Ali has won multiple awards for her dog training, and has had her blog (this blog!) I have exacty the same story! Do your dogs reach a point that you no longer have to use the prong collar? Again 99.9% of the time he is a joy to walk & im walking him and my other dog which could greatly overpower me. Do you think there is growing interest in passing laws to improve animal welfare? It is not allowed to permanently keep a dog in a box; only two hours per day at the most. Web1.England 1. And Tom asked, "Why do so-called 'balanced trainers' get so cavalier about causing dogs harm? Putting a prong collar on him that would make him uncomfortable or hurt him would further harm him mentally. I will write as unbiasedly as I can, and be informative and factual, allowing you to make your own decisions. Knowing what you value will help you build the most meaningful life possible. I tried different collars and approaches and nothing worked. 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. This gives respect for the tool, and means that youre less likely to misuse it. My question is I know it can be good for walks but can it also be used in training my dog to stop jumping and biting? Huge mistake, he was so overwhelmed he was pulling nonstop on our hour walk around the park. Where are prong collars banned? Used well, it gives dogs access to their world and can be a critically important freedom enhancer. We have two dogs, both staffies, that are really bad on the leash. Hes not a bad dog and doesnt have any serious issues just your normal puppy stuff. Its very common for puppies to go through several fear periods throughout the 2-9 months of life. I have a 4 month old border collie and the prong used gently allows me to walk him. Prong collars, also known as pinch collars, are a type of dog collar that is designed to provide a correction to a dog's behavior through the use of prongs. And be consistent. I finally bought a Herm Sprenger collar and it was moderately helpful. In fact, there is some evidence that the opposite is true.. Like others have mentioned, Im sure the dog is not afraid of this collar if theyre running to you to put it on for a walk. I have a 2 year old, big strong 50kg male rottweiler who my ex was supposed to have trained, but only really had him off the lead, Sam doesnt listen to a word I say when were out walking and literally drags me, causing me injury. We look forward to walks now!! Many civilized countries have outlawed prong collars, recognizing the harm they can do! WebCollars with inward facing spikes will be banned from dog shows and training classes under proposals to be discussed by the Kennel Club. A prong collar should sit right behind the ears and A dog has to have the following floor space available: Ran into the road? And then comes the debate of aversive vs positive. Best thing ever and very very safe when used correctly! One just pulls excessively while the other is actually more reactive on the leash. I have tried a few with our foster dogs, and they never truly work. Have you read the other comments here? Thank you for this article devilifying prong collars. Decide which equipment you would like your dog to walk on, and grab a double ended leash, like a halti training leash, and clip the prong to one end of the leash, and the harness or collar to the other., As your need for corrections lessen, allow the balance of the leash to lean towards the harness, and away from the prong.. What are your thoughts? After I brought him home I tried to take him for walks but he would literally drag me down the street at a pretty fast pace. This is always very stressful for me and I get there praying there wont be another dog in the waiting room. He is a happy go lucky great dog. I have used a prong collar to walk my German shepherd and it has been a blessing. page. Its a tool that I believe, like headcollars, people use as a shortcut in their training. Every interaction made me terrified someone would try to get our dogs kicked out of the neighborhood, especially since staffies are technically dangerous. No, Prong collars are not banned in the UK. I used it as you explained back in 1999, maybe for 3 months and periodically as needed over a years time. I just found this page after admitting to a dog-focused friendly advice group on facebook that I REALLY struggle with walking my dog. Some societies and activists are taking action against their use; lets hope for a piece of good news in the future. The absolute best feeling was able to have a family trip to a busy seaside and she walked calmly through crowds, passed dogs, runners and cyclists and she was good as gold. Have your new trainer help you make sure the fit is correct and you will be well on your way to having peaceful walks again. Your email address will not be published. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. He didnt need to or want to. 