@wizard:
Is the idea of the martingale not only so the dog doesn't slip our but also that it chokes up only when necessary and so doesn't put undue strain on their neck and throat? I've been thinking about getting one for EL D. Yeah yeah I know about making him heel which he does quite well – but afternoon walks are for him to check his pee-mail and sometimes he can get excited and wants to move quicker than I can. I sometimes get worried that he'll damage his voice box/throat/orsomething -- I've read that can happen though I think that was in relation to dogs really pulling on the leash.
yes, I guess so….but a regular collar shouldn't put any pressure on the throat unless a dog is pulling too.
I also don't require my dog to heel on a walk. As you said, it is their time to be a dog, sniff stuff, etc. But if they start to pull enough to put pressure on their throat, I stop walking...like, boom, stopped. They have all learned when that happens to come back to mom (make the leash loose). It takes some time to get the message...and it really helps when you start from puppyhood, so they don't get into the bad habit of pulling. Once it is a habit, and they have had success pulling, it takes WAAAYYY longer to undo.
For dedicated pullers, I use either a Sensible Harness, or Gentle Leader. I am prefering the Sensible Harness of late, because the dogs seem to adjust to it much faster, and it is less bothersome for them AND it seems to get just about the same result as the Gentle Leader.
