By:
Filters
What's new
Mastiff Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • Welcome back!

    We decided to spruce things up and fix some things under the hood. If you notice any issues, feel free to contact us as we're sure there are a few things here or there that we might have missed in our upgrade.

Collar Recommendations

evilfeline007

evilfeline007

Well-Known Member
Lou is fabulous at not pulling 99% of the time. Sometimes he just gets overstimulated and lunges forward at something exciting. This is easily redirected but the initial pull is getting too strong.

I have him in a training collar (buckle with a half chain). The only reason he has this collar is because it loosens and tightens, therefore it makes comfy room for his jowels (dewlap...lol) but tightens to snug fit (not choking fit) when needed. It's becoming not strong enough and i found when he does pull, he actually causes the buckle collar portion to lengthen... :eek:

I joined an obedience club for the purposes of he loves doing work. The trainer there suggested a halti or prong collar. I'm reluctant for both. The way he pulls I feel the halti could cause neck injury (he pulls hard and sudden, and sometimes flips himself). The prong collar, well I feel like it's not a tool my bf could handle properly and i know it can cause handler aggression.. see this thread of mine regarding how my dog's been treating my bf... BF vs. Dog: dominance-related handler aggression

I haven't been able to find any anti-pull harnesses in local pet stores that a large/strong enough for him.

Any suggestions? What have you guys had success with? again, it's not a CHRONIC pulling issue. its pretty cute how hard he tries to maintain himself sometimes and then eventually hes just like "oh i cant help it!"
 
ruthcatrin

ruthcatrin

Well-Known Member
Can't help with the harnesses, I've never used them, and at first glance you're probly right aout your BF and the halti or prong. I'll have to think on that one.

For the collar though, DMikeM on here braids martingale collars from paracord, with a chain for the martingale, and a metal quick release buckle. The downside is they're not adjustable, so you'dpotentially have to buy another when he out grows it, the up side is theres no adjust-buckle to slip loose. I have one for Apollo and like it quite a bit. Look for a thread in this section, just a few down, called Large Dog Martingale started by me.
 
evilfeline007

evilfeline007

Well-Known Member
Oooh those look really nice. However, part of the concern is that when he does pull... he's too strong and pulls me over. This happens even if he doesnt pull the buckle loose.

Conversely, my bf tends to not walk him on the leash generally so if I required a collar like a prong, i could only use that for myself to go to the public park where exciting stuff happens. I don't know... that doesn't seem like a good idea. I've never been sold on prongs.
 
ruthcatrin

ruthcatrin

Well-Known Member
If you do use a prong get the trainer to help you with it. They're a training tool like any other, used on the right dog, used the right way, they're a great tool. I've used one on Apollo, though I'm phasing it out. And no, my hubby mostly didn't use it. Interestingly enough although I'm phasing it out, my hubby's been using it more, he discovered its ever so much nicer to walk Apollo when he's not getting his arm yanked off, and since hubby's always been lax about leash disapline he's getting his just desserts now ;)

Personally I'd rather use a prong over a choke, quite a few dogs, Apollo one of them, will pull right on through a standard chocke collar even as it cuts off their air. He doesn't do that with the prong.
 
evilfeline007

evilfeline007

Well-Known Member
i thought about the choke and i thought exactly the same thing...that Lou will just end up choking himself. I learned to use the prong with my childhood german sheperd, but I could definately use a brush up with the trainer. Since I'm the only one able to take Lou into 'exciting' situations (i.e. busy parks and obedience class), and considering existing issues, I would definately not encourage my bf to use it.

Part of me wonders, will this be the tool that makes him turn on me too? My instinct says no. I feel like Lou and I have a solid trusting and respecting relationship.

It really seems like a viable option. Moreso than anything else. Though I might get one of those martingales for everyday wear! lol
 
ruthcatrin

ruthcatrin

Well-Known Member
Properly fitted the prong only corrects when he pulls, you don't even have to do anything. You know your dog better than I but I don't see him turning on you for it at this point.
 
evilfeline007

evilfeline007

Well-Known Member
I think you are 100% correct. Wow. Him and I have come so far.

And you agree it would like make the situation with bf worse and he shouldnt use it?
 
ruthcatrin

ruthcatrin

Well-Known Member
I think that untill you can be 100% sure that he'll use it correctly he shouldn't use it. There's to much else going on there, and him yanking the dog around by a prong has the potential to make it worse IMO.
 
evilfeline007

evilfeline007

Well-Known Member
have had this collar for about a week now and its working really well. doesn't seem to bother him... he's just like "guess we're not going that way then.." with the oompa loompa song playing in his head. haha.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.