Why does my dog yelp when he pulls on the prong collar?

A prong collar is a corrective device. When used as you are using it, the dog bangs the end of the leash and it hurts. A LOT of people use it this way to reduce pulling. I get a lot of flack for saying this, but the prong collar is designed not to be used with a steady pull as much as it is to be used with a sharp tug. The dog will eventually become habituated to a steady pull but the sharp tug which needs to be "enough but not too much" is not a thing dogs typically become habituated too unless the sharp tug is done very lightly.. at which point the correction is ineffectual. I do use a prong collar at times but not for pulling.

Back to your dog. IF your dog is a puller, there are a lot of things to work on first before resorting to a prong collar.

While the prong collar works, it must be worn every walk because it only teaches the dog not to pull when the collar is on. It does not teach the dog not to pull.

There are many ways to work on not pulling. The first thing you need to do is to teach the dog to pay attention to you. Focus on you when you ask for it and release to the environment when you give the release word will go a LONG way toward training your dog in everything, including polite on leash walking. If you ask for focus the dog should look at you and move closer to you (putting slack in the leash). There is a whole realm of training you can do once you have focus and that discussion should be another entire thread.

Just know this: A dog that is paying attention to the handler is not pulling the leash, reacting to other dogs, trying to chase people or jump on them and that focused dog is ready to do whatever your next command cue is. Get that focus and everything else become a lot easier.

Deacon.dog said:

I meant to add, it does hurt of course when the dog hits the end of the lead, but mild corrections don't hurt. I should have been more specific.

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OK, but here's the thing - Once a dog has received a painful 'correction' on the prong, whether he hit the end on his own, or because the handler yanked on it, he knows how painful the device can be. So, when it's on (even if you're only giving tiny, little 'tugs' or whatever) there is always the threat of real pain hanging over his head. THAT is the reason he complies when you give that little, non-painful "communication" to him - he knows what's coming if he doesn't.

It could be compared to a parent who disciplines his children by hitting them with a belt when they don't do what they're told. The next time all he has to do is remove his belt, or hold up a belt to get compliance, right? Because you know what's coming if you don't. But just because you didn't actually get hit the second time (thus no actual pain) it's that fear of pain, the threat of pain, that gets you moving. Not very nice, right? Not an appropriate way to parent, right?

So why would anyone think this is an appropriate way to train a dog?

Kensi said:

If you feel that your dog can't thrive with positive approaches, that's fine. I think @Deacon.dog mentioned this. But if you have properly introduced it, and are using it properly, and he still yelps, it is not the right tool for your dog. While I would still encourage you to use an approach that doesn't involve any kind of tool (even a fluffy little gentle "positive tool"), if that hasn't worked- you know your dog- you should probably look into a different tool. A martingale, a front-clip harness, something like, that maybe even a head collar (though those are very difficult to use safely). Just steer clear of choke-chains, they can be dangerous, even fatal.

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If the dog yelps it is not necessarily the wrong tool for the dog. It is the wrong amount of correction. It is too much correction. A correction should be like a tap.. and enough of a tap to get attention (depending on drive level and sensitivity of the dog). As drive goes up sensitivity goes down.

A prong collar is not my first "go to" tool and is not always a tool that needs to be used.

I am entirely against any front clip harness. It actually can really hurt a dog in ways that are not readily apparent. It is an aversive tool as are head halters. Both can do more damage to the dog than a prong collar. Front clip harnesses and head halters tell me the owner either does not know how to train the dog or is too lazy to train the dog.

Sugar & Latte said:

I hope you are also aware of the more subtle signs of dog stress as well. Almost all dogs I've seen on a prong have displayed at least one of these signs: Signs Your Dog is Stressed and How to Relieve It. You shouldn't have to wait until your dog yelps to know if he is stressed or in pain.

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I have used a prong collar in all three phases (Tracking, obedience and protection). A dog in drive does not display stress. The correction must be FAIR and sufficient, but not too much. A dog NOT in drive will exhibit stress signs if the dog has been unfairly corrected and is not in drive. A flat collar can cause a dog to exhibit stress as can a harness or any tool used incorrectly or unfairly.

I have also seen a prong collar used to INCREASE drive when done correctly.

This discussion should be moved to another thread. It should not move to the level of argument IF someone is brave enough to initiate the discussion.

BKaymuttleycrew said:

OK, but here's the thing - Once a dog has received a painful 'correction' on the prong, whether he hit the end on his own, or because the handler yanked on it, he knows how painful the device can be. So, when it's on (even if you're only giving tiny, little 'tugs' or whatever) there is always the threat of real pain hanging over his head. THAT is the reason he complies when you give that little, non-painful "communication" to him - he knows what's coming if he doesn't.

It could be compared to a parent who disciplines his children by hitting them with a belt when they don't do what they're told. The next time all he has to do is remove his belt, or hold up a belt to get compliance, right? Because you know what's coming if you don't. But just because you didn't actually get hit the second time (thus no actual pain) it's that fear of pain, the threat of pain, that gets you moving. Not very nice, right? Not an appropriate way to parent, right?

So why would anyone think this is an appropriate way to train a dog?

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I agree. A dog KNOWS when that prong collar is on and will certainly behave accordingly but not necessarily show outward stress. If used correctly (and therein lies the rub) the dog will most often simply seem to say, "I best do what is asked." If that correct behavior is repeated (even without corrections) and is appropriately rewarded the Prong can often be faded as you build muscle memory with repetition of the correct behavior and rewards for the correct behavior.
I am not a fan of the prong collar is many situations simply because the correction, (which is NOT a pull but a quick snap of a loose leash and then a return to a loose leash) is personal. In SOME dogs it needs to be personal (again, think dog in DRIVE) and they really respect that. A dog in high drive has much less impulse control. Some dogs do not want to disappoint their handler. Others.. not so much. I have seen a dog work right through an e collar as if it was not even there and then really pay attention to a prong correction NOT because one is more or less of a correction but because one is impersonal and the other is not.

I will add that I know you personally are against any form of corrective device. This is a discussion of the device and its use and what experiences I have had and not whether you or anyone should use corrective devices.