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 wouldnt recommend trying one without researching how to properly use it but it works really well for some pups. This post is from the perspective of a dog owner (me) that has experience with all types of training techniques, and yes that includes reactive dogs, shy dogs, scared dogs, and happy go lucky dogs. Also we may all live to see tomorrow. Its very common for puppies to go through several fear periods throughout the 2-9 months of life. Familiarise yourself with canine body language, particularly stress signs. Its helped ensure that MY dog is well controlled and attending to me. I have exacty the same story! Applying pressure to the windpipe is not good for any dog but can be especially serious in brachycephalic dogs who already struggle to breathe.. After I brought him home I tried to take him for walks but he would literally drag me down the street at a pretty fast pace. But that isnt going to happen in just a few days. I asked him why not? He went on to tell me theyre known for breaking dogs necks. According to a review article published by Gal Ziv, are better for both human and dog is overwhelming. I have had 0 success teaching dogs to walk correctly using a harness. I have a now 2yr old Jack Russell (he's my 5th one)but he's my first reactive, leash aggressive one I've had. Many dogs will still pull, despite the discomfort, and are at risk of injury to their necks. Hi Dawn, so sorry your pup pulled you over! We put on the collar and took my dog out into the waiting room, where there was actually another dog waiting. Hes actually spit them out when he hes determined to get to something else. She actually does really well but is strong with high prey drive. What are your thoughts? That should tell us something. These collars are usually made of metal and are NEVER allowed on authorities therapy pet dog sees. No amount of chicken, ham or hotdogs were getting our dogs attention when she reacted. Every interaction made me terrified someone would try to get our dogs kicked out of the neighborhood, especially since staffies are technically dangerous. I can even run in the park with him without getting dragged or jumped on. I can't buy one here in Australia so will have to take a chance of ordering from overseas and hope it doesn't get stopped by Customs. Filter by 1 Inch Custom Hidden Prong Embroidered Collar $0.00. 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. Taking in and training foster dogs takes a very special person! She quickly realized she wasnt a dog person and wanted to rehome her. You need to work with him letting him know the leash is a good thing..associate the leash with something positive. 12. It is like tapping the dog on the shoulder to get his attention. We were lead to believe that our Bear was leash trained. I recommend reading https://www.rescuedogs101.com/bringing-new-dog-home-3-3-3-rule/. When I am conducting group training sessions I introduce the prong collar to each and every one of my classes and I properly fit it around my own bare leg and give it the correct pull as if I were training a dog to demonstrate to my groups how safe and non-damaging the prong collar is. There was never so much as an indent in his skin and I was able to easily control him for the first time. This muddies the water for guardians seeking help with their companion dogs: If a force-free trainer with whom they worked didnt help them, does that push them to work with a trainer who uses force? I did read Netherlands. I agree 100%, the right collar and training are essential. He would drag me all over. He pulled his previous owner down their porch steps! Or can eventually she go off it and into her normal collar/ no leash? 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. They take the easy route, as opposed to teaching proper, solid cues and commands. 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. Woodrow doesnt mind it at all. Yes theyre bad, because they have far too large an ability to be misused. Its a large part of what drove me to write this blog post was because people are using these tools and are not actually looking at the whole page, reading all the information and are consequently making poorly informed decisions., Or, theyre making their decision based on the word of a trainer who is practicing with outdated techniques which is a really easy mistake to make.. Thank you for sharing this information!!! Then, when they do something right, or are questioning themselves, the fact you dont pop the leash means that they get a rush of relief. I admit I have not tried them all. They [Prong Collars] are not recommended unless other training methods have been exhausted.. Thank you so much for your story Terry! Is that this information gets shared, lots. The prong collar sounds just what we need. 