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. It is made up of a metal I have found your article online about using prong collars.. well, i am at my wits end with my darling Border Collie. I bought the collar at Petsmart. The training program we used 20 years ago used a choke collar, so that is what we were used to. Ultimately, a leash is simply a tool, a kind of umbilical cord between human and dog that can be used well or poorly. 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. and it is big and clunky. Prong Collar Our campus officially banned prong collars on January 24, 2017. This is supported by Herm Sprenger, the top manufacturer of prong collars in the world., Anything pain based is not suitable for a reactive dog.. She lived to be 17 yrs and 4 months, still hiked up until the last 4 months of her life. In my years of dog training (at this point, Ive been involved in training over 1300 dogs and won awards), Ive never found a reason for a prong collar that cannot be resolved with positive training. Thank you for telling your story Melanie. During the first class Shadow had his own agenda and set out to personally meet and greet every student in the class. 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. Thank you Patty for sharing your story! We are the first time adoptive fur parents of a Yellow Lab Mix. She said doing this just makes the training go faster, which is helpful since she only has the dogs for a limited amount of time. and has a loving heart. It makes all the difference and Blu seldom pulls or lunges. Where do we draw the line? Just remember, the collar needs to be high up on the dogs neck, just below the ears. Prong Collars, Choke Chains, Flat Collars, Harness, etc, are all part of your training tools and should therefore be used for that purpose only (they are not ornamental, although many believe that they are). The However, I am primarily writing here because he recently growled and snapped at our 1.5 year old son while getting a correction with the collar he has never done this before. He did bite me once but that was clearly situational and hasnt happened again. My energy is much more calm and I sense his is as well. The use of these tools in any body of work (such as on police k9s) is not an excuse for you to use them on a pet dog. Prong collars are safe fact Now he is under control and gentle. I love my dogs prong collar. I dont want her to listen to me just because she fears what comes if she doesnt. They dont hurt them at all to train them. It totally changed our lives!!! He growls a little but I know hes just reacting and not being aggressive. prong collars Where are prong collars banned? Use of the prong/e collar & it has changed their lives all for the better & made some very happy dogs too. Every walk we took Bear was pulling me so hard no matter what I tried and sadly, I was seriously considering returning him to the shelter. I cannot just take the opinions of others because the day WILL COME that I will be challenged by someone out there who tries to bust people for passing their dogs off as service dogs, when indeed, they are not. If it werent for this collar we would never be able to do that. I know Id be doing it for everyones safety, including theirs, and not as a way to punish my dog. Thanks for your advice and recommend!! There are different styles of the prong collar. Now before you pass judgment, please read on to learn more and then decide for yourself. Should the collar only be used while walking? Suggestions? It is like an airbag, you hope it never has to deploy, but when you need, it better be there! We have beautiful, stress-free walks thanks to this great tool. 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. Also, as the author mention, there are huge differences in the quality of a Pet Smart pinch collar and a Herm Sprenger (the recommended brand). Unfortunately, I think the rescue society I got her from downplayed the leash issues. We decided to try a prong collar and WOW what a difference it made! Good luck! Dr. Zazie Todd writes, Lack of control over something can in itself be a source of stress. Period. The only barbaric thing here Lora, is the human mind. Many people have never seen a prong or pinch collar properly used in dog training. Diana, I love your story, thank you so much for sharing! We have dogs in training classes with prong collars, slip collars, harnesses everything. Just started using one and he is very easy to walk with one hand. I love my dogs very much and I know in my heart that I am not a bad dog mom. I think, a prong collar, having the constant fear and discomfort creates a different situation for a smart dog, and when they dont have that worry or fear, they just drop all their training. For my willful, hard-headed, inattentive Doberman yearling, thats definitely a prong collar for training sessions now. 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! I had it too low on the neck and much too loose. No more choking off the trachea. And dogs can be abused even without physical contact, so Im leaving out cases of abuse here). Is it worth it to subdue and suppress behavior, to use the threat of pain to train a dog? 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 actually have a ton of experience with the prong collar with my own dogs and other foster dogs I have trained. We found out that her dog, while on a choke collar, started pulling when he saw another dog across the street, so much so that his paws came off the ground. Misuse covers : poor or Susan, thank you for sharing your story and I have a feeling this is going to change you and your dogs lives for the better! I guess Im an animal abuser from what I read, but I would put the care and loving I provide to my dog above 99.9% of what most humans receive. 