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 would argue a year to 18 months is the minimum you should be considering this tool., Why? There are no quick fixes, and training is not a one time and done type of thing. Flat collars can cause tracheal damage. My wife bought the plastic" command collar" it did have immediate results, but i cannot get past the fact that they are all plastic. After using it for a while youll notice taking on and off gets easier. Harriet, you need to calm down. Im considering a prong, but my question is, can the prong be used as a training tool only, and then the dog can learn and move back to a flat collar? Dr. Alix Partnow, a neurologist at VCA Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle, and Grisha Stewart, a Seattle dog trainer and author, answer this weeks questions. I do worry about what other people think, even though I shouldnt. Also, try having your dog wear a cute bandana it covers the prong collar if you are self-conscious about it. Good luck! 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 trainers want to work with me because I have him on a prong. Marc Bekoff, Ph.D., is professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder. There is no need to be heavy handed using a prong collar. Debi, this is a wonderful article, thank you. Reviewed by Jessica Schrader, "Collars are a vital part of dog ownership. If you choose to use a restraining collar, why do you do so? Dogs that I thought were a lost cause QUICKLY cease pulling and are walkable again! Hi Carol, the prong collar is known to come apart at the most inconvenient times. You lost me at suggesting a prong collar for a reactive dog! When I got him, I vowed to use only positive reinforcement in training, so, rather than use a prong collar again, I tried every other alternative easy walk, gentle leader, various harnesses and treats. There are back clip harnesses, which promote pulling (think about sled dogs). Yes theyre bad, because they have far too large an ability to be misused. 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. You may get evil looks from other dog owners that just dont understand the power of the prong collar. The rescues and shelters are full of dogs that were not trained properly by their owners and so were abandoned. It literally saved his life. 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. 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. I dont think the fear is based on the leash, but something else. When it is pulled tight the prongs create a pinching effect, which causes pain or discomfort for the dog. Pay no attention to the idiots who prescribe for your dog without knowing either you or it. Thanks for sharing this article. Thats not the case. Weve invested a lot of time and money in our training and I feel like we have to go back to the drawing board. He has someone home with him 24 hrs a day and has all the love and attention he could want. I want my dog to be off leash if we move there. 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. In addition, the government of Australia Theres rarely a time where a prong is genuinely needed in a good relationship with your dog. Thanks. It is cruel to these dogs for them to be abandoned over and over again, adding to their unsuitability as pets, by people who believe themselves humane, when a gentle training session with a prong collar can turn those wonderful dogs into the kind of pet the owner dreams of. I'm just afraid I'm going to lose the arm muscle I built up from all that pulling! But with training he will learn. Chest harnesses that clip in the front are a better choice for hard-pulling dogs because dogs generally dislike the sensation of being pulled to one side. I felt like his regular collar was causing him pain because he was pulling against it so much. 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. A short time later, Mary saw the puppy and guardian re-enter the park, with the puppy wearing an e-collar. 3 months is too young for a prong collar in my opinion. We all have that. I see you have recommended a few times to use a carabiner and I dont know what you mean. He hates them all except treats, of course, but they have zero effect on his lunging and pulling. Watch videos, learn how to use the collar correctly ( I wish YouTube had been around when I trained my first dog in 1995!) About 4 mths ago I enlisted the help of an amazing young woman who is a dog trainer and with her help my dogs behaviour on leash has improved 10 fold. A world of difference. I personally would not recommend using a prong on a puppy younger than 5 or 6 months old. I want to be able to enjoy walking him not only within the neighborhood but along trails this summer. (We are in the process of training him to be a therapy dog to take to local nursing homes/schools etc)He thinks everyone is his friend and wants to play. Im so glad you were able to keep your dog! Is 3mm what I should use with a lab? He is amazing on it, but I dont always use it because Im worried about what people might think. 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. Yes, the prong collar can cause damage, but so can a flat collar or harness. This is the worst tool you can use for a reactive dog. If not used properly, it can be cruel. Hes not a bad dog and doesnt have any serious issues just your normal puppy stuff. 