Prong Collar complaints

kristins1877 · #1 11-26-2004, 12:41 AM

I have always had Trooper on a prong collar for training (2 days ago I switched to a gentle lead - the one with the straps around the armpits) and have gotten numerous comments when I walk him recently (mostly in the pet store from customers) from people that tell me that I am cruel and the collar is mean. One person actually told me that I should have my dog taken away because I am abusing him with the collar. Has anyone else run into this problem with people that are just rude like this? How do you respond? By the way, Trooper is by no means abused and I know how to use the collar correctly as I have used one for 10 years with my other Rotts. Just wondering how you handle these kinds of comments?

debbiej · #2 11-26-2004, 12:58 AM

I haven't had many negative comments, but a few people have been curious about the prong on my dogs. one was the shelter worker when I took one to pick up Boris. I explained that the prong is more humane than the pinch collar, that used correctly, it gives a correction that is more like a mother dog would give her pups, and is less harmful than a choke that pinches the windpipe area--or so I've read. I just know it works. most people are glad I have a collar on my dog that makes him behave. a lot of the dogs in our obedience classes are on prongs, so no problem there.

kristins1877 · #3 11-26-2004, 01:07 AM

I'm not sure of the difference between pinch and prong. We had the one with the prongs facing toward his neck. (sorry if I didn't use the right word) His trainer won't let him wear it in class so he wears it in and then after class but not during. Just venting here, but I just wish sometimes that people would mind their own business...especially when my dog is well behaved while their dog is running in circles, peeing on the floor in the store, and snapping at other dogs while THEY criticize MY methods! (Just need to vent--ha ha)

Bastianboy · #4 11-26-2004, 01:16 AM

Honestly, I would really like to rip them up and down for stepping in my business. If my dog is crying and whimpering with tail plastered to his butt, then maybe they have room to tell me I'm abusing him. It also depends on how their dog is...ex: if theirs was off leash running at mine I'd tell them to go purchase a leash. They're only $8 at Petsmart. If theirs was growling and snapping or just blatantly misbehaving I might offer to share it with them or show them how it's used. I would probably just bite my tongue, but every possible curse word would be going through my head. Those people don't deserve a response.

StephanieandToby · #5 11-26-2004, 01:57 AM

You did not ask for these "people" to come up to you and start a conversation, so you are under no obligation to reply. I find people who want to be heard "hate to be ignored." So that's exactly what I do. Let them talk to the air around you....it really rubs it in when you turn your back and start talking to someone else.(the weather...the flowers...the news) eventually they will just get flustered and leave.This method is easiest for me because I never think of a snappy comeback until I'm at home, in bed,in a rage, trying to sleep !

I think I also do this because I tend to...ummm....fly off the handle a little....when it comes to my dog.Better just to shut up in my case.

dmoniz · #6 11-26-2004, 02:11 AM

I usually don't have any problem and I have even my Min Pin on a prong. I did have this experience with my Beagle however, I was walking her on a flat buckle collar and let me tell you she pulls like a draft horse. So I kept pulling her back to my side. Somebody walked by me when I did this and yelled, "you can get 10 years for that!" Now that she is on a prong she walks like a little lady. You just can't make everyone happy.

anni's.mom · #7 11-26-2004, 02:35 AM

sometimes all you can do is raise your eyebrows, half-smile, and say, "indeed." then simply walk on. that one word can mean a host of different things, and you can bet the individual who accosted you won't have a clue which one you had in mind. BUT you still depart the scene with dignity.

SABELLESMOM · #8 11-26-2004, 07:27 AM

I'm with Anni's.mom, keep it brief and walk on. Prongs are a tool, actually a safe tool...have you ever put one on your thigh and given a "correction?" It truly does pinch...not stab...not puncture...not injure.

You could say, "Obviously, you know nothing about how to use it correctly, then." or "It's a teaching tool and it works." or "Gracious! What idiot told you that?" or "Abuse my dog? Who's abusing my dog?" "If that were even remotely true, I think I'd have heard about it from someone more official than YOU."

But I still like, "Indeed." or "Truly, now."

Shaw_2112 · #9 11-26-2004, 08:34 AM

My middle finger works very well in situations like that LOL!

keller27 · #10 11-26-2004, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kristins1877

I'm not sure of the difference between pinch and prong. We had the one with the prongs facing toward his neck. (sorry if I didn't use the right word) His trainer won't let him wear it in class so he wears it in and then after class but not during. Just venting here, but I just wish sometimes that people would mind their own business...especially when my dog is well behaved while their dog is running in circles, peeing on the floor in the store, and snapping at other dogs while THEY criticize MY methods! (Just need to vent--ha ha)

You mentioned that your trainer won't let you wear it in class. If you are taking a class from Petsmart, we are not allowed to have the prong collars in class. We can lose our job if we allow them, BUT, if its the only way you can handle the dog, the trainer can get special permission for you to use it. He has to talk to his Area Trainer or the Service's manager. We try to get you into the Gentle Leader first.

In class I go over the Choke Chain and Prong, and the looks of their faces about the prong are priceless. After my little talk, they aren't so negative about the prong.

keller27 · #11 11-26-2004, 10:11 AM

[quote=kristins1877]I have always had Trooper on a prong collar for training (2 days ago I switched to a gentle lead - the one with the straps around the armpits)

Kristin, is the body halter? That is the one that goes around the armpits. The gentle leader goes behind the ears and around the nose like a horse. In one class I have a person with a wild lab, in a halter and gentle leader. I put a multi function leash on. One end snaps on the gentle leader, and the other on the harness. This way mom can control the dog's head and the body, that tends to wing out on her. The dog did great on it. Mostly because I also do alot of talking to the dog. Just can't get people to talk to their dogs and praise them to reinforce. The dog didn't pull at all and stayed close. She is in a class of my other instructor, so I hope that she did ok practicing this week.

kristins1877 · #12 11-26-2004, 11:09 AM

Yes I do go to Petsmart. We had a substitute teacher in class that recommended the new "collar" and it works great! With his regular nylon collar loose leash walking was a nightmare. The prong was better, but with the "body harness" my 5 year old son walked him last night (with me right by his side) and he was able to walk him no problem! I just want to mention that the reasons for the prong has NOTHING to do with controlling agression towards people or dogs, just pulling and exitement issues (given I am 4"11 and 100lbs, he is bigger than I) Thanks so much for all the great comments! Although I have had Rotts for many years I have never "formal" obedience training so I don't know the proper names for many products yet, although I am learning! (more on these boards than anywhere else) You guys are awesome!

keller27 · #13 11-26-2004, 01:10 PM

Also kristins1877, with the body harness, it gives your 5 year old a handle on the top to hold onto. With Khori, he has his flat collar with his tags on it, and he wears the body harness. From day one when I got him, he wasn't allowed to pull me. Yesterday I had neighborhood girl help me take the dogs for a walk and teach her how to do the loose leash walking. She doesn't have a dog at home, and she loves them so much. SHe is in the 5th grade. Working on her to not baby talk them. I am taking a class with another Petsmart trainer on Sundays. He use to train the military dogs, so he wanted me to take his puppy class and kind of evaluate him too at the same time. We do class 2 this week.

Rottweilers are strong dogs, so I see why you used the prong. I had a pitbull in class and I loved playing around with him, but he can knock me off my feet. We put a halti on him and it works great. He also had the body harness.

Our other trainer had a 150 lb. rottweiler in class. He was huge. He was a rescue, and came with issues, like not liking men, or the shopping carts, etc. Glad that I am training a puppy and not waiting til he is like 100 lbs.