As topics go, Prong collars are fairly divisive within the canine world.
When the mother and father of a big canine (notably, although small breeds are usually not exempt) elevate the query of free leash strolling or stopping their canine from pulling on their leash, the topic will get heated quick. “Prong collar is the one approach”, “Headcollar” “coaching” “harness with a entrance level” “Steadiness harness” and so forth and so forth. After which comes the controversy of aversive vs optimistic. Inevitably inaccuracies get thrown round and general? There’s quite a lot of myths and a lack of know-how as a result of all of it comes from a passionate place.
I imply, afterall, in the event you’ve been utilizing a instrument for 30 years together with your canine (and even 3 months) you don’t wish to discover out that you simply’ve been doing a foul factor, or that in the event you’ve been sucking it up and utilizing a harness, you don’t wish to discover there’s probably a better choice.
So, I wish to focus on a type of choices for you now, so that you simply, my pricey pet guardian, perceive what you’re when assessing these choices for you and your little pup. Since you deserve info that’s clear, truthful and backed by science or the data of the producer.
Discovering the very best technique for each you and your canine is actually necessary, so I have to focus on it.
I’m going to debate what they’re, how they work, why they work. Focus on with you when they need to be used and after they shouldn’t. What they’re made to do, and what they’re not made to do.
The entire photographs on this publish include canine who’re sporting prong collars incorrectly.
That is deliberate! As you undergo the article, see in the event you can inform why they’re mistaken.
What Is A Prong Collar
A prong collar (additionally known as a pinch collar) is an instance of a canine coaching collar, and normally replaces a flat collar. It’s an adaptation of choke chains, the hyperlinks grow to be bigger and there are “tooth” on every hyperlink that encircle the neck. The collar is designed to create even strain across the neck and distribute the ‘correction’ so it may be thought-about ‘kinder’ than a choke collar, choke chains, or slip leash different.
Nonetheless, it’s good to notice that the prong collar works by giving a ‘leash pop’ or ‘correction’ by the leash, a fast jerk on the leash leads to a sudden constriction of the neck.
Now, a lot of trainers will let you know that this doesn’t damage the canine, that it merely tells them no in a language they perceive.
While that could be true, it’s not one thing we now have information for, and making an allowance for {that a} canine neck is 3x extra delicate than ours, they usually positively limit airflow for a short while, it’s debatable that this gadget goes in opposition to animal welfare rights and are subsequently banned in sure nations like Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Switzerland and the Canadian Province of Quebec.
After all this may be argued as human error, however generally it’s simply simpler to manage the scenario than treatment the fallout…
How Does A Prong Collar Work?
This one is actually necessary, earlier than you utilize any instrument together with your canine that you simply perceive how they work and why your canine will reply to it – particularly after they can not talk their wants or emotions clearly.
The prong collar (just like a choke chain or slip lead) works on constriction. It’s structured like a martingale collar, the place the majority of the collar is tightened by a cinching chain which attaches to your leash. What’s totally different a couple of prong collar is that because the martingale tightens it brings in “tooth” or prongs. These are then used once you wish to apply a “Correction” (additionally known as a leash pop) that press into the pores and skin round your canine’s neck to use discomfort or ache in an effort to talk that your canine has performed one thing incorrectly.
Then, after they do one thing proper, or are questioning themselves, the very fact you don’t pop the leash implies that they get a rush of aid.
Nonetheless, it’s actually necessary that all through the method of coaching a canine with a prong collar that we’re conscious, that we admit that it causes ache or discomfort in an effort to have an impact. This offers respect for the instrument, and implies that you’re much less possible to misuse it. And in case your coach tells you that that is not the case, then they’re not a coach try to be working with.
When To Begin Utilizing A Prong Collar
So, the time to begin utilizing it’s everytime you’ve genuinely exhausted your choices once you’ve tried the kinder methodology, you’ve tried knowledgeable optimistic coach, and also you’ve gotten to some extent the place your canine can not progress regardless of your dedication, persistence and addressing all the elements of your canine’s life that could be inhibiting their studying.