1 Beaverdam Rd, NC 28804 US (828) 253-3393 Alternatives to Choke Chains, Prong Collars, and Other Aversive Methods Aversive methods such as choke chains, pinch collars, and shock collars can not only lead to painful injuries, they are less effective than more positive training methods. I urge you to not shy away from the prong collar just because of what it looks like or what youve heard about it in the past. I trained my German Shepard/Siberian Husky mix using a pinch collar, got tips on training from a gal who trained duck hunting dogs, she taught me hand signals and all. Thank You!!! Really? Are just such huge 2000 2022 Rebarkable LLC. I dont want my dog to fear me or become aggressive towards other people or dogs. It's always good to remember that a dogs neck is delicate and can be injured by violent jerks on a neck collar and even, presumably, by sustained hard pulling. Do you think these changes are happening quickly enough in the US? On our first walk, with a 20 minute session he was heeling, sitting, and responding to down and stay commands like never before. You are truly saving lives. So, out comes my trusty prong collar. Prong Collar Question and When to Use a Harness - YouTube You lost me at suggesting a prong collar for a reactive dog! It has been 4 years since I had my last beloved dog. Every dog and situation is unique. The prong is the best, the dogs pull much less, even with other dogs, cats and squirrels to distract them. Its important to check that all links are secure before putting on your dog. I have yet to see one that stops a dog from pulling. We were told that it was probably allergies. The correctional collars are illegal to import in the country but are only banned in Victoria currently. We now use the prong collar to train our own dogs and our foster dogs when needed. Lets join this trend!. Thoughts? But when I have he mostly responds positively if he responds. And be consistent. Mary saw her guardian, who looked upset, pick her up and take her to the car after a solid ten minutes of yelling, "Down!" Whilst I would hope youd use it right (though, I dont think I would trust myself to use it right consistently over long periods of time), it also doesnt surpass the fact that you can probably achieve your loose leash walking goals way easier than banishing your pup or dog to this device., No, they are not suitable for use on a puppy. Thank you so much for sharing. I am emigrating to Germany next year and i do not want to be taking a dog with me that is going to drag me through the streets, barking and being hyper and scaring everyone by giving the impression hes aggressive which he definitely is not.. Thanks! Without leashes, dogs wouldnt be able to go many places with us. As soon as the GSD would hear the prong collar, he would sit and wait for it to be put on for his walks and never tugged on me ever again. Can a pinch collar be used on short face dogs such as French Bulldogs,Bostons or Pugs? It is so inspiring, it brought tears to my eyes. There is certainly a lot of misconception around the prong collar, and I feel the only way that will change is when people have a dog like yours and experience how it can be such an invaluable training tool. And it absolutely does!!! For her leash training she starts with a slip leash but if a dog is particularly difficult shell switch to the prong collar. We look forward to walks now!! Have you witnessed a dog pulled so hard on a flat collar that it chokes it self to the point of gagging? It should be something a little louder and prouder on their site. The first of its kind, the flagship plan aims to ensure the UK is leading the way in animal welfare and includes a ban on the use of electric shock collars, a move which has been long-campaigned for by The Kennel Club. I switched him to a prong (Herm Sprenger 2.25mm) and his behavior improved immediately. He will begin to associate the prong collar with pain, which is something he is afraid of. It is amazing! But in some situations all that goes out the window. Dog Collars: The Shock and Prong War An Opinion But there is no getting away from the fact that if they didn't cause the discomfort/pain, they wouldn't work. Its good to note that a dogs neck is 3x more sensitive than a human neck, so we really do not need to use much pressure. They also wondered if this could have long-term "trust issues." And she did it using a prong collar. These are then used when you want to apply a Correction (also called a leash pop) that press into the skin around your dogs neck to apply discomfort or pain in order to communicate that your dog has done something incorrectly. Or pulling his owner over, cause owners not to walk their dog? When you adopt a dog that pulls so hard you can not walk him, then come talk to me do you want to go through a 6-12-18 month (or more) positive-only training program so this dog can finally take a walk in a public space? Controversial prong dog collars were recently banned by the government of Australias most popular tourist destinations, Queensland, home of the Great Barrier Reef and Gold and Sunshine Coasts. This collar is used to treat injured dogs. The dogs hear the rattle of the prong collar and get so excited for their walks! This gives respect for the tool, and means that youre less likely to misuse it. I used positive reinforcement in training him to walk since he was 3 months old. . Thats all. Controversial prong dog collars were recently banned by the government of Australias most popular tourist destinations, Queensland, home of the Great Barrier Reef Leash pulling is certainly one of the most frequent points of contention between human and dog, and it may be one reason that many dogs dont get walked: It can become a real headache for someone to try to walk a dog who constantly tugs and pulls and strains. Thank you so much for sharing your story Carole! We use a mini prong collar and had to adjust the number of links. Wow Deanna, what a great transformation story. The 2 Most Psychologically Incisive Films of 2022, The Surprising Role of Empathy in Traumatic Bonding. After 3 weeks of work with our 11 month old, highly excitable rescue dog we saw his behavior getting worse and no