It literally saved his life. Time, time is all it takes. But yesterday I had to take my dog, an 8 year old 84lb rottweiler, to the vet. I would argue a year to 18 months is the minimum you should be considering this tool., Why? and has a loving heart. These collars can also injure the salivary glands and salivary lymph nodes on the side of the face underneath both ears. Are you supposed to leave the spike collar on all the time? My 3 year old 70 lb pit bull has always been difficult and stubborn. I weigh less than 120 pounds and did not consider prong collars until we got a giant dog. Decided to use the old prong collar on a walk to the post office with Bow today ???? I say moderately, because he still pulled and lunged somewhat. Imagine a sunny day in that idyllic world without electronic and prong collars. _____. Weve even had comments from people about how well behaved our dog is. 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. 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. 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. It took everything in me to hold him back and walking him was physically hard on me. Many people have never seen a prong or pinch collar properly used in dog training. But pronged collars have been a saving grace for both me and the problem walkers. 4 months old is border line too young in my opinion. It is made up of a metal Just put it on when you are getting ready to take a walk. England Shock collars are banned in Wales, but with the help of a new proposal, the cruel devices may be banned in 2. Psychology Today, January 29, 2019. It used to be he wouldnt move at all when we set him down, but now he runs to go outside it runs away from us when were outside (we have a fenced in yard so he cant get away). Period. I raised him w/ a no-pull harness, and he quickly out grew that behavior. 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. Adding in a prong collar and correcting their fear (aka. She is passionate about helping puppy parents get things right, right from the start. 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. The neck and cervical spine are one of the most important energy channels in the body. So now Im looking to eliminate the lunging at joggers, bikes, people walking towards us with or without dogs and the occasional car that she decides is a threat?? She was still her happy-go-lucky self playing. My hope? For her leash training she starts with a slip leash but if a dog is particularly difficult shell switch to the prong collar. Veterinary Q&A: Prong collars are safe fact or fiction? Yours and the fur baby. They are simply NOT necessary; there are better ways to train! Some dogs only need it for 6 months, others will need it for years. The collars are adjustable by adding/removing links. 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 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! Victoria, you and your pup are a perfect example on how the prong collar is such a life-saver! What Countries Have Banned Shock Collars? - The Dog Central Yes, positive training will take longer and will be harder work, but is that any excuse to resort to something that will make your dogs life uncomfortable? Its important to check that all links are secure before putting on your dog. So now its up to you to decide what you are comfortable using to train your dog. 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. It has been a life-saver. The prong collar is not punishment or pain. That should tell us something. 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. It was life saving for me. There is certainly a lot of misconception around the prong collar, and I feel the only way that will change is when people have a dog like yours and experience how it can be such an invaluable training tool. Marc Bekoff, Ph.D., is professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder. If youre going to miss something, would you rather that your dog misunderstood a reward, or a punishment? Nothing worked until I found this site and started using a prong collar. Please see ourfull disclosurefor further information. After 3 weeks of work with our 11 month old, highly excitable rescue dog we saw his behavior getting worse and no amount of treats of any kind could get his attention any more. Since the incident he has been mouthing our son a lot more. Now we're loose leash and enjoying our walks and adventures. The prong is the best, the dogs pull much less, even with other dogs, cats and squirrels to distract them. Once i got knocked over and broke my pinkie and my cheekbone. Before he never watched me. How, Mary wondered, can anyone be upset with having a social puppy? A trainer can help with that. 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. I really wish I had started using it early in his training program. He was on the road to becoming an uncontrollable pet who would be doomed to being kept outside when the grandkids come to visit, or visitors come into the home. Familiarise yourself with canine body language, particularly stress signs. Hi Lesa, I appreciate your feedback and the fact youve never needed to use a prong is great. If you want to advocate for using aversive tools, thats fine, but lying and telling people that the prong doesnt hurt , only makes you look ridiculous . He came to the pound as a stray but you can tell he has had some training..he can sit, shake, etc. I do actually have a prong collar, the trainers at his class suggested it. Especially for a breed that everyone seems to be initially wary of. Like I said, he is very well behaved, until he is not. Theres a lot of myths and a lack of information because it all comes from a passionate place. I can walk right past other dogs and people and he looks at them and keeps in stride with my pace. 3, It definitely forces you to pay attention as youre concerned about pulling too hard but that /should/ be the case no matter what you use. WebE-Collars & prong collars are banned in several countries in Europe. Its practitioner-correlated.". This is an awesome example of how great of a tool the prong collar can be under the right training. Have you witnessed a dog pulled so hard on a flat collar that it chokes it self to the point of gagging? So many people think the prong collar is terrible, yet the flat collar is okay? But with training he will learn. Hi! Prong Collar I rescued a German Sheppard who is roughly a year old Nov of 2018. We have two dogs, both staffies, that are really bad on the leash. 