If it works to stop a behaviour, it must be because the animal found it aversive (if they liked it or didnt notice it, it wouldnt reduce the frequency of the behaviour).". Prong Collars: Everything you need to know (2023) - Rebarkable As a super strong pitty, he can yank a full sized adult over in a half a second to randomly lunge at a person or dog or squirrel. My trainer switched her to a prong collar with flat round ends. Many civilized countries have outlawed prong collars, recognizing the harm they can do! I have used every kind of collar for the pups Ive fostered and adopted. Be patient and give your dog the ability to learn. He likes them, just not enough to be bribed by them. WebE-Collars & prong collars are banned in several countries in Europe. He was on the road to becoming an uncontrollable pet who would be doomed to being kept outside when the grandkids come to visit, or visitors come into the home. And trust me, my dog knows how to communicate if he doesn't like something. What We Can Learn From European Dog Culture - The New York She is definitely non reactive to squirrels and birds ( her triggers) now. I have not used one so cant recommend anything specific, but you can find them on Amazon: https://amzn.to/32rG40v. Its important to keep in mind that using harmful collars are elective. As we were completing this essay, Mary told me the following story that horrified me. The training program we used 20 years ago used a choke collar, so that is what we were used to. Most of us have seen dogs straining so hard against their collar in their excitement to move forward that they can hardly breathe and sound a bit like Darth Vader. We have tried positive reinforcement with food items, turning to head a different direction when he pulls (hoping he will learn to follow the human), and have tried at least another half dozen other recommended methods. You noted that you have used these devices for a quick fix when you need foster dogs to walk along side yours You also made notes about how to introduce the dog to the prong collar, and with the use of reassuring gestures and being patient with the animal, along side the use of treats why would the prong collar be needed? The warning said that they should be banned and included a photo of a dog with several lacerations on its neck, allegedly caused by a We just got a new 5 month old Australian shepherd last week. My question is if the prong collar would scare him even more, causing more distrust, or if the boundaries of the collar would actually make him feel safer? All dogs will show signals that he is about to lung or go after prey, such as excitement, whining, eye contact, etc. I have a 140 BRT, and he is only 14 months old. Putting a prong collar on him that would make him uncomfortable or hurt him would further harm him mentally. Furthermore, it is downright dangerous to leave either choke chain or prong collar on dogs if not working. But like you mention, fit is crucial. I somewhat reluctantly use the prong collar because I know I have control regardless of situation & can keep him safe. Thank you for this article! Psychology Today, June 22, 2018. This post does contains affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will receive a small commission, but it wont cost you a penny more). I swapped over to a prong collar, and got him to behave, and pull and run after other dogs less, but it doesnt stick when I put him on another collar. A prong collar will give you a bit of power steering with a larger dog that pulls hard, but its no substitute for training., So if youre training? prong My new rescue golden girls neck (just below her ears) measures 14. in. They take the easy route, as opposed to teaching proper, solid cues and commands. If it werent for the prong collar, our super sweet 70+lb lapdog would not have been able to stay with us. Are just such huge 2000 2022 Rebarkable LLC. New Zealand, Austria, Australia, Switzerland, the Canadian Province of Quebec , and many others have made prong collars (and in many cases choke and shock collars) illegal. A Twitch star was temporarily banned from the live-streaming platform after zapping herself with a shock collar as part of a bizarre stunt. You may get evil looks from other dog owners that just dont understand the power of the prong collar. Im certain it must at least in part be me. In my years of dog training (at this point, Ive been involved in training over 1300 dogs and won awards), Ive never found a reason for a prong collar that cannot be resolved with positive training. Reading this article and the comments made me realize I have to get over what people might think. Top 10 Reasons Not to Use - SF SPCA He is a rescue who was only 77 lbs when he came to live with me. Once I started using a prong collar on my girl (along with the time commitment of training! Illegal Dog Collars - My Animals Sometimes they dont even know this is happening. This puppy's social behavior was a gift! Positive only trainers will disagree, but no it will not make him more aggressive. I thought it was very well written and informative but also not an any other method is terrible. I took my unmanageable dog to a basic obedience class and the teacher told me to get one. I have a 5 month old Rottweiler and I need to make sure he does not pull me In the winters . This can create a scenario in which, at best, a dog doesn't offer any behaviors due to fear, and at worst, a dog who becomes more reactive, worried, and overtly aggressive, leading to