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. I noticed early on that other dog owners or even people who have seen a dog somewhere in their lifetime, have become experts on how to care for MY dog, irrespective of how theyre known me! I agree 100%, the right collar and training are essential. I bought the collar at Petsmart. Our goal with the program was full obedience. Just remember, the collar doesnt train the dog, its a tool to train your training will train your dog. As soon as the prong collar is on her, she is in full listen mode. The one linked in the article above fits dogs with up to a 18-inch neck. I dont see dog trainer in your credentials, but do see a link to a product which suggests you make money off of your recommendation. Now what should I do? Just train the right way the first time and dont seek shortcuts.. She walked normal and actually we all enjoyed our walk instead of dreading it. 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. Use a no-pull, or a choke chain, and train them w/ positive reinforcement. She would pull so hard then entire walk with her two front feet in the air. Please do more research, because your answer sounded very disturbing. Is there any advise other than your article on the prong collar you can help with please know though that my intention is to use the collar correctly and for the right reasons, i have paid special attention on how NOT to use the collar.. Thank you so much for sharing your story! Now, at age 6 it doesnt seem to be as effective. And dogs can be abused even without physical contact, so Im leaving out cases of abuse here). That collar changed the way Shadow behaved in an instant. I was a bit taken aback, as I didn't expect it and thought it was cruel. Her classes are pure chaos, as nobody has any control with head halters, harnesses and flat collars. But your points make sense to me. Many thanks for your advice and recommendation. If ur looking to get one please please please invest In a sprenger and not a cheap version as these have point ends that will do damage and please seek a reputable professional to show you how to use it properly.its meant for slow gradual increases in pressure not quick hard yanks. My boy is a saint bernard mix too. 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. If you can figure that out? 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. 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. My hope? Way to go Shadow!! Which in the summer months of course is everyone we see. Do the ends really justify the means? One is 2.0mm (small) and the other is 3.0mm (medium). I have a year old Great Dane mix. There are other ways to train a puppy to walk nicely on a leash. 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. No more shoulder injuries for me. 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. And thank you for all you do. Misuse covers : poor or He clearly is afraid of the leash. With some dogs prong collars are a great tool! The first of its kind, the flagship plan aims to ensure the UK is leading the way in animal welfare and includes a ban on the use of electric shock collars, a move which has been long-campaigned for by The Kennel Club. People would comment on how well-mannered she was on walks and after a few years, I didnt need the prong collar at all. This is the worst tool you can use for a reactive dog. I might regret asking this but can I get opinions please? Victoria, you and your pup are a perfect example on how the prong collar is such a life-saver! That means that you have failed in training your dog and have taken a shortcut instead of learning to understand and work with your dog., I mean zookeepers train tigers. So a friend recommended a prong collar, I knew that I had nothing to lose by trying it. Meaning, they are walking well with no correction needed. Were hoping its a temporary training tool only, but Im still happy to have found this. In addition, the government of Australia He eventually started showing extreme aggression towards dogs including my other two rescues. Every dog and situation is unique. My first dog was a female shepherd-mix rescue and I used a prong collar on her to amazing effect. I know that he understands what I want him to do when I tell him to walk close and he does it on occasion, but is too wired and easily distracted even at three years old to maintain a loose leash. 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. There are many other options to try before using a prong. Everything Debbie has mentioned suggests not using the prong collar to jerk, yank, or whatever on dogs. 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! He gets to decide to eliminate that discomfort by not pulling. Love the prong collarI always thought they were cruelbut they're not. You can have a dog who listens well, learns well and as a puppy? If it werent for the prong collar, our super sweet 70+lb lapdog would not have been able to stay with us. P.s. I know my dog and one day well eventually work away from the prong collar but hes not there yet. Thats what they were built for, is to learn. (If youre struggling to teach a loose leash, this is for you. 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. No matter how stubborn. Just saw the first video about how to put it on -on your website. My dog like to take off after rabbits . I dont think the fear is based on the leash, but something else. Many countries, including Austria and Switzerland, have made it illegal to use prong collars for canines. I did not find it to be a painful experience on my own neck. When we first adopted Bear he had no leash manners at all. According to a review article published by Gal Ziv, the results show that using aversive training methods (e.g., positive punishment and negative reinforcement) can jeopardize both the physical and mental health of dogs. He will be an 80 pound dog. Unfortunately, Kodi is one of those dogs that take you for a walk and not the other way around.. so i am wanting to try a prong collar, he gets so over stimulated when we go for a walk its almost unbearable.. pulling, barking, hyper over the top behaviour. 