Last time, we looked at some things that are important that you "do" when utilizing the
prong Tool. This go 'round, we are looking closely at the things NOT to do.
DO NOT use a prong collar on a fearful animal.
Even a dog who lunges at other dogs (or people, or cars or bikes, etc) may be coming
from a place of fear. If you are unsure, ask a qualified professional to help you determine
if your dog’s reaction is fear-based.
pull, but you will never truly rehabilitate the dog. Doing so may create more anxiety in other
areas of your dog’s life, and wind up with a bigger problem.
DO NOT just stand there popping and yanking on a prong collar
while your dog freaks out.
This can increase aggressive/reactive response, not eliminate it. If your dog sees another
dog, lunges and barks, and you respond by just snapping and hurting your dog over and
over again, your dog will quickly grow to hate the sight of other dogs (or people). One
quick firm snap, and go the other way. Put distance between your dog’s trigger, and get
those rewards flowing.
dog, lunges and barks, and you respond by just snapping and hurting your dog over and
over again, your dog will quickly grow to hate the sight of other dogs (or people). One
quick firm snap, and go the other way. Put distance between your dog’s trigger, and get
those rewards flowing.
DO NOT Ever allow your dog to put tension on the collar.
Any leash tension should be corrected with a quick ‘pop’ or ‘snap’ and an immediate
change in direction. If you do not break the focus, your dog will not figure this out.
change in direction. If you do not break the focus, your dog will not figure this out.
DO NOT get angry.
If you feel yourself popping your dog, and it makes you mad or frustrated, find a different Tool.
The prong should be handled as a Tool. Your dog needs to respect the leash, not fear you.
DO NOT...please, please, please DO NOT attach a prong collar to a retractable leash.
We’ve already discussed why any leash tension is to be avoided--Retractables don’t teach
your dog where he belongs. Period. If he never knows where the boundary is, you will
never actually fix the pull.
your dog where he belongs. Period. If he never knows where the boundary is, you will
never actually fix the pull.
DO NOT allow your dog to play with other dogs while wearing his prong.
As stated earlier, prongs are supposed to be uncomfortable, allowing your dog to wrestle
and play with another dog in a training Tool like this, is setting your dog up for poor social
skills. Let’s say your dog is only wearing a prong for the fix of a pull, not reactive response,
and you let him wrestle another dog. Potentially, the other dog could slam into the collar,
and your dog may interpret the ensuing discomfort as something the other dog did to him.
Not to mention dog’s can get their jaws hung up on them, creating a REALLY bad scene
(I’ve seen it),and traumatizing your dog as you try to free them.
and play with another dog in a training Tool like this, is setting your dog up for poor social
skills. Let’s say your dog is only wearing a prong for the fix of a pull, not reactive response,
and you let him wrestle another dog. Potentially, the other dog could slam into the collar,
and your dog may interpret the ensuing discomfort as something the other dog did to him.
Not to mention dog’s can get their jaws hung up on them, creating a REALLY bad scene
(I’ve seen it),and traumatizing your dog as you try to free them.
DO NOT use a prong on a puppy.
There is simply no reason to prong a 12 wk old baby dog. Puppies are soft, sweet and
very sensitive. Every interaction with a young dog (any dog really) is a chance to teach
what you want, in kind and gentle ways. There are alternatives.
Which brings me to my final point…
very sensitive. Every interaction with a young dog (any dog really) is a chance to teach
what you want, in kind and gentle ways. There are alternatives.
Which brings me to my final point…
DO NOT choose a prong collar as your first Tool to try.
Most dogs do not need this uncomfortable Tool. There are plenty of other, non-painful
ways to stop your dog from pulling, lunging, or otherwise embarrassing you.
ways to stop your dog from pulling, lunging, or otherwise embarrassing you.
If you have questions, please seek the counsel of a Reputable Teacher in this matter. Be careful. There are a lot of ‘trainers’ out there who do believe that this Tool can be used on any dog, to “fix” any problem.
A ‘trainer’ who tells you to pop your dog for any infraction can potentially be building a time bomb
of reactive behavior. This Tool shouldn't be applied to just any dog.
I find it disturbing that anyone can go in to a store, and purchase a prong, with no instruction on fit or use (and for the record, if the tag says to put it over the dog’s head...This is wrong.
You really should have to unclip, or open the collar in order to fit it to the dog).
of reactive behavior. This Tool shouldn't be applied to just any dog.
You cannot Fix Fear with Pain.
Not all Aggressive responses are actual aggression.
Your dog is not trying to ‘dominate’ you by pulling.
I am not personally against this Tool. But I am vehemently opposed to seeing this Tool
applied incorrectly. I do believe there are some dogs out there whose lives have actually
been improved by this Tool; but I have also seen dogs who have been damaged, both
emotionally and physically by the improper use of a prong.
applied incorrectly. I do believe there are some dogs out there whose lives have actually
been improved by this Tool; but I have also seen dogs who have been damaged, both
emotionally and physically by the improper use of a prong.
You really should have to unclip, or open the collar in order to fit it to the dog).
95% of the dogs I work with do not need this Tool. Some dogs, in my opinion,
have to “hit a wall,” so to speak, before they slow down enough to begin to learn.
I do not think a prong collar should be your dog's lifetime collar. It is a means to
an end. An end where you will not need much more than a flat collar (or no collar)
to have the obedient, trustworthy dog you want.
have to “hit a wall,” so to speak, before they slow down enough to begin to learn.
I do not think a prong collar should be your dog's lifetime collar. It is a means to
an end. An end where you will not need much more than a flat collar (or no collar)
to have the obedient, trustworthy dog you want.
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