bites.". Thank you for the article it helped ease my mind in using this for our pups. However when it comes to walking on a lease he is a puller and aggressive. Does the prong collar hinder your relationship with your dog? He is amazing on it, but I dont always use it because Im worried about what people might think. They say it should redirect them, and that worked for a little while, but not well enough, apparently, since she figure out that she could push through it anyway. WebWhere are prong collars banned? I have won over a few of my clients here in Monaco & France re. prong collar Good luck! I so hate to see good, effective training tools totally demonized. It was suggested that we use the prong collar on our 3 month old Bichon/Shih Tzu who just started training. I used a pinch collar 3 times and he learned that quickly and never pulled out of the leash again. Had him two years now he has also been attacked by other stray pitbulls. He responds instantly better when a prong collar is put on him. When you adopt a dog that pulls so hard you can not walk him, then come talk to me do you want to go through a 6-12-18 month (or more) positive-only training program so this dog can finally take a walk in a public space? Prong collars are safe fact It takes time and a lot of consistency. I dont care what breed you have, how strong they are, or how small you are. Just read some of the success stories in the comments. We tried for 3 weeks to loose leash train w/ the Easy Walk harness employing techniques learned w/ our last dog Jacksons dog coach. You can walk your dog around without a collar, harness, leash (please dont do it in public, there are laws in place) and they will listen to you every step of the way.. Collars Hi, I have a 90 lb intact lab that I adopted a week ago. They also create danger for pet owners who can easily get snagged by the sharp metal prongs. I just switched him back to a no-pull collar, and its working much better w/ training him to stick around and not pull, especially w/ positive enforcement and treats. We are taking things really slow, but Im concerned if we take them too slow, we will actually be reinforcing behaviors learned from the abuse, i.e. And Herm Sprenger agrees. Do the ends really justify the means? It literally saved his life. Would a prong collar work on a 20-30 lead on a trail? He is absolutely gorgeous and has the sweetest disposition. I bought a Herm Spengler for my 3 year old 100lb. If you think about the anatomy of the neck, it contains essential things like the windpipe. On our first walk, with a 20 minute session he was heeling, sitting, and responding to down and stay commands like never before. The Halti works great to end the pulling but the lead runs on the ground between his legs so he steps on it. Growing up I had a Doberman who couldnt be walked without it! this si my best buddy and my soul mutt and i am not going to give up on him, though both he and i need help! Prong He pulled his previous owner down their porch steps! It used to be he wouldnt move at all when we set him down, but now he runs to go outside it runs away from us when were outside (we have a fenced in yard so he cant get away). However, I am primarily writing here because he recently growled and snapped at our 1.5 year old son while getting a correction with the collar he has never done this before. My dog loves going on walks and he always wears a prong collar when we leave the house. Thank you for sharing this information!!! I had an amazingly trained companion who was really an off the leash dog (always carried a leash), used mostly hand signal commands. We have beautiful, stress-free walks thanks to this great tool. I do actually have a prong collar, the trainers at his class suggested it. Prong Collars: Debunking The Myths And What You Need And in the mean time the poor dog is confined to his home? Many countries, including Austria and Switzerland, have made it illegal to use prong collars for canines. The collar is not designed to hurt the dog, but get the dogs attention. She jumped up to greet Mary and her owner shocked her for jumping while she was trying to say hello. Why? Harriet, you need to calm down. The Thunderleash is clipped on his back so it stays up high where he cant step on it but he does still pull a bit. Leashes restrict dogs' ability to have control of their lives and to make choices. I had it too low on the neck and much too loose. I contacted a reputable local trainer who I met at a local park the next day. Im not sure you have the experience to recommend this nor have the dogs best interest in mind. Thanks so much for sharing your story Jessica! A petite woman in her mid-40s walks her 100 pound rottweiler with some difficulty. On the other end of the spectrum, there are also dog trainers who are force-free and rewards-based who lack the education and knowledge base to be effective concerning choices of neck restraints. Some times he forgets its on and tries to run and its clear hes in pain. This isn't the case in England, where they're legally allowed to be used without restriction. So, the reason he has to be carried into the house is that he wont move when he has a leash on. They are simply NOT necessary; there are better ways to train! Thank you for saving a dogs life! After class the instructor told me that she would bring a collar to the next class that should help with him and asked that I come a little early so she could show me how to use it. Prong Regular collars allow the dogs to