Equipment used during protection training - Page 2

I think for Schutzhund that a flat collar is usually better. It allows you to teach the dog how to grip without its head and neck thrashing around. I don't like the double-thick collars because I think that they are too restrictive. I prefer a 2" wide single thickness collar. I agree that later on you may have to go to a prong collar for various reasons, especially while doing control work in the back and side transports.

i like a flat collar.  i bought a wonderful padded harness, used it a couple of times and hate it.  for me, the harness and longline are much more likely to get tangled up on me, the dog or both.  the collar will rotate around the dog's neck and less likely to get tangled up.  i also prefer having more control over the dog's head.  some folks like to do a lot of agitation and this is their reasoning for the harness.  i don't like a lot of agitation.  the dog is already "on" when he/she comes on the field.  excessive agitation diminishes focus and clarity.  i like to work a dog that is thinking about what he is doing, not one that is reacting out of frenzy.
pjp