Super Collar for off leash walks

[Meridith and Lola]

I just bought this collar:

Super Collar

It is a lead and collar in one.  The lead disappears when you drop it.  

I used it this morning on our walk to Central Park where Lola plays off leash.  I think it is pretty amazing as I don't have to carry the leash with me.  It is a pretty short lead so she also walks more in a heel position than typical.

I don't think I will use it when we are not planning on being off leash as it is somewhat limiting when we stop to say hello to other dogs or people which happens very often but it will be great for our beach outings and off leash times in the parks.  

The wires are actually soft to touch but there are warnings that they can be dangerous in certain situations so the collar is definitely not for everyone or every situation.

I got a lot of inquiries about it.  I feel like I could set up a stand in the park and sell them by the dozens.

Has anyone else used this collar or similar?

Thoughts?

[Kimmy & Chewie]

Meridith, What's your secret to successful off leash training? Any books/tips/program you recommend?

Chewie's recall is still unreliable :( so he's on leash most of the time outside. He's great on the leash though...heels nicely :)

[Meridith and Lola]

No secret - just a lot of training, treats and trust.  Lola started off leash at 4 months with a pack of dogs in a section of a park near me.  She was great until 8 months when she started to `wander off and not listen as much.  Then her prey drive really kicked in (not squirrels and birds but roller bladers, skateboarders, joggers etc.)  She became completely unreliable off leash - a danger to herself and others.  I hired a couple of different trainers but it wasn't working.  I finally found an amazing trainer (actually from someone on DK who mentioned him in a forum).  He will train using electronic collars which after much research I determined was the best way to go.  With the prey drive it wouldn't matter if I had T-bone steak - she would get in prey mode and just not hear me.  Within 2 weeks, Lola largely stopped her prey drive - it was amazing.  She is very smart and got it right away.  Then we had to practice the recall.  I did it a lot in the apartment - if she was in another room, I would call her and have a treat.  I would do it on a long leash in the parks.  After awhile it seemed to become instinctual.  I also really trust that she doesn't want to run away and mainly wants to be within sight of me.  She doesn't always come the second I call her (like if she is sniffing something really good) but she will come as she wants her treat and to be near me.  Good luck.

[Kimmy & Chewie]

Thanks Meridith!

--->>Off to do my research on electronic collars and training techniques now.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

See, I'm looking at this picture, and I don't see how you would control the dog at all with this, even for plain old leash walking, or give a correction when necessary.   In the photo, the dog is clearly pulling.

Maybe for a dog with perfect leash skills, but I personally wouldn't be comfortable with it. And it seems like it would be awkward for the dog to walk in heel or even just walk next to you unless you walk with your arm extended and your hand palm down, which is murder on your rotator cuff. It seems like if you turned your palm in, which is the normal anatonical position, the leash would twist.

When I take JD off-leash at a park, I just put his leash around my shoulders, or keep in the bag I always have for his water, tennis balls, poop bags, etc. so it's not a problem.

[F, Calla & Luca]

One of the negative reviews mentions how you can't get your dog closer, that is shorten the leash in a given situation.

[Meridith and Lola]

That is a good point to remember though it is only 3 feet long so she's pretty close as it is and there is enough tension to pull her away if needed.

[Leslie and Halas]

I haven't used one, but it does look pretty convenient for the circumstances you mentioned.  As long as you don't have to rely on it for training (and it doesn't sound like you do), it looks like a nice, additional collar to have around.  I can see problems with using it as an everyday collar, which some people would probably try to do, but when used the right way, it could be convenient.  It seems like you and Lola are using it as it was intended, but I can picture a lot of people using it the wrong way, just replacing their retractable leash. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It would probably be safer than a standard retractable leash, so if some of the people who normally use those switch to this, that would be an improvement at least.

[Ron Carnes]

When I was training Zack off leash I would just drop the 6 foot leash. If he would leave the heel position I would correct with the heel comand. I would immediatly step on the leash if he didn't respond. That would ring him back to the heel position.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

I should get one for my DH who annoys the crap out of me when he uses the retractable leash but keeps it loose and WRAPPED around his fingers - yes yes I told him a million times! I think he does it to show off how good she is, for that I say, walk her on a regular leash...same bragging rights!

Daisy is also excellent off leash but we have leash laws in the neighborhood as you all know.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Lisa, Bring him to PA and let him walk Vern on one...that will teach him...LOL :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

The reviews were mixed on the Amazon. There were negatives about durability and safety in terms of not being able to shorten the leash if need be without potentially cutting your hand.