prong-off is a whole other story. We can walk for blocks with little or no tugging on the leash when the prong is on, but the moment the prong is off, the pulling and tugging is back in full-force. The same applies to other behaviours as well - with the prong on she doesn't jump up on people, or mouth them, but once again, when the collar is off, the behaviour is back. She spends her day with me at our shop where there's lots of people in and out all day so there's plenty of distractions going on but the moment the collar comes off, she's back doing the things she shouldn't be doing.

How do I wean her off the prong collar or do I leave it on all the time?

Sounds like you dog is smart to the prong collar. And knows that you cannot give a good correction when it is not on. Here is what has helped me to avoid this and also wean off of being collar wise. I went to using a drop tab (short 10" leash) in combination with the prong collar. I liked to put it on well before I will have to give a command when I started moving toward off leash work. They forget it is on. And they are not draging a leash. Then when you give the command and the dog does not comply, you can give a correction. At first, I would give a notch higher than I would with normal leash training. Just to let them know they could be gotten good when they think they are not on a leash. Then toned it down to normal once she knew she could be had. I found the transition was quick. Since the dog is with you in the shop this sould be easy to do . Make sure that the dog has a reliable come to make life easier.

In combination with the drop tab approach, I started working more training in drive. My dog has very high prey drive, so at first I would play fetch and give a command here and there. And then worked up to being compliant to commands as part of playing fetch. All the while with the drop tab/prong on.

Now when they know they have to do what you want in order to get you to toss the ball it becomes part of the game. After a while play without the tab on here and there. They will listen good when they know it is part of the game.

By now you can try and wean off the the drop tab when in the shop. Some times use it some times take it off.

This has worked for me, but others may know more and have better techniques.

JeffS

Thanks Jeff - will give it a try and see where we go.