Prong Collar complaints

[Patty1231]

I've never had any negative comments about Rocco's prong. Perle doesn't need one but I like to keep one on Rocco when we're out for walks simply because he's so strong and silly (likes to lunge after blowing leaves ) I wear one of the small ones on him now so maybe people don't notice it - or just in my area they would expect to see a prong on a rottweiler. Who knows, but I've never had a problem.

[Brooke&Ryan]

I've actually never had a problem either. Julius doesn't wear his prong anymore, just a training collar. But we used it for quite awhile & never any negative comments. Mostly we got comments about how well behaved he was.

Really, I don't think that many people know what a prong collar is or what one looks like. But no negative comments for us either....

[Carol Burke]

Pets Mart used to have a decent training program 5 or so years ago. Now, in our town, it's a joke!!

[Judi W]

The limitations with the physical facilities in PetsMart do not allow for much even with good instruction. If there is no room for the dogs to walk more than a few feet, no instructor can possibly even see how they are moving on lead let alone coach the handler on how to use equipment. Once the dog has learned to manage itself in very tight quarters, there isn't too far they can go in the training. The limitation in acceptable equipment is because of the public location in a retail establishment, which is entirely understandable, and not what would be the most appropriate for the individual dog or handler. Training equipment of any kind should be accompanied with instruction as to how to use it most effectively.

[SonnyRott]

They do make a prong collar cover if you are uncomfortable answering unwanted questions.

http://www.allpets.com/images/P32442.jpg

[BostonRott]

I have had very few comments, but when I do get them, I put the dog in a down, take the collar off, slap it on the person's arm and demo it for them. Most of them tend to settle down about it after that.

[keller27]

[quote=Judi W]The limitations with the physical facilities in PetsMart do not allow for much even with good instruction.

I have been a pet trainer for petsmart since 97. I started out basically doing my own program, and out in the back isle. Then came the new program which they gave us training area to train in. I had one of the biggest areas of all the stores and it was wonderful. Then they decided to do the remodel and my area went down really small. I am one who gives alot of one to one attention to my students, so my enrollments are only between 5 or 6 max. Believe me I get very frustrated with what I have to work with, but I stick to it, because I love the training and I want to keep the dogs from going to a shelter. In the brand new stores now they are actually putting in training rooms. This way there won't be the distractions like it is now. We are in an older store, and probably won't see this room til the end of 2005. I only do my classes during the week, so its not as busy as it is on the weekend.

Petsmart is changing the program again, so that Puppy, Basic are different. So that who graduates from puppy, can go into Basic. Right now Puppy and Basic are the same thing. This program was developed by top behaviorists and trainers in the country.

[Jag's Mom]

Originally Posted by SonnyRott

Doesn't Petsmart sell prong collars?

Yes, we sell prong collars. They are not allowed in class because the class is supposed to be all positive reinforcement. I am not a trainer there and honestly our program is not one I would use, but I'm obligated to sell them.
Any training is better than none. I would love to put a prong on most of the crazy dogs in the classes.
I do however sell lots of prongs to our customers and show them the correct way to use them. I love the prong collars and highly recommend them when used properly.
Jagger always has his on when we are out. Sometimes I do put a bandana on him to cover it. Most people are ignorant and just don't have a clue.

[keller27]

[quote=Jag's Mom]Yes, we sell prong collars. They are not allowed in class because the class is supposed to be all positive reinforcement. I am not a trainer there and honestly our program is not one I would use, but I'm obligated to sell them.

Could you tell me why you wouldn't use Petsmart for training classes? Is it the methods being used, or could it be the instructor that you have there? What would you want to change in the training program if you could do so? I am just curious. I know the area which we train sucks, but we do things out in the store. I do my classes during the week, so its not alot of customer traffic.

[R&Gsmom]

I once had a trainer tell her boss that she would not allow me to apprentice her because I put my 2 year old male on a prong while I was pregnant to help with his freight train pulling!

Some people just don't understand that there are training tools that some people actually KNOW how to use!! It's that kind of ignorance partnered with the audactiy to actually stick their nose into someone elses business that drives me nuts.

I get it all the time with people telling me I have no right to own a rottweiler when I have a toddler and expecting a second child!

I wish they would get their own lives and stay out of mine!
Holly

[Jag's Mom]

Originally Posted by keller27

Could you tell me why you wouldn't use Petsmart for training classes? Is it the methods being used, or could it be the instructor that you have there? What would you want to change in the training program if you could do so? I am just curious. I know the area which we train sucks, but we do things out in the store. I do my classes during the week, so its not alot of customer traffic.

I like to give my dog an immediate leash correction if he does something wrong. I don't want to "wait" till he figures out what is correct and what is not. It drives me crazy to see the dogs doing loose leash walking and the people stop and wait for the dog to return to them if they are pulling. People just don't seem to get very far if there dogs are acting like sled dogs.
You get much faster results from a leash correction. Our trainer is fairly new. She went through the program to get accredited. I don't think that is truly enough especially when we get so many problem dogs. It would be nice to have a seasoned trainers in the store.
Our store is brand new, so we do have the new training center. It is much nicer but still to small. If you have anymore than 5 or 6 dogs and you would be kind of cramped.
Feel free to PM me if you have anymore questions. I don't want to hijack this thread. I would love to chat with a fellow "co-worker"

Stacy

[Sansano]

Originally Posted by kristins1877

One person actually told me that I should have my dog taken away because I am abusing him with the collar.

I would tell them "you should see how the dog reacts when I put an e-collar on and shock him!"

[Candie]

I used to think they were mean until I actually read up on them, and decided to slap one around my own neck, to see what kind of "effect" it actually had. And I must say it wasnt a painful one, just a feeling hard to describe! lol Us rottie owners need to overlook these people with there negative comments, sometimes it's hard i know...but what can i say...they just dont understand, and prolly never will!

[spoteet]

I have never had anyone actually have the nerve to tell me I was being cruel to my dog by using a prong collar but I have heard it through the grapevine The funny thing was that the people saying that had little dogs that were totally out of control, they couldn't even walk them around the campground we used to live in and one was a biter. When the grapevine reached me I just told the person that I can walk my dogs peacefully around, even passed their dogs who are freaking out, and that my dog is being trained to behave under any circumstances. I also offered to let them see what it felt like. I knew this would get back to the orginal complainers since the campground had a very well functioning grapevine.

I was even told I was being cruel to Sajan confining him to a crate during his recovery period from his shoulder operation They all knew he had surgery but felt he should be out on a farm running free even during his recovery period.

[Judi W]

The difference between hurting and an injury is vast. Your pinch will not cause injury. Yes, it should hurt enough to make the dog want to avoid that which caused the correction. That is the whole idea of a correction. If it didn't hurt and cause discomfort you might as well stay on a buckle collar.