Dont be afraid to use it if your trainer suggests it. I will post my update soon! Yes, the prong collar can cause damage, but so can a flat collar or harness. It does not work by causing pain when used properly. 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. It certainly would not work if you kept yanking on it all the time. Psychology Today 2023 Sussex Publishers, LLC. Anyways, she had so much leash reactivity when I first adopted her. I thought prong collars were for out-of-control vicious dogs! Choke and Prong collars have been used to discipline dogs, usually larger and more aggressive breeds. My only complaint is that it is a bit of a bitch to put on and take off. But we all need to know the truth about prong collars before passing judgment. The Effects of Using Aversive Training Methods in Dogs: A Review. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 19 (2017): 5060. Now he is eyes on me. Just last week, while at a local dog park, she saw a very social puppy who was running up to every strange human and dog she passed, excitedly soliciting attention, with a loose, exuberantly waggy body. 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. Now he is licking me instead of biting, watching me and interacting with me. We finished the class and we both learned so much from it. If youre going to miss something, would you rather that your dog misunderstood a reward, or a punishment? I recommend using a carabiniere for a back up just in case the links come apart. I can walk him with a regular collar now, but not when he gets 150 pounds. So I started on this years path of advice from experienced rescue owners, 1:1 sessions with a personal trainer ( But this got expensive and she made me feel like i was a big part of the problem by not being able to get over my anxieties when we walked by people, dogs etc) I know I have some work to do there and I am trying. 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. They say it should redirect them, and that worked for a little while, but not well enough, apparently, since she figure out that she could push through it anyway. If your dog pulls you when trying to walk him or is leash reactive, I strongly suggest you consider using a prong collar. We rescued a Brittany Mix not long ago and walking with her was miserable! I recommend the 3.0 mm size for most medium to large dogs. Look into Ed Frawley with Leerburg-has many articles, videos, and you can ask his wife Cindy questions, she is a trainer too. In addition, the government of Australia 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. You dont need a prong collar. Discuss with you when they should be used and when they shouldnt. It literally saved his life. I have walked him w/ the prong collar here at home several times since our session and he is not pulling or lunging. Even with a prong? The prong collar made the below photo possible my 10-year-old daughter riding her bike with our 95lb yellow lab, Bear. No warning, no rhyme or reason as to when it will occur. We just have to apply it. Im not sure you have the experience to recommend this nor have the dogs best interest in mind. This needs to be done with good training. 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. Used well, it gives dogs access to their world and can be a critically important freedom enhancer. I have a 120 lb Great Dane Mastiff mix. Immediately Im an abuser, bla bla bla. Yes theyre bad, because they have far too large an ability to be misused. What is Positive Punishment in Dog Training? The prong collar helps keep his focus on me and makes it a positive experience for both of us. Its important to keep in mind that using harmful collars are elective. Ziv, Gal. Pulls a lot, lunges after wild rabbits and some other dogs etc. 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. Its especially discouraging because most articles Im reading argue against prong collars. He likes them, just not enough to be bribed by them. It's good to know that when many people learn how bad they really are, they stop using them. Teacup puppies are incredibly trendy, because of their small size and cuteness. Webtypical flat collar greatly increasing the possibility of damage or injury to the dog. In addition, although positive punishment can be effective, there is no evidence that it is more effective than positive reinforcement-based training. 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. My dog loves going on walks and he always wears a prong collar when we leave the house. When we first adopted Bear he had no leash manners at all. They certainly can be if misused. A prong collar is a device that has good and bad points to it, but as well go into later, its ripe for misuse. I am looking forward to using this, in an even better way of using. I want to be able to enjoy walking him not only within the neighborhood but along trails this summer. I still use it, especially on walks and it helps her not pull too hard and injure her neck. Good luck. Ali Smith is the Positive Puppy Expert, dog trainer and is the founder of Rebarkable. 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. We took our oldest daughters Welsh Pembroke Corgi to a trainer. I have not used one so cant recommend anything specific, but you can find them on Amazon: https://amzn.to/32rG40v. 