Based on Herm Sprenger:
“They [Prong Collars] are usually not really useful except different coaching strategies have been exhausted.”
You ought to be exhausting different means earlier than resorting to a prong collar. And I do know that generally it could actually really feel like you might have performed so, however usually? That’s not the case.
A prong collar is a tool that has good and unhealthy factors to it, however as we’ll go into later, it’s ripe for misuse. While I’d hope you’d use it proper (although, I don’t suppose I’d belief myself to make use of it proper persistently over lengthy intervals of time), it additionally doesn’t surpass the truth that you may in all probability obtain your free leash strolling targets approach simpler than banishing your pup or canine to this gadget.
Can I Use A Prong Collar On A Pet?
No, they aren’t appropriate to be used on a pet. While Herm Sprenger advise that 5-6 months is the minimal? I’d argue a yr to 18 months is the minimal try to be contemplating this instrument.
Why? As a result of puppies study actually simply. Like… actually simply. I don’t care what breed you might have, how robust they’re, or how small you’re. You possibly can have a canine who listens properly, learns properly and as a pet? They’re primed for that. That’s what they had been constructed for, is to study. (If you happen to’re struggling to show a free leash, that is for you.)
All it’s important to do to unlock that? Is to determine how you can talk with them. If you happen to can determine that out? You don’t want a prong collar. You possibly can stroll your canine round with out a collar, harness, leash (please don’t do it in public, there are legal guidelines in place) and they’ll hearken to you each step of the best way.
Oh! And in the event you observe my steerage with pupdates? You received’t ever get to this stage, since you’ll be practising a free leash lengthy earlier than they’re giant and unruly!
Are Prong Collars Dangerous To My Canine Or Pet?
They definitely will be if misused.
Misuse covers :
❌ poor or incorrect placement on the canine.
❌ poorly fitted collars or incorrectly sized.
❌ incorrect timing of ‘corrections’
❌ permitting canine to self right.
❌ used within the automotive (particularly to safe within the automotive)
❌ worn in a crate
❌ Making an attempt to resolve incorrect issues with a prong
❌ lengthy durations sporting a prong
❌ when used on the underaged
❌ when used on shy canine
❌ when used on scared canine
❌ when used on aggressive canine
❌ when used while not outlined coaching periods
❌ when used while unattended
❌ when used with something apart from a brief leash
With this quantity of no-no’s it’s so freaking straightforward to get mistaken that may trigger injury to your canine bodily, mentally, or simply to the bond between you and your canine. To not point out that the window of alternative to be used turns into so slim that these canine are literally in all probability very easy to coach anyway.
That is the place quite a lot of pro-prong individuals will say “However my canine loves their prong” – which is nice, however in the identical approach you’ve conditioned them to like that prong? You possibly can have taught a free leash with out a prong. Or I may truly train them to like a jellyfish on their head…
So sure, Prong Collars can have the flexibility to be very dangerous, very simply.
How To Place A Prong Collar
The correct positioning for a prong collar is correct on the prime of the neck, the place the cranium meets the neck muscle as that is essentially the most ‘weak’ a part of your canine, the place the prong collar will yield most impact for coaching and consequently the specified end result. Nonetheless, the instrument will work regardless of the place it’s been positioned.
It’s good to notice {that a} canine’s neck is 3x extra delicate than a human neck, so we actually don’t want to make use of a lot strain.
Can You Go away A Prong Collar On A Canine
No.
Prong collars are designed to be in your canine during coaching solely. ID tags shouldn’t be placed on a prong collar, and your canine ought to not be left in a single for lengthy intervals of time. Doing so exposes your canine to an inordinate quantity of hazard, injury and dangers that simply are usually not value speaking about.
How To Prepare Your Canine Off Of A Prong Collar
It is a actually easy. Resolve which gear you prefer to your canine to stroll on, and seize a double ended leash, like a halti coaching leash, and clip the prong to at least one finish of the leash, and the harness or collar to the opposite.
As your want for corrections reduce, enable the steadiness of the leash to lean in direction of the harness, and away from the prong.
