When and Why to Consider Using a Prong Collar

There is a lot of controversy surrounding prong collars, but the truth is that they are one of the most effective tools for dog training. When used correctly, a prong collar can help your dog learn to heel quickly and easily. In this blog post, we will discuss when and how to use a prong collar on your dog. We’ll also dispel some of the myths about prong collars that you may have heard. The Dog Training Industry Is Full Of Myths And Misinformation The dog training industry is full of myths and misinformation, and nowhere is this more true than when it comes to prong collars. A lot of dog owners are afraid to use them, thinking they will harm or hurt their dog – but the truth is, when used correctly, prong collars are perfectly safe and can be a very effective tool in dog training. A prong training collar is an effective tool when used responsibly If you’re new to prong collars, you may be wondering about when is the best time to start using it. In my opinion, you can start using a pro...

Do you want to just look kind, or do you want to actually BE kind? If you want to look kind, you can use a harness and act like it’s A-okay to be dragged around by your dog. Will people be impressed? No. They will see the complete lack of engagement and communication you have with your dog as s/he pulls like a sled dog and ignores you – which is what harnesses were designed for – pulling! If you want to actually BE kind, your dog will be wearing a prong collar . A prong collar enables you to deliver extremely gentle communication to direct your dog to follow you, without hurting them, choking them, or doing any damage at all. If you have a problem with how it looks or what people will think, it’s easy to buy a prong cover or use a jaunty bandana. Confession time (Full disclosure & transparency) I must admit that I was one of those well-meaning people who actually had no clue about this tool but thought they were cruel and nasty. I associated prong collars with hoodlums and with fi...

 Of all the tools used in dog training, perhaps none is more widely misunderstood and maligned than the prong collar (also known as the pinch collar). Many well meaning but misinformed people assume that judging by it’s looks, the prong collar is a barbaric device intended to “stab” a dog’s neck in order to correct misbehavior. While walking my own dogs I have encountered complete strangers who think nothing of telling me how cruel I am to use such a harsh device. While I am indifferent to this type of comment, I worry that similar incidents will drive responsible dog owners away from using this excellent, effective, kind (yes, kind) training tool on dogs that benefit from it the most. Purpose of the Prong Collar The prong collar works on the concept that evenly applied pressure is gentler and more effective on a dog’s neck than the quick jerk and impact of a choke chain or the steady, relentless pressure of a flat collar or muzzling and constant pull of a gentle-leader. The self-l...

 Prong collars are painful and unethical training collars. Owners use this on their dogs in an attempt to stop them from pulling on the lead. They can cause serious harm to dogs and are an ineffective training method. Prong collars can be perceived to be a quick fix to help control dogs. They're often marketed by sellers as safe and quite gentle. Sadly, this isn't the case. Shock collars are similar but use an electric shock instead of prongs. What are prong collars and are they cruel? Prong collarProng collars are designed to cause pain or discomfort to the animal to reduce or stop them from pulling on their lead. They're based on the principle of applying something painful or frightening to stop unwanted behaviour. When a dog pulls on the lead, the metal prongs of the collar close and prong the sensitive skin around the neck. The prongs cause pain as well as potential injury and infection from puncture wounds and nerve damage. Research has shown that aversive training tec...

I know some people cringe at the sight of a prong collar, it looks barbaric and cruel. The prong collar training gets a lot of attention from pure positive or force free dog trainers. These trainers believe that the prong collar is cruel and should be banned. Are Prong Collars Cruel? But are prong collars cruel? The prong collar controversy is real! But we all need to know the truth about prong collars before passing judgment. You are most likely reading this because your dog pulls on the leash, is leash reactive or you can’t control your dog on leash, right? The fact is, the prong collar, when fitted properly, is designed to be the most humane way to train and to NOT harm your dog. Many people have never seen a prong or pinch collar properly used in dog training. I personally never used a prong collar before being introduced to it a couple of years ago. The prong collar, otherwise known as a pinch collar, has changed so many dog owners lives… just scroll down and read some of the comm...

 Like many, I learned about balanced dog training and the use of aversive tools like the prong collar and e-collar after exhausting the use of positive reinforcement only training with a challenging dog. Prior to using them, I misunderstood how the tools work, due to widespread misinformation about their usage. After talking with many friends, professional trainers, and watching many videos, I decided to give it a try with my dog. It was a night and day difference. After a one-hour training session, I went from dreading walking her to enjoyable, calm walks. When used correctly, the prong collar is a fantastic tool that helps bridge the communication between a dog and their handler. Remember, dogs don’t speak English and we don’t speak dog. Think of the prong collar as the translator. The prong collar comes with a lot of pushback from animal rights groups due to the way it looks and the misinformation spread about the tool. This article explains how the prong collar works and how it...