I went into the city to give him some new experiences besides our boring suburb walks and didnt use the prong collar. Thanks. There has to be a clear line of communication between you and you dog and the prong is just a quick reminder of the expectation. The collars are adjustable by adding/removing links. The straw that broke the camels back was after her pulling so much with her front-clip Halti harness that she rubbed her armpit bald. He came out of two regular collars so I get a herm sprenger. And the difference is quite amazing. I may look into a Herm Sprenger. My boy is a saint bernard mix too. 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? Immediately the two dogs got ready to lunge at one another. Your email address will not be published. He hates them all except treats, of course, but they have zero effect on his lunging and pulling. She chatted with me about the prong and said we could try it to see if it helped. It is made up of a metal 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. Sometimes it is NOT the owner, but the dog that needs this collar. But I urge you to give it a try, as youve read by all the comments below, the prong collar can be life changing. The prong collar is the opposite of cruel in the right hands. You can have a dog who listens well, learns well and as a puppy? You can get the standard size: https://amzn.to/2Hwnbzp. I have a feeling you are going to wonder why it took you so long to try the prong collar. Why would he still be so excited to go on walks if the prong collar was so terrible? Not once. You may get evil looks from other dog owners that just dont understand the power of the prong collar. I can walk him with a regular collar now, but not when he gets 150 pounds. I used a pinch collar on Chester and he and I were happy walkers for 10+ years. These collars are usually made of metal and are NEVER allowed on authorities therapy pet dog sees. I have used prong collars before with fantastic success. So, I have yet to try a prong collar, but doing all this research on it has really made me consider that I should. They are used as an aversive training tool that enforces punishment in an attempt to make a dog perform desired behaviours. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. All Rights Reserved. Our 90 pound puppy who gets excited and pulls on walks. Unfortunately, people really just dont understand these collars and that they can actually help prevent damage or injury, and help owners bond and communicate better with their dogs. WebWhere are prong collars banned? There are no quick fixes, and training is not a one time and done type of thing. They take the easy route, as opposed to teaching proper, solid cues and commands. However, the first reference to dog collars comes from Ancient Egypt. I do worry about what other people think, even though I shouldnt. But that is true for a flat collar, letting the dog choke itself by pulling so hard the owner cant control him. I still am learning, but it was a good long walk today, which is the whole reason I got a rescue dog.a walk partner, not a 'pull into the road' or 'drag into the ditch & through the woods' partner. The prong collar would be a way to inform the dogs that they have to pay attention to you when you say rather than when they find convenient. Ive noticed several times that ours become lodged and arent connected all the way, leading to it easily being able to break apart when the dog pulls. What can 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!! He is only c. 30 lbs., a puggle, but very strong. Prongs could help so many dogs and the misinformation out there is terrible. ) Dont forget to train them off of it. Any collar, and training tool for that matter can cause damage to a dog if not used properly. Jennifer Cattet, "Choke collars, prong collars or flat collars are harmful training tools. This includes a flat collar. The answer may seem quite obvious, yet every day we choose option A via aversive devices like electric, choke, and prong collars for our companion dogs when successful, force-free alternatives are readily available. I do believe the prong collar has saved many dogs lives. 100% agree if they were hurting the dogs they would be yelping none stop when walking them. New Zealand, Austria, Australia, Switzerland, the Canadian Province of Quebec , and many others have made prong collars (and in many cases choke and shock collars) illegal. Oftentimes Prong collars are brandished around as the holy grail of owning a dog. They started our dog on a martingale collar, then upgraded him to a choke, and finally the prong. Walks were ok, except if he saw a squirrel or a cat or another dog or wanted to drag me to the park etc. No matter what treats or happiness we used, she always found a way to push ahead and not pay attention to us at all. Can you tell me why theyre being misused? Have watched several videos by Jeff Geller and purchased a Herm Sprenger prong