Corinthian

Dominant dogs - they are not really out there but there seems to be a lot of equipment made for them. Most of it works by inflicting some degree of discomfort on the dog. Millan's Illusion collar works by cutting off air supply to the dog, making the punishment seem effortless. And thereby more acceptable to the consumer. Of course, Millan would never be honest with his consumers and he will wax poetically about energy, and visualizing - all the while the dog is gasping for air.

While I don't like much (most?) of what Ed Frawley of Leerburg pushes, at least he is an honest person. He doesn't mince words, he is clear this is punishment and makes no excuses as to the real purpose and reason the collar works. He writes in big, bold, blue letters

Leerburg | Dominant Dog Collar

This collar is not intended to give a painful correction. It's intended to take the air away from the dog.

While I despise the methods, at least I respect his honesty, which is a lot more than I can say about Millan of the Canadian idiot Brad Pattison who also sells his own brand of choke collars.

Of course anyone who is not blinded by the TV media machine and has some knowledge of anatomy already knows this. Just try convincing his fans.

Gone2Dogs

To me a nylon choke is a nylon choke.
Milans is just a nylon choke with a nylon mesh to hold it high on the neck. At least no one is advertising hanging the dog with the Milan collar. Leerburg seems to just be retelling Kohlers old techniques. He makes it sound more okay by saying it is only for 'dominant' dogs.
I don't like the clip on the Leerburg collar 'cause it is a means to fit a collar too tight. I quess it is one way to keep it in place. But the clip is also in a high pressure area and I just see the mechanism jamming or breaking.
I have had clients come in in the Leerburg version , but fit loosely, which just makes it work as a slip collar and that is how they use it, as a collar a dog can't slip and get loose from....just like a kennel/vet lead. Exactly as Milan uses.
I think since 80% of the populace seems to have a hard time understanding fitting and putting on a slip/choke correctly so it will release immediately etc I see the Leerburg as a bit of an idiotproofing too.

Also there are a couple of local dogs with the Milan collar and both are very well trained. I talked to one of the owners and she said the dog has never needed a correction with it of any sort....the same, knowing they can't slip out of it seems to stop them from trying to.

A correctly used choke/slip collar is only gonna give a quick reminder( by that I mean the application of a fast, tug and immediate release).....trouble is the abuse potential is so great to either choke the dog or nag the dog to death.
I do use nylon chokes/slip and or kennel leads (leads that just have a built in loop) but only as a means to keep a dog from getting out of it's flat buckle collar, not as a training tool. By this I mean as a inescapeable collar. What is good about them is that most dogs in their flat buckle collars know they can pull enough to get out of them. Once you put a slip on them they can't pull out and get loose and it takes maybe a second before they change direction and walk along with you. 99% of the time I have a dog wrestle with me to either go into the kennel for boarding or grooming. The path is through a large open office (12 X 10 ft of open space) around behind the end of a counter and through the 'back' office door that leads to the kennel and grooming area. Now if the dog is on lead and in it's flat collar it will buck and fight (with me or the owner) at the idea of leaving mommy and going around the counter. With dogs that are old hands( the sort that runs back into a run or jumps into the tub) at this there is little effort to literally turn the corner and then they lunge out into the kennel without anymore wrestling. With new dogs, anxious owners or the like the dog just learns to slip it's collar and try to squeeze out the front door creating all sorts of opportunities for problems. With a slip/choke they don't even try, they get immediate praise and everything goes much more smoothly. They know they can't slip it and they don't even put any pressure on it. This is the "magic" you see with Cesar very often. The dog is so used to getting away with something and when they feel the slip it takes less than a second to do as is asked. Certainly some of this is confidence by the handler too. Since most of the dogs coming into the office are not going to respond to treats or toys (they are too stressed) it is the next best way to keep them from escaping (provided the owner can get them in from the car first) . Amazing to me how many men will carry their dogs in....and I mean huskies, doodles and giant schnauzers.

Criosphynx

I have followed Ed for a while, and he now uses primarily positive methods. I think tho, as he evolves, that he doesn't* removes articles and items from his site that he used to use...instead he ads new articles and talks about how he used to do som'thing but now this way or that way is better.

I do respect honesty in a P+ trainer. That also tells me that they understand the technique.

Corinthian

Ed Frawley is weird. In some ways he is very progressive - he even has a couple of 'clicker' or as he prefers 'marker' training DVDs. His DVD on building drive and the power of tugging are very good and then there is stuff like the above. It comes from His Dealing with a Dominant dog dvd. It's like he's a 17th century whip and stick circus trainer. And yes, I agree with you, unlike Millan or Pattison, Ed Frawley understand the technique.