Prong collars

[Maryn306]

Another thread spurred my interest. How many here use prong collars and at what age did you start utilizing them? (dogs age, not yours )

[dmoniz]

I started using one on Logan at about 10 months. This was the age that he stopped paying attention to the flat buckle collar when he saw other dogs and people. He is 1 year now and could probably go back to the buckle collar as he now looks, but will leave it when I ask, and will only go say hi when I tell him he can. My boxer has never needed one, my beagle can't be walked without one, and the minpin has both rings hooked to minimize the correction.

[jas'smom]

I use a prong on both my ACD's, Jasmine I had her in one at about 16 months used it for a couple of months now she is in a fur saver collar.

[Urika]

Diesel was a few weeks shy of being a year when I put a prong on him.

[SonnyRott]

I have several collars including the prong. I primarily used the prong when my dog was recovering from hip surgery (14 mos old), and we needed to take it slow. The prong was a GREAT tool in helping to curb the zoomies which my poor dog was experiencing from lack of exercise during this time.

He is now over 2, and I prefer to use a leather, buckle collar or his dual grip, Blocky Dog collar.

[MonteRiehl]

Howdy Maryn306
I use a prong collar. I introduced it gradually at 5 months. I started with it "dead linked" until he got used to it around his neck. I also did not really issue "corrections" with it right away. I had it on him, and let him "self correct". This is also my first prong collar, I've always used the classic "choke chain" before.

Here's another couple of related questions for prong collar users.
What size of prong collar do you use?

When you tell the pet store you want one for a rottweiler, they will haul out the tractor chain sized collar. (1+ inch wide links)

Which sized prong collar works best?
I have heard from a couple of trainers that the small one (cocker spaniel version with extra links) works best regardless of dog size. I personally am using a medium size. (1/2 inch wide links)

Just curious

Regards,
Monte.

[Maryn306]

Thanks everyone

I just went Ebay'in for prong collars here LOL. Got one for $11 including shipping. I got a 3.2 mm 17-21 inch one..as I don't plan on using it right away, Rocco is 5 mos old. He is a leash puller, and I now have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome as well as tendonitis in my right wrist/hand (which is raging this week). I use my left hand as much as possible while I have him on lead, but it's very awkward for me.
We start obedience training soon, and I am working on the pulling consistently...but I figure it'd be nice to have one around if I feel the need to utilize it. I think when I do get it, I will put it on him a bit to get him accustomed to it, incase the time comes that I'll be using it.

Are there any good books or websites out there to read up on properly using prong collars?

[Sarah77]

I started Max on the prong collar at about 7 months, it work really well to make him realize he need to keep his attention on me. He's 4 now and we use the buckle collar, except the first day we start a new class (just to make sure he knows that were working and not there to play).

[Denise L.]

Well, Richard the Rottweiler always used a prong and his owner showed me how to use it. Richard was 137 lbs and even though he was a perfect boy 99% of the time, he did have a moment or two!

Cyrus was already 2 when I adopted him and our trainer used prongs.

I don't always use the prong. But when I take him to work and walk him around campus I do. There are a lot of people and heavy traffic so I feel more secure with it.

[SOX_H8r]

At about 10 months we started using one, in our training program. It's keeping my arm in the socket!

Just Google -- fitting a prong collar, better yet, wait for class and have your instructor show you. This way you'll see how it fits on your dog.

Good luck!

[Daisy Duke]

daisy has had hers since 4-5 months.

[BostonRott]

I have the large prong collars for walks, and the dogs earn one of those as soon as they start pulling too much, Xcel had his by 6mos. I don't use it for corrections on walks, just something to cut down on the pulling (b/c I refuse to make the dog walk "nicely" at my side when we're out on a casual walk.....it's their time to sniff).

For obedience training, when I get into proofing and corrections, I use the very small pinch collars, more pinch for the inch.

[MyPuppyLove]

I am with BostonRott on this one. We use a prong on a walk but not for correction, it is just in between the dog and I so that I don't get my arm pulled out in a ungodly manner lol. We started using a prong when she was 10 months old.

[zepthedep]

Hi all
well i will admit i wont use them or anthing else that imo that uses pain to gain control, just because of peoples inadequacies as dog handlers/trainers yet again they make dogs suffer, yes i have a full rott, 57kilo, his spirit is not broken, no he doesnt pull my arm off when walking or when he sees an other dog or cat, WHY ? because i trained him from the start and have kept it up over his 7yrs, dont forget its not only a dog is for life, but training is also

[livertw]

I have always disliked prong collars and have had large dogs for many years. I use a Gentle Leader on Daisy. It works just as the name implies: gently.