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. Every once in awhile he will just chill on the kitchen floor by us.but the last day he is all puppy. Once we took her out I was amazed! We sometimes will put a bandana on our dogs to cover the prong collar. Two, Find a trainer that will work with you and the prong collar. I have used the prong collar with my Lab. I have a year old Great Dane mix. Ive heard that putting a prong collar on an aggressive dog just makes them more aggressive. He's become a more confident pup with the prong collar training. So glad you both can walk together and be happy! Can you use the pinch collar on a 26lb puppy? Aversive collars are unfortunately just one side effect of antiquated dog training practices and lack of regulation in the industry. Psychology Today, January 25, 2018. Your timid poodle may never need one. I have a smart medium drive 5 1/2 month old GSD male pup. Thank you Melanie for sharing your story! 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 to pulling, hed often suddenly and without notice, take off after a bird, a blowing leaf or just a mailbox post that looked appealing. We worked with a balanced trainer to begin with and we saw some improvement but didnt want to use a prong because of their reputation. I bought the collar at Petsmart. Where are prong collars banned? She is happy and waiting for me to put it on. The dog didnt even attempt to pull, lunge or drag me anywhere anymore. Hi! This made walking him difficult as he wanted to get to anyone or anything he saw. Huge mistake, he was so overwhelmed he was pulling nonstop on our hour walk around the park. Dog lovers are fighting to extend this ban to prong and choke collars as well. Suzanne, you are the perfect testimony to how the prong collar can actually change you and your dogs lives. However when it comes to walking on a lease he is a puller and aggressive. Does the prong collar hinder your relationship with your dog? 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. Anyways, she had so much leash reactivity when I first adopted her. 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. 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 love hearing all the success stories. She fitted the prong collar and leashed him and literally within MINUTES he was no longer lunging or pulling even though there were loud cars, people, and other dogs coming and going around us. But pronged collars have been a saving grace for both me and the problem walkers. I contacted a reputable local trainer who I met at a local park the next day. Whilst I know that the potential for misuse is not a reason to call something bad, its mainly a method of training that I see no reason for.. We adopted a 7 month old lab/pit/Brittany spaniel mix from our local rescue shelter. I might regret asking this but can I get opinions please? I thought it was very well written and informative but also not an any other method is terrible. Thanks for sharing! WebWhere are prong collars banned? Its a tool that I believe, like headcollars, people use as a shortcut in their training. It took everything in me to hold him back and walking him was physically hard on me. Ill let you know if youre right! 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. A couple years of extremely hard work and amazing luck in happening upon a rescue dog with an incredible temperament and work drive, and my goals of having a pet to hike with turned into a lifelong passion for training dogs as a hobby and advocating for responsible dog ownership. 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. started a campaign to ban shock, choke, and prong collars in the city, are known to inflict stress, discomfort, and pain, and potentially have long-term negative effects on dogs. It hasnt had any negative impact on his love or desire to go on walks. Barely had to use the collar; I mean BARLEY, and we got into the groove. It is amazing! I would think they would still work as long as you have the collar up high on the neck. What a great story Donna, thank you for sharing. No matter how stubborn. Were hoping its a temporary training tool only, but Im still happy to have found this. Would the place where the lead clips on end up under the neck and, thus, drag on the ground on a long lead? PostedApril 25, 2019 She is so much happier on her walks and so am I. This isn't the case in England, where they're legally allowed to be used without restriction. What and Who Dogs Want and Need: Love, Not Shocks. He would drag me all over. Its a good thing I work out because I can reign her back in but I fear one day shell dislocate my shoulder!! Mary saw her guardian, who looked upset, pick her up and take her to the car after a solid ten minutes of yelling, "Down!" Or must you be on the side of the dog on a short lead? My energy is much more calm and I sense his is as well. If you are consistently pulling the collar he may become numb to any corrections. Now before you pass judgment, please read on to learn more and then decide for yourself. WebThere are two recommended sizes of prong collars for dogs. 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. Nothing worked until I found this site and started using a prong collar. We rehomed a 8 month old GSD who was full of anxiety and nervousness. 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. There is enough research to know they are not humane or safe. Its helped ensure that MY dog is well controlled and attending to me. Gentle Leader no longer works and just bought a front hitch harness which also does not work. Oftentimes, breed is an excuse Oh, hes a German Shepherd, he needs a prong or hell be out of control well no thats not really true is it? The prong collar I bought when he was 1yr old (Sprenger) trust me I've tried everythingthe prong collar worked the best for communication along with his obedience commands. The prong is the best, the dogs pull much less, even with other dogs, cats and squirrels to distract them. All Rights Reserved. Misuse covers : poor or To find out what size prong collar your dog needs, you will need to measure their neck. He growls a little but I know hes just reacting and not being aggressive. Wow Deanna, what a great transformation story. I was having a hard time finding others. Lately, I am getting hounded on social media about responding to a post saying it was a great tool for training. Walks were ok, except if he saw a squirrel or a cat or another dog or wanted to drag me to the park etc. And I could say there is enough research that shows a flat collar and head halters cause more damage than a prong collar. Give it a chance, try it out and see what a difference it can make with your relationship with your dog. 