hurt themselves if they have no leash manners, and Ive personally seen this many times choking, damage to the neck, etc. The studies seem to show that choke collars are dangerous but not prong collars. WebWe're based in South Australia where purchasing a prong collar from outside Australia is illegal, however, it is not banned in some States, one of them being South Australia. Very pleased with the purchase and have recommended it to other dog owners. Hi.i have asweet female bullmastiffnamed VODKAPlease guide me when n which sized prong coller fits my VODKA? I have a smart medium drive 5 1/2 month old GSD male pup. Ill let you know how our first walk goes! Viewfinders, what do you think about the ban on prong collars? Also, as the author mention, there are huge differences in the quality of a Pet Smart pinch collar and a Herm Sprenger (the recommended brand). collar Its crazy how the internet is overwhelmed with posts claiming how dangerous these collars are when I find they have done wonders for both me and the dogs Im walking, all without hurting them. When she looked down, her dog's eye had prolapsed. The straw that broke the camels back was after her pulling so much with her front-clip Halti harness that she rubbed her armpit bald. I have never had him so much as attempt to lunge on the prong collar. Oftentimes, breed is an excuse Oh, hes a German Shepherd, he needs a prong or hell be out of control well no thats not really true is it? Its a good thing I work out because I can reign her back in but I fear one day shell dislocate my shoulder!! If you find that its not working because of the lack of a neck try using a slip lead. The prong collar sounds just what we need. PRONG Fine, but I promise you (challenge me if you want! Thank you for providing this resource, however nothing would change my mind about it, ever! This is the worst tool you can use for a reactive dog. Collars WebProng collars are legal in most states, but there are some places where they are banned or regulated. This muddies the water for guardians seeking help with their companion dogs: If a force-free trainer with whom they worked didnt help them, does that push them to work with a trainer who uses force? Some societies and activists are taking action against their use; lets hope for a piece of good news in the future. Yes, positive training will take longer and will be harder work, but is that any excuse to resort to something that will make your dogs life uncomfortable? Am thinking of getting a prong collar for my dog because he recently lunged at a cat he saw and pulled me over. What is different about a prong collar is that as the martingale tightens it brings in teeth or prongs. The pair review the recent Norwegian breeding bans on English Bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Marylands newly-passed prohibition on feline declaw surgery, and other recent legal changes in animal law. However, the first reference to dog collars comes from Ancient Egypt. I used it as you explained back in 1999, maybe for 3 months and periodically as needed over a years time. The prong collar has been a life-saver for so many dogs. But after reading your points and the testimonies of other people here, I feel a little more confident that I can find a safe and humane way of using this tool when doing further training. At this point I dont care at all what people will think of me if they see a prong collar on her. For this reason, more and more trainers and veterinarians are recommending that a dog be walked or run on a chest harness. It minimizes the drag strain of the harness and is an ideal alternative to prong collars. If you do try the prong collar, make sure its high up on his neck, just below his ears. Good to read something siilar to mine! I despise using harnesses because I find they ALWAYS encourage pulling. My dgt promised to do all the walking and caring for the dog. It is like tapping the dog on the shoulder to get his attention. We recently moved to a suburb of Boston where walks are now exercise but also to do her business. Dr. Jennifer Cattet notes, "A study of 424 dogs seen by chiropractors revealed that 91% of them who had neck injuries were pullers or had experienced jerking on the leash by the guardian (Hallgren, 1991).". Taking in and training foster dogs takes a very special person! No matter how prey driven, no matter how strong. Instantly what a difference, no pulling, no zig zag walking. Thanks for sharing this. Your timid poodle may never need one. When I am conducting group training sessions I introduce the prong collar to each and every one of my classes and I properly fit it around my own bare leg and give it the correct pull as if I were training a dog to demonstrate to my groups how safe and non-damaging the prong collar is. You will need to read the dogs body language. I guess Im an animal abuser from what I read, but I would put the care and loving I provide to my dog above 99.9% of what most humans receive. I raised him w/ a no-pull harness, and he quickly out grew that behavior. 