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. And remove links for smaller necks. My wife bought the plastic" command collar" it did have immediate results, but i cannot get past the fact that they are all plastic. I follow Jeff Bellman and Skype with him occasionally and love his transparency & honesty about the training tools he uses. The neck and cervical spine are one of the most important energy channels in the body. They also wondered if this could have long-term "trust issues." Thank you so much for sharing your story. Im a dog walker and deal with a lot of dogs of varying size, strength, and leash training. We rescued a 14 month old, 80 pound, muscular, untrained male doberman and walks with him were impossible. Thank you for telling your story Melanie. But when I have he mostly responds positively if he responds. England Shock collars are banned in Wales, but with the help of a new proposal, the cruel devices may be banned in 2. We have been working at it for 5 months now and occasionally I will just use his regular collar.he pulls every time! Getting a Second Dog Doesn't Always Double the Fun, 7 Ticking Time Bombs That Destroy Loving Relationships, An Addiction Myth That Needs to Be Revisited, 5 Spiritual Practices That Increase Well-Being. Make sure you buy the Herm Sprenger brand I recommend. A dog has to have the following floor space available: Should it be worn during the day and removed at night? What theyre made to do, and what theyre not made to do.. Ultimately, a leash is simply a tool, a kind of umbilical cord between human and dog that can be used well or poorly. Thank you for a very informative article. Ive compensated by going out during less busy times and the latest which has been driving to off leash dog parks as she is sooooo much off leash. A shortcut that compromises too much for me to feel comfortable using one or recommending one when there are tried and tested methods that dont require one. 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 had a guy ask me yesterday, as my dog and I were riding the bus, why I had a prong collar on him. If not used properly, it can be cruel. Weve even had comments from people about how well behaved our dog is. We tried positive reinforcement but he is totally indifferent to treats. I have a 2 yr old Havanese and have had him since he was 8 weeks old. 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? Sometimes it is NOT the owner, but the dog that needs this collar. Being rather small in size at 5 he darn near out weighed me so it was nearly impossible for me to stop him. Immediately Im an abuser, bla bla bla. We praised and rewarded him and he was getting it so quickly; finally!! No one ever claimed it so it became our shop dog and because I opened and closed the shop regularly I was the one in charge of walking him. We just have to apply it. But with training he will learn. So, I have yet to try a prong collar, but doing all this research on it has really made me consider that I should. But I also believe that most people that are dead against the prong collar never experienced a dog with any severe reactive behavior issues. From tracking to bite work (agitation work), and even an every day harness! Hi Dawn, so sorry your pup pulled you over! I have had 0 success teaching dogs to walk correctly using a harness. rated as 2021 & 2022 worlds best pet blog! Watch the video on proper fitting and you will be fine. Give it a light tug if necessary and the unwanted behavior is over. If you just allow him to pull on the collar and go after the rabbit, it may startle him and if he is sensitive dog, it may correct the behavior. But a dogs neck is a very sensitive area. he wont make eye contact, has to be taken out of his kennel, has to be carried inside after be letting out to go to the bathroom, etc. Doing so exposes your dog to an inordinate amount of danger, damage and risks that just are not worth talking about. 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. The United States is yet to follow. Will that be a problem when he wears the prong collar? The positive training methods consist of a verbal correction, which leads to a treat (definitely food motivated dog). The straw that broke the camels back was after her pulling so much with her front-clip Halti harness that she rubbed her armpit bald. He was a bully breed mutt and 100 +lbs. I have tried regular collars, a harness, e collar now my last resort is a prong collar. And in the mean time the poor dog is confined to his home? Have a read of how to train your dog to walk loose leash. How Can I Find a Dog Trainer? With the prong, he is walking next to me instead of pulling and I can walk him easily with one hand. if you think wearing a prong collar would hurt, imagine how your dog feels. I say moderately, because he still pulled and lunged somewhat. So yes, Prong Collars can have the ability to be very harmful, very easily. If youre going to miss something, would you rather that your dog misunderstood a reward, or a punishment? It could take months or years, depending on your training. Hopefully that has changed. I would also suggest finding a good behaviorist trainer in your area that can help you one on one. Thank you for sharing your story Lindsay! Consult with Virginia from Olivers Travels dog training. Our bet recommends it for our lab puppy. Your timid poodle may never need one. 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. 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. Train with your brain, not with Many people have never seen a prong or pinch collar properly used in dog training. It has been 4 years since I had my last beloved dog. He likes them, just not enough to be bribed by them. Not all prong collars are created equal, the cheap versions can have sharp points and break. Dr. Jean Dodds says choke or prong collars are not recommended as they can easily injure the delicate butterfly-shaped thyroid gland that sits just below the larynx and in front of the trachea. 