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. 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. The prong is simply a tool as if to tap the dogs shoulder to get her attention. 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. However, loose leash walking has literally been impossible. Loved this post! ), All you have to do to unlock that? The correctional collars are illegal to import in the country but are only banned in Victoria currently. The dog must learn to pay attention and do exactly what you sayfor your sake and its. This harness is one of few that is genuinely military spec and is still useful for regular pet users. Thank you for telling your story Melanie. The answer may seem quite obvious, yet every day we choose option A via aversive devices like electric, choke, and prong collars for our companion dogs when successful, force-free alternatives are readily available. I just rescued a 5 month golden husky mix. Still a long way to go but this collar has put us on the right tracks. I somewhat reluctantly use the prong collar because I know I have control regardless of situation & can keep him safe. Our dog seems calmer and more self-controlled and pays more attention than all the treats and tugs and words were able to do. One just pulls excessively while the other is actually more reactive on the leash. I work with high drive, hard working dogs. Your email address will not be published. And if you genuinely feel like thats the case? Good luck! I have never had him so much as attempt to lunge on the prong collar. Shock collars have been banned in many states of Australia after considering the damaging effects of these e collars on dogs. Were embarking on our first walk tomorrow!! Wish us luck! Another asked if perhaps dogs, because they read human faces, including angry faces, very well, might get a "bad feeling" from their human when they choose to use something that causes them pain. In an essay called "What is Positive Punishment in Dog Training?" But Id recommend giving it a try, if he seems too afraid, then take a few steps back. Then, watching YouTube videos last night, I came across Solid K9 Training (Jeff, above in this blog) and discovered that I was using the prong collar ALL WRONG even on my first dog. This will then tighten around the dogs neck while he is hanging and obviously suffocate him to death (I am sure that you do not wish this upon your family pet). 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. I think thats what gets so many people especially with e-collars or prong/choke collars, they just get it thinking it will be a quick fix and have no idea how to use it. 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. . Thank you for sharing your story Gemma. Ive never tried a prong collar on anything but a 6 leash. The information is readily available, but it is a little more buried than I would like to see. I went into the city to give him some new experiences besides our boring suburb walks and didnt use the prong collar. The former associates you as a good thing, the latter associates you with bad things.. Im not finding anything in the ADA that says anything about these collars ( any collars for that matter). Truth is she was the best dog I could have ever had the privilege of rescuing. 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. We are in 80s and vet says pinch collar will save our lives. Have you ever seen a dog love wearing a head halter? But we all need to know the truth about prong collars before passing judgment. Countries that BAN Prong Collars | A viewer asked what I think page. Thanks! Sweet dog who is highly, highly excitable and anxious. If you are consistently pulling the collar he may become numb to any corrections. Prong collar is the only way, Headcollar training harness with a front point Balance harness etc etc. but the fallout can be significant. 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. On the other end of the spectrum, there are also dog trainers who are force-free and rewards-based who lack the education and knowledge base to be effective concerning choices of neck restraints. You can get the standard size: https://amzn.to/2Hwnbzp. collars Thank you for this article! I have a reactive dog when out, other dogs, cars and people but an absolute gent when in the home. But its illegal for individuals to import them. No matter what treats or happiness we used, she always found a way to push ahead and not pay attention to us at all. Like really easily. Consequently, its my advice to not use corrections because theyre too easy to miss. Make sure to check back in, cant wait to hear your success story. Shadow was a big big dog, who loved everyone and everything. I am worried about how my dog owning friends will react to me getting one of these collars, but having seen how easy and gentle yet effective it can be I have decided that I would be silly not to get one, both for her safety and mine, in certain situations. ID tags should not be put on a prong collar, and your dog should not be left in one for long periods of time. Kind regards. It was suggested that we use the prong collar on our 3 month old Bichon/Shih Tzu who just started training. Eventually you can stop using the collar, once she understands pulling is not acceptable. At what age do you recommend that people start using a prong Collar? Every time, with only a few sessions, the dogs became calm, happy and responsive. This leash training is extremely important for puppies, but even adult dogs who havent been properly schooled in polite leash walking can learn to accommodate their human. Applying pressure to the windpipe is not good for any dog but can be especially serious