prong?

I had a bad day today but you guy have changed that, you guys crack me up. Thank you [].

First I would like to say that I am against using the prong collar on Rory. That dosnt mean I am against or for it at all. I think it depends on the dog, his reaction, and what other methods you have used and failed with prior to trying the prong collar.
Rory did not respond well at all, yes she is a pit bull with a very large tolerance to pain, she saw a horse, took off after it, did not head to the prong collar and was left with bloody wounds. This all happened within 4 seconds, thankfully she was small enough to pick up so she couldnt hurt herself.
I feel that if your dog responds properly to the collar then maybe it is the right step for you and your dog. Please may I suggest using it in in conjunction with a verbal command. In the future he may learn to recognze that command and not need the prong collar. BUT please no matter what you do, don't leave him in the collar when he isnt walking like someone suggested. Part of the purpose is to get him into unifiorm walking mode, he should assume this mode when that collar is slipped over his head, not have it lurking around his neck at all times. Not to mention their is a great risk of it getting caught on something. If that does happen you would think they would stop pulling to stop the choking but its the exact opposite, they get scared and try to break free which can be fatal.
I read that you didnt want to try the other options because he is a growing dog and that could eventually be costly having to keep upgrading. The same could be said with you buying a prong collar and him not liking it.
Rory started with a harness, she reared up and just walked on her hind legs $18
Rory then moved to the nylon slip collar, she choked herself repeatedly $14
Rory then tried the chain slip collar-more choking $9
Rory then moved to the dreaded prong collar which cut into her skin making her bleed $24
Plus the visit to the vet for that $60
It took me until she was six months to fork over the $28 for a gentle lead and it was a god send!
It seems to have corrected her pulling, she hardly needs it anymore but I carry it with us just in case! Good luck with your big boy!

I'm all about efficient learning. When I was a kid, I burned myself on the stove.

 
My mother was a smart woman.  She taught me not to touch the stove before I burned myself. 
And, I taught my dog "leave it" before she ever grabbed anything off the counter. 
But, since you like to learn the hard way, don't pay any attention that stop sign at the end of your street - I'm sure the T-bone crash will teach you on the first trial.
[sm=smack.gif]
 
 

Ice cream is bad for dogs.

Prongs can be good for certain dogs if used correctly.

.

FWIW, ice cream is bad for people, too, LOL. I never eat dairy products, and my dogs don't, either.

True, but at least people can choose what to put in thier body.  Dogs don't know any better.

Gosh, I've used a prong, and my dogs DO get a bit of dairy queen once in a blue moon.  As their guardian, it's my job to make choices on their behalf, just as I made for my sons when they were growing up.
 
This thread has gone so far away from the OP that I really hope that Jaime will close it.

Ice cream is probably a bad choice.

A prong can be a good choice on the right dog, if used correctly.

Yep, probably is.  Probably is for ME too.
 
But again, this thread is far off topic and needs to be closed.

Yes, I have noticed that. All about ice cream and some arguments, too. Since I've already posted my thoughts on this, though, I'll leave it alone. I think the original poster has probably gotten way more information than they wanted! []

ORIGINAL: spiritdogs

I'm all about efficient learning. When I was a kid, I burned myself on the stove.

My mother was a smart woman.  She taught me not to touch the stove before I burned myself. 
And, I taught my dog "leave it" before she ever grabbed anything off the counter. 
But, since you like to learn the hard way, don't pay any attention that stop sign at the end of your street - I'm sure the T-bone crash will teach you on the first trial.
[sm=smack.gif]

 
My poor mother TRIED to teach me not to touch the hot stove, but I was a stubborn kid and had to get burned first.  She also tried to teach me NOT to go up to strange dogs--again, didn't listen, ended up with 21 stitches for my trouble.  However, mom didn't hold my hand down on a hot stove or shove my face into that a an aggressive dog, but by the previous poster's logic, she should have.....

WHOA i didn't realize that this thread has gotten this out of hand...hadn't read it in awhile. I apoligize for causing drama. Anywho, if anyone cares to know, Wyatt is doing great on a prong. I bought him a gentle leader, and it was a complete hassle. He would just sit on the ground and pout. So, i slipped my GSD's prong on him oneday, and i will continue to use it. I've never had to do any corrections...I think he just realizes it's there, and behaves!! He walks quietly beside me and never trots ahead...even though i've never made any corrections with it on him. It's too big for him, but i think all he needs is it's presence!

You should be able to take a couple links out of the prong and adjust it down.  I'd worry about it being too loose and him getting hurt with it, or out of it.