2. They got lucky. This was the same store I had been in days earlier with Bear and could barely hold onto him where he was now sitting next to me at the register!!!! Thank you! Hes the sweet dog I knew him to be. For some dogs it is more than just patience. Since the incident he has been mouthing our son a lot more. Of course, if you see regression, then make sure that the previous training method is reverted to., This is a really subjective question. Dog collars can cause a good deal of physical and psychological harm to dogs. Twitch star zaps herself with shock collar live, gets banned The prong could help with the jumping and biting if used correctly. I have a reactive dog when out, other dogs, cars and people but an absolute gent when in the home. Just saw the first video about how to put it on -on your website. PostedApril 25, 2019 I am worried about how my dog owning friends will react to me getting one of these collars, but having seen how easy and gentle yet effective it can be I have decided that I would be silly not to get one, both for her safety and mine, in certain situations. I know some people cringe at the sight of a prong collar, it looks barbaric and cruel. The positive training methods consist of a verbal correction, which leads to a treat (definitely food motivated dog). I can even run in the park with him without getting dragged or jumped on. Whilst the product is clearly quality, and I love that they actually give you most of this information the information is rather buried. She would get all excited to see me get it out and wait for me to put it on because it either meant going fir a walk or training which meant lots of one on one time with lots of praise and lovins. I have one dog that doesnt need it anymore, the other (our lab) is a constant puller without it. Countries that BAN Prong Collars | A viewer asked what I think And dont be a jerk and pull on it. The United States is yet to follow. Recommended just for you: Top 5 Reasons to Take Your Dog for a Walk. Because you deserve information that is clear, truthful and backed by science or the information of the manufacturer., Finding the best method for both you and your dog is really important, so I must discuss it., Im going to discuss what they are, how they work, why they work. These collars have been the subject of controversy in recent years, with some people arguing that they are inhumane and should be banned, while others claim that they are an effective tool for training and managing a dog's behavior. So yes, I agree, if used properly no issues, in the grand picture it gave her ultimate freedom in living her best dog life. Prong collar is the only way, Headcollar training harness with a front point Balance harness etc etc. Use a no-pull, or a choke chain, and train them w/ positive reinforcement. I have just had a 1 to 1 training session with a trainer and when he first suggested the prong collar I said NO straight away, but I put the collar around my thigh to see the effect. My latest furbaby the half boston/half lab was so smart that all the positive training methods only trained him to misbehave. It took everything in me to hold him back and walking him was physically hard on me. As for the comment about it causing pain, no one has ever mentioned their dog cries out, winces in discomfort. As in all different sorts of dog-human interactions, what's good for the human must be good for the dog. The one thing I dont do is avoid walking her altogether. Barely had to use the collar; I mean BARLEY, and we got into the groove. Its better than a choke collar but any pulling gets old on a 2 mile rugged walk. Every interaction made me terrified someone would try to get our dogs kicked out of the neighborhood, especially since staffies are technically dangerous. Pronged Collars Should be Banned Because They are Harmful to Dogs-Fiction! Or can eventually she go off it and into her normal collar/ no leash? At the very least, as a thoughtful species, we can most certainly begin to question and ponder the use of clearly aversive equipment such as electric, choke, and prong collars. We only introduced it after 31/2 mths at which point Ive learnt to read my dog and I have the knowledge how to manage him and descalate his triggers etc. Your comments are spot on that trainers are obsessively against this collar so fear there will be no where for me to go to get training if I were to purchase. I know thats easier said than done. Collars She is slowly getting used to our house and noises but has a very difficult time with walks (shes afraid of everything car, people, loud sounds). haha. She was still her happy-go-lucky self playing. Its kinda like tapping your dog on the shoulder to keep his attention on you. Weve invested a lot of time and money in our training and I feel like we have to go back to the drawing board. Until Jackson was 10 or so and slowing down did he really walk loose leash style even with a Gentle Leader head collar. Could the use of the collar be creating more fear and anxiety in our already anxious dog? No collar will permanently fix a dogs bad behavior. Dogs will definitely be verbal if they are uncomfortable or in pain!! _____. Follow SolidK9Training on Youtube, he offers plenty of training videos on prong collars. After our trainer introduced us to the prong collar walking with him is a joy. Ive seen collar covers that disguise the prong. She is a pretty assertive dog, gets plenty of outdoor time and exercise, and still she is totally happy and excited when we pick up her collar to announce a walk. I wouldnt recommend trying one without researching how to properly use it but it works really well for some pups. Gentle Leader no longer works and just bought a front hitch harness which also does not work. Among Scandinavian countries , Sweden bans e collars. New Zealand, Austria, Australia, Switzerland, the Canadian Province of Quebec, and many others have made prong collars (and in many cases