collar. And she did it using a prong collar. Im a 68-year-old skinny woman I dont have the strength for this dog and dont know what to do. I have a 7-month-old Doberman who has been in training classes since he was 3 months old. A lot of peer pressure and uneducated people spreading rumors about a training tool they have no experience with. I know some people cringe at the sight of a prong collar, it looks barbaric and cruel. I might regret asking this but can I get opinions please? Debi McKee is a mom of three kids, three dogs and the creator of Rescue Dogs 101 where she guides you in your journey of adopting and raising a rescue dog every step of the way. Not ideal for small breeds. (See "Is Your Dogs Collar Dangerous?") Youre welcome ! I so hate to see good, effective training tools totally demonized. Huge mistake, he was so overwhelmed he was pulling nonstop on our hour walk around the park. Yes, the prong trains the dog not to pull and yes eventually your dog will no longer need the collar. Choke collars and collars with sharp prongs, which are designed to make pulling painful, can also do serious damage if not used with extreme caution and under carefully controlled conditions. The prong has been like the cherry on top a great tool if everything else is in place. Prong/Choke = obedience training, Harness = tracking work, flat collar = protection work. Furthermore, it is downright dangerous to leave either choke chain or prong collar on dogs if not working. A strong dog actually puked while I was walking him from the pressure on his throat. He pulls when i walk him half the time. Shell lunge right onto a road sometimes which is so scary for me. Hannah, Thank you so much for your message. However, the tool will work no matter where its been placed. Give it a light tug if necessary and the unwanted behavior is over. Harriet, you need to calm down. The prong collar helps keep his focus on me and makes it a positive experience for both of us. I have seen all of those injuries in dogs, and I experimented with many of those tools before I tried the prong. Doing so exposes your dog to an inordinate amount of danger, damage and risks that just are not worth talking about. I used it as you explained back in 1999, maybe for 3 months and periodically as needed over a years time. With the prong collar, weve been able to quickly train him not to pull on our walks. Thousands of trainers and Id wager millions of owners train their dogseasy dogs and challenging dogsand manage their behavior without any of this stuff. Its important to understand your pup is still adjusting and pushing the limits. This can create a scenario in which, at best, a dog doesn't offer any behaviors due to fear, and at worst, a dog who becomes more reactive, worried, and overtly aggressive, leading to bites.". Some dog breeds tend to be wanderers, and an intact dog or girls in heat can be problem too. It does not work by causing pain when used properly. It in fact dates the police academys training techniques back to the 1990s, along with their computer systems and their approach to the law is that something you really wish to stand with?, The My dog loves his prong, and gets all excited when he sees it is simple classical conditioning, such that your dog recognises that means training or walkies, that doesnt mean that they feel positive about the experience when the prong tightens around their neck., I mean, I can train your dog to see a lemon and think its the best thing in the world it doesnt mean theyll like the taste of lemon.. He is a pandemic puppy but I had actually had my name down to get him 8 mths prior so he was very much wanted not a knee jerk. And yes I do earn a small commission when someone purchases from one of the links on this page, this commission is tiny and doesnt cost you anything. We were lead to believe that our Bear was leash trained. Like others have mentioned, Im sure the dog is not afraid of this collar if theyre running to you to put it on for a walk. It is amazing! For this very reason, many countries with a progressive approach to pet safety and health, such as Austria and Switzerland, have already banned prong collars. 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. So glad you both can walk together and be happy! Yet, some dogs are repeat offenders, and those dogs? I recommend the 3.0 mm size for most medium to large dogs. Comment below and share with the Rescue Dogs 101 Community that may be unsure on the benefits of the prong collar. I am a firm believer of the pros of a prong collar and I would never get on other then the Herm brand, the rest always break or corrode. It is very helpful. Karen. He did bite me once but that was clearly situational and hasnt happened again. Do the ends really justify the means? We took our oldest daughters Welsh Pembroke Corgi to a trainer. My question is if the prong collar would scare him even more, causing more distrust, or if the boundaries of the collar would actually make him feel safer? I can walk right past other dogs and people and he looks at them and keeps in stride with my pace. I wanted to get one for him when we first started having problems with him but my dad seemed so against it so I decided on not getting one. Pronged Collars Should be Banned Because They are Harmful to Dogs-Fiction! 