prong collar - which is the proper fitting?

MarleyBoy · 03-27-2008, 01:13 PM

Hi all,
quick question about the prong (or pinch) collar: Which is the proper way to fit a prong? I've read many articles and spoken with people about the correct fit and have come to two distinct opinions.

One says that the prong collar should be fit snugly, high on the dog's neck, just below the ears.
http://leerburg.com/fit-prong.htm
http://www.fsas.ca/DogInfo/Training/...Collar_Use.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_2191673_fit-...ollar-dog.html

The other says that the prong collar should be fit more loosely (although not hanging), lower down in the middle of the dog's neck.
http://www.flyingdogpress.com/prong.html
http://www.expertvillage.com/video/8...ong-collar.htm

Which is the proper usage, or does it vary on the breed/physical structure of the dog?

Thanks!

Ashelee13 · 03-27-2008, 03:59 PM

high up on the dogs neck right under the ears (the leerburg site's way) is the way that I was taught how to use these collars. I was taught that putting it lower can damage their neck.

Dogstar · 03-27-2008, 05:49 PM

I was taught to put it lower (Clothier's method). putting it higher up means that it is (generally) more painful (there's less muscle to absorb it up there) and that if the dog looks downwards, they correct themselves. I prefer the lower fitting and that is what I teach when I have clients who use prongs. I also find it's MUCh easier to get client complience with using it properly (*always* removing it when not actively training) when it's easy to get on and off- unless you have the snap-type, many folks have difficulty getting it on and off when it's fitted tightly.

SMoore · 03-27-2008, 07:23 PM

I've always used the leerburg way. If used properly it should never cause extreme pain to the dog. I have found it's much easier for the dog to self correct this way (no leash jerks/pops, etc...!) also i use the leerburg way of using the dead ring (instead of the live ring) when the dog is making progress on walking properly.

It also allows for a lot more control than further down on the neck. Take ANY dog collar and place it higher up on the dogs neck and you instantly have more control over the animal. If i'm with my dog on a potty break (no training collar just a long line) and I see that another dog is coming by I will call my dog to me then take the leash and wrap it where its under the jaw and behind the ears just so I can have the control during the situation.

I find lower on the neck isn't as effective. The dog will sometimes pull on it and just keep pulling because it doesnt seem to correct as effectively.

Inga · 03-27-2008, 07:56 PM

I have always put the collars higher up on the neck also. It works best for the dogs I work with. How the collar is used is important as well. Remember a quick correction and release. Remember to praise praise praise every good behavior

MarleyBoy · 03-27-2008, 10:14 PM

Wow - a lot of different opinions out there. I suppose I'll see which works best for us. thanks everyone!

lucygoose · 03-27-2008, 10:20 PM

I was told to use it high up the neck also....:-)

TooneyDogs · 03-28-2008, 01:02 AM

Dogstart stated it correctly....up high (where there is less muscle) puts more pressure (ie: pain) on the nerve bundles that are concentrated there. I've never found it necessary to increase the forcefullness of the prong in this manner.

wvasko · 03-28-2008, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TooneyDogs

Dogstart stated it correctly....up high (where there is less muscle) puts more pressure (ie: pain) on the nerve bundles that are concentrated there. I've never found it necessary to increase the forcefullness of the prong in this manner.

I'm with dogstar and tooney, lower, looser. some of the people don't have finger strength and can't unsnap links especially on the x-large collars. They have to slide collar over head, this may make collar a tad looser on neck but still functional. I have never like the snap on prongs as malfunction of snap and collar is off neck and dog running free while your standing there with empty lead feeling pretty foolish.

Shalva · 03-28-2008, 08:36 AM

my suggestion is different from the others and that is if you are going to use a prong you should be using it in conjunction with training by someone who knows how, they can fit it for you and show you the proper use of the collar....

prong collars are not for everyone or every dog and there can be some significantly bad behavioral side effects if not used properly.... it is not hard to make a dog... dog aggressive or people aggressive if you don't use the collar properly.....
the fact that you have to ask how to fit it makes me wonder if you have ever used one previously and that is why my suggestion would be to find a professional who will show you how to fit it properly and who will give you instruction in proper use so that you are using it correctly.
s

rvamutt · 03-28-2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wvasko

I'm with dogstar and tooney, lower, looser. some of the people don't have finger strength and can't unsnap links especially on the x-large collars. They have to slide collar over head, this may make collar a tad looser on neck but still functional. I have never like the snap on prongs as malfunction of snap and collar is off neck and dog running free while your standing there with empty lead feeling pretty foolish.

