I have tried regular collars, a harness, e collar now my last resort is a prong collar. The training program we used 20 years ago used a choke collar, so that is what we were used to. I have a 4 month old border collie and the prong used gently allows me to walk him. Also, try having your dog wear a cute bandana it covers the prong collar if you are self-conscious about it. It means that youre not in control. Hes large for the breed. Thanks. When shown attention, she licked human hands and dog faces with something that could only be described as joy. As sweet as he is, I ended up on the ground numerous times and my husband was tired of having his arm yanked in the wrong direction. Why would he still be so excited to go on walks if the prong collar was so terrible? Hes actually spit them out when he hes determined to get to something else. Comment below and share with the Rescue Dogs 101 Community that may be unsure on the benefits of the prong collar. Good luck! Is to figure out how to communicate with them. What a life changer. I am trying to gain more knowledge and be a responsible dog owner (esp. I broke down and bought a prong collar for my girls (18 month old pitbulls) theyre the sweetest dogs but pull like crazy especially when they see a person or another dog they want to play with. Thank you so much for sharing your story! Shame they dont research the damage done to dogs by flat buckle ! OSPet Dog Prong Collar. Ive recently joined a couple of Service Dog sites and everyone on there says that it IS OK to use a prong collar on a trained Service Dog. I havent used the collar since. It makes all the difference and Blu seldom pulls or lunges. You have that. Wish more people would stop and educate themselves to see the value in them! Herm Sprenger brand (this is the exact one I have), https://positively.com/dog-training/methods-equipment/training-equipment/choke-and-prong-collars/, https://www.rescuedogs101.com/bringing-new-dog-home-3-3-3-rule/, https://www.facebook.com/MajorsAcademyDogTraining/, https://www.facebook.com/SolidK9TrainingRI/, How to make dehydrated sweet potato dog treats, 15 Tips for being a great foster dog parent, Spaying and Neutering Your Dog [everything you NEED to know]. I had held out at first because I was skeptical, but as I said, once I started using the prong collar it was like night and day! Leashes restrict dogs' ability to have control of their lives and to make choices. This one is really important, before you use any tool with your dog that you understand how they work and why your dog will respond to it especially when they cannot communicate their needs or feelings clearly. No. Or must you be on the side of the dog on a short lead? I am certainly not here to push, either way, just to give the facts and my opinion on what a great training tool it can be when used properly. He is doing well but, as he is getting older, he is pulling toward other dogs and people. It does not work by causing pain when used properly. Have you read the other comments here? I have since gone on to do board and train with dogs on the side, have taken in numerous problematic foster dogs and trained them for easier placement, and intend to continue doing both so that I can help dog owners and their dogs live calmer, happier lives. Quebec will institute a ban on choke, prong, and shock collars in 2020. Ali has won multiple awards for her dog training, and has had her blog (this blog!) She is slowly getting used to our house and noises but has a very difficult time with walks (shes afraid of everything car, people, loud sounds). I despise using harnesses because I find they ALWAYS encourage pulling. I bought a Herm Spengler for my 3 year old 100lb. I have been lectured by multiple people and even had someone who found my dog once remove the collar and refuse to give it back. And, while it's very clear that e-collars and prong collars are used because they cause psychological stress and pain, many people don't realize that choke collars also can cause a good deal of pain, suffering, and injury to dogs who wear them. Will a prong collar help? This is where a lot of pro-prong people will say But my dog loves their prong which is great, but in the same way youve conditioned them to love that prong? Now presume there is a fence (metal picket fence/devils fork) in the dogs way and he decides to jump this but your choke or prong hooks on the live ring. But I will never be completely relaxed walking her if shes going to lunge and bark at every person, bike, dog we see on our walks. Shes a 27-ish pound mutt, stocky and short-legged, and still pulls even after working on training and walking her for 4 years, weve had her since she was a pup. Right this instant. But for a stubborn dog, he may decide the pressure of the prong pulling on his next isnt enough to not go after the rabbit. Use a no-pull, or a choke chain, and train them w/ positive reinforcement. We are both currently undergoing some intensive training with a professional who recommended this collar and so far has been the only tool that has allowed me to correct his behaviours, even on the first session we were able to be within a few feet of another dog with no reaction and for me and for him has literally been a life saver. I can't buy one here in Australia so will have to take a chance of ordering from overseas and hope it doesn't get stopped by Customs. Thanks for the information. That it appears on google when people search Prong collar for my dog and they have the opportunity to learn. Also, we wear a 2 wide flat collar on our Dobe with the prong so that the prong stays high on his neck where it belongs. They also create danger for pet owners who can easily get snagged by the sharp metal prongs. He was on the road to becoming an uncontrollable pet who would be doomed to being kept outside when the grandkids come to visit, or visitors come into the home. Try this post, and if you need more help? I have a 60kg male rottweiler who got spooked by a kid on a scooter on one of our walks he lunged at the kid out of fear, one correction to my dog he snapped out of it place perfectly back into a heel position, I believe if I had a flat collar or a harness on that kid could well have a huge