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." Their use is discretionary, optional, or voluntary. He clearly is afraid of the leash. Wasted $100 at PetSmart (clicker training ????). Inevitably inaccuracies get thrown around and overall? I bought a prong collar for my 12-year-old unfixed rescue dog, pitbull. Then we started a balanced training class, and they showed us how to use the prong collar. If you use the prong collar correctly and correct your dog BEFORE he takes off for the rabbit, then yes. . Forget a regular collar she did nothing but choke herself out the entire walk. I dont want her to listen to me just because she fears what comes if she doesnt. He is a rescue who was only 77 lbs when he came to live with me. Pssssst Every single image I could find on my stock photo provider was a prong collar being misused. I found the prong collar to be far more humane than say a shock collar, a flat collar, or even an ill fitted harness. He gets to decide to eliminate that discomfort by not pulling. I have a 150lbs St Bernard mix, I cant walk her she is stronger then me. Prongs could help so many dogs and the misinformation out there is terrible. We felt like failures having practiced with her every single day several times per day with no success. Another point that is important to stressa larger systemic issue facing dogs, their guardians, and dog trainersis that there is no regulation in the dog training industry. But we all need to know the truth about prong collars before passing judgment. I might regret asking this but can I get opinions please? Now he is under control and gentle. Period. I am looking forward to using this, in an even better way of using. Boy was he difficult to walk though. I have a 5 month old Rottweiler and I need to make sure he does not pull me In the winters . Use exactly the amount of sharp jerk that produces an immediate reaction. It hasnt had any negative impact on his love or desire to go on walks. Now that I understand what I was doing wrong, I have all the confidence in the world that Ill be able to correct the problem with my mini Aussie and cant wait to give it a try this afternoon. We now use the prong collar to train our own dogs and our foster dogs when needed. Teacup puppies are incredibly trendy, because of their small size and cuteness. It should be something a little louder and prouder on their site. No, Prong collars are not banned in the UK. A prong collar worked wonders on my hooligan, made her walk like a lady. It totally changed our lives!!! I did training and watched several videos regarding the use of the collar and in less than 2 week the lunging was OVER. So happy that your tool worked out for you and your dobie. Animal welfare law changes to include prong collar ban 9 May 2022 Tony Keim The banning of prong collars used to restrain dogs is one of suite of proposed changes in the Queensland Governments first review of Our first walk getting her home she barked and lunged at anything that moved be it person or dog. The biggest pup I fostered (who was also a tripaw) did really well with a prong collar but when it was first recommended to me I didnt want to try it. I have used prong collars before with fantastic success. I have more confidence and she listens effectively. Cheers! Thank you for a very informative article. 100% agree if they were hurting the dogs they would be yelping none stop when walking them. We recently attended a three week intensive training program for our 4 year old, 50 lb lab mix. You are doing everything right, just take it slow. Dog collars can cause a good deal of physical and psychological harm to dogs. So many people think the prong collar is terrible, yet the flat collar is okay? Thank you for the article it helped ease my mind in using this for our pups. The rescues and shelters are full of dogs that were not trained properly by their owners and so were abandoned. Is it because it works so rapidly and they don't care what the dog thinks and feels?". And if your trainer tells you that this is not the case, then theyre not a trainer you should be working with. The links and ads are a way for me to cover my expenses. But that is true for a flat collar, letting the dog choke itself by pulling so hard the owner cant control him. Dr. Jean Dodds. My only complaint is that it is a bit of a bitch to put on and take off. What changes would you like to see? Virginia transformed her into an absolutely normal dog. I would argue a year to 18 months is the minimum you should be considering this tool., Why? I personally would not recommend using a prong on a puppy younger than 5 or 6 months old. And in the mean time the poor dog is confined to his home? Will that be a problem when he wears the prong collar? Yes. Hi! I just started using one. Ran into the road? When we adopted our 95 lb lab, he had no leash manners at all. She is so much happier on her walks and so am I. However, loose leash walking has literally been impossible. He was also extremely leash reactive and aggressive towards other dogs in general. Ive also used the gentle leader and it helped somewhat but she walked much slower and really hated it always trying to rub it off her face, which created a whole new set of issues. Many thanks for your advice and recommendation. She needs her exercise and fresh air and i will never deny her of that because of my own fears. Hi there, I