in brachycephalic dogs who already struggle to breathe.. WebShock collars have been illegal to use on dogs and cats in Wales for more than a decade. She is 14 mos. Lauren, thank you so much for sharing your story. Every walk we took Bear was pulling me so hard no matter what I tried and sadly, I was seriously considering returning him to the shelter. Why are these collars still so popular in 2019 when we know better? So happy that your tool worked out for you and your dobie. Psychology Today, January 25, 2018. Will that be a problem when he wears the prong collar? Kelly, I think you will be pleasantly surprised on how quickly it will work. This essay was written with Boulder (Colorado) force-free certified dog trainer, Mary Angilly, who, in December 2017, started a campaign to ban shock, choke, and prong collars in the city. I want my dog to be off leash if we move there. It could take months or years, depending on your training. Your responsibility is to ensure that your dog responds to essential demands. Anyone else has used it on large dogs? We rehomed a 8 month old GSD who was full of anxiety and nervousness. Now what should I do? If you think prong collars are cruel, think about it this way. I knew that if we kept at it, eventually the dogs would figure it out and be better behaved, but the fear of losing our pups made me feel we didnt have the time to be patient. They take the easy route, as opposed to teaching proper, solid cues and commands. 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? Dogs that I thought were a lost cause QUICKLY cease pulling and are walkable again! Have you read the other comments here? Thanks for this article. _____. My Australian Shepperd is very very active and extremely loveable and he pulls like a German Shepperd. So make sure to watch the videos in the post about fitting and training. That creature is way stronger and way more dangerous than a german shepherd so why keep perpetuating the same rubbish?. I just want her to be happy and enjoy the world! 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. She jumped up to greet Mary and her owner shocked her for jumping while she was trying to say hello. ) Dont forget to train them off of it. Quebec will institute a ban on choke, prong, and shock collars in 2020. Dog lovers are fighting to extend this ban to prong and choke collars as well. I wanted to get one for him when we first started having problems with him but my dad seemed so against it so I decided on not getting one. Thank you for a very informative article. We rescued a 4 month old 50 lb Anatolian Shepherd/Great Pyrenees mix 5 months ago. I think hes smart enough to realize that hes in control, if he doesnt pull, his collar is comfortable for him. Additionally he pulled my husband to the ground one time. Gentle Leader no longer works and just bought a front hitch harness which also does not work. Im thinking about buying for my dog a prong collar so your article is very helpful to me. We dog sat for a friends dog last week that has no leash manners, and the way he pulled on his flat collar scared me! Which in the summer months of course is everyone we see. Its a good thing I work out because I can reign her back in but I fear one day shell dislocate my shoulder!! 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? Most of the citys bylaws carry a $240 fine for infraction. So please Herm Sprenger! And ask yourself, is it better for your dog to drag you through your walk, choking himself on his flat collar or to have a peaceful walk with your dog walking next to you, enjoying the smells and scenery? Possibly causing neck/throat problems. It is so inspiring, it brought tears to my eyes. Hes not a bad dog and doesnt have any serious issues just your normal puppy stuff. Tried the front clip harness but she would still pull so hard she would flip herself over and on to her side how does that not break ribs?! We only introduced it after 31/2 mths at which point Ive learnt to read my dog and I have the knowledge how to manage him and descalate his triggers etc. Suzanne, you are the perfect testimony to how the prong collar can actually change you and your dogs lives. We have a 4yo female rescue GSD. Im over that. Could you post a video or picture of what you are recommending to do? Try keeping him on a leash inside the house for a while. Love the prong collarI always thought they were cruelbut they're not. But since I invested so much money in this trainer I figured I'd give it a try. She was like a different dog! Its crazy how the internet is overwhelmed with posts claiming how dangerous these collars are when I find they have done wonders for both me and the dogs Im walking, all without hurting them. Thanks so much for sharing your story Jessica! I guess Im an animal abuser from what I read, but I would put the care and loving I provide to my dog above 99.9% of what most humans receive. What is Positive Punishment in Dog Training? She brought to class a prong collar and instructed me how to fit it and how to use it. 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. If you find that its not working because of the lack of a neck try using a slip lead. I will make a couple of notes: 1, It was a bit of a trick to fit the thing at first, especially since she has long fur. Picking up a prong collar tomorrow. Does the prong collar hinder your relationship with your dog? And if your trainer tells you that this is not the case, then theyre not a trainer you should be working with. Ill let you know how our first walk goes! He pulls when i walk him half the time. 2. A video of the electrifying When my German Shepherd was very young she had a lot of behavior issues and I was worried she would grow up to become an aggressive dog. I would also suggest finding a good behaviorist trainer in your area that can help you one on one. 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. 