AKC vs. Prong Collar

[JemarsSerena]

Can someone explain to me what AKC has against prong collars? At a show this past weekend, Serena and I had some down time so I decided to do some training in the exceptionally large grooming area. I put the prong on just in case. All we were doing were simple heeling excersises when someone approached me and told me that if an AKC rep saw me using a prong in the building I would be asked to leave. I simply switched collars and kept training, but it baffles me that AKC would be against a training tool. Any thoughts?

[RottsNScotts]

Training is not permitted on the grounds of any AKC show for one although one can usually get away with "tactful" training. AKC is most concerned about public perception at the shows and prong/pinch collars, as well as electric, do not a good impression make!

I am still at work or I would find the rules addressing this for you...

[MOKASMOM]

Here are the board minutes from the AKC website:

Training Collars (July 2001 Board meeting)
Special training devices that are used to control and train dogs, including but not limited to, collars with prongs, electronic collars used with transmitters, muzzles and head collars may not be used on dogs at AKC events, except as allowed in the AKC Rules, Regulations, and policies.

The American Kennel Club recognizes that special training collars may be an effective and useful management device, when properly used, for controlling dogs that might be extremely active, difficult to control on a neck collar, or dog aggressive. These collars are also recognized as possibly useful for gaining control at the start of basic obedience training, essential education that dogs deserve and need.

There is a point at which owners should have sufficient control of their dogs to manage them on regular neck collars, without the use of special training collars. This is the point at which dogs are acceptable on the grounds of AKC competitive events and will have the opportunity to participate in those events.


That was all I could find for you Bill.

[Ayoka]

The AKC rules seem to suggest it is up to the judge to determine what is acceptable, so long as it is not a prong or an electric collar.

In Canada, you can't have a prong in obedience in the ring...but you can have a slip (choke) martingale or plane buckle or quick release - head halters are also not acceptable. Same for just about every venue we have been in, CKC & AAC Agility & Flyball (where you can't have an e-collar or prong on the grounds at all and head halters are permitted but not in the ring)

[JemarsSerena]

Thanks, that about sums it up. Sometimes we spend several hours waiting to show or compete, so we use the time for training. We'll just use other collars to train with at events.

[targonrotts]

just be careful with training at events.(akc)
you can get away with some healing and maybe some minor stuff, but if someone complains, you might be asked to leave.

[Mick Trainer]

It really shows a lack of understanding regarding training and conditioning from the people who make the rules to have a such a rule in place. To draw a line that pieces of equipment like pinch and e-collars cannot be warn as the dog should be trained past it but to continue to allow slip/choke collars makes precisely zero sence. If they were serious about the reasons for this then they would say nothing but flat buckle collars allowed.

Mick.

[spoteet]

Originally Posted by Mick Trainer

It really shows a lack of understanding regarding training and conditioning from the people who make the rules to have a such a rule in place. To draw a line that pieces of equipment like pinch and e-collars cannot be warn as the dog should be trained past it but to continue to allow slip/choke collars makes precisely zero sence. If they were serious about the reasons for this then they would say nothing but flat buckle collars allowed.

Mick.

It's all about public perception and in this country the general public sees nothing wrong with a slip/choke collar but they think pinch collars and e-collars are cruel. The AKC does not care about what is less harmful to the dog, all they care about is their image.

[targonrotts]

just like regarding training. it is not allowed on show grounds because some methods might look to strong to the public. so to avoid any problems, training on grounds, or in the ring, is not allowed.
warm up heeling or a bar jump in agility is fine, as long as no harsh corrections are given.