Is a pinch collor for a dog helpful for training, or cruel?

Question

My dog (half lab, half border collie) is TERRIBLE on the leash. We have tried many different training techniques, but she just pulls like a sled dog. I have read online that these prong collars are not painful to the dog, and conversely that they are. I have read that they do and do not work. Does anyone have any personal experience they can share?

Answer 1

While alot of people thing that the pronged collars are mediavel looking (which they are) they are very effective and not painful to the animal. Actually they are a lot more humane than choke collars that most people use because the pronged collar does not choke the dog, it can only go around the neck to a certain degree. Also the prongs are not sharp( thought if you feel they are too sharp for your dog they do sell covers for them).

I personally have used these collars to train before, and feel that they work wonderful for strong dogs who like to tug. The way I think of it, its alot safer then you letting go of your dog, or losing your grip, running into the road and getting hit by a car.

When I trained with the pronged collar I would show how painless it was to the owner by wrapping it around their arm and tugging really hard......they were all suprised how painless it actually was.

While I do feel that the pronged collar works for some dogs, It is not necessary for others. I like to use them are the stronger dogs which tend to tug but not so much on a miniature poodle. Your dog sounds like a great candidate for the pronged collar.

Also for a more gentle approach the gentle leader works well for alot of dogs also (though it is annoying to them)

Good luck

Answer 2

I am a dog trainer and I use them as a place to start with a dog that pulls on the leash.
First you hae to properly fit the collar on the dog. Go to the pet store and they can help you fot your dog with the right size collar.
Then placement of the collar is the most important thing you will do.It must be placed up very high on the neck just uner the ears like you see at a dog show. This will give you the most control of the dog and you will need very little pressure to get control.
When using a pinch collar NEVER pull or jerk it hard. The proper thing to do is to check the dog lightly by moving your wrist side to side it makes the collar jingle and will apply the prongs to the dogs neck but only for a short second and not all the way around at the same time.
I put the collar on the dog and let them walk off I never move just let them pull if that is what they wish. Most do not pull much as it hurts if they do. I never pull only allow them to apply pressure on themselves.
Most learn very quickly that pulling is not going to work and staying at heel is the way to go.
My goal is to use the pich collar as a tool only and once I have control to move the dog into what ever type collar the owner wishes to use. I use what ever leash the owner uses unless they have one of those retractible ones and those I will not work with.
They work and the collars are pretty safe as long as you do not jerk them hard. Even if you do most likely you will not hurt the dog but you will make it angry.

Answer 3

I can't really say much on this without repeating everything everyone else said, but mind that no one method will work on every dog. Some, like my Pit Bull, won't respond to any sort of neck restraint. Choke chains, choke collars, and even invisible fence collars can be ignored. It makes sense that the same goes for a prong or pinch collar. Harnesses, unless they are the kind that draw up under the forelimb, are practically useless in training a dog to heel in my experience. They catch the dog where his strength lies, not in his weakness. Experiment, and see what works best

I recommend getting what I refer to as a "Houdini" collar, which is made of cloth but has no clasp. When the dog pulls, the collar tightens, and as soon as he stops pulling, it's released. He can't slip out of it, and it's safe. When walking, don't let the dog get ahead of you at all, and reprimand him as he misbehaves. A swift kick in the chest or rump, coupled with strong dominance, should cure her. Walk her daily, and she'll get the hint. It's not the collar that trains the dog-- it's you.

Answer 4

Help full it sounds and looks cruel but it isnt, I had a german shorthair pointer they are a little bigger that a lab may be 4 inches or 5 more. He was extremely bad with leashes. It looks like its hurting the dog but it really isnt if any thing it's sort of like pinching the dogs pressure points so the dog learns not to pull, I think it wou7ld wrk for ur dog. The only reason I would think it was cruel would be if u used it on a small dog such as a jack russel or something because they are so tiny. but labs and collies are pretty big in size they should take the pressure gently but obediently.

GOOD LUCK

Answer 5

A prong collar can be a useful tool if used correctly. However, it's not going to do anything about the real problem which is that your dog doesn't respect your authority. You need to make your dog realize that you are the pack leader. I've had large breed dogs all my life and have never had to resort to a prong collar. My dogs have all learned from puppies (except the ones I got as adults)that I am their leader and they respect that.

When you walk your dog and she starts to pull, stop walking. Just stand there and ignore her. When she stands still and stops pulling, walk again. When she pulls, give her a quick, sharp tug, tell her heel and if she doesn't, stop walking. Your dog will learn if you're consistent (and timing is important) that she's not going to go anywhere if she pulls. You need to give her lots and lots of praise every time she walks with you without pulling, even if it's only for a few steps at first. She will get the hang of it.

Answer 6

I don't think pinch collars are bad to have on your dog until they are trained. Some friends of mine got a golden retriever and as a puppy she was quite the handful. She chewed everything in site and ran ahead of them forcing my friend to walk faster, she would pull the dog back towards her as gently as possible and say "heel" after months and months of not listening to her owner, finally they bought the pinch collar and the dog still had problems listening, they bought a muzzle and harness, still nothing... they resorted to a shock collar ( which initially I was against) and finally the dog started listening... after the dog was trained to heel they put her back in her normal collar and she is the best dog ever. I think you just have to find what works... start with the least aggressful methods and try for a few months, if it doesn't work move on to something else...

Answer 7

Have you tried a choke chain? Are you using it properly? Are you communicating clearly with your dog and consistently?

Try the choke chain alone. Position it properly just behind the ears. When you correct your dog using the collar, do not "telegraph" what you are about to do or the dog will tense it's neck muscles and anticipate the correction. You want to "zing" the dog with the collar corrrection quickly and with a sharp "No!" (Or whatever negative behavior word you use.) Not a half-hearted "Nooooooo." A quick, sharp and loud NO! just as the collar cinches up FAST at the same time. Be consistent. Remember yelling the dog's name, etc. is not helpful - "Fido!" is not a command. Heal, come, sit, stay are commands. Mind your tone of voice as well. If you are yelling commands in the same tone you use to say "No!", take a break and come back to it.

Your dog should be walking on heal in about 15 minutes if you do it right... then test him/her by running., stopping, changing direction, walking near telephone poles, etc. and "zing" him when he messes up. You need his nose glued to your left knee and his attention on you.

Good luck.

PS: To answer the pinch collar question - I think those are better left to a trainer unless you know exactly what you are doing. No sense in ruing a good dog while training the owner.

Answer 8

they are AMAZING!!! i train dogs and those are the best collar that you can put on a dog for heeling problems! in fact when you are at dog shows you CAN NOT use a pinch/prong collar because they are to nice you have to use a choke collar. and the prong collar was made to stimulate small dog bites around the neck because when dogs are in a pack that is how they show that they are higher in the pack than the dog, which shows your dog that he MUST listen to you because you are the pack leader

Answer 9

I have used one on my miniature schnauzer. (He's only 20 pounds, but he could still pull me flat on my face.) I was worried that it would hurt him too, but after trying it, I know it doesn't hurt him. The reason why your dog is leading you around, is because she thinks she's the pack leader. Using a prong collar will help her to know that you're the one in charge. And when she knows you're in charge, she will start to follow you rather than lead you.

If you're concerned, start by going on small walks with her, get her used to it before going on long walks. Be consistent. You're the boss!

Also, you should make sure that your prong collar is properly fitted to your dog. It should fit higher up on her neck. If you're unsure, ask an expert at your local pet store or your vet.

Good luck!

Answer 10

The prong collar can be a great training aid if fitted properly, put on properly, used properly and used in conjunction with a good training program.
They aren't cruel or painful if the person knows what they are doing.