missing chunk out of his arm, thanks to the prong collar I was able to control my rottie and potentially saved that kids life and my dogs too. These collars can save a dogs life and make him the gentle fur baby the owner wants. They out weigh me, so its important to have them under control. Just remember, the collar doesnt train the dog, its a tool to train your training will train your dog. Once i got knocked over and broke my pinkie and my cheekbone. He was supposed to be in a down but got up when my son went by with a musical toy so I gave him a small correction back to his down. but the fallout can be significant. A smart, quick, and gentle tug as he came at me, playfully, but vigorously and painfully, biting and scratching, caused him to halt and look at my face, asking me what I need from him, wanting to interact and please. Started training obedience day 1 (8 weeks of age)he (was) a nervous jrtnot fearless at all. A prong collar will give you a bit of power steering with a larger dog that pulls hard, but its no substitute for training., So if youre training? I think most people are afraid to publicly admit the prong collar is a great training tool. We are in 80s and vet says pinch collar will save our lives. Many trainers suggest using a carabiner to connect the prong to the collar. I knew that if we kept at it, eventually the dogs would figure it out and be better behaved, but the fear of losing our pups made me feel we didnt have the time to be patient. 1 1/2 Inch Keeper's Hidden Prong Double Leather Collar Gold and Silver Knots on Black Web with Metallic Gold and Black Leather and Brass Hardware $0.00. We took our oldest daughters Welsh Pembroke Corgi to a trainer. Contacted another balanced trainer and he recommended a prong. The trainer showed me how to use it properly and within 10 mins, Sam was walking by my side, not pulling and not jumping up at the 2 trainers I had with me, the difference was remarkable!! Wow Deanna, what a great transformation story. It also helps me correct her and keep her focused. And ask yourself, is it better for your dog to drag you through your walk, choking himself on his flat collar or to have a peaceful walk with your dog walking next to you, enjoying the smells and scenery? This is a really popular question, and it's something that a lot of dog owners ask me - because there's a lot of conflicting information out there. Alot of times, he walks ok, but not great. I dont have to pull on her constantly to keep her in heel. Decide which equipment you would like your dog to walk on, and grab a double ended leash, like a halti training leash, and clip the prong to one end of the leash, and the harness or collar to the other., As your need for corrections lessen, allow the balance of the leash to lean towards the harness, and away from the prong.. Truly modifying behavior takes time and consistency. If you correct the behavior before he gets into that state of mind, the prong will work. He would pull so hard that I wound up on the ground a time or two and injured just by walking him. We plan on taking him to training classes for sure but the dog is making everyone in the family cry, angry, sad because of the jumping/biting. At this point I dont care at all what people will think of me if they see a prong collar on her. Theyre primed for that. They allow pet parents to walk their pup on a leash and they provide a place to hang ID and vaccination tags. Possibly causing neck/throat problems. He's become a more confident pup with the prong collar training. The Thunderleash is clipped on his back so it stays up high where he cant step on it but he does still pull a bit. For my willful, hard-headed, inattentive Doberman yearling, thats definitely a prong collar for training sessions now. But since I invested so much money in this trainer I figured I'd give it a try. Ill bet you prong collars and strategic sharp jerks will have your dachshunds (or your wolfhounds) respectfully leaving their leashes slack within the week. The dog didnt even attempt to pull, lunge or drag me anywhere anymore. I have tried several different collars and leads to stop him from pulling. I signed us up for an obedience class. I personally never used a prong collar before being introduced to it a couple of years ago. Yes, Yes, Yes!!! Your timid poodle may never need one. Our first walk getting her home she barked and lunged at anything that moved be it person or dog. If you decide this is your right path, just make sure that youre going into this as prepared as you can, because you owe it to your dog to do so. I want her to learn the actual commands I give her. Thank you for sharing this information!!! Shes one of those rescues that really rescue you. You may get evil looks from other dog owners that just dont understand the power of the prong collar. We recently attended a three week intensive training program for our 4 year old, 50 lb lab mix. Most dogs that are terrified of things have never been exposed to them rather than having been beaten by/with the thing theyre exposed to. Worked fine for a month then he saw a dog and jerked And the collar broke and went flying and he attacked the dog. I have used a prong collar to walk my German shepherd and it has been a blessing. It is your responsibility to use the amount of training force necessary to eventually produce instant obedience in public. Another story that came our way involved a woman who discovered that a doggy day care center was using a prong collar on her dog without her permission. We decided to try a prong collar and WOW what a difference it made! What is different about a prong collar is that as the martingale tightens it brings in teeth or prongs. Dr. Jean Dodds says choke or prong collars are not recommended as they can easily injure the delicate butterfly-shaped thyroid gland that sits just below the larynx and in front of the trachea. As subjects go, Prong collars are pretty divisive in the dog world.. She may also just be going through a fear period. We are taking it really, really slowly and not forcing her to go anywhere for the walk as far as she is comfortable and I try to avoid triggers but its still stressful for her and I want her to feel more confident. But I