totally agree with you on prong collars. Granted, my training should have been better and more consistent, and Ill probably always blame myself for letting her get this bad when it could have been prevented but I gotta say, she is exhausting to walk! I dont have to pull on her constantly to keep her in heel. ), she completely changed. You dont use it to punish, you use it to guide. Although I am thinking I need to do a research project with every type of collar available on the market today! Truly modifying behavior takes time and consistency. We mediate and control access to the physical and social worlds of our dogs quite a bit. Worked fine for a month then he saw a dog and jerked And the collar broke and went flying and he attacked the dog. I want to share a story about a prong collar and how it changed my life. WebE-Collars & prong collars are banned in several countries in Europe. However, the tool will work no matter where its been placed. Thats all. I bought the collar at Petsmart. Thank you for saving a dogs life! I recommend using a carabiniere for a back up just in case the links come apart. I want my dog to be off leash if we move there. It minimizes the drag strain of the harness and is an ideal alternative to prong collars. It's pretty effortless. Just started using one and he is very easy to walk with one hand. The Halti works great to end the pulling but the lead runs on the ground between his legs so he steps on it. Dr. Zazie Todd writes, Lack of control over something can in itself be a source of stress. As soon as the collar goes on I have total control over him. Like a child, I believe the structure it provides, is helping to build a better relationship. If you have experience and skill in reading a study objectively and without bias, you can see that it actually disproves the point you and the citing website are trying to make. A few thoughts first, you need to not care what other people think. 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. I laughed out loud and proceeded to tell him how straight front harnesses cause soft tissue injuries to dogs shoulders over time. 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. Im not finding anything in the ADA that says anything about these collars ( any collars for that matter). WebThere are two recommended sizes of prong collars for dogs. 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 rescued Shadow, a black Newfoundland, many years ago, that was when I was introduced to the prong collar in an obedience class I took with Shadow. Are you supposed to leave the spike collar on all the time? But when I have he mostly responds positively if he responds. Hes pretty good on walks but pulls to the point of choking himself. Yours and the fur baby. This is where a lot of pro-prong people will say But my dog loves their prong which is great, but in the same way youve conditioned them to love that prong? Thank you Melanie for sharing your story! Some societies and activists are taking action against their use; lets hope for a piece of good news in the future. Now we're loose leash and enjoying our walks and adventures. He is only c. 30 lbs., a puggle, but very strong. His triggers are squirrels, any wonderful smells, etc. Instantly what a difference, no pulling, no zig zag walking. 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. Hello, After doing my research and coming across this website, Im ready to try a prong collar with my rescue Nala. Thank you so much for sharing your story Carole! Its cruel not to be able to walk your dog. Due to the lack of oversight and requirement for education, certification, or professional standards, as well as the often ambiguous language used by various dog trainers, many well-meaning dog guardians who just want the best for their dogs are being misled and often talked into using force, fear, and pain to train. Loved this post! And by the way, love the name Bear, thats our yellow labs name too . And dogs can be abused even without physical contact, so Im leaving out cases of abuse here). If you think about the anatomy of the neck, it contains essential things like the windpipe. Doing this is utterly unacceptable and thoroughly unprofessional. This must never happen. And the difference is quite amazing. At first, she thought it was OK, but she had a bad feeling about it. Wow Deanna, what a great transformation story. You dont need a prong collar. I may look into a Herm Sprenger. This post does contains affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will receive a small commission, but it wont cost you a penny more). We rescued a 4 month old 50 lb Anatolian Shepherd/Great Pyrenees mix 5 months ago. When he hears me pick it up he comes running because he knows were going out. A word of caution thoughif you do use one expect criticism from others. Thanks for this info. When it is pulled tight the prongs create a pinching effect, which causes pain or discomfort for the dog. 