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. I am in your same boat. The prong collar helps keep his focus on me and makes it a positive experience for both of us. She is 14 mos. He clearly is afraid of the leash. BUT she does need help with socialization. We just got a new 5 month old Australian shepherd last week. So yes, I agree, if used properly no issues, in the grand picture it gave her ultimate freedom in living her best dog life. . The collars are adjustable by adding/removing links. Its helped ensure that MY dog is well controlled and attending to me. Have a read of how to train your dog to walk loose leash. Its important to keep in mind that using harmful collars are elective. Thank you for this resource. The prong collar is NOT cruel, it saves dogs lives. Even with a prong? It has been 4 years since I had my last beloved dog. Humanely training your dog as with children should be a personal choice not one dictated by supposed do gooders and government policies Thanks for your free download I look forward to reading it and sharing! I have needed to figure out how to contain this pup that will weigh as much as me at a full grown 130lbs. Everything Debbie has mentioned suggests not using the prong collar to jerk, yank, or whatever on dogs. Had him two years now he has also been attacked by other stray pitbulls. These trainers believe that the prong collar is cruel and should be banned. Picking up a prong collar tomorrow. Just train the right way the first time and dont seek shortcuts.. And the difference is quite amazing. She no longer uses a prong collar to manage her dog and he is easily pulling her down the street as she struggles with her leash and flat collar. Im stating it like this so its super obvious for any trainer coming into this piece to know my stance, this caveat is not necessarily for you, my dear new puppy parent, but I have a commitment to my training methodology and need to openly state this.For reasons explained below, I am not a fan of prong collars, however, in order to give a view into why, this piece is needed. 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). The prong collar is a tool to train leash manners. The links and ads are a way for me to cover my expenses. Yes theyre bad, because they have far too large an ability to be misused. Thank You!!! If we love our companion animals so very much, the call to treat them kindly should be paramount, and there's no reason why these devices shouldnt be banned in favor of readily available and less aversive force-free alternatives. Another story that came our way involved a woman who discovered that a doggy day care center was using a prong collar on her dog without her permission. She quickly realized she wasnt a dog person and wanted to rehome her. Where do we draw the line? 1 1/2 Inch Keeper's Hidden Prong Double Leather Collar Gold and Silver Knots on Black Web with Metallic Gold and Black Leather and Brass Hardware $0.00. I want him to walk ahead of me on a 20-30 lead along my single file trail. Punishment often appears to work quickly (who wouldnt want to avoid a painful or uncomfortable correction?) Yes, the prong collar can cause damage, but so can a flat collar or harness. Thats all. Viewfinders, what do you think about the ban on prong collars? The prong could help with the jumping and biting if used correctly. We were told that it was probably allergies. Very pleased with the purchase and have recommended it to other dog owners. PostedApril 25, 2019 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).". It can save everyones sanity. Thank you for a very informative article. Ive recently joined a couple of Service Dog sites and everyone on there says that it IS OK to use a prong collar on a trained Service Dog. Slip leads and choke collars can do the same and cut off air supply. I love him to bits and am looking forward to enjoying our walks from now on. He is doing well but, as he is getting older, he is pulling toward other dogs and people. Youll never know whose life youve saved. I do actually have a prong collar, the trainers at his class suggested it. I have used one with a boxer, a half rottweiler/half lab, and a half boston terrier/half lab. I can walk right past other dogs and people and he looks at them and keeps in stride with my pace. he wont make eye contact, has to be taken out of his kennel, has to be carried inside after be letting out to go to the bathroom, etc. The Effects of Using Aversive Training Methods in Dogs: A Review. We tried everything, several different harnesses, chokers, e-collar hed refuse to allow us to even put an Easy-walker or Gentle Leader on him, wed have to chase him and then wrestle with him before wed even get out the door. Meaning, they are walking well with no correction needed. Our bet recommends it for our lab puppy. And thank you for