6. COLLAR He would pull so hard that I wound up on the ground a time or two and injured just by walking him. A prong collar must be placed around a dog's neck in a specific manner to be safe and helpful for training purposes. Some societies and activists are taking action against their use; lets hope for a piece of good news in the future. We recently moved to a suburb of Boston where walks are now exercise but also to do her business. The prong collar made the below photo possible my 10-year-old daughter riding her bike with our 95lb yellow lab, Bear. As you go through the article, see if you can tell why theyre wrong. 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. Some dog breeds tend to be wanderers, and an intact dog or girls in heat can be problem too. also, does she always have to use the prong collar? I did not find it to be a painful experience on my own neck. It's pretty effortless. Stand behind your product and tell people openly the truth! Doing so exposes your dog to an inordinate amount of danger, damage and risks that just are not worth talking about. Decide which equipment you would like your dog to walk on, and grab a double ended leash, like a halti training leash, and clip the prong to one end of the leash, and the harness or collar to the other., As your need for corrections lessen, allow the balance of the leash to lean towards the harness, and away from the prong.. The Its better than a choke collar but any pulling gets old on a 2 mile rugged walk. I hope that this informed guy and the other bus passengers who heard what I had to say stop to think about what theyre doing with their dogs and realize that my success is due to learning how to use a prong. By the time I realized how bad it was I was so in love with her there was no way I was going to give up on her! And harnesses? He pulled on his leash and barked aggressively at other dogs and people when using a standard flat collar. We pull out the prong collar and he come and sits patiently for us to put it on..hes excited knowing hes going for a walk. My first dog was a female shepherd-mix rescue and I used a prong collar on her to amazing effect. Prong collars do NOT cause pain. I bet Sam is looking forward to enjoying his walks with you just as much as you are! Patty, its worth a try. I bought the collar at Petsmart. We have read numerous articles and watched dog training videos. rated as 2021 & 2022 worlds best pet blog! We adopted our 5-yr-old 18-lb floof in March, and at first she was coughing and choking all the time. Being rather small in size at 5 he darn near out weighed me so it was nearly impossible for me to stop him. Ultimately, a leash is simply a tool, a kind of umbilical cord between human and dog that can be used well or poorly. Boy was he difficult to walk though. The Prong Collar, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Top 5 Reasons to Take Your Dog for a Walk. Please see our, how to train your dog to walk loose leash, How Much are Teacup Puppies? When used correctly the prong collar will immediately stop your dog from pulling you. When we adopted our 95 lb lab, he had no leash manners at all. I found the prong collar to be far more humane than say a shock collar, a flat collar, or even an ill fitted harness. They out weigh me, so its important to have them under control. Learn how to fit it and use it properly before employing. I mean, afterall, if youve been using a tool for 30 years with your dogs (or even 3 months) you dont want to find out that youve been doing a bad thing, or that if youve been sucking it up and using a harness, you dont want to find theres potentially an easier option., So, I want to discuss one of those options for you now, so that you, my dear puppy parent, understand what youre looking at when assessing these options for you and your little pup. Psychology Today, December 4, 2017. 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. WebCollars with inward facing spikes will be banned from dog shows and training classes under proposals to be discussed by the Kennel Club. Consult with Virginia from Olivers Travels dog training. I was on the verge of having to give him up when I was introduced to the Herm Springer. 10 Best Prong & Chain Collars for Dogs And How To Ethically Find One, Ray Allen Multi-Function Harness An Honest Review, Ray Allen Nomad I.H.S Harness An Honest Review, Should I Cuddle My Dog? You need to work with him letting him know the leash is a good thing..associate the leash with something positive. A strong dog actually puked while I was walking him from the pressure on his throat. He had good manners (or so I thought) and was very very love able. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. But that is true for a flat collar, letting the dog choke itself by pulling so hard the owner cant control him. The trainer showed me how to use it properly and within 10 mins, Sam was walking by my side, not pulling and not jumping up at the 2 trainers I had with me, the difference was remarkable!! Technically yes. Prong collars are legal to use in the UK, but they are not typically recommended by behaviorists or trainers. Prong/Choke = obedience training, Harness = tracking work, flat collar = protection work. As sweet as he is, I ended up on the ground numerous times and my husband was tired of having his arm yanked in the wrong direction. No matter how prey driven, no matter how strong. We put it on her and it was like she was a different dog I could take her anywhere . Are just such huge 2000 2022 Rebarkable LLC. The Truth About Prong Collars (Is It Safe) - Simply For Dogs Try the stop and go method first, by not moving forward anytime there is any tension on the leash should teach him not to pull. I follow Jeff Bellman and Skype with him occasionally and love his transparency & honesty about the training tools he uses. So glad it is working for your and your big pup! 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. But there is no getting away from the fact that if they didn't cause the discomfort/pain, they wouldn't work. You can have a dog who listens well, learns well and as a puppy? 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. He did bite me once but that was clearly situational and hasnt happened again. 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?