I really wish I had started using it early in his training program. Along these lines, Mary told me that while she was working as a veterinary technician, before she had much knowledge of training or behavior, a dog was rushed into the vet clinic with a prolapsed eye. We rescued a Brittany Mix not long ago and walking with her was miserable! 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. and links therein.) Hes pretty good on walks but pulls to the point of choking himself. Kind regards. I just switched him back to a no-pull collar, and its working much better w/ training him to stick around and not pull, especially w/ positive enforcement and treats. No matter how stubborn. Ziv, Gal. Unlike when our little baby sees her shampoo bottle she knows its bath time and disappears. You dont use it to punish, you use it to guide. 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. I thought it was very well written and informative but also not an any other method is terrible. It minimizes the drag strain of the harness and is an ideal alternative to prong collars. They [Prong Collars] are not recommended unless other training methods have been exhausted.. Legislators cited prong collars violated their Animal Welfare standards by using pain as punishment.. It also helps me correct her and keep her focused. That creature is way stronger and way more dangerous than a german shepherd so why keep perpetuating the same rubbish?. The collars are brutal due to the fact that they typically lack a quick release mechanism. This is something that I will be sure to remember because Im planning to buy handmade dog prong collars for my dogs at home. I have a large, leash-reactive male German Shepherd. We just have to apply it. PostedApril 25, 2019 Electric shock collars for cats and dogs will be banned in England, the government has announced. This forces the dog into a state of learned helplessness. Why? All Rights Reserved. This is an awesome example of how great of a tool the prong collar can be under the right training. So glad you both can walk together and be happy! And trust me, my dog knows how to communicate if he doesn't like something. The prong collar is a life saving tool for many dog owners. But that is true for a flat collar, letting the dog choke itself by pulling so hard the owner cant control him. Thank you for sharing this information!!! Virginia transformed her into an absolutely normal dog. The prong is the best, the dogs pull much less, even with other dogs, cats and squirrels to distract them. 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. There is enough research to know they are not humane or safe. So a friend recommended a prong collar, I knew that I had nothing to lose by trying it. And never crate the dog with it on. I have one dog that doesnt need it anymore, the other (our lab) is a constant puller without it. There are many different types of dog harnesses. Prong/Choke = obedience training, Harness = tracking work, flat collar = protection work. I used it for training and going for walks. Prongs could help so many dogs and the misinformation out there is terrible. 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. Can you use the pinch collar on a 26lb puppy? We rescued a super sweet lab mix from down south a few months ago. Use exactly the amount of sharp jerk that produces an immediate reaction. All of the images in this post contain dogs who are wearing prong collars incorrectly. I was on the verge of having to give him up when I was introduced to the Herm Springer. 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. Youre welcome ! I somewhat reluctantly use the prong collar because I know I have control regardless of situation & can keep him safe. It has been a life-saver. Prong collars have been banned in many countries that have announced them as illegal. 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. Are you confident the prong collar is fitted properly? Is that this information gets shared, lots. 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? 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. WebShock collars have been illegal to use on dogs and cats in Wales for more than a decade. But pronged collars have been a saving grace for both me and the problem walkers. I have a 36-pound mini Australian shepherd who is an epic puller and leash reactive to a ridiculous and, I must say, embarrassing degree. The Effects of Using Aversive Training Methods in Dogs: A Review. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 19 (2017): 5060. But there is no getting away from the fact that if they didn't cause the discomfort/pain, they wouldn't work. No matter how prey driven, no matter how strong. Her classes are pure chaos, as nobody has any control with head halters, harnesses and flat collars. I do believe the prong collar has saved many dogs lives. This has been our experience with all three of our rescued dogs as well. She fitted the prong collar and leashed him and literally within MINUTES he was no longer lunging or pulling even though there were loud cars, people, and other dogs coming and going around us. Those who support a ban on shock collars hope that more countries will follow suit. I had the stigma that the prong collars were abusive. Jennifer Cattet, "Choke collars, prong collars or flat collars are harmful training tools. I decided to share my story because so many people have not. 