Using a Prong Collar Safely: Training Techniques

 Introduction It’s not uncommon to see a dog owner passing by on the street, dragging behind an over-eager pooch that is wheezing and panting excitedly as they pull and strain against the leash. It might be a little amusing to see the dog taking the owner for a walk, but this sort of behavior can also be dangerous. Leash pulling can cause damage to the dog’s neck or throat and it can be much easier for an excited pup to slip out of a collar, running off in front of a car with no guarantee of returning to safety without a strong recall. ‘Heel’ is the most important command when out on a walk, as it can relieve much of the tension that can harm both your dog and you. It can also mean that your walks are more pleasant and your four-legger will be less likely to bolt towards a distraction. There are a few strategies and tools that exist to help you teach the perfect ‘heel’. The prong collar is one of the more popular tools out there. When used safely, the prong collar can protect you...

 Do you want to just look kind, or do you want to actually BE kind? If you want to look kind, you can use a harness and act like it’s A-okay to be dragged around by your dog. Will people be impressed? No. They will see the complete lack of engagement and communication you have with your dog as s/he pulls like a sled dog and ignores you – which is what harnesses were designed for – pulling! If you want to actually BE kind, your dog will be wearing a prong collar. A prong collar enables you to deliver extremely gentle communication to direct your dog to follow you, without hurting them, choking them, or doing any damage at all. If you have a problem with how it looks or what people will think, it’s easy to buy a prong cover or use a jaunty bandana. Confession time (Full disclosure & transparency) I must admit that I was one of those well-meaning people who actually had no clue about this tool but thought they were cruel and nasty. I associated prong collars with hoodlums and wit...

 Is your pup a nightmare to walk on a leash? From excessive pulling to lunging at other dogs, some dogs need extra training to make walks go smoothly. A pinch collar can help train strong or aggressive dogs, but some criticize their use. Find out why they’re controversial and how to use one correctly. Pitbull sitting on pier in blue jacket with pinch collar and leash (Caption: Pinch Collars For Dogs) Figuring out the best way to train your pup can be challenging. However, some methods are more controversial than others. A pinch collar for dogs , also known as a prong collar, is one method for leash training that elicits a lot of opinions. No matter what you think about pinch collars, people commonly use them to help their pups overcome leash pulling and other issues. Table Of Contents     What Is A Pinch Collar?     Pinch Collar vs Prong Collar     How Does A Pinch Collar Work?     Is It Safe?     Criticism Of The Pinch Collar ...

I know some people cringe at the sight of a prong collar, it looks barbaric and cruel. The prong collar training gets a lot of attention from pure positive or force free dog trainers. These trainers believe that the prong collar is cruel and should be banned. Are Prong Collars Cruel? But are prong collars cruel? The prong collar controversy is real! But we all need to know the truth about prong collars before passing judgment. You are most likely reading this because your dog pulls on the leash, is leash reactive or you can’t control your dog on leash, right? The fact is, the prong collar, when fitted properly, is designed to be the most humane way to train and to NOT harm your dog. Many people have never seen a prong or pinch collar properly used in dog training. I personally never used a prong collar before being introduced to it a couple of years ago. The prong collar, otherwise known as a pinch collar, has changed so many dog owners lives… just scroll down and read some of the com...

 The prong collar – two words that are sure to spark lots of debate between dog owners. On one side, there are fans of the training tool and swear by its benefits. On the other, the people who consider them cruel and even dangerous. The truth is, both sides have good points. We’ve all seen the pictures of abused dogs with deep, festering wounds in their neck as a result of ill-fitting prong collars that have been continuously worn. Then there are the ecstatic owners who can walk their dog without being pulled down the road or who no longer fear losing control. There is no doubt, the prong is a powerful training tool when used correctly and humanely. The upside is, they can quickly solve many problems and actually keep a dog safe. The downside is, in the wrong hands, they can easily be used incorrectly. To know how to correctly use a prong collar, let’s take a look at when they should not be used: • Should not be used as punishment • Should not be used as a replacement for training ...

Prong collars are painful and unethical training collars. Owners use this on their dogs in an attempt to stop them from pulling on the lead. They can cause serious harm to dogs and are an ineffective training method. Prong collars can be perceived to be a quick fix to help control dogs . They're often marketed by sellers as safe and quite gentle. Sadly, this isn't the case. Shock collars are similar but use an electric shock instead of prongs. What are prong collars and are they cruel? Prong collarProng collars are designed to cause pain or discomfort to the animal to reduce or stop them from pulling on their lead. They're based on the principle of applying something painful or frightening to stop unwanted behaviour. When a dog pulls on the lead, the metal prongs of the collar close and prong the sensitive skin around the neck. The prongs cause pain as well as potential injury and infection from puncture wounds and nerve damage. Research has shown that aversive training tec...

A prong collar is a training collar used to teach dogs leash manners. Prong collars are different from choke collars in that they use prongs rather than metal links so when the collar contracts the loose skin around a dog's neck is actually pinched in the process. Prong collars are designed to provide negative reinforcement when a dog pulls by mimicking pack behaviors used to assert authority, such as gentle nipping or biting of the neck. Such collars are not meant as permanent walking collars and need to be used properly and under the supervision of a trainer in order to be effective. Part 1 Choosing a Collar Download Article     Step 1 Talk to a certified dog training professional.     1     Talk to a certified dog training professional. A prong collar is not simply another piece of walking equipment like a harness or a gentle leader. It is a training device. A prong collar should not be used without consulting a professional dog trainer.[1]   ...

 At one of the dog training classes I took my first dog to, there was an elderly woman who had adopted a massive, very hyper German Shepherd. Often the trainer would have to work with this dog because the owner wasn’t strong enough to hold onto or control her. All I could imagine was this woman being injured (completely unintentionally) by her pup while trying to take a walk. Now, it may look a little scary, but when used properly, a prong collar is a safe and effective training tool for certain kinds of dogs. They can help dog owners walk hard-to-handle dogs and can even keep previously unmanageable dogs out of shelters. Yay! If other kinds of collars and training techniques just aren’t working for you, you may want to try using a prong collar with your dog. It is always best to do this with a help of a knowledgeable dog trainer. How Should You Place a Prong Collar on a Dog? It is vital to ensure that the dog prong collar is placed correctly so that it is helpful and safe.  ...

Like many, I learned about balanced dog training and the use of aversive tools like the prong collar and e-collar after exhausting the use of positive reinforcement only training with a challenging dog. Prior to using them, I misunderstood how the tools work, due to widespread misinformation about their usage. After talking with many friends, professional trainers, and watching many videos, I decided to give it a try with my dog. It was a night and day difference. After a one-hour training session, I went from dreading walking her to enjoyable, calm walks. When used correctly, the prong collar is a fantastic tool that helps bridge the communication between a dog and their handler. Remember, dogs don’t speak English and we don’t speak dog. Think of the prong collar as the translator. The prong collar comes with a lot of pushback from animal rights groups due to the way it looks and the misinformation spread about the tool. This article explains how the prong collar works and how it can ...