The Best $250 We Have Ever Spent!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Last night we took Lucy and Sophie to Bark in the Park at the Cincinnati Reds game.  We got downtown early as to avoid the rush hour traffic and were just walking around a little bit.  I'm not sure how people downtown have dogs, because finding grass for a potty was a challenge.  We finally spotted a small area of grass (ok, I was being nice, it was just weeds).  We crossed a 4 lane down town street and were walking through the weeds to get them to potty.  All of a sudden Sophie's prong collar came undone.  (I have no idea what happened as I checked and rechecked that it was secured when I put it on her).  Anyway, she turned and looked at me and took off.  I can't even come up with any words to explain how I felt at that moment.  I instantly started after her thinking I can't let her get to the street but she was running so I said I have to stop and not chase her.  I stopped and screamed SOPHIE STOP to her.  (Don't know why I thought she would understand STOP, as it isn't anything she was every taught).  She turned around and looked at me, and I heard Mike behind me say Sophie COME ... Our recent training kicked in and I dropped to my knees and started clapping my hands excitedly saying Sophie come, and much to my total and complete amazement, she started at full speed running right to me!    I am so very thankful that we have been working on the COME command for the last couple of months as a result of the training we started in February!  We had never tested it outside of the back yard, but I feel a slight bit better.  I won't stop working on it as it could have gone the other way and I don't even wanna think about what would have happened because we were just on a tiny little piece of a lot between the Ohio River and a 4 lane City street!  It had disaster written all over it.  So, if your doodles do not have a 100% recall, please please start working on it today!  Don't put it off another day as you never know when you will need it.  This is also leading me to more practice to get off of the prong collar and onto a collar I feel more comfortable with, as that is a situation I don't ever want to be in again!

[Adina P]

How totally frightening!!!  Way to go Sophie listening to your mom like that!

I normally use a choke chain for training and most walks, but occasionally for tougher situations I'll put on a prong.  My trainer taught me to always use a back up choke chain when I use a prong because they CAN come off.  I just attach the leash to both the prong and the choke chain and the choke chain doesn't tighten because it's far looser than the prong.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Could someone post a picture of the method(s) you are using to back up the prong collar.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

F, Here is a picture of what I use. I attach it to the ring part on Fudge's regular collar and to the ring part of the Prong collar. I will try and take a picture later if this is confusing. The only problem I have is the weight of the carbiner makes the prong collar move, but maybe I have too big of a carbiner. I hope BG checks in...she might have a better picture.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

That's what we were using too, Laurie.  Our trainer found us a smaller, lighter carabiner that is much better at keeping the prong collar in the right position.  It looks just like this only is smaller.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks Laurie. I use this kind of carabiner for my keys, theoretically it keeps them on a ring of my purse strap where I never misplace them, ha. It is very lightweight  but strong. I might try these.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I will have to look for one of those. I think that will work and they are cheap. It gives me peace of mind.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I just bought two and they seem like they will work well. I got them at a camping goods store near me for a little over $2 a piece. This place is great and has a big mail order component but the shipping for two, I checked, is $7 : )

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___80701?cm_vc=PDPZ1

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

This will work great-you can let us know:) Chloe's came off once but she didn't notice!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I tried it and it does work in that sense. I hope not to find out if it works in an emergency.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

We have a REI store close to where my DH works. I bet they have them.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Most likely.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I use this one.