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. Otherwise, they wouldnt work. What size prong collar should I get? A lot of peer pressure and uneducated people spreading rumors about a training tool they have no experience with. It could be killedalong with the child flung into the windshield as her mother hits the brake. Im not a fan of harnesses, as they provoke pulling. I am at the end of my rope, so to speak. WebThere are two recommended sizes of prong collars for dogs. Ali Smith is the Positive Puppy Expert, dog trainer and is the founder of Rebarkable. The prong collar is NOT cruel, it saves dogs lives. They dont hurt them at all to train them. ID tags should not be put on a prong collar, and your dog should not be left in one for long periods of time. I tried different collars and approaches and nothing worked. I always enjoyed walking my dog because I love him and I like to get out and walk, but now walking him is sooooooo much better. The prong collar is a life saving tool for many dog owners. For some dogs it is more than just patience. If you think about the anatomy of the neck, it contains essential things like the windpipe. Remove the prong collar entirely. Good luck, I wish you all the best. . Contrary to popular belief, dogs dont have thick skin on their necks, nor does their fur protect them from pressure on the neck. In fact, there is some evidence that the opposite is true.. Humane Society, PETA, & SPCA all speak against prong collars. Old Medication, New Use: Can Prazosin Curb Drinking? But are prong collars cruel? 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It depends on the severity of his fearfulness. The Halti works great to end the pulling but the lead runs on the ground between his legs so he steps on it. Do not allow any pulling from now on. And not to mention all that pulling also affects me stresses my joints and feet, strains my wrists, has caused me to slip and fall in icy or muddy conditions, and makes me dread walking these problem dogs. She lived to be 17 yrs and 4 months, still hiked up until the last 4 months of her life. My 3 year old 70 lb pit bull has always been difficult and stubborn. Thank you for sharing your story Darci! Kelly, I think you will be pleasantly surprised on how quickly it will work. Instantly what a difference, no pulling, no zig zag walking. Gentle leaders and the like can cause serious neck injuries like whiplash. Now before you pass judgment, please read on to learn more and then decide for yourself. The use of any electrical devices for disciplinary purposes (electrical fence, anti-bark, collars with remote control) is not allowed. Excellent post!! Should the collar only be used while walking? When you adopt a dog that pulls so hard you can not walk him, then come talk to me do you want to go through a 6-12-18 month (or more) positive-only training program so this dog can finally take a walk in a public space? 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! You can walk your dog around without a collar, harness, leash (please dont do it in public, there are laws in place) and they will listen to you every step of the way.. However, the tool will work no matter where its been placed. Its been a life-safer for so many dogs! Free shipping for many products! Its an adaptation of choke chains, the links become larger and there are teeth on each link that encircle the neck. As a Chewy affiliate I earn commissions for qualifying purchases. Or I could actually teach them to love a jellyfish on their head. Thats awesome Joe! Among Scandinavian countries , Sweden bans e collars. I love my dogs very much and I know in my heart that I am not a bad dog mom. People who have untrained GERMAN SHEPHERDS ALWAYS ask medo you train dogs?how much would you charge i will pay you well ALWAYSwhy you askwell because my gsd is sooo well trained.he is off leash trained 100% I take him into public stores.around other dogs.etc and he heels.directly on my side.no matter what.out of control dogs pulling on therr leash trying to attack him.etc it doeant matter.he wont maKe a move unless approved by me..how did i do this you ask?..well this is the formulaso get your pen and paper ready..first a WHOLE LOTTA LOVEsecond A WHOLE LOTTA TIME.third MORE LOVE..FORTH A SPRENGER CORRECTION COLLARwithout it you will never train a german shepherd manners.bigj reward training.petco trainingetc etc..etc DOES NOT WORK YOU ARE WAISTING YOUR TIME.SPINNING YOUR WHEELSwhen it comes to training your german shepherds.you cant do your own thing.you must follow a tried and true/proven training program.this is how the nazis trained them.this is how the police train them this is how the military trains them..AROUND THE WORLDstop the stupidity.if you dont use it.you will fail in training your dog will become a nuisance and your dog will ultimately pay the sad price.a well trained dog has a great life.sees the world ..a poorly trained dog sees the backyard sees the shelter and sees the euthanasia needle. Shell lunge right onto a road sometimes which is so scary for me. Give it a chance, try it out and see what a difference it can make with your relationship with your dog. She is happy and waiting for me to put it on. Whilst Herm Sprenger advise that 5-6 months is the minimum? It can save everyones sanity. 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. Hes the sweet dog I knew him to be. Plain martingale collars dont provide the same type of pressure to catch a dogs attention. Pronged Collars Should be Banned Because They are Harmful to Dogs-Fiction! At first, yes once you take the collar off, he will pull. There are no quick fixes, and training is not a one time and done type of thing. A prong collar will give you a bit of power steering with a larger dog that pulls hard, but its no substitute for training., So if youre training? Lab. I had an English Bulldog and, true to their bullheadedness, when a puppy on our first walks would pull out of his collar and leash and take off. 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. For instance, our sweet River does so well with other dogs and people at the dog park, but once shes on the leash shes much more reactive. Thank you for most educational article on pinch collar. 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! Please see ourfull disclosurefor further information. I bought a Herm Spengler for my 3 year old 100lb. Below is a step-by-step guide outlining the steps we took and the timeline we used as we worked toward our prong collar ban. Please see our, how to train your dog to walk loose leash, How Much are Teacup Puppies? large dog in a prong collar getting out of a pool on a leash Are Prong Collars Harmful To My Dog Or Puppy? 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 if youre right! Pssssst Every single image I could find on my stock photo provider was a prong collar being misused.