Proper Prong Collar Use

While I have never seen a dog experience tracheal damage due to the proper use of a prong collar, I have seen dog's damaged by improper use of choke and buckle collars. Any dog that pulls on a collar is at risk for tracheal damage. In my experience, it is extremely rare for a dog to pull while wearing a prong collar.

The prong collar is not necessary for training every dog. Some dogs will do fine on a buckle collar. For training inside the home, I often recommend just a leash and collar, or for off-leash training, the Remote Citronella Collar.

Not every prong collar is created equal. There are cheap ones on the market that have sharp edges that could cause pain, and are inappropriate for use on any dog. I only use and sell Herm Sprenger collars because they have smooth, rounded tips and solid end pieces.

With the proper use of a quality collar, the prong collar will not cause pain to your dog. It’s proper use, and fit,  will not cause pain nor will it choke your dog. I demonstrate this fact all the time. But, again, I emphasize "proper use and fit". These things must be considered before the prong should be used:

• Age of the dog
• Temperament
• Quality of prong collar
• Proper Fit
• Experience of use by handler
• Your willingness to use positive reinforcement - Praise, Praise, Praise!
• Safety

Age of Dog

I never use a prong collar on a puppy younger than 14 weeks. (fear impact stage/8 to 11 weeks) This is a time when learning can, and must take place with patience and firm, but gentle techniques. It is far better to play games, socialize your dog with humans and other pets in the home, and set-up housebreaking routines. You can be teaching your puppy obedience and manners. This is an important behavioral learning phase and consistency is most important. A regular buckle collar and nylon leash will do just fine for introducing your puppy to the pressure of the leash and collar - pulling and resisting to the pressure will take place. But, no prong or choke collar should be used at this time.

Temperament

This is an area where it is extremely important to understand where psychologically your dog is coming from. Aggressive dogs are often effectively handled with the use of a prong collar.  An aggressive dog is very often responding to it's natural instincts, or "drives" - protection, herding, prey, defense, etc,. Properly applied training techniques, while using a prong collar, can often re-focus this drive energy away from the object of aggressive and back to the owner - learning, or re-learning, can then begin to take place.

Not all dogs who seem aggressive truly are. It is a good idea to have your dog evaluated if you are not sure. Some dogs who appear aggressive can actually be experiencing symptoms of excessive stimulation, fear or anxiety. It is best to have them tested to be sure. In some cases a prong collar may be too much additional stimulation.

A dog that is resistant on the leash - where it actually stops in it's tracks and refuses to move, or pulls back when you are moving forward, is NOT a good candidate for a prong collar. I never recommend using a prong collar on a dog that displays this behavior. The prong collar works best for dogs that lunge and/or pull.

Proper Fit

As I said, Herm Sprenger Collars are superior, and yes more expensive. But, as a training tool, they are well worth the price. Quality does count. Also, the correct leash is very important - see proper leash selection.

I fit the collar like no other trainer I know -  much like a limited slip collar. The collar is never fitted to the point where, if a correction is given, the collar pinches. Instead, even pressure is applied around the dogs neck.  It has been my experience that fitting the collar more loosely allows for the collar to engage and disengage more appropriately as it only takes a few ounces of pressure to entice a dog to give. The prong collar is "self-correcting" so for a dog that pulls, rarely is extra pressure, or a correction, needed by the handler.

The prong collar should never be so loose that it hangs low enough to where your dog's jaw can become hooked. Basically, loose enough to fit over your dog's head, and when tightened it stops before it pinches. (where the two prong-sided ends of the collar meet each other in the middle) If you have to un-hook the collar by squeezing a prong link to put it on, then it is too small and a link, or links, should be added.

I like to refer to the fit I recommend as creating "acupressure" rather than pinching. In this way you can train your dog with few corrections and abundant praise. This can only be accomplished when you commit to handling your dog on a slack leash. I cannot emphasize this enough - no taught leashes.  see proper leash selection.

Prong Collar Sizes

*keep in mind your dog's head and neck size. These are estimates.

Experience of Use by Handler

Obviously, I would prefer owners consult an experienced dog trainer before using a prong collar. (However, be aware that most dog trainers will recommend you fit the collar snug and high on the neck.) The reality is I know a lot of owners cannot, do not, or will not do this. So, my advice is this; please remember that a prong collar is not designed to inflict pain or fear in your dog to garner obedience. Training your dog requires you to become a teacher. Teaching your dog takes time. I urge my clients to always remember this; a child is not born knowing the alphabet. And, once a child learns the alphabet does not mean that he/she can read. This analogy applies to your dog or puppy in that your dog must be taught what "sit", "down", "heel" "stay" and "come" means. It is a process. Consider sit, down and heel as learning the alphabet, and stay and come as learning to read.

The use of the prong collar must only be viewed as a tool to help you teach. What it truly does is aid you in focusing your dog's energy  towards you. Your dog is easily distracted by the world around it. It's natural instinct is to allow "Mother Nature" to dictate it's behavior. Using a training collar reinforces you teaching your dog to become responsive to you rather than it's surroundings.

The surest way to becoming a great handler and teacher is to always remember to praise, and reward your dog, every time it responds to you - EVERY TIME. Trust me. Please do not bother using a prong if you are not willing to employ positive reinforcement in your teaching/training regimen.

Placing the Prong Collar on Your Dog

The prong collar is designed to be placed around your dog’s neck by squeezing the open end link attached to the actual end piece. What I have found is that when fitted properly my way you should be able to slip the collar over your dog’s head.

Using both hands, have the chain section of the collar on top, open the collar wide and slip over your dog's head. If it is too small it will not slip over your dogs head easily. Links should be added or you should use the next size up.

Safety

The prong collar, indeed any training collar, must never be left on your dog when you are not training or walking. Your dog can become hooked on an object and serious injury can occur. Never leave your dog unattended while wearing a prong collar. My suggestion is to leave the collar attached to the leash. If the leash if off, then the collar is off.

Proper Leash Selection

Basically I recommend 2 types of leashes; Nylon and Leather. Both are strong and durable, but leather is obviously softer on your hands. I only recommend you use a 6 ft leash for training and teaching - more leash equals more opportunity for learning.

Nylon Leash - 6 Foot

Leather Leash - 6 Foot