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. She is very sweet but its obvious now that she hasnt been socialized at all. But I will never be completely relaxed walking her if shes going to lunge and bark at every person, bike, dog we see on our walks. But yesterday I had to take my dog, an 8 year old 84lb rottweiler, to the vet. Thank you so much for sharing your story! Gentle Leader no longer works and just bought a front hitch harness which also does not work. As a Chewy affiliate I earn commissions for qualifying purchases. But there is no getting away from the fact that if they didn't cause the discomfort/pain, they wouldn't work. WebProng collars arent banned in Australia. Yes it will help you a lot! Sincerely Brian Kelly. Among Scandinavian countries , Sweden bans e collars. Really? I havent used the collar since. The UK has also banned shock collars. The prong collar made the below photo possible my 10-year-old daughter riding her bike with our 95lb yellow lab, Bear. Mickey is a 45 lb standard poodle and is 6 months old. Please do more research, because your answer sounded very disturbing. Hes the sweet dog I knew him to be. Slowly, youll transfer all the leash to the harness or collar, and leave the prong collar on, but unattached (still for short periods please, and under constant supervision!) Exhaust other options Fit it properly Use an experienced trainer (who admits what it is and how it works) Use as designed Pick a quality one (no rubber tips! But after reading your points and the testimonies of other people here, I feel a little more confident that I can find a safe and humane way of using this tool when doing further training. How Can I Find a Dog Trainer? My dogs immediately focused on me rather than being ramped up and anxious or hyper. But since I invested so much money in this trainer I figured I'd give it a try. Thank you! 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. He is a happy go lucky great dog. Once your dog proper leash etiquette with the prong collar do you have to use it from here on out? 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. Knowing what you value will help you build the most meaningful life possible. Psychology Today, January 25, 2018. We all have that. Is It Time to Ban Shock Collars for Dogs In All Situations? I was terrified to hurt him during the first 2 sessions, but my son was not and he was getting the dog to listen! I use to think they were cruel but now I believe they are an invaluable training tool especially for adult rescue dogs with no previous leash training. Free shipping for many products! She walked normal and actually we all enjoyed our walk instead of dreading it. Lindsay Lowe, "5 Ways Collars Can Harm Your Dog". Aversive collars are unfortunately just one side effect of antiquated dog training practices and lack of regulation in the industry. 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. Used well, it gives dogs access to their world and can be a critically important freedom enhancer. How do you know what size collar to purchase ? Psychology Today 2023 Sussex Publishers, LLC. I work with high drive, hard working dogs. He already knew all basic commands, house broken and crate trained. Thanks for this article. Also, try having your dog wear a cute bandana it covers the prong collar if you are self-conscious about it. We rehomed a 8 month old GSD who was full of anxiety and nervousness. Knowing this and caring about our dogs, we should be looking for the option that most quickly trains the dog not to pull. Did You Know Anxiety Can Enhance Our Relationships? 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. We have a 4yo female rescue GSD. Most dogs that are terrified of things have never been exposed to them rather than having been beaten by/with the thing theyre exposed to. Before that, we tried the gentle-leader head harness, which she HATED, and either shut down when we put it on or she would often push through it anyway, to where I worried that she would hurt her neck. She wore a harness. :/ (Thank you for posting that video!). Its an adaptation of choke chains, the links become larger and there are teeth on each link that encircle the neck. If fitting is not the problem, then next review the way you are correcting his pulling, do not pull or nag on the collar, it should always be a quick tug or snap of the collar. They are not suitable for all dogs, and if used incorrectly, they can cause injury. Hi Lesa, I appreciate your feedback and the fact youve never needed to use a prong is great. Choke Chain Collars A choke chain collar is another inhumane training tool. I was horrified the first time I saw these collars for sale and thought they were really cruel! Why? I love hearing all the success stories. Reminder, not all prong collars are created equal. Train with your brain, not with If youre going to miss something, would you rather that your dog misunderstood a reward, or a punishment? I have a feeling you are going to wonder why it took you so long to try the prong collar. Victoria, you and your pup are a perfect example on how the prong collar is such a life-saver! I bought a Herm Spengler for my 3 year old 100lb. Our bet recommends it for our lab puppy. Its practitioner-correlated.". If