I am still considering a prong collar for Lucy but haven't made up my mind yet. She still bolts if she feels she did something wrong (or a trigger I can't see) so she would prong herself so hard, I don't know if she would recover mentally from it....
or I just haven't gotten the concept of prong down in my mind yet and I am over thinking it.

Turning options over and over...but we still have time!

Jo, if she's not on the whole a bad puller (only when she gets a scent), and you're worried about inappropriate corrections, maybe you should try a harness first? She isn't big enough that you couldn't hold her from dragging you off towards a good smell, right? And instead of correcting for that type of behavior, you could just work on redirecting and getting her focus back on you, so the walk can continue.

I also liked Steve's suggestion about the constant pressure - not pulling, just light pressure - on the lead while walking, which would make it hard for her to get any momentum into a lunge and end up correcting herself...

I feel your pain (read: conundrum) about all these methods of restraint - we must own one of every collar/halti/harness/choke/prong known to man in our attempt to get it right (most purchased pre-Leerburg ). Sometimes the best thing to do is try a few of the most appropriate coptions out and just see how your dog does. The prong is essential for MY dog, but it isn't necessarily for every dog.

Good luck!

~Natalya

True. We have been doing better on leash control and practicing the command for come to me and stop trailing. (I found a little 2 tone whistle first then command is doing better than just verbal).

Light pressure. I forgot about that. Hambone likes the light pressure of feeling me at the end of the leash. I bet Lucy would appreciate the feel, instead of trying for loose leash and she gets carried away. And, I could read her intent better.

Thanks for the reminder, Natalya.

Sorry Steve. So much on my mind and I forgot the great advice you gave.

 Quote: Jo Harker

I am still considering a prong collar for Lucy but haven't made up my mind yet. She still bolts if she feels she did something wrong (or a trigger I can't see) so she would prong herself so hard, I don't know if she would recover mentally from it....
or I just haven't gotten the concept of prong down in my mind yet and I am over thinking it.

Turning options over and over...but we still have time!

Yes... be careful about a fearful dog.

Just this weekend I had one of my dogs out to see a trainer. He is generally really friendly with people and had greeted some people very politely. One person left and came back and he went to jump on her (which he knows better!!!) so I said no! and didn't really even correct him but just went to pull him down with the leash, he had his prong on, and he yelped and thought the stranger had corrected him (even though I had just said NO). It is funny because this same dog will pull like a train on his prong but that light touch when he was trying to make friends made him yelp and back off. (I feel terrible about this, my poor boy).

Moral of the story is if Lucy is going to bolt and panic, a prong might not be the best choice. It is great for pulling, but can and does give corrections when corrections are not due nor intended.

Another option might be to have a prong and leash, and a separate flat collar and leash. (two collars and two leashes). That way you only give a correction when it is intended, and if anything happens you can hang onto her with her flat collar and leash.