch).
: )
jen

I actually like the British slip leads for those quick trips outside, and as an emergency lead in the car. 3/8 to ½ inch works great, and they have the little leather tab to prevent the collar part from getting too big. You can adjust it down to whatever size you want, even a little 14” neck.

I have on hanging next to the door and one in the pocket of my car door.

British Slip Leads

Similar to the martingale, but a little more adjustable.

I use martingales for dogs who aren't bad pullers but try to back out of their collars. I adjust them so they are too big and can close all the way, but are tight enough when closed that they can't back out of them.

I started Roka on a martingale (since he was 5 months old and had never been on a leash) because he would buck and fight and try to back out of his collar. Now he has learned he can't and is on a prong for his pulling. I had bad discs in my neck and back and can't have him pulling on me. He does pretty well on the prong unless he gets really stupid and hits the end of the leash hard, then he lays on the ground and pitches a screaming fit like a 2 year old child. He does the same thing on a flat collar, he is reacting to the restraint, not the pinch from the prong.

Anyway, I second the prong, and definitely the Herm Sprenger ... the others are junk and don't last.

I so thank all of you who took the time to respond. To those of you who particularly didn't make me feel like a "many headed serpent" for my stupidty, a special thank you!

Angela, Choke chain, what's that? I think I saw one in a trash can yesterday...

I bought a medium weight, snap release 18" pinch collar. I figured I could remove the links and keep them for later. I havent tried it yet and am about to study Ed's instructions for the 100th time with a cup of good old British T before attempting to fit it to my little "Tazer"-Gator. I have to say I am a little nervous about doing it wrong and yes, it looks like something from a Dominatrix gymnasium!! I am sure you all felt like that though so....stand by for next "stupidity" update.

We went round the block this morning for our constitutional with his flat collar and he only pulled when "felix" the cat spat at him. On balance I have read all your advice and think that just the one outing wearing this weird contraption might persuade him that Felix is his new best friend as he self corrects!

Thanks again all who bothered trying to help me!!

You will be pleasantly surprised and happy you went with a prong. They really look much worse than they are, and I don't know about you but I would rather be pinched a bit than choked any day!!

It really was a life saver for me and my crazy, somewhat out of control, pup!
I think someone used the phrase High spirited this week, and I think that fits him to the T!!

Yay! (choke in the trash) lol.

LOL don't worry, there are only two ways to use the prong collar wrong. 1, the way I did it - slap the collar on a chronic puller and expect it to do the training for you. Result: dogs that pull with the prong on, and pay it no mind. 2 - using the prong collar on an aggressive, amped up dog. Result: even more amped up dog and you have a risk of getting bitten (if the dog is handler aggressive).

Oh, and 3. Not using a backup collar in case the prong pops off!

Your dog sounds like he walks nicely already, and you really only have a small control problem that is typical with pups of that age around distractions. Prong collars are good for this, and also for controlling dogs that are too strong for the handler. They really are "power steering on dogs". They get the message across with a minimum of fuss!

Also try bringing a really enticing toy or treats on your walks, and engage the dog in play or treats when he gets distracted (i.e. sees Felix the Cat). If it goes well you may not even have to correct with the prong! (I tried this with my pup but still had to use the prong for pulling).

If you do have to correct him or he self corrects, he may let out a yelp. (The first time I heard this my heart broke)... If this is the case what I do is try and get a success so I can reward. For example, if the dog corrects when he runs to the end of the leash. He yaps, so I turn the other way and when he catches up and looks at me, he gets a jackpot of treats and praise! In this way he is reassured and can think "hey, this isn't so bad" (then I feel better, too lol). Every time I have to correct a dog I always try and show him or catch him doing the thing I want, so he can be rewarded. "Don't just show him what he's doing wrong, also show him what he's doing right"

Hope this helps and above all have fun!

Angela I am not as easily moved by a bit of yelping as you "kind person" are LOL... If you can't take the punishment then don't do the crime is my attitude!!

Yes I do the treats thing but toys he has NO interest in at all. Someone posted I should just play in my yard with him instead of walking. Would that he would play, very short interest span in toys, rather like my eldest daughter when she was a child. Treat filled ones are examined and then unpuzzled in minutes!

He does like to learn things. Sadly I am still so sick I havent the energy to do it properley this week. Have virtually no voice and so I thoght better do very little than do it badly and give him the leading edge for later...am I right there? What do others think? Seemed to make sense to me.

Its 31 degrees here, and for us thats terrible. when you live in constant 100 degree year round weather, the few days cold hits hard! I am trying to shake this bug.

Anyone any thoughts why his interest in toys is mostly minimal? He tugs like crazy on anything and investigates everything like he is part of the CSI set, but toys seem to have no fascination? If he wants to do something no amount of distraction takes his mind of what his plan was. He pretends he has forgoten what he was doing but in actuality he is waiting for ME to forget...He is a funny little thing for sure, so unlike previous GSD, arent they all characters in their own rights..

Kathryn
have you tried tying a string (light weight skinny rope) to any of his toys so that they can be made to "come alive"? that might change his mind if he can chase and catch the prey. maybe "dead" toys are just too boring....

jen

Must be a DDR Shepherd, LOL.

Like Jennifer suggested, try putting the toys on a "line", to make them more "prey" like.

Also, does he have free access to toys? Restricting access to toys can increase his drive for them.

I would strongly suggest "Building Drive and Focus". Even though you plan for him to be solely a companion dog, the exercises in the DVD are good for every dog. Even basic obedience training can be enhanced by Flinks' methods.