I have also heard lots bad about the Gentle Leader. My mom's dog got down right mean with it on and went after my dad. Just personal choice. Prongs just look mean, they really aren't. I am telling you this at the risk of death (lol) for telling you, Mike, my husband, will not give anything or do anything to our dogs without eating it or wearing it himself. He wore a prong and let me yank it and he said it is just slightly uncomfortable, just enough to no want it again, and that was skin to prong not fur to prong. Just FYI.