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. As we were completing this essay, Mary told me the following story that horrified me. The Effects of Using Aversive Training Methods in Dogs: A Review. You noted that you have used these devices for a quick fix when you need foster dogs to walk along side yours You also made notes about how to introduce the dog to the prong collar, and with the use of reassuring gestures and being patient with the animal, along side the use of treats why would the prong collar be needed? The people are told to wait for the dog to offer the behavior. Thanks! My guess he was abused while wearing one or was constantly on one. 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. Quebec will institute a ban on choke, prong, and shock collars in 2020. Truly modifying behavior takes time and consistency. Do you think there is growing interest in passing laws to improve animal welfare? Prong collar is the only way, Headcollar training harness with a front point Balance harness etc etc. I need to be able to use my prong collar! The collar is not designed to hurt the dog, but get the dogs attention. Thats not how the tool works and thats not the humane way to go about it. I have a 2 yr old Havanese and have had him since he was 8 weeks old. We have dogs in training classes with prong collars, slip collars, harnesses everything. My personal stance? There is no negative association for the dogs, and weve even been lucky and not have any people give us looks or comments on their collars either. (See "Dogs Watch Us Carefully and Read Our Faces Very Well.") I have a 48 lb Whoodle who would wear the gentle harness on our walks in our old location (CT) where wed go 3-4 miles on a weekend and was great exercise for both of us. 2. But every dog is different. That it appears on google when people search Prong collar for my dog and they have the opportunity to learn. Negative experiences that they have learned to problem solve with looking mighty scary, scare the other dog away, and then safety is restored. Many countries, including Austria and Switzerland, have made it illegal to use prong collars for canines. Possibly causing neck/throat problems. I have tried a few with our foster dogs, and they never truly work. Or can eventually she go off it and into her normal collar/ no leash? 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. So now its up to you to decide what you are comfortable using to train your dog. The kennel I work at is very much 50% training, 50% the tools you use. hi,,, we got a herm sprenger collar yesterday, it was recommended by the owner of the daycare center. Then we started a balanced training class, and they showed us how to use the prong collar. I have one dog that doesnt need it anymore, the other (our lab) is a constant puller without it. Your responsibility is to ensure that your dog responds to essential demands. At the moment, different regions are working Thoughts? I truly appreciate your blog for its resources and insights. Its important that the collar is snug around the base of the dogs ears, meaning high up on the neck. The neck and cervical spine are one of the most important energy channels in the body. We recently attended a three week intensive training program for our 4 year old, 50 lb lab mix. Best thing ever and very very safe when used correctly! Can Humans Detect Text by AI Chatbot GPT? With the use of a prong collar, you immediately become your dogs source of punishment. WebProng collars are legal in most states, but there are some places where they are banned or regulated. I can walk right past other dogs and people and he looks at them and keeps in stride with my pace. Keep doing what you are doing . Growing up I had a Doberman who couldnt be walked without it! with kid number two on the way in just a few weeks). Oh! Good to read something siilar to mine! According to a review article published by Gal Ziv, are better for both human and dog is overwhelming. I will post my update soon! The information is readily available, but it is a little more buried than I would like to see. Do your dogs reach a point that you no longer have to use the prong collar? The prong collar, otherwise known as a pinch collar, has changed so many dog owners lives just scroll down and read some of the comments from people that have tried the prong collar and are brave enough to share their experience with you. When shown attention, she licked human hands and dog faces with something that could only be described as joy. 3. Virginia transformed her into an absolutely normal dog. Its kinda like tapping your dog on the shoulder to keep his attention on you. BTW the trainer only recommended this after understanding the extent of our dogs A.D.D. He is absolutely gorgeous and has the sweetest disposition. He is only c. 30 lbs., a puggle, but very strong. We rescued our pit-lab mix as a puppy and underwent training with him for eight weeks, then again when he was a year old and even had the trainer come to our home to work on specific issues. I have a 140 BRT, and he is only 14 months old. I have found your article online about using prong collars.. well, i am at my wits end with my darling Border Collie. Its been a life-safer for so many dogs! The absolute best feeling was able to have a family trip to a