you want the bones of how to train your dog to walk on a loose leash without a prong collar? When it comes to young dogs and puppies, one of the most lethal and scary things in the dog world is Parvovirus, or Parvo. But I dont want to be cruel, OR injure him. Prong, or pinch, collars can look similar to a limited slip or martingale collar, other than they have metal prongs that protrude toward the canines throat when the pet uses the collar. So, out comes my trusty prong collar. Prong collars are legal to use in the UK, but they are not typically recommended by behaviorists or trainers. She lived to be 17 yrs and 4 months, still hiked up until the last 4 months of her life. Prong collars do NOT cause pain. and eventually? Fast forward to today. This puppy's social behavior was a gift! I know my dog and one day well eventually work away from the prong collar but hes not there yet. Most of the citys bylaws carry a $240 fine for infraction. Numerous people who choose to share their lives with a dog also choose to use various types of collars, including electric shock collars (e-collars), choke collars, or prong collars that are connected to different sorts of leashes, both of which give people varying degrees of control over their canine companions. Right this instant. The dog must learn to pay attention and do exactly what you sayfor your sake and its. Watch the video on proper fitting and you will be fine. Hes my service dog now. There are back clip harnesses, which promote pulling (think about sled dogs). And I also know that the prong collar is designed to be the most humane way to train and to NOT harm our dogs. 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. I just found this page after admitting to a dog-focused friendly advice group on facebook that I REALLY struggle with walking my dog. Used poorly, the leash can become a source of severe physical and sensory deprivation and harm. 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. So no, in theory it should not need to be used for ever. Thank you for sharing your story Lindsay! Karen. Immediately the two dogs got ready to lunge at one another. At the moment, different regions are working If hes really excited treats have no value, even hot dogs. With some dogs prong collars are a great tool! I'm just afraid I'm going to lose the arm muscle I built up from all that pulling! 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! Again 99.9% of the time he is a joy to walk & im walking him and my other dog which could greatly overpower me. Since the incident he has been mouthing our son a lot more. Have you read the other comments here? The neck and cervical spine are one of the most important energy channels in the body. 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. The prong collar (similar to a choke chain or slip lead) works on constriction. Why was CodeMiko banned? I am still hesitant to give a little correction tug. 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. 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.. Summary of eRumor: This warning about the dangers of pronged collars, a tool used for training dogs, appeared on social media. What is different about a prong collar is that as the martingale tightens it brings in teeth or prongs. I know some people cringe at the sight of a prong collar, it looks barbaric and cruel. The guardian did not want to lose control of her dog, so she pulled him back toward her and continued to do so until the dog across the street was out of sight. 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. Web1.England 1. Mary writes, "I've seen situations like this more times than I can count at local dog parks and trails. My teenage daughter begged me to adopt a pitbull puppy. A quick, gentle tug is all thats needed. When presented with alternative methods, many dog guardians are not only readily willing to discontinue the use of force, but relieved to do so. I personally never used a prong collar before being introduced to it a couple of years ago. Our goal with the program was full obedience. This made walking him difficult as he wanted to get to anyone or anything he saw. I have used the prong collar with my Lab. 6. Will a prong collar help? 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. Are you confident the prong collar is fitted properly? Why are these collars still so popular in 2019 when we know better? So please Herm Sprenger! For example, shock collars, sometimes called e-collars or electronic collars, are banned in the United Kingdom, but they are legal in the United States. 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. She chatted with me about the prong and said we could try it to see if it helped. No matter what treats or happiness we used, she always found a way to push ahead and not pay attention to us at all. With the prong collar, weve been able to quickly train him not to pull on our walks. If you decide you want to try a prong collar with your dog, make sure your purchase the Herm Sprenger brand (this is the exact one I have). 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.