amount of treats of any kind could get his attention any more. Then, watching YouTube videos last night, I came across Solid K9 Training (Jeff, above in this blog) and discovered that I was using the prong collar ALL WRONG even on my first dog. The prong is simply a tool as if to tap the dogs shoulder to get her attention. Their use is discretionary, optional, or voluntary. So, the time to start using it is whenever youve genuinely exhausted your options when youve tried the kinder methodology, youve tried a professional positive trainer, and youve gotten to a point where your dog cannot progress despite your dedication, patience and addressing all of the aspects of your dogs life that may be inhibiting their learning. Leashes restrict dogs' ability to have control of their lives and to make choices. We got her at 8 weeks old. The prong collar is a tool to train leash manners. They certainly can be if misused. 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. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Herm Sprenger HS Ultra Chrome Metal Prong Dog Training Collar 162.25mm New Nice at the best online prices at eBay! Awe Rachel, this is great news! Just put it on when you are getting ready to take a walk. With positive reinforcement. WebProng collars arent banned in Australia. For small dogs you can get the 2.25 mm. Applying pressure to the windpipe is not good for any dog but can be especially serious in brachycephalic dogs who already struggle to breathe.. She brought to class a prong collar and instructed me how to fit it and how to use it. Look into Ed Frawley with Leerburg-has many articles, videos, and you can ask his wife Cindy questions, she is a trainer too. 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. Kind regards. ), All you have to do to unlock that? Before he never watched me. _____. 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. All dogs will show signals that he is about to lung or go after prey, such as excitement, whining, eye contact, etc. 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. Comment below and share with the Rescue Dogs 101 Community that may be unsure on the benefits of the prong collar. Flat collars can cause tracheal damage. 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. I went on vacation and decided to send him to dog training school to try to correct some of his bad behaviors and the trainer brought him back and showed me how to use the prong collar. So yes, Prong Collars can have the ability to be very harmful, very easily. 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. Why was CodeMiko banned? We need to be responsive to whats happening on both ends of the leash, and a walk should involve ongoing negotiations and mutual tolerance between dog and human. It hasnt had any negative impact on his love or desire to go on walks. And there are two much better alternatives, halters and walk harnesses https://positively.com/dog-training/methods-equipment/training-equipment/choke-and-prong-collars/. Yes it will help you a lot! Victoria, you and your pup are a perfect example on how the prong collar is such a life-saver! However, the first reference to dog collars comes from Ancient Egypt. WebIn this Q&A I address the important question:What do I think of countries that ban e-collars? The prong collar training gets a lot of attention from pure positive or force free dog trainers. I have walked him w/ the prong collar here at home several times since our session and he is not pulling or lunging. And if your trainer tells you that this is not the case, then theyre not a trainer you should be working with. I swore Id never use a prong, they are cruel, I thought. Shes a 5 year old Great Pyrenees cross that Ive had the joy of owning for a year now. Thanks! Hes large for the breed. Yet, some dogs are repeat offenders, and those dogs? 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. A lot of peer pressure and uneducated people spreading rumors about a training tool they have no experience with. With this volume of no-nos its so freaking easy to get wrong that can cause damage to your dog physically, mentally, or just to the bond between you and your dog. We just have to apply it. At first, she thought it was OK, but she had a bad feeling about it. The one linked in the article above fits dogs with up to a 18-inch neck. It was a lifesaver for me and he was a true angel to walk with it. Train with your brain, not with This made walking him difficult as he wanted to get to anyone or anything he saw. By using the prong collar, he is now interacting with me in positive and affectionate ways, instead of the aggressive and painful ways that came natural to him. Positive only trainers will disagree, but no it will not make him more aggressive. Got a wonderful lab mix last summer; believe he's never been trained or on a leash. I dont have to pull on her constantly to keep her in heel. But I dont want to be cruel, OR injure him. Recently we were able to do a board and train with an old coworker of mine for a very reasonable price and she told us that she combines positive and negative reinforcements in her training. Aversive collars are unfortunately just one side effect of antiquated dog training practices and lack of regulation in the industry. Its structured like a martingale collar, where the bulk of the collar is tightened by a cinching chain which attaches to your leash. But I now see how wonderful they are in training my dog. Watch videos, learn how to use the collar correctly ( I wish YouTube had been around when I trained my first dog in 1995!) Yes. Quebec will institute a ban on choke, prong, and shock collars in 2020. I want my dog to be off leash if we move there. You wont ever get to this stage, because youll be practising a loose leash long before theyre large and unruly! Because I adopted a 90 pound dog that, once he settled in, became seriously dog reactive in a city full of dogs that walk their owners and have no manners. I have more