choke and shock collars) illegal. Scotland The use of electric shock collars was I have a feeling you are going to wonder why it took you so long to try the prong collar. The Effects of Using Aversive Training Methods in Dogs: A Review. Its practitioner-correlated.". She said doing this just makes the training go faster, which is helpful since she only has the dogs for a limited amount of time. Tried the front clip harness but she would still pull so hard she would flip herself over and on to her side how does that not break ribs?! It was a lifesaver for me and he was a true angel to walk with it. Unfortunately, people really just dont understand these collars and that they can actually help prevent damage or injury, and help owners bond and communicate better with their dogs. started a campaign to ban shock, choke, and prong collars in the city, are known to inflict stress, discomfort, and pain, and potentially have long-term negative effects on dogs. We are switching over to a 1 on 1 trainer very soon hoping it will help with his other problems we are having at home. He already knew all basic commands, house broken and crate trained. Thank you Patty for sharing your story! Hes sweet smart and strong. I would argue a year to 18 months is the minimum you should be considering this tool., Why? But its illegal for individuals to import them. Just started using one and he is very easy to walk with one hand. I have a 7-month-old Doberman who has been in training classes since he was 3 months old. Thank You!!! Is 3mm what I should use with a lab? Now he is eyes on me. Its a tough call. Thank you for sharing your story Darci! Shock collars have been banned in many states of Australia after considering the damaging effects of these e collars on dogs. What size prong collar should I get? I have since gone on to do board and train with dogs on the side, have taken in numerous problematic foster dogs and trained them for easier placement, and intend to continue doing both so that I can help dog owners and their dogs live calmer, happier lives. I just found this page after admitting to a dog-focused friendly advice group on facebook that I REALLY struggle with walking my dog. What changes would you like to see? My energy is much more calm and I sense his is as well. I have a 4 month old border collie and the prong used gently allows me to walk him. Yes that is the entire purpose of the prong, to use it as a training tool. We tried positive reinforcement but he is totally indifferent to treats. I guess I am one of those 100% pure positive dog trainers and yes their is a more humane way to train the dog. She is 38 lb. I havent used the collar since. WebProng collars arent banned in Australia. Many thanks for your advice and recommendation. I finally bought a Herm Sprenger collar and it was moderately helpful. I need to be able to use my prong collar! No matter what treats or happiness we used, she always found a way to push ahead and not pay attention to us at all. I remember over 10 years ago they seemed to have a bad rap. Shes one of those rescues that really rescue you. and it is big and clunky. Try the stop and go method first, by not moving forward anytime there is any tension on the leash should teach him not to pull. Dog Keeping laws for Germany CodeMiko posted in her Discord yesterday, sharing that she was suspended on Twitch for her use of a shock collar on herself during her Sunday, Feb. 26 stream. Honestly, I know, Ive taught a great, reliable loose leash (even without the leash) a lot with all sorts of dogs, all sorts of breeds. 2, I think it can add a little stress during dog-to-dog interactions, especially if the other dog is aggressive. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. How Can I Find a Dog Trainer? prong collars We rehomed a 8 month old GSD who was full of anxiety and nervousness. It does not lend them any credibility. If your dog pulls you when trying to walk him or is leash reactive, I strongly suggest you consider using a prong collar. Prong Is to figure out how to communicate with them. She introduced me to the idea of using a prong collar as a training tool which I initially had strong concerns about having never seen one in use and having just lost a dog to laryngeal damage issues. When it comes to young dogs and puppies, one of the most lethal and scary things in the dog world is Parvovirus, or Parvo. I follow Jeff Bellman and Skype with him occasionally and love his transparency & honesty about the training tools he uses. This needs to be done with good training. All seemed to be going well with the prong except his reactivity to other dogs while on leash seemed to get worse. Whoopee! The bans on them are sad as so many people jump on the band wagon without fully knowing the full story. I asked him why not? He went on to tell me theyre known for breaking dogs necks. Im a 68-year-old skinny woman I dont have the strength for this dog and dont know what to do. The trainer showed me how to use it properly and within 10 mins, Sam was walking by my side, not pulling and not jumping up at the 2 trainers I had with me, the difference was remarkable!! Numerous people who choose to share their lives with a dog also choose to use various types of collars, including electric shock collars (e-collars), choke collars, or prong collars that are connected to different sorts of leashes, both of which give people varying degrees of control over their canine companions.

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