Prong Collar.........

[Rottie Mann]

For any of you people that are thinking about purchasing a prong collar, I have two words for you............GET ONE!

I bought one for my boy this week and it is the best move I have ever made. Now that I have seen the results, I would have paid $500 dollars for this collar, it is worth it, and the results are basically instant.

My boy is a year old now and just over 100 pounds. Generally speaking he walks pretty good with a regular collar, but he likes to pull alot when he gets excited and wants to greet somebody, or another dog. It was getting to the point where my wife could not walk him anymore, cause he is just too strong for her. Well, the prong collar instantly changed all of that.

No more pulling, or sniffing anything we dont want him to, it gives you complete 100% control. You only need to use about 10-20% of the force you would need with a regular collar or choker. Last night I did an experiment and walked him for about 5 mins with one finger holding the leash, that is all the force that is needed. I would bet hundreds to thousands of dollars that a six year old could completely control my dog with this collar.

Just my 2 cents...........

[Snooze]

Do you hook your lead to both rings on the prong collar or just one?

[Rottie Mann]

I only hook it on to one of the loops, so it kinda works as a choker too........havnt tried it on both loops yet.

[K9-man]

Hook it up to both rings initially so that there’s no tightening action. The collar will work efficiently for most dogs this way.

[Snooze]

If the collar is not tightening then how do you give a correction? My rescue is 90% of my body weight and I'm trying to teach him not to lunge at animals and bicycles - we've been using a trainer and doing really well but always hook the lead to only one ring so that I can correct him.

[K9-man]

05/14/2002 9:40 AM CDT

The pinching action will work regardless if you’re hooked up to one ring or both of them. When your hooked up to the swivel ring only, you’ll get the collapsing action (like a choke collar) along with the pinch, which will give the dog a more harsh correction.

Collar placement is important too; about midway between the dogs head and his shoulders for starters. If that’s where you’re at now and you’re not getting the response you need, try going up just behind the ears with the two ring hook-up first.

Also, make sure the collar is fitting snug- you should be able to slide a finger under it with some exertion.

[anna&jacksmom]

Should the collar be able to twist around the dogs neck? My trainer always wanted me to have it loose enough to slip over her head. I know this isn't correct but I haven't gotten a good answer to the twisting question b/c she wanted it so loose anyway. We only use it for class now because she behaves fine with her flat collar in other situations. It would still be nice to think I was using it properly though.

[Rottie Mann]

I have mine fitted so i can get one finger under the prongs while the collar is fully expanded.

I can twist the collar around on my boys neck, but it will not freely twist on its own.

If you can slip it over your dogs entire head, then I would think it is WAYYY too loose.

I think it is best to hook the lead up to one ring only (the swivel one)......works much better that way........for me anyway.

[TrishB]

The key to the prong collar, as with any training tool, is to use it properly. A prong collar should never be 'slid over' the dogs head - if you can, it's too loose. However, you should be able to slip one finger under it.

Prong collars work in the same way as a bit in a horse. Pressure is applied to request a certain behaviour. Once the behaviour is given, the pressure is released, in praise. If the dog cannot experience the 'release' of pressure, they cannot learn the correct behaviour.

The release of pressure is the reward in this situation. The only time that pressure should be present is when the dog is being asked for a behaviour.

It's a great tool - but it can be harmful if it is not used properly, in educated hands. Even an easy bit on a horse can cut them - if it is used incorrectly. If you're having problems, have your trainer teach you how to use this specific tool.