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. We have been working at it for 5 months now and occasionally I will just use his regular collar.he pulls every time! We decide when they eat, what they eat, when and with whom they play and also decide when, where, and for how long dogs get to be outside each day and, perhaps more subtly, by imposing the physical constraints of collars and leashes, which guide the speed and direction of a dogs movements. We have dogs in training classes with prong collars, slip collars, harnesses everything. Prong collars are still legal in the US, but are highly You may have pure positive trainers tell you there are more humane ways to control your dog. I have a smart medium drive 5 1/2 month old GSD male pup. It takes time and a lot of consistency. large dog in a prong collar getting out of a pool on a leash Are Prong Collars Harmful To My Dog Or Puppy? Prongs could help so many dogs and the misinformation out there is terrible. from his dog trainer) and immediately she ceased the pulling. Yes. I swapped over to a prong collar, and got him to behave, and pull and run after other dogs less, but it doesnt stick when I put him on another collar. If they are, the whole world may have collectively hopped in banning Funny how that works. I love him to bits and am looking forward to enjoying our walks from now on. 2, I think it can add a little stress during dog-to-dog interactions, especially if the other dog is aggressive. I was a bit taken aback, as I didn't expect it and thought it was cruel. Pronged Collars Should be Banned Because They are Harmful to Dogs-Fiction! This includes a flat collar. As you go through the article, see if you can tell why theyre wrong. I just rescued a 5 month golden husky mix. Yes, Yes, Yes!!! This collar is used to treat injured dogs. Many thanks for your advice and recommendation. And a Gentle leader or head collar that goes around a dogs muzzle is that really comfortable for your dog? I asked him why not? He went on to tell me theyre known for breaking dogs necks. The prong is simply a tool as if to tap the dogs shoulder to get her attention. Once i got knocked over and broke my pinkie and my cheekbone. I am at the end of my rope, so to speak. I am trying to gain more knowledge and be a responsible dog owner (esp. She quickly realized she wasnt a dog person and wanted to rehome her. Ive come to the conclusion that the people bashing the prong collar never had a dog like yours. In fact, there is some evidence that the opposite is true.. My boy is a saint bernard mix too. I spend more than 40 hours a week writing, researching and helping dog owners, I can not do it for free and still feed my family. Why are these collars still so popular in 2019 when we know better? I can get away with taking her to off leash parks sometimes but I dont always have the time to drive there as Im also mom to 3 kids. And trust me, my dog knows how to communicate if he doesn't like something. However, she told me that she uses a prong collar with her two German shepherds for the same reason and offered to demonstrate on my dog while we were there. What size prong collar should I get? Many civilized countries have outlawed prong collars, recognizing the harm they can do! Why do so many people choose to use various devices that make direct contact with a dog's neck and are known to inflict stress, discomfort, and pain, and potentially have long-term negative effects on dogs? Its important to understand your pup is still adjusting and pushing the limits. Thats what they were built for, is to learn. (If youre struggling to teach a loose leash, this is for you. Wasted $100 at PetSmart (clicker training ????). 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. He came to the pound as a stray but you can tell he has had some training..he can sit, shake, etc. Tail a waggin. I just ordered a Sprenger 2.25 mm 12 inch prong collar and will let you know how it works out in trainingit should arrive in 2 days. If you find that its not working because of the lack of a neck try using a slip lead. This must never happen. I am a 56 year old woman with a mild case of MS that affects my balance. These countries include Austria, Denmark, Germany, Slovenia, Switzerland, and parts of Australia. I think our dog is fearful that our son is causing him to get negative corrections. The use of prong collars and other inhumane practices are set to be banned as part of Queenslands biggest animal welfare law reforms in over 20 years. Learn how to fit it and use it properly before employing. He is amazing on it, but I dont always use it because Im worried about what people might think. For my willful, hard-headed, inattentive Doberman yearling, thats definitely a prong collar for training sessions now. Thank you for most educational article on pinch collar. Growing up I had a Doberman who couldnt be walked without it! A prong collar worked wonders on my hooligan, made her walk like a lady. Thanks Karen for sharing your story. If you are consistently pulling the collar he may become numb to any corrections. Good luck, I wish you all the best. Please see ourfull disclosurefor further information. I now use it on my foster fail rescue dog, she is a brute Am Staff-Boxer mix who is only 1 years old and loves to dominate those who dont know her. With positive reinforcement. I laughed out loud and proceeded to tell him how straight front harnesses cause soft tissue injuries to dogs shoulders over time. Like really easily. The prong collar is not punishment or pain. At first, yes once you take the collar off, he will pull. Im sure it was the pressure of the flat collars during walks that was causing the