Slowly, you’ll switch all of the leash to the harness or collar, and depart the prong collar on, however unattached (nonetheless for brief intervals please, and beneath fixed supervision!) and ultimately? Take away the prong collar solely.
After all, in the event you see regression, then make it possible for the earlier coaching technique is reverted to.
Is A Prong Collar Unhealthy?
They definitely have the potential to be.
It is a actually subjective query. My private stance? Sure they’re unhealthy, as a result of they’ve far too giant a capability to be misused. While I do know that the potential for misuse is just not a purpose to name one thing unhealthy, it’s primarily a way of coaching that I see no purpose for.
In my years of canine coaching (at this level, I’ve been concerned in coaching over 1300 canine and received awards), I’ve by no means discovered a purpose for a prong collar that can not be resolved with optimistic coaching.
Sure, optimistic coaching will take longer and can be more durable work, however is that any excuse to resort to one thing that can make your canine life uncomfortable? I don’t suppose so. Additionally, the results of optimistic coaching isn’t depending on the presence of the gadget… which is unquestionably a very good factor.
The opposite purpose I’d advise in opposition to prong collar utilization is due to the time wherein it’s important to apply the ‘correction’.
You may have 2 seconds to seize a behaviour, proper or mistaken, reward or correction.
With optimistic reinforcement, you need to use a marker phrase, and reward to present you somewhat longer for the deal with/play reward. However for corrections? You must interpret the motion, and inform your arm to maneuver at a sure velocity/tempo/no matter else and ship it shortly, or else your canine won’t perceive what you’re correcting.
If that window is that small and also you make a mistake, would you favor to be delivering complicated rewards, or complicated punishment?
Are Prong Collars Appropriate For A Reactive Canine?
No. That is supported by Herm Sprenger, the highest producer of prong collars on the planet.
Something ache primarily based is just not appropriate for a reactive canine.
Canine grow to be reactive (largely) by worry or pleasure. Adverse experiences that they’ve discovered to downside clear up with trying mighty scary, scare the opposite canine away, after which security is restored. It’s one other self-rewarding cycle.
Including in a prong collar and ‘correcting’ their worry (aka. A jerk on the leash to all of a sudden, shortly limit airflow because the tooth of the prong squeeze the neck, usually misappropriated as a ‘mommy chew’ – I’ll focus on that each other time…) truly simply reinforces the concept they had been proper to be scared of the oncoming menace.
Over time? This forces the canine right into a state of discovered helplessness. This kind of state is just not a state the place studying can happen, it’s a state the place all their choices have been eliminated.
The analogy utilized by lots of people is think about your worst worry, after which somebody sitting there and forcing you to face it.
Prong collars are usually not appropriate for something fear-based, which is the place reactivity falls.
My Opinion On Prong Collars
No matter my coaching preferences. Prongs are extensively, extensively misunderstood and consequently extensively misused.
The truth that a reward or a correction can solely be given inside 2 seconds of the motion for both to be of impact implies that your reactions have very slim home windows to realize their objective. Consequently, it’s my recommendation to not use ‘corrections’ as a result of they’re too straightforward to overlook. If you happen to’re going to overlook one thing, would you fairly that your canine misunderstood a reward, or a punishment? The previous associates you as a very good factor, the latter associates you with unhealthy issues.
With using a prong collar, you instantly grow to be your canine supply of punishment.
Using these instruments in any ‘physique’ of labor (reminiscent of on police k9’s) is not an excuse so that you can use them on a pet canine. It doesn’t lend them any credibility. It in actual fact dates the police academy’s coaching methods again to the 1990’s, together with their pc techniques and their method to the legislation… is that one thing you actually want to stand with?
The “My canine loves his prong, and get’s all excited when he sees it” is straightforward classical conditioning, such that your canine recognises which means coaching or walkies, that doesn’t imply that they really feel optimistic concerning the expertise when the prong tightens round their neck.
I imply, I can practice your canine to see a lemon and suppose it’s the very best factor on the planet – it doesn’t imply they’ll just like the style of lemon.
