I went to my friend's house to give her a harness for her foster pup as the one she has is just straps and looks like it might rub. My friend is lovely and does a lot of work for the local rescue and we were just chatting. Anyway she says she had a trainer out because her old dog pulls and the trainer told her never to use a harness because that encourages pulling. I thought for smaller dogs a harness was better as it didn't pull on their throats but I am no 'expert'.

The 'expert' used a slip lead to try and correct the pulling and this didn't work so my friend was advised to get a prong collar. To help correct pulling! She went out and bought one but never used it. I nearly died and did what I never normally do and told her never, ever use a prong collar, negative reinforcement is wrong etc. I was pretty forceful for me as I am normally not very brave. I said if she wanted something more humane I could find recommendations but she says as the dog is old she is happy to let her live her life out quietly and is no longer bothered.

The poor dog is about 12 Seems like Thailand is still in the grip of Cesar Millan but luckily my friend didn't like the idea so hasn't made the new appointment with the trainer to learn how to use a prong collar. Hopefully, now she won't!

I still love the episode of 'It's me or the dog' where Victoria Stilwell made them put the prong collar around their necks and pull gently saying "there's no point feeling it on your arm, you're not putting it on the dog's leg are you?"

the owners were *horrified* at how it felt and threw it out there and then, using the Halti she gave them with great success

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There is no magic collar which will stop dogs pulling. A prong will stop the dog pulling while it's on, but then as soon as they put another collar on the dog will pull again!

I like a front clipping harness or half check chain, then lots and lots of training! There are loads of great loose leash walking videos on YouTube which use much more positive methods and well done for telling your friend your opinions!

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I was very brave After the looks and weird comments I got after saying I fed raw (what a freak I am ) I am surprised I said anything but I was so surprised she even considered it I just blurted it out!

Well done you, it's really tough saying these things but sometimes love of dogs overrides shyness and decorum!

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