All Rights Reserved. Weve even had comments from people about how well behaved our dog is. I actually have a ton of experience with the prong collar with my own dogs and other foster dogs I have trained. I am a 56 year old woman with a mild case of MS that affects my balance. Science Shows Positive Reward-Based Dog Training is Best, What and Who Dogs Want and Need: Love, Not Shocks, Living With a Dog Is Good, If It's Good for You and the Dog. I followed her to the nearest pet store and purchased a Sprenger prong collar and she fitted it properly for us and instructed me in how to apply it. Like a child, I believe the structure it provides, is helping to build a better relationship. At the moment, different regions are working Prong collars are still legal in the US, but are highly Dog collars can cause a good deal of physical and psychological harm to dogs. Doing so exposes your dog to an inordinate amount of danger, damage and risks that just are not worth talking about. 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. I have not used one so cant recommend anything specific, but you can find them on Amazon: https://amzn.to/32rG40v. Those who support a ban on shock collars hope that more countries will follow suit. Ive noticed several times that ours become lodged and arent connected all the way, leading to it easily being able to break apart when the dog pulls. Whilst Herm Sprenger advise that 5-6 months is the minimum? I needed to read this because I didnt want to be too harsh but realized I must have control of him. Hi, I have a 90 lb intact lab that I adopted a week ago. As a trainer, it breaks my heart, because I know how the story often goeswhile the owner may have been intending to diminish and disrupt jumping, she was likely unintentionally building an association between strangers, dogs, and shock. Walks were ok, except if he saw a squirrel or a cat or another dog or wanted to drag me to the park etc. I love my dogs prong collar. Im stating it like this so its super obvious for any trainer coming into this piece to know my stance, this caveat is not necessarily for you, my dear new puppy parent, but I have a commitment to my training methodology and need to openly state this.For reasons explained below, I am not a fan of prong collars, however, in order to give a view into why, this piece is needed. A short time later, Mary saw the puppy and guardian re-enter the park, with the puppy wearing an e-collar. My daughter took him out today on a prong collar and she said he did good. After 5 years we still must put it on him when in public even though we still do training in private with him frequently to get him to behave on a regular collar. To find out what size prong collar your dog needs, you will need to measure their neck. These countries include Austria, Denmark, Germany, Slovenia, Switzerland, and parts of Australia. collar No. From tracking to bite work (agitation work), and even an every day harness! Disappointed by the bias. Consequently, its my advice to not use corrections because theyre too easy to miss. Its very common for puppies to go through several fear periods throughout the 2-9 months of life. We finished the class and we both learned so much from it. In the end, I realize the prong collar is very controversial, but please do not bash it unless youve had experience with a dog that pulls so hard you can not walk him. . Why was CodeMiko banned? The warning said that they should be banned and included a photo of a dog with several lacerations on its neck, allegedly caused by a I had to give him a couple of sharp tugs but after that he soon got the message that if he pulled I would tug him back My views of these evil looking collars has changed and I had got to the stage of not taking Sam out for daily walks as I was scared of being injured myself or him injuring or frightening other people. Unlike when our little baby sees her shampoo bottle she knows its bath time and disappears. 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. So glad it is working for your and your big pup! Prong Collars: Debunking The Myths And What You Need Youre welcome ! He had good manners (or so I thought) and was very very love able. Have you read the other comments here? Physical Damage Choke and Prong Collars: Health Concerns Call for Equipment Change in Dog Training Additionally he pulled my husband to the ground one time. Some foster dogs come to us without any leash skills and in order for me to be able to walk them with my dogs, I need to quickly teach them how to walk on the leash without pulling, and a prong collar is a great tool for this. Learn how to fit it and use it properly before employing. Also, we wear a 2 wide flat collar on our Dobe with the prong so that the prong stays high on his neck where it belongs. It took everything in me to hold him back and walking him was physically hard on me. If used correctly prongs are a great tool and can greatly improve your and the dogs quality of life, I have four bouvier dogs whom i love dearly, but using the regular belt type choker, got me dragged under the wheels of truck, which fortunately stopped at the last second, saving my life and the probably the dogs