This looks like a nice modern alternative to the Prong Collar.

http://www.tbicatalog.com/005-020.html

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Never liked thos pinch collars. I have been using an e-collar to train "heel" for a long time, doesn't take long until the dog no longer tries to get ahead.

That looks like another neat electronic invention to help in training a dog on a leash and I'll bet it won't take long or much when using it based on what I learned when my DD was alive.

Prong collars aren't bad, and they don't hurt the dog in anyway (if worn properly). There's not really an "alternative", but you can try a rubber prong.