It’s a instrument that I consider, like headcollars, individuals use as a shortcut of their coaching. They take the straightforward route, versus educating correct, strong cues and instructions.
Oftentimes, breed is an excuse “Oh, he’s a German Shepherd, he wants a prong or he’ll be uncontrolled” properly… no… that’s probably not true is it? It implies that you’re not in management. That implies that you have failed in coaching your canine and have taken a shortcut as an alternative of studying to know and work together with your canine.
I imply… zookeepers practice tigers. A bloody Tiger!!! With optimistic reinforcement. That creature is approach stronger and far more harmful than a german shepherd… so why hold perpetuating the identical garbage?
Coaching remains to be required.
Even with a prong? You continue to want to coach your canine. And Herm Sprenger agrees.
“No collar will completely repair a canine’s unhealthy conduct. This must be performed with good coaching. A prong collar will provide you with a little bit of “energy steering” with a bigger canine that pulls laborious, however it’s no substitute for coaching.”
So… in the event you’re coaching? Simply practice the appropriate approach… the primary time and don’t search shortcuts.
If You Do Resolve To Use A Prong Collar
✅ Exhaust different choices
✅ Match it correctly
✅ Use an skilled coach (who admits what it’s and the way it works)
✅ Use as designed
✅ Choose a high quality one (no rubber suggestions!)
✅ Don’t overlook to coach them off of it.
✅ Familiarise your self with canine physique language, notably stress indicators.
While I don’t agree with them, that doesn’t imply it’s important to. If you happen to resolve that is your proper path, simply just remember to’re going into this as ready as you may, since you owe it to your canine to take action.
A Observe About Herm Sprenger
While the product is clearly high quality, and I really like that they really provide you with most of this info – the data is fairly buried. It needs to be one thing somewhat louder and prouder on their website. It’s a big a part of what drove me to jot down this weblog publish was as a result of persons are utilizing these instruments and are usually not truly trying on the entire web page, studying all the data and are consequently making poorly knowledgeable choices.
Or, they’re making their resolution primarily based on the phrase of a coach who’s practising with outdated methods – which is a very easy mistake to make.
My hope? Is that this info will get shared, heaps. That it seems on google when individuals search “Prong collar for my canine” they usually have the chance to study. The data is available, however it is a bit more buried than I want to see.
So please Herm Sprenger! Stand behind your product and inform individuals overtly the reality!
Problem Accepted.
Oftentimes Prong collars are brandished round because the holy grail of proudly owning a canine. However they’re not.
Merely put? They’re a shortcut.
A shortcut that compromises an excessive amount of for me to really feel comfy utilizing one or recommending one when there are tried and examined strategies that don’t require one.
There’s not often a time the place a prong is genuinely wanted in a very good relationship together with your canine. And in the event you genuinely really feel like that’s the case? Positive, however I promise you (problem me if you would like! Positively, constructively and with an open thoughts) there’s a optimistic resolution you may take to realize the similar objective. Regardless of how prey pushed, regardless of how robust. Regardless of how ‘cussed’. You are able to do it with persistence and steerage.
Truthfully, I do know, I’ve taught an amazing, dependable free leash (even with out the leash) so much with all types of canine, all types of breeds. It’s about persistence and consistency. That’s all. You may have that. All of us have that. We simply have to use it.
If you would like the bones of how you can practice your canine to stroll on a free leash with out a prong collar? Do this publish, and in the event you want extra assist? Have a learn of how you can practice your canine to stroll free leash.
Creator, Ali Smith
Ali Smith is the Constructive Pet Skilled, canine coach and is the founding father of Rebarkable. She is captivated with serving to pet mother and father get issues proper, proper from the beginning. To assist create a pet able to being a assured and adaptable member of the family and hold puppies out of shelters.
Ali has received a number of awards for her canine coaching, and has had her weblog (this weblog!) rated as 2021 & 2022 worlds’ greatest pet weblog!
Due to depositphotos.com for the photographs!
P.s. Pssssst – Each single picture I may discover on my inventory picture supplier was a prong collar being misused. Are you able to inform me why they’re being misused? I’ll let you already know in the event you’re proper!