problem, and I can only imagine how bad it might have become over time. Reminder, not all prong collars are created equal. Since the incident he has been mouthing our son a lot more. I went into the city to give him some new experiences besides our boring suburb walks and didnt use the prong collar. Hi Beverly, Yes you can use a prong collar on a short face dog. My Australian Shepperd is very very active and extremely loveable and he pulls like a German Shepperd. BUT she does need help with socialization. In one session she was working roundabout his dog with no issues. Many trainers advise against these types of collars altogether, in part because the risk of injury to dogs is significant. Came to me weighing 43lbs, greatly malnourished (the rescue had fixed all the medical issues and had to adopt him out, so not complaining) since then, he is well nourished at 68 lbs.still pulls like a fiend sometimes. I did training and watched several videos regarding the use of the collar and in less than 2 week the lunging was OVER. Putting a prong collar on him that would make him uncomfortable or hurt him would further harm him mentally. The Ray Allen multi-function harness is designed with a lot of sports in mind. This is an awesome example of how great of a tool the prong collar can be under the right training. The dogs hear the rattle of the prong collar and get so excited for their walks! These are common pet dogs. The pulling she used to have has almost been eliminated by the training techniques my trainer taught us. I asked the vet if she could give me some gentle tranquillisers to use on such occasions, just to calm her down, but the vet was very reluctant to do this. Shes a 5 year old Great Pyrenees cross that Ive had the joy of owning for a year now. A jerk on the leash to suddenly, quickly restrict airflow as the teeth of the prong squeeze the neck, often misappropriated as a mommy bite Ill discuss that one another time) actually just reinforces the idea that they were right to be scared of the oncoming threat., Over time? We felt like failures having practiced with her every single day several times per day with no success. Is it because it works so rapidly and they don't care what the dog thinks and feels?". Stay strong and be confident in knowing you are doing everything right! Can you tell me why theyre being misused? But every dog is different. Viewfinders, what do you think about the ban on prong collars? Consult with Virginia from Olivers Travels dog training. Where are prong collars banned? I was going to buy a front clip harness (for more control as she is either following her nose without listening to me or tries to run away from scary things) but after reading your article Im wondering if a prong collar would be better?. And there are two much better alternatives, halters and walk harnesses https://positively.com/dog-training/methods-equipment/training-equipment/choke-and-prong-collars/. But theyre not.. Once I started using a prong collar on my girl (along with the time commitment of training! A bloody Tiger!!! (See "Is Your Dogs Collar Dangerous?") If you are just using it to train not to pull, there is no need to keep it on all day. I had an English Bulldog and, true to their bullheadedness, when a puppy on our first walks would pull out of his collar and leash and take off. Dogs will definitely be verbal if they are uncomfortable or in pain!! As a super strong pitty, he can yank a full sized adult over in a half a second to randomly lunge at a person or dog or squirrel. In large, older, strong, and/or strong-willed dogs, this would point us to the prong collars. Lindsay Lowe, "5 Ways Collars Can Harm Your Dog". . Once your dog proper leash etiquette with the prong collar do you have to use it from here on out? Thank you for sharing your story Gemma. We rescued a super sweet lab mix from down south a few months ago. They also wondered if this could have long-term "trust issues." Some people 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. A quick, gentle tug is all thats needed. I dont see dog trainer in your credentials, but do see a link to a product which suggests you make money off of your recommendation. This isn't the case in England, where they're legally allowed to be used without restriction. Try keeping him on a leash inside the house for a while. Dogs Watch Us Carefully and Read Our Faces Very Well. She was a once in a lifetime soulmate of a dog. Psychology Today, June 22, 2018. 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. 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. Our goal should be to use these tools to facilitate access to a wide variety of positive physical and social experiences and to allow our dogs as much agency as possible so that they can control and make choices that suit them. I am still hesitant to give a little correction tug. Legislators cited prong collars violated their Animal Welfare standards by using pain as punishment.. 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.. And harnesses? Ive never tried a prong collar on anything but a 6 leash. and eventually? Many civilized countries have outlawed prong collars, recognizing the harm they can do! 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. Our 90 pound puppy who gets excited and pulls on walks. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT discuss the increase in global rules and regulations aiming to improve animal welfare. Thoughts? 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.