I have a 6 month old puppy, Caesar. I have really started to progress a lot on Caesar's Obedience training lately. He is progressing everyday with his down/stay, sit/stay, recall, and even a basic heel. The problem that I am noticing is that if a correction is made, I can not get to a level seven "ouch phase" correction with just his training collar. Most of the time a good pop is all I need to correct him but at times I am sure that he needs more. I am 5'11" 240lbs. but his pain threshold is intense! I have trained field trial spaniels for several years but this is my first GSD. I am curious on wether I should use a prong? I have fears of hurting Caesar unintentionally by having to use the "choke" collar so hard, and I almost think that it is just an annoying pop to him. I have heard that a prong may help with that by not having to use so much force to get him to pay attention. I have never used a prong and am leery if a 6month old is too young to be using it with.
Please help with any advice you may have. I know that by writing this that I am going to get persecuted by "Gods of dog training" but I am trying to learn and could use some useful help!

Thanks, Michael

Hi Michael, I recently purchased a prong collar for my 6 month old female GSD and had great results the first time out. I had never used one of these collars before and was quite hesitant about getting one for training. Prior to the use of this collar my Cheyenne would not pay attention to commands and my being a little woman had much difficulty handling her. So my only recourse was to get tough and give this collar a try. As I said the results were terrific. This collar does not hurt her for if it did she would not be eager to put her head through it when I hold it in front of her face. She now knows when the collar is on it is time for work. Give it a try, you will be amazed with the results.
Best of luck,
Sharon in Texas.

Yes, Deanna, great saying.

I am also little (about 48 kg) and my Giant Schanuzer is over 50 kg and my ex-stray is about 25 kg - you can imagine muscles power is useless. I use prongs when I walk them both or when I cycle with one of them. But I put a prong on my Giant only after 9 months old. I prefer to get everything out from my dogs with food or ball, to fool the dogs, if you want, and use the prong only for unacceptable behaviour, when it's obvious they do not want to perform a well-known command. I wouldn't use a prong yet, if I were you. I'd use consistently every tool (good treat, ball, toy, cloth, and especially the voice) and leave the prong for later.
When you decide, first learn how to use it, learn the 'pop', don't just put the prong on your dog and expect it to work; the prong can prove as ineffective as a leather collar, if not used properly; it happens to many dogs that they 'correct' themselves by pulling and then they get used to it. See also the article on this board about choosing and fitting the prong.