am also aware of how other people view the prong collar. My teenage daughter begged me to adopt a pitbull puppy. Used well, it gives dogs access to their world and can be a critically important freedom enhancer. Watch the video on proper fitting and you will be fine. No more shoulder injuries for me. Flat collars can cause tracheal damage. I recommend prong collars, but only after consulting a certified dog training professional. Marc Bekoff, Ph.D., is professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder. I recently entered the world of dog ownership by adopting a rescue. The veterinarian was ultimately able to save the dog's eye. Try keeping him on a leash inside the house for a while. I have a 150lbs St Bernard mix, I cant walk her she is stronger then me. Get the help you need from a therapist near youa FREE service from Psychology Today. When asked why they use a particular type of restraint, people often say something like, Its the thing to do, or someone who knows about dogs told them to do so. You are truly saving lives. The information is readily available, but it is a little more buried than I would like to see. Thank you so much for sharing. If you do try the prong collar, make sure its high up on his neck, just below his ears. Why was CodeMiko banned? I contacted a reputable local trainer who I met at a local park the next day. Weve tried all our trainers suggestions like carrying a stick shaped treat and letting her have a nibble when shes at our knee, spatula with cheese/peanut butter, hot dogs, treat sack at our hip and feeding while walking NOTHING worked. Does the prong collar hinder your relationship with your dog? You need to work with him letting him know the leash is a good thing..associate the leash with something positive. Kodi will be 2 yrs old in September this year, originates from a rescue center and has been with me from 4 months of age. The proper positioning for a prong collar is right at the top of the neck, where the skull meets the neck muscle as this is the most vulnerable part of your dog, where the prong collar will yield maximum effect for training and consequently the desired result. I support so much the keep working till you find something that actually works, and make sure you know how to use it before using it. I have a 5 month old Rottweiler and I need to make sure he does not pull me In the winters . I have more confidence and she listens effectively. rated as 2021 & 2022 worlds best pet blog! The correctional collars are illegal to import in the country but are only banned in Victoria currently. Good luck! I have only used the style that the prongs go all the way around the neck, so I cant speak of the effectiveness of the ones that dont. Twice have hurt my back holding him, and I also have tendonitis in both hands/wrists, so holding on to him when he is distracted can be really painful. She was still her happy-go-lucky self playing. When the client was asked what happened to her dog, she frantically told us that she was just walking him and it happened out of nowhere. The prong collar made the below photo possible my 10-year-old daughter riding her bike with our 95lb yellow lab, Bear. Many civilized countries have outlawed prong collars, recognizing the harm they can do! Have watched several videos by Jeff Geller and purchased a Herm Sprenger prong collar. Once I started using a prong collar on my girl (along with the time commitment of training! I have a reactive dog when out, other dogs, cars and people but an absolute gent when in the home. He hates them all except treats, of course, but they have zero effect on his lunging and pulling. Thousands of trainers and Id wager millions of owners train their dogseasy dogs and challenging dogsand manage their behavior without any of this stuff. Recommended just for you: Top 5 Reasons to Take Your Dog for a Walk. I have never been more grateful for this training tool, I love my dog and have put a lot of work and money into training him. I didnt outweigh him by much. For their part, humans will be well rewarded for time spent helping their dog understand the how and why of leashes with many happy miles of walking together as a team. Prongs are widely, widely misunderstood and consequently widely misused., The fact that a reward or a correction can only be given within 2 seconds of the action for either to be of effect means that your reactions have very slim windows to achieve their goal. Im certain it must at least in part be me. Its important to check that all links are secure before putting on your dog. For her leash training she starts with a slip leash but if a dog is particularly difficult shell switch to the prong collar. But theyre not.. This sort of state is not a state where learning can occur, its a state where all their options have been removed., The analogy used by a lot of people is imagine your worst fear, and then someone sitting there and forcing you to face it., Prong collars are not suitable for anything fear-based, which is where reactivity falls., Regardless of my training preferences. We praised and rewarded him and he was getting it so quickly; finally!! I have exacty the same story! Should the collar only be used while walking? I am looking forward to using this, in an even better way of using. Try the stop and go method first, by not moving forward anytime there is any tension on the leash should teach him not to pull. It minimizes the drag strain of the harness and is an ideal alternative to prong collars. Consider the woman about whom Mary wrote who chose to leave her choke collar at the veterinary clinic after her dog suffered from a prolapsed eye. WebPinch and prong collars are collars with prongs positioned against the neck, or any other protrusion intended to cause pain or discomfort, especially when tightened. Could you post a video or picture of what you are recommending to do? Way to go Shadow!! And although I knew they were just barking and pulling because they wanted to investigate and make friends, staffies barks tend to be quite scary, which Im sure intimidate my neighbors. The prong collar allows us to share our life with our dog and not just have a dog at home waiting for us to get back from our adventures.