Millan's Illusion Collar vs. Flat Collar

[Siloh]

Has anyone tried this out?

http://www.cesarsway.com/shop/Illusion-Dog-Collar-Leash-System

Hamlet is learning to walk very beautifully on a regular flat collar, but I like the idea of the control this offers. I haven't worked with a self-correcting collar since I was learning my multiplication tables at about 8 years old and had a German Shepherd (unless I'm ghetto rigging a collar out of a leash to catch a dog). I know he's too young to use it quite yet, but I'm wondering if this seems worth the investment considering Hamlet will quickly reach 50+ lbs and minor distractions may become show stoppers. I like that it sits high by itself and otherwise is very benign.

I've read a lot of negativity about not just using a flat collar. Opinions?


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[Siloh]

Darn... Just saw TheLeatherDog's custom martingale collars. Maybe this is a better way to go and a more influential way to spend my money? Also looks a lot closer to a flat collar in fit and feel? I've never used one but it looks like the function is similar but perhaps a bit less aggressive?


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[STEVSH]

I use a martingale on both my dogs and it has always worked well. When I walk Topaz though, I use a rubber knubbed prong. But that is after a year of trying all the collars out there. The prong just works best for us on walks. With obedience training though (at CGC class and such), I always used the martingale. I have no experience with Milan's collar so I wouldn't know the difference. It's probably overpriced because it's associated with Cesar though.

 

[Hector]

This illusion collar only fits necks up to 22 inches I think and that is way too small for most mastiffs. It's basically a slip collar/leash combo with the extra width to hold it high up on the neck. A martingale collar will tighten only so much (it depends on the slack you set it), but the purpose of it is so dogs can't slip out of their collars (my Belgian has though, he's a freak). The martingale works well with big headed dogs. I prefer a martingale over a flat collar for my dog. It won't give you a lot of control if your dog is a hard puller, but you will still be able to give corrections as you can with a flat collar.

In my opinion, if your dog does great with a flat then stick with it. If you want/need more control, then that's where training collars come in handy.

 

[DennasMom]

The only downside to a flat collar (in my opinion) is that they can slip off if they're loose enough... i.e. the dog can back out of them.

The martingale would fix that.

I use either the flat collar (where all Denna's tags are), or a simple nylon slip lead - yes, the slip is "choke-able", but it releases very quickly and most of the time Denna doesn't even know she has it on. It is silent (unlike a choke-chain), which I also like, and doesn't make Denna look "macho" and scary to strangers (which a prong or chain would), which is also good for me.

The illusion collar I think is a great concept - and would keep the slip lead where you want it - if Denna is being pushy, I adjust her slip up a bit, and she "listens" better, then. But, I would do as much with a flat collar as you can - and only move "up" to something if you need it (which, when you build good communication skills early, you shouldn't). Other than the martingale, which I see as a good insurance against backing out of a plain flat collar. Just my $0.02.

 

[Siloh]

Great responses! Sounds like I am setting negative expectations/having apprehensions about the future where no problem currently persists. He has only been walking on a leash for two weeks (since we got him), and so far his pulling behaviors have gone from an intense 10 to perhaps a 2 (using positive reinforcement to keep attention and pace).

It also looks like the martingale will be my friend for the purposes of having a collar that can be both loose and secure at different times. I agree with Denna that I don't want a collar that will look intimidating to other people or frame my dog as being dangerous. I'm actually thinking of getting him a vest to give the impression of a service animal when he's a bit older. Even now I can see many people who look at him as if he is a threat, just a relaxed puppy walking nicely on a leash.


So far he has a collar he is growing into which he could easily slip off if he were trying. Of course, this means it is rarely high on his neck while walking since he is always on a relaxed loose leash, unless he stops or rushes forward at a distraction, which he has been growing out of since there are just so many distractions living in a small pedestrian downtown.


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