confidence and she listens effectively. Once I started using a prong collar on my girl (along with the time commitment of training! There was never so much as an indent in his skin and I was able to easily control him for the first time. ) Dont forget to train them off of it. Have you read the other comments here? You may get evil looks from other dog owners that just dont understand the power of the prong collar. I can even run in the park with him without getting dragged or jumped on. Are you supposed to leave the spike collar on all the time? The prong could help with the jumping and biting if used correctly. These collars have been the subject of controversy in recent years, with some people arguing that they are inhumane and should be banned, while others claim that they are an effective tool for training and managing a dog's behavior. Contacted another balanced trainer and he recommended a prong. :/ (Thank you for posting that video!). You dont need a prong collar. Hes my first dog and unfortunately socialization was very difficult and so he was highly reactive to dogs. page. As for the comment about it causing pain, no one has ever mentioned their dog cries out, winces in discomfort. Yes, the prong trains the dog not to pull and yes eventually your dog will no longer need the collar. We praised and rewarded him and he was getting it so quickly; finally!! What the dogs were bred for has absolutely no relationship to their bad manners (which you have inadvertently taught them). Note: I just received an interesting email asking if it's possible that some dogs hold grudges against their guardians and trainers who mistreat them with aversive collars and "other abusive training techniques." We put it on in the house about half an hour before taking her for a walk to make sure she was comfortable with it on. Ummmm not so fast. Ive heard about this collar from a Whoodle group Im in but am concerned that I wont use it properly and will hurt her. WebHidden Prong Collars. So now Im looking to eliminate the lunging at joggers, bikes, people walking towards us with or without dogs and the occasional car that she decides is a threat?? Ali has won multiple awards for her dog training, and has had her blog (this blog!) It is up to you to do your research and make your own opinion. I dont recommend keeping it on 24/7. How Can I Find a Dog Trainer? We all have that. I havent used the collar since. Prong Psychology Today 2023 Sussex Publishers, LLC. She needs her exercise and fresh air and i will never deny her of that because of my own fears. A prong collar (also called a pinch collar) is an example of a dog training collar, and usually replaces a flat collar. Every time, with only a few sessions, the dogs became calm, happy and responsive. Good luck! Do your dogs reach a point that you no longer have to use the prong collar? Sincerely Brian Kelly. Not to mention that the window of opportunity for use becomes so slim that these dogs are actually probably really easy to train anyway. I have exacty the same story! Thanks for the information. Now what should I do? Many dogs will still pull, despite the discomfort, and are at risk of injury to their necks. Suzanne, you are the perfect testimony to how the prong collar can actually change you and your dogs lives. Alot of times, he walks ok, but not great. It also helps me correct her and keep her focused. ), she completely changed. All Rights Reserved. We have tried positive reinforcement with food items, turning to head a different direction when he pulls (hoping he will learn to follow the human), and have tried at least another half dozen other recommended methods. This isn't the case in England, where they're legally allowed to be used without restriction. Where are prong collars banned? Summary of eRumor: This warning about the dangers of pronged collars, a tool used for training dogs, appeared on social media. I trust my trainer completely but every single person in my life is telling me my specific dog does not need the prong collar. Yes, Yes, Yes!!! and links therein.) Patty, its worth a try. 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.. If you choose to use a restraining collar, why do you do so? Yes that is the entire purpose of the prong, to use it as a training tool. Two, Find a trainer that will work with you and the prong collar. Thank you so much for sharing your story! He had good manners (or so I thought) and was very very love able. My friend who also trains dogs showed me how to use it properly and it changed our lives! 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. I am so happy you found a way to change the path of you and your dogs life. So far, only a handful of countries have moved to ban shock collars. Sure someone could use it to hurt a dog if they want to pull tight and nag on the dogs neck. Can Humans Detect Text by AI Chatbot GPT? Hello, After doing my research and coming across this website, Im ready to try a prong collar with my rescue Nala. We have a 4yo female rescue GSD. What can We have been trying positive reinforcement with him but he goes over threshold quickly if were out on a hike. I am looking forward to using this, in an even better way of using. Were hoping its a temporary training tool only, but Im still happy to have found this. Debi, this is a wonderful article, thank you. Fine, but I promise you (challenge me if you want! I have a 5 month old Rottweiler and I need to make sure he does not pull me In the winters . Used poorly, the leash can become a source of severe physical and sensory deprivation and harm. It was like I was walking a totally different dog altogether. I truly appreciate your blog for its resources and insights. I just cant say enough positive about the usefulness of a prong collar. Lets be realistic, Im not here to change your mind, and you will never be able to change mine. The use of any electrical devices for disciplinary purposes (electrical fence, anti-bark, collars with remote control) is not allowed.