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. I dont think the fear is based on the leash, but something else. Its important to check that all links are secure before putting on your dog. Thank you! Use lots of love and positive reinforcement with a no pull harness. Choke and Prong collars have been used to discipline dogs, usually larger and more aggressive breeds. Look into Ed Frawley with Leerburg-has many articles, videos, and you can ask his wife Cindy questions, she is a trainer too. What the dogs were bred for has absolutely no relationship to their bad manners (which you have inadvertently taught them). He pulls when i walk him half the time. Hi, I don't want to hijack Debi's post but would like to comment. Im considering a prong, but my question is, can the prong be used as a training tool only, and then the dog can learn and move back to a flat collar? Instantly what a difference, no pulling, no zig zag walking. Our campus officially banned prong collars on January 24, 2017. If you think prong collars are cruel, think about it this way. I rescued a German Sheppard who is roughly a year old Nov of 2018. WebProng collars are legal in most states, but there are some places where they are banned or regulated. Its practitioner-correlated.". No matter what treats or happiness we used, she always found a way to push ahead and not pay attention to us at all. 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. Our 90 pound puppy who gets excited and pulls on walks. Dont be afraid to use it if your trainer suggests it. Be patient and give your dog the ability to learn. No. Mickey is a 45 lb standard poodle and is 6 months old. And dont be a jerk and pull on it. And Tom asked, "Why do so-called 'balanced trainers' get so cavalier about causing dogs harm? Now he is under control and gentle. So no, in theory it should not need to be used for ever. from his dog trainer) and immediately she ceased the pulling. "), There are few quick fixes with dog training. A prong collar is a device that has good and bad points to it, but as well go into later, its ripe for misuse. Old Medication, New Use: Can Prazosin Curb Drinking? And the difference is quite amazing. My advice would be to give it a try w/ a professionals guidance to see if it could solve your dogs leash pulling habit. The puppy resumed her buoyant behavior, this time heading toward Mary and her dog, Buster. The prong collar has always been a life-saver for me and my dog! Front-Clip Harness. Sarah, I totally understand your hesitation. She was especially dialed in when hiking in Alaska, saved me from crossing paths with many bears, moose, & wolverines. Very pleased with the purchase and have recommended it to other dog owners. I have tried regular collars, a harness, e collar now my last resort is a prong collar. We make a concentrated effort to take him as many places as possible and have found some really great dog friendly parks, wineries etc. Im not finding anything in the ADA that says anything about these collars ( any collars for that matter). 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. They take the easy route, as opposed to teaching proper, solid cues and commands. Thank you Melanie for sharing your story! The Prong Collar, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Top 5 Reasons to Take Your Dog for a Walk. Contrary to popular belief, dogs dont have thick skin on their necks, nor does their fur protect them from pressure on the neck. I swapped over to a prong collar, and got him to behave, and pull and run after other dogs less, but it doesnt stick when I put him on another collar. 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. 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. Forget a regular collar she did nothing but choke herself out the entire walk. We could tell it was simply because their want to chase after whatever they saw was stronger than their want for treats. They are simply NOT necessary; there are better ways to train! My personal stance? It is very helpful. And I could say there is enough research that shows a flat collar and head halters cause more damage than a prong collar. Please do more research, because your answer sounded very disturbing. With this volume of no-nos its so freaking easy to get wrong that can cause damage to your dog physically, mentally, or just to the bond between you and your dog. I asked the vet if she could give me some gentle tranquillisers to use on such occasions, just to calm her down, but the vet was very reluctant to do this. And if you follow my guidance with pupdates? Am thinking of getting a prong collar for my dog because he recently lunged at a cat he saw and pulled me over. Whilst the product is clearly quality, and I love that they actually give you most of this information the information is rather buried. Thank you for saving a dogs life! Watch videos, learn how to use the collar correctly ( I wish YouTube had been around when I trained my first dog in 1995!) 