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. Should e-collars, prong collars, or choke collars be banned? Just remember, the collar doesnt train the dog, its a tool to train your training will train your dog. I highly recommend following a couple of trainers online: https://www.facebook.com/MajorsAcademyDogTraining/ and https://www.facebook.com/SolidK9TrainingRI/ both of these trainers offer a lot of free advice. With the collar we walked last night and twice today hes a totally different dog .A real gentlepup. Thank you for this article. He is amazing on it, but I dont always use it because Im worried about what people might think. The prong collar made the below photo possible my 10-year-old daughter riding her bike with our 95lb yellow lab, Bear. ), she completely changed. My dog trainer helped us find the most comfortable prong collar and fit it properly behind Blu's ears. Used poorly, the leash can become a source of severe physical and sensory deprivation and harm. It was life saving for me. Gentle leaders and the like can cause serious neck injuries like whiplash. We only introduced it after 31/2 mths at which point Ive learnt to read my dog and I have the knowledge how to manage him and descalate his triggers etc. The Prong Collar, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Top 5 Reasons to Take Your Dog for a Walk. Old Medication, New Use: Can Prazosin Curb Drinking? Anyways, she had so much leash reactivity when I first adopted her. But when I have he mostly responds positively if he responds. My guess he was abused while wearing one or was constantly on one. Eventually you can stop using the collar, once she understands pulling is not acceptable. When we go for a walk he is well behaved- until he isnt. These collars can also injure the salivary glands and salivary lymph nodes on the side of the face underneath both ears. This leash training is extremely important for puppies, but even adult dogs who havent been properly schooled in polite leash walking can learn to accommodate their human. Can you use the pinch collar on a 26lb puppy? If you find that its not working because of the lack of a neck try using a slip lead. Wales, Scotland, Switzerland, Slovenia, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Slovenia, and some territories in Australia. Being rather small in size at 5 he darn near out weighed me so it was nearly impossible for me to stop him. I dont recommend keeping it on 24/7. Some of the above is excerpted from Unleashing Your Dog: A Field Guide to Giving Your Canine Companion the Best Life Possible. Can a pinch collar be used on short face dogs such as French Bulldogs,Bostons or Pugs? However, some suppliers seem to be able to get them and sell them. But your points make sense to me. Thank you Melanie for sharing your story! Any training resources or advice you can provide would be very helpful! Fast forward to today. I see you have recommended a few times to use a carabiner and I dont know what you mean. Is that this information gets shared, lots. Teacup puppies are incredibly trendy, because of their small size and cuteness. Our canine companion is usually a part of our life that we love, and humans tend to show affection with a cuddle, An escape artist dog or a hound-ini is another kind of dog that is really stressful to care for. Good luck! These are common pet dogs. We tried positive reinforcement but he is totally indifferent to treats. When he hears me pick it up he comes running because he knows were going out. The content in this post is a breath of fresh air. I am worried about how my dog owning friends will react to me getting one of these collars, but having seen how easy and gentle yet effective it can be I have decided that I would be silly not to get one, both for her safety and mine, in certain situations. I laughed out loud and proceeded to tell him how straight front harnesses cause soft tissue injuries to dogs shoulders over time. Are you confident the prong collar is fitted properly? Wish us luck! So glad it is working for your and your big pup! She would get all excited to see me get it out and wait for me to put it on because it either meant going fir a walk or training which meant lots of one on one time with lots of praise and lovins. 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. Give it a chance, try it out and see what a difference it can make with your relationship with your dog. But are prong collars cruel? A Twitch star was temporarily banned from the live-streaming platform after zapping herself with a shock collar as part of a bizarre stunt.