busy seaside and she walked calmly through crowds, passed dogs, runners and cyclists and she was good as gold. He started really being obedient when the trainer put a prong collar on him and she showed him whos boss with a firm tug or two. You are truly saving lives. Pssssst Every single image I could find on my stock photo provider was a prong collar being misused. Again 99.9% of the time he is a joy to walk & im walking him and my other dog which could greatly overpower me. Good luck. Many civilized countries have outlawed prong collars, recognizing the harm they can do! Mark Furner, Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities, said the government is delivering on its election commitment to review the Theyre primed for that. It makes all the difference and Blu seldom pulls or lunges. Applying pressure to the windpipe is not good for any dog but can be especially serious in brachycephalic dogs who already struggle to breathe.. The use of any type of restraint, whether a collar that goes around a dog's neck or a front-clip harness, is elective. For example, in the state of California, prong collars cant be used to tether a dog. This is why we often need to devote considerable time and attention to training dogs how to walk nicely when on lead. Tail a waggin. 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. They out weigh me, so its important to have them under control. Collars are known to be associated with whiplash, fainting, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, crushing of the trachea, partial or complete asphyxiation, crushing or fracture of the bones in the larynx, dislocation of the vertebrae in the neck, bruising of the esophagus, damage to the skin and tissue of the neck, prolapsed eyeballs, and brain damage. At first, yes once you take the collar off, he will pull. Its better than a choke collar but any pulling gets old on a 2 mile rugged walk. I know that I could have accomplished this with positive reinforcement but it would have taken me another year and based on his size I did not have the luxury of time. Contrary to popular belief, dogs dont have thick skin on their necks, nor does their fur protect them from pressure on the neck. Will a prong collar help? Choke Chain Collars A choke chain collar is another inhumane training tool. . | rebarkable.comPrivacy Policy|Terms and Conditions, This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Thats what they were built for, is to learn. (If youre struggling to teach a loose leash, this is for you. My latest furbaby the half boston/half lab was so smart that all the positive training methods only trained him to misbehave. At what age do you recommend that people start using a prong Collar? But there is no getting away from the fact that if they didn't cause the discomfort/pain, they wouldn't work. Eye contact, "follower" state was much fasterI was connecting with him like his real mother would. The reason is that your dog might get spooked by something (fire works, thunder or whatever) and decide to make a dash for it. Is the prong collar training my dog not to pull and then when he no longer pulls then well no longer need to use the collar? Where do we draw the line? Mary writes, "I've seen situations like this more times than I can count at local dog parks and trails. Whoopee! We use a mini prong collar and had to adjust the number of links. Are shock collars banned in Europe? It was life saving for me. 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. If I did not get his behavior under control I would have to re-home my dog, if I could not walk him that would be cruel and if he hurt me or someone by lunging that would be even worse. Her eyes arent red after a walk and she doesnt pant constantly walking now. We also tried the plain slip-chain/choke chain collar (per my Mother in laws recommendation), and found that she still pulled and choked herself despite us -trying- to use it responsibly and kindly, OR she would back out of it and completely slip away. WebProng collars work by causing discomfort (pain/punishment) when the dog pulls against it. My daughter took him out today on a prong collar and she said he did good. Her constant coughing and choking has completely gone away. Our first walk getting her home she barked and lunged at anything that moved be it person or dog. My dogs get excited when they see the prong collars come out, it means they are going for a walk and cant wait to get the collar on! 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. I used to be someone who thought the prong collar was evil and harmful.. until I met a former LEO K-9 trainer who taught ME how to use one, properly, on a GSD. Ive never tried a prong collar on anything but a 6 leash. 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! We recently moved to a suburb of Boston where walks are now exercise but also to do her business. Unfortunately, I think the rescue society I got her from downplayed the leash issues. 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. Hes the sweet dog I knew him to be. This is a really simple. She brought to class a prong collar and instructed me how to fit it and how to use it. I used a pinch collar 3 times and he learned that quickly and never pulled out of the leash again. Disappointed by the bias. As eloquently put by Jean Donaldson of The Academy for Dog Trainers in an essay called "If They Could March," Theyre elective on easy dogs and theyre elective on dogs with behaviors we dislike, including dogs who lunge and pull on leash and growl and snap and bite. 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. The collars are adjustable by adding/removing links. Whilst the product is clearly quality, and I love that they actually give you most of this information the information is rather buried.