I can't disagree more. If you can slide the prong over the dog's head then it is way too big and your are getting little to no leverage. If you can't unhook the prongs then by a quick release collar. There are ways of making sure it is secure (put a too big choke on the dog and connect it to the leash in addition to the prong, if the prong breaks away you still have the choke to stop the dog).

MarleyBoy · 03-28-2008, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shalva

my suggestion is different from the others and that is if you are going to use a prong you should be using it in conjunction with training by someone who knows how, they can fit it for you and show you the proper use of the collar....

prong collars are not for everyone or every dog and there can be some significantly bad behavioral side effects if not used properly.... it is not hard to make a dog... dog aggressive or people aggressive if you don't use the collar properly.....
the fact that you have to ask how to fit it makes me wonder if you have ever used one previously and that is why my suggestion would be to find a professional who will show you how to fit it properly and who will give you instruction in proper use so that you are using it correctly.
s

Hi Shalva,
thanks for the question. Marley is our first dog, and we did go to obedience school when we first got him a few months ago. He is an absolutely wonderful, obedient, patient dog - but he pulls like MAD on the leash.

After obedience school, we followed most of our training with the clicker and the treat method. I tried the "stand like a tree" Zen training, the moving in different directions so that he'll follow you, the treat every he offers the correct behavior. Basically, everything that we could try behaviorally before resorting to an actual tool. We also bought the gentle leader halter, but Marley hated it an would scratch at his nose and whine, and I couldn't bear to see him with it on (he looked so "broken").

Finally, we spoke with a certified dog trainer of 15 years who owns the doggy wash that we go to and she suggested researching and trying the prong collar. At first both my husband and I were against it as we didn't understand how it worked and it looked cruel, and we had also only practiced positive behavioral training with Marley, which always seemed to work. But this method seemed to have absolutely no effect the second we were outdoors on a leash with him. So we read up about the prong collar and placed it, as recommended by the trainer, up high on his neck, snug, and below the ears. It worked magic. We tried it for a week and then went back to the flat collar, which Marley totally ignored. We tried leaving the prong collar on his neck and attaching the leash to the flat collar, and again, he totally ignored it and pulled like an ox. So... the prong it is.

The reason I started this post is that I have noticed every dog wearing it differently and someone stopped me on my walk and told me that it was too high on Marley's neck and that it should be lower down and looser. This went against what I had been told, so I thought I would see what other people thought. And as you can see, it seems that there are a few different opinions on the subject.

Shalva · 03-28-2008, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarleyBoy

Hi Shalva,
thanks for the question. Marley is our first dog, and we did go to obedience school when we first got him a few months ago. He is an absolutely wonderful, obedient, patient dog - but he pulls like MAD on the leash.

After obedience school, we followed most of our training with the clicker and the treat method. I tried the "stand like a tree" Zen training, the moving in different directions so that he'll follow you, the treat every he offers the correct behavior. Basically, everything that we could try behaviorally before resorting to an actual tool. We also bought the gentle leader halter, but Marley hated it an would scratch at his nose and whine, and I couldn't bear to see him with it on (he looked so "broken").

Finally, we spoke with a certified dog trainer of 15 years who owns the doggy wash that we go to and she suggested researching and trying the prong collar. At first both my husband and I were against it as we didn't understand how it worked and it looked cruel, and we had also only practiced positive behavioral training with Marley, which always seemed to work. But this method seemed to have absolutely no effect the second we were outdoors on a leash with him. So we read up about the prong collar and placed it, as recommended by the trainer, up high on his neck, snug, and below the ears. It worked magic. We tried it for a week and then went back to the flat collar, which Marley totally ignored. We tried leaving the prong collar on his neck and attaching the leash to the flat collar, and again, he totally ignored it and pulled like an ox. So... the prong it is.

The reason I started this post is that I have noticed every dog wearing it differently and someone stopped me on my walk and told me that it was too high on Marley's neck and that it should be lower down and looser. This went against what I had been told, so I thought I would see what other people thought. And as you can see, it seems that there are a few different opinions on the subject.

I don't personally like prong collars but I can see where they are useful..... my biggest concern is folks that rely on them in lieu of training the dog to walk nicely on a leash....

however, I do recognize that there are situations that require them.... my only concern is that like any tool they should be used with guidance and care and as yoiu said there are a lot of mixed answers about how they should be fitted and used. That is why I suggested finding someone who can fit it properly for you and make sure that you are using the tool properly.....

It takes a long time to train a dog that has been taught to pull to stop pulling..... I have done it myself and find that my first fcr pulls badly (or used to) but my younger pups who I taught right away don't pull at all.... live and learn right....

I just think that having a professional fit the collar is a better idea ......
s