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 . Its especially discouraging because most articles Im reading argue against prong collars. Thank you so much for sharing your story! Summary of eRumor: This warning about the dangers of pronged collars, a tool used for training dogs, appeared on social media. I have volunteered at numerous rescues that would allow for use of harnesses and Martingale or choke style collars but not prongs. Why was CodeMiko banned? (See "Choose a Dog Trainer as Carefully as You Would a Surgeon" and "Dog Training's Dirty Little Secret: Anyone Can Legally Do It."). Also, the result of positive training isnt dependent on the presence of the device which is definitely a good thing., The other reason I would advise against prong collar usage is because of the time in which you have to apply the correction., You have 2 seconds to capture a behaviour, right or wrong, reward or correction., With positive reinforcement, you can use a marker word, and reward to give you a little longer for the treat/play reward. Way to go Shadow!! When we adopted our 95 lb lab, he had no leash manners at all. We got her at 8 weeks old. Contacted another balanced trainer and he recommended a prong. I did training and watched several videos regarding the use of the collar and in less than 2 week the lunging was OVER. Does the prong collar hinder your relationship with your dog? So I started on this years path of advice from experienced rescue owners, 1:1 sessions with a personal trainer ( But this got expensive and she made me feel like i was a big part of the problem by not being able to get over my anxieties when we walked by people, dogs etc) I know I have some work to do there and I am trying. I recommend reading https://www.rescuedogs101.com/bringing-new-dog-home-3-3-3-rule/. In full transparency, we do use the prong collar for our dogs. The people are told to wait for the dog to offer the behavior. A prong collar (also called a pinch collar) is an example of a dog training collar, and usually replaces a flat collar. She wore a harness. Now before you pass judgment, please read on to learn more and then decide for yourself. A couple years of extremely hard work and amazing luck in happening upon a rescue dog with an incredible temperament and work drive, and my goals of having a pet to hike with turned into a lifelong passion for training dogs as a hobby and advocating for responsible dog ownership. The prong collar sounds just what we need. Choke collars and collars with sharp prongs, which are designed to make pulling painful, can also do serious damage if not used with extreme caution and under carefully controlled conditions. I recommend prong collars, but only after consulting a certified dog training professional. 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 so much happier on her walks and so am I. What a great testament to what a life changing training tool the prong collar can be. Prong collar is the only way, Headcollar training harness with a front point Balance harness etc etc. A smart, quick, and gentle tug as he came at me, playfully, but vigorously and painfully, biting and scratching, caused him to halt and look at my face, asking me what I need from him, wanting to interact and please. No more shoulder injuries for me. I have only used the style that the prongs go all the way around the neck, so I cant speak of the effectiveness of the ones that dont. I did not find it to be a painful experience on my own neck. Yes, the prong collar can cause damage, but so can a flat collar or harness. 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. 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. Thank you, I dont have one, but found this in a Google search: Source: precisionk9training.com. Thank you so much for sharing your story. Specifically, they state that prolonged or extreme pulling of ANY collar can lead to damage. You need to correct the behavior at that point. I want her to learn the actual commands I give her. In large, older, strong, and/or strong-willed dogs, this would point us to the prong collars. He is a rescue who was only 77 lbs when he came to live with me. Stand behind your product and tell people openly the truth! Now what should I do? Until Jackson was 10 or so and slowing down did he really walk loose leash style even with a Gentle Leader head collar. I love the prong collar! Like really easily. Shell lunge right onto a road sometimes which is so scary for me. 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. However, the first reference to dog collars comes from Ancient Egypt. You still need to train your dog. Its better than a choke collar but any pulling gets old on a 2 mile rugged walk. However, I am afraid of breaking a wrist or worse; & I have some balance problems. I just cant say enough positive about the usefulness of a prong collar. Did you know that there is research showing head halters could jerk a dogs head, causing neck or spinal injuries? Hi Im 19 and have a 4 month old Great Dane and he is almost 70Ib I started him out in obedience puppy classes and the trainer there recommend to get a harness but he grew out of it so quickly that wasnt able to train much with him but even with the harness he was very difficult to walk because he pulls so hard and he chews on his leash like he wants to walk himself. It could be killedalong with the child flung into the windshield as her mother hits the brake. A Guide From A Professional Dog Trainer, How To Manage A Dog Who Is An Escape Artist. But since I invested so much money in this trainer I figured I'd give it a try. hi,,, we got a herm sprenger collar yesterday, it was recommended by the owner of the daycare center. I have a 5 month old Rottweiler and I need to make sure he does not pull me In the winters . 