all you do. Do not be afraid to try a prong collar. Awe Rachel, this is great news! Theres a lot of myths and a lack of information because it all comes from a passionate place. I support so much the keep working till you find something that actually works, and make sure you know how to use it before using it. 3, It definitely forces you to pay attention as youre concerned about pulling too hard but that /should/ be the case no matter what you use. Great, checked that off the list. Dr. Jean Dodds. I decided to share my story because so many people have not. I have a 150lbs St Bernard mix, I cant walk her she is stronger then me. My dog trainer helped us find the most comfortable prong collar and fit it properly behind Blu's ears. Its about patience and consistency. 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. Does the prong collar hinder your relationship with your dog? Mark Furner, Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities, said the government is delivering on its election commitment to review the There is enough research to know they are not humane or safe. The prong is not meant to yank, pull or choke a dog. The first of its kind, the flagship plan aims to ensure the UK is leading the way in animal welfare and includes a ban on the use of electric shock collars, a move which has been long-campaigned for by The Kennel Club. She nearly pulled my partner off her feet in the first week. You need to correct the behavior at that point. Look into Ed Frawley with Leerburg-has many articles, videos, and you can ask his wife Cindy questions, she is a trainer too. We were lead to believe that our Bear was leash trained. Leashes restrict dogs' ability to have control of their lives and to make choices. Like really easily. I admit I have not tried them all. Should it be worn during the day and removed at night? Yes that is the entire purpose of the prong, to use it as a training tool. Thats what they were built for, is to learn. (If youre struggling to teach a loose leash, this is for you. Make sure you buy the Herm Sprenger brand I recommend. It in fact dates the police academys training techniques back to the 1990s, along with their computer systems and their approach to the law is that something you really wish to stand with?, The My dog loves his prong, and gets all excited when he sees it is simple classical conditioning, such that your dog recognises that means training or walkies, that doesnt mean that they feel positive about the experience when the prong tightens around their neck., I mean, I can train your dog to see a lemon and think its the best thing in the world it doesnt mean theyll like the taste of lemon.. Thank you Patty for sharing your story! According to a review article published by Gal Ziv, are better for both human and dog is overwhelming. Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Norway, Slovenia, Scotland, Sweden, Wales, and some parts of Australia all currently have a ban on electronic collars for dogs. rated as 2021 & 2022 worlds best pet blog! You wouldnt have any control at 20+ The prong is really meant for a quick snap of the leash not pulling or nagging on the leash. They allow pet parents to walk their pup on a leash and they provide a place to hang ID and vaccination tags. It minimizes the drag strain of the harness and is an ideal alternative to prong collars. Can Humans Detect Text by AI Chatbot GPT? Ultimately, a leash is simply a tool, a kind of umbilical cord between human and dog that can be used well or poorly. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I think hes smart enough to realize that hes in control, if he doesnt pull, his collar is comfortable for him. Truth is she was the best dog I could have ever had the privilege of rescuing. And Herm Sprenger agrees. WebHidden Prong Collars. Not sure what type of training you are looking for, but maybe check out Spirit Dog Training. This is a really popular question, and it's something that a lot of dog owners ask me - because there's a lot of conflicting information out there. I used positive reinforcement in training him to walk since he was 3 months old. We found out that her dog, while on a choke collar, started pulling when he saw another dog across the street, so much so that his paws came off the ground. Ive heard that putting a prong collar on an aggressive dog just makes them more aggressive. Yours and the fur baby. Herm Sprenger brand (this is the exact one I have), https://positively.com/dog-training/methods-equipment/training-equipment/choke-and-prong-collars/, https://www.rescuedogs101.com/bringing-new-dog-home-3-3-3-rule/, https://www.facebook.com/MajorsAcademyDogTraining/, https://www.facebook.com/SolidK9TrainingRI/, How to make dehydrated sweet potato dog treats, 15 Tips for being a great foster dog parent, Spaying and Neutering Your Dog [everything you NEED to know].