[tuszit]

^^^Great post.

Before we knew better we used a choke chain. Then someone introduced the prong collar to us, and just based on the look I didn't like it. Somewhere along the line someone suggested to me putting both on my leg (one at a time) and yanking on them. Then I'd see how bad (or not) they were. By far the choke chain hurt worse, and I couldn't imagine that on the neck of a short haired dog...granted I know they're dogs, and their pain tolerance is different (I'm a bit of a sissy also)...but still. I could just see all of the damage being done having that one focal point of pressure. Whereas with the prong, first like you said-it was in a constant state of...touching my leg and then if I pulled/yanked it the pressure was applied evenly. Uncomfortable-maybe, but not painful.

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.

---------- Post added at 11:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:00 AM ----------

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.