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. The prong has been like the cherry on top a great tool if everything else is in place. As you go through the article, see if you can tell why theyre wrong. Marc thanks Jessica Pierce for her collaboration on this and other projects. (See "Dogs Watch Us Carefully and Read Our Faces Very Well.") I have a feeling you are going to wonder why it took you so long to try the prong collar. We were very skeptical at first because it does look a bit barbaric. The collar is not designed to hurt the dog, but get the dogs attention. Used poorly, the leash can become a source of severe physical and sensory deprivation and harm. We mediate and control access to the physical and social worlds of our dogs quite a bit. 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! Alot of times, he walks ok, but not great. 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We look forward to walks now!! And Herm Sprenger agrees. Hi, I have a 90 lb intact lab that I adopted a week ago. 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). You will hear strong opinions about prong collars on both sides, for and against. This is deliberate! At this point I dont care at all what people will think of me if they see a prong collar on her. Russian/West Germany working/showline. The dog doesnt know what behavior to offer. Should the collar only be used while walking? Yes, Yes, Yes!!! Its a tough call. The prong is simply a tool as if to tap the dogs shoulder to get her attention. Rainalo We want to help your organization become prong-free too! By the way, the vet also said to only use the Herm Sprenger brand. Im over that. He wouldnt listen to me or the instructor at all. On our first walk, with a 20 minute session he was heeling, sitting, and responding to down and stay commands like never before. Or can eventually she go off it and into her normal collar/ no leash? I am trying to gain more knowledge and be a responsible dog owner (esp. So now its up to you to decide what you are comfortable using to train your dog. Pulls a lot, lunges after wild rabbits and some other dogs etc. Choke Chain Collars A choke chain collar is another inhumane training tool. Patty, its worth a try. However, if used in the wrong way, collars can lead to serious or even fatal injury." I have used every kind of collar for the pups Ive fostered and adopted. 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. I work with high drive, hard working dogs. Also, try having your dog wear a cute bandana it covers the prong collar if you are self-conscious about it. I have yet to see a dog injured by normal use of a prong collar (of course I only use Herm as well. And, while it's very clear that e-collars and prong collars are used because they cause psychological stress and pain, many people don't realize that choke collars also can cause a good deal of pain, suffering, and injury to dogs who wear them. That would be my goal. The e-collar is not banned in Scotland The Scottish ministers rejected the proposal as their independent reports found insufficient evidence. It is much better than the flat collars we had tried since she doesnt pull now, her trachea isnt under pressure on walks. He's become a more confident pup with the prong collar training. At the moment, different regions are working Eye contact, "follower" state was much fasterI was connecting with him like his real mother would. I have a 150lbs St Bernard mix, I cant walk her she is stronger then me. While establishing a governing body regulating the dog training industry is essential and necessary now, it will take time. 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! WebDog keeping regulations in Germany 1. ID tags should not be put on a prong collar, and your dog should not be left in one for long periods of time. This needs to be done with good training. I bet Sam is looking forward to enjoying his walks with you just as much as you are! Immediately the two dogs got ready to lunge at one another. We're based in South Australia where purchasing a prong collar from outside Australia is illegal, however, it is not banned in some States, one of them being South Australia. It is your responsibility to use the amount of training force necessary to eventually produce instant obedience in public. The one linked in the article above fits dogs with up to a 18-inch neck. They say it should redirect them, and that worked for a little while, but not well enough, apparently, since she figure out that she could push through it anyway. 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. I havent used the collar since. I probably am going to get blisters all over my hands, I had to work so hard to keep him from pulling me. Honestly, I know, Ive taught a great, reliable loose leash (even without the leash) a lot with all sorts of dogs, all sorts of breeds. Anna, if used and fitted properly, the prong collar is going to be a life changer and youll wander why you waited so long to try it! _____. Ive never tried a prong collar on anything but a 6 leash. Many trainers suggest using a carabiner to connect the prong to the collar. 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. I love hearing all the success stories. There are no quick fixes, and training is not a one time and done type of thing. You will need to read the dogs body language.