as well, since i walk all four at once, so all i can say, is your information and positive comments on the use of the prong collar seems to be my only and final choice. He was also extremely leash reactive and aggressive towards other dogs in general. Suzanne, you are the perfect testimony to how the prong collar can actually change you and your dogs lives. It could take months or years, depending on your training. And a Gentle leader or head collar that goes around a dogs muzzle is that really comfortable for your dog? I highly recommend following a couple of trainers online: https://www.facebook.com/MajorsAcademyDogTraining/ and https://www.facebook.com/SolidK9TrainingRI/ both of these trainers offer a lot of free advice. When asked why they use a particular type of restraint, people often say something like, Its the thing to do, or someone who knows about dogs told them to do so. She was a once in a lifetime soulmate of a dog. WebHidden Prong Collars. I have a feeling you are going to wonder why it took you so long to try the prong collar. Were embarking on our first walk tomorrow!! The state government will introduce legislation into parliament to end the use of pronged dog collars, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced on Sunday. A few thoughts first, you need to not care what other people think. Of course the length of time it takes for each dog varies. Misuse covers : poor or Humanely training your dog as with children should be a personal choice not one dictated by supposed do gooders and government policies Thanks for your free download I look forward to reading it and sharing! 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. I was overjoyed when I was handed the leash and he did so for me as well!! Prong Collar What Professionals Have to Say This must never happen. The studies seem to show that choke collars are dangerous but not prong collars. Now what should I do? Reminder, not all prong collars are created equal. She jumped up to greet Mary and her owner shocked her for jumping while she was trying to say hello. We recently moved to a suburb of Boston where walks are now exercise but also to do her business. Used well, it gives dogs access to their world and can be a critically important freedom enhancer. this si my best buddy and my soul mutt and i am not going to give up on him, though both he and i need help! There is no need to be heavy handed using a prong collar. It should be something a little louder and prouder on their site. I see you have recommended a few times to use a carabiner and I dont know what you mean. I tried different collars and approaches and nothing worked. He already knew all basic commands, house broken and crate trained. Im certain it must at least in part be me. I would argue a year to 18 months is the minimum you should be considering this tool., Why? He pulled so hard to the point of choking himself and pulling me over. Ive used regular collars, choke collars, gentle leaders, harnesses and the prong collar. She is passionate about helping puppy parents get things right, right from the start. When it is pulled tight the prongs create a pinching effect, which causes pain or discomfort for the dog. Science Shows Positive Reward-Based Dog Training is Best. For my willful, hard-headed, inattentive Doberman yearling, thats definitely a prong collar for training sessions now. 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 clearly is afraid of the leash. I am with a training group right now, not training with them at present. We were lead to believe that our Bear was leash trained. Front-Clip Harness. Is it normal to have a few inches of chain that dont have the prongs, and does that work as well? . What theyre made to do, and what theyre not made to do.. Victoria, you and your pup are a perfect example on how the prong collar is such a life-saver! Whilst I dont agree with them, that doesnt mean you have to. Great article!! I contacted a reputable local trainer who I met at a local park the next day. Or must you be on the side of the dog on a short lead? Applying pressure to the windpipe is not good for any dog but can be especially serious in brachycephalic dogs who already struggle to breathe.. 4 years ago I would have never used it, until my dog trainer trained my dog on it. Meaning, they are walking well with no correction needed. WebIn this Q&A I address the important question:What do I think of countries that ban e-collars? Prong collars are safe fact Am thinking of getting a prong collar for my dog because he recently lunged at a cat he saw and pulled me over. The people are told to wait for the dog to offer the behavior. I have needed to figure out how to contain this pup that will weigh as much as me at a full grown 130lbs. We sometimes will put a bandana on our dogs to cover the prong collar. I support so much the keep working till you find something that actually works, and make sure you know how to use it before using it. I do worry about what other people think, even though I shouldnt. Punishment often appears to work quickly (who wouldnt want to avoid a painful or uncomfortable correction?) 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.