Am I the only one that doesn't think this sounded like a class rule? Maybe it's the wording.. But it really sounds like it was just some nosey bitch trying to control others' dogs.

Print off some reading from google or something to hand her next time, showing how many more dogs are injured yearly from choke chains than prongs. The numbers don't lie, and there's FAR more reports of choke chain injuries than any other!

i totally agree !!

This is exactly what I did. I hadn't done any research when I first got my first prong. I was at the pet store and they had different types of correction collars and I tried them out on my arm. We went with a plastic prong because it doesn't look as "mean", but on my own dog I prefer the durability and sturdiness of the regular metal prongs.

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I want to add that I think that choke chains can be used properly without hurting a dog, but in my experience it requires more correction which I don't like. I mentioned earlier that the prong is constantly rubbing the dog's neck and reminding them to behave without an actual correction. The only problem I can forsee with a prong is that it might be more difficult to wean the dog off of.

hell mate , dogs have passed out and worse from something simple like fitting a choke chain the right way round ....ueeerrrr

So, the prong collars are safer to use than choker chains? I always thought it was the other way around because of the way the prong collars looked.

I'm actually about to purchase a prong myself. Cliff do you know any good links on it that might show me how to properly use one and put it on the dog? Or anyone else, for that matter?

Read the articles that have been posted.. Looks aren't everything. I did what cliffdog did.. I tried various correction collars on my arm and the prong collar was much milder than the choke chain.

I'm looking at them now.

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My next question would be, how do you correctly put them on?

Leerburg | How to fit a Prong Collar

Watch the video too

Yep, that link above is the best on the matter.

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Here's a pic of how I have Bonnie's fit:
http://i.imgur.com/StoGF.jpg
It's a little loose/low because she's between link sizes so taking another link off would have make it too tight, but it's close enough that it is effective properly.

I read somewhere that there was a study on prong versus choke collars...half the dogs wore chokes the other half wore prongs.....when the dogs passed away, there tracheas/necks were studied....the dogs that wore choke collars showed significant damage compared to the dogs that wore prongs (there was little to no damage)....I believe in the use of a prong collar!!!!

I use a prong collar on a couple of my dogs.I find them MUCH safer than choke collars.I know I would have MUCH more control in a given situation with a prong,than a choke.

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Looks are decieving. Chokes use a lot of force to elicit a 'correction' than prongs.With a choke chain,a ''quick snap'' is usually a jerking motion and clamping of a metal ligature(choke chain) around the dogs neck.If the dog is fitted improperly this can damage the Larynx,and vertebral alignments,as well as cause soft tissue/ligament and tendon injury.A prong closes without the jerking motion and less force is typically needed for a correction with prongs.The fit of the prong holds the collar in correct placement once properly fitted.It just closes enough during correction to elicit a response.No force,jerking or slipping.The jerking/force is what does the damage with chokes(that and improper fitting/placement).NOT to say an improperly used prong cannot cause damage,but a choke chain will cause trauma because of the ''jerking'' motion of the correction even when used correctly.(think whiplash vs pressure)

I wonder if they were to put a clip on a choke chain, so that it did not need to be slipped over the head and therefor could be properly fitted somehow, if it would be a less harmful method. But I suppose to that end it would need to be "reinvented" so it was hardly a choke anymore.

Gosh Cliff, Bonnie is so pretty.

Thanks http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/smile.png

Get one of the reallly small prongs. and if you have one of those lil safety thingys that attaches to her normal collar, that would be fantastic. This way, you still get the benifit of the prong, yet its not all xtra visable and loud lik ethe med/large prong.

I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo AGAINST choke collars, its not even funnie!

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and how did GALAXY seemed to get banned in a few days? lol.. says they joins oct.'11 and banned already...sheeeit. and why in the world are they typing so freakin sm. if anyhtng. type bigger!!! lol

My prong collar was a lifesaver. My GSD mix would've dragged me through the whole neighborhood after squirrels if I walked her with a regular collar. Eventually though, she became a bit more daring and tried to yank out of my grasp with the prong collar on. So I've switched to a 'No pull' Harness now, and it works well too http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/smile.png

Ive never used a prong collar. Ever. Im not against them or anything but I will admit that because I know nothing about them I am afraid of using it improperly and doing damage....

I mostly just use it for walks and to keep Bonnie alert... don't really have to use it for corrections.