[Ellie May]

I do think all of them are cruel. Used to be opposed to their use, period. But I've since changed my mind. Absolutely think it's unacceptable to grab it for no reason. There are times when a large breed dog can't be trained without something like this.

Personally, I don't like prong collars and don't think there is any way they can't be extremely uncomfortable. I really dislike the Gentle Leader just as much as this other stuff. In a situation that required it, I'd use either though. I don't like the chain part of choke chains, but in general IMO they aren't much different than a tightening slip lead.

I'm also not inclined to relax over a small dog wearing a collar unless they are choking. I've noticed some dogs can handle it (not coughing) and some can't. Neither of my small dogs does well with a collar, so we forgo it for walks. However, Rylee does fine for the most part with it for potty breaks, so that's what we use. He can't wear a harness all day (chews on it) and I won't put it on several times a day. So harness for walks only. Ellie has a very sensitive neck, so harness at all times. A very tiny dog - harness.

So anyway, yes, if I had a large breed dog, I would use a tighening slip lead if necessary. I'm really not sure what the big difference is between that and a regular collar. One does tighten, but a regular collar tightens in the front when they pull.

JMHO, if the people that don't like them had a 100 pound dog that took there arm off every time they took a walk, they might become more appealing. Praise doesn't always work and I won't give my dogs treats all day. For small dogs I really don't see why the pulling is a huge deal in most cases.