what are pros and cons of prong collar training. is it vet endorsed?

Question

can it hurt my dog? does tradittional choke damage spine or neck with regular use? how long has prong been around?

Answer 1

Popular to contrary belief, prong collars are not as cruel as most believe, IF used correctly.

As someone may have already mentioned, a study was done in Geramy with the folllowing reslts.:

"100 dogs were in the study. 50 used choke and 50 used prong.

The dogs were studied for their entire lives. As dogs died, autopsies were performed.

Of the 50 which had chokes, 48 had injuries to the neck, trachea, or back. 2 of those were determined to be genetic. The other 46 were caused by trauma.

Of the 50 which had prongs, 2 had injuries in the neck area, 1 was determined to be genetic. 1 was caused by trauma. "

A Prong collar (also called pinch collar) is a series of chain links with open ends turned towards the dog's neck so that, when the collar is tightened, it pinches the naturally loose skin around the dog's neck. When properly adjusted and used, it startles the dog and gives a sharp correction, but it is very difficult if not impossible to actually puncture the skin. And while it looks painful, it's actually less harmful to the dog than a slip or choke collar. Opponents argue that pain is never a good default way in which to train animals. Some dogs are nearly oblivious to leash corrections of any kind, but the prong collar might make such dogs pay more attention than milder collar types. The advantage of the prong collar over the choke collar is that the circumference is limited so that it is impossible to compress the animal's throat. Another advantage is that any pressure on the dog's neck is spread out over a larger area than with most buckle collars, and with all choke chains.

Sorry for the long response, but I hope it helps answer your question. I'm adding a link that may help, as well.
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Answer 2

Prong collars actually put less concentrated pressure on the neck than a choker. Put one of each on your arm, pull it tight and see (you'll probably have to take some links out of the prong collar to make it small enough).
I think they've been around quite some time, but don't really know.
I think that for a very big, powerful dog, the prong gives more control than the choker. For training, I personally would prefer to use a flat collar, but if you need more control, could consider the prong collar, the choker, or one of the head collars such as the Gentle Leader or Halti. However, those don't work very well on breeds such as boxers, bulldogs, etc., that don't have a long muzzle. With any of them, if you jank hard and suddenly enough, you have the possibility of injuring the dog.
When you're through with your training, be sure to take them off the dog. The only collar you should leave on a dog on a permanent basis is a well-fitted flat collar.

A local kennel club, or someone who does dog training could probably also give you some guidance. In the end, you'll have to determine what works best for your dog.

Answer 3

I used a prong collar on a dog we were having difficulty training about 15 years ago and it was effective. That said, when the situation came up again a few years ago, I used a Halti head collar instead and I think it is a much better choice. So I would suggest trying a Halti or Gentle Leader first if possible - although if you have a short-nose dog (like a bulldog) they don't work well. I think it is a gentler more humane method than a prong. A prong can work if used correctly however. It's just not my first choice anymore.

Answer 4

DP pretty much sums up the pros of a prong collar and the cons of the traditional slip or choke collar. It is not, however, necessary for every dog. Use it with guidance from an expert animal trainer. I do not suggest using it on a very small dog.

A traditional choke can cause damage if misused, but so can a prong collar.

The prong collar has been around at least 10-15 years.

Answer 5

It wouldn't matter if it was vet endorsed or not since most vets are not trainers and are not well versed in the use of training aids.

As for the prong collar, despite it's looks..it will not hurt your dog, it is not mean/cruel IF used correctly, sized correctly and put on correctly. The same with the training (choke) collar. The purpose of the training (choke) collar is NOT to choke the dog...if it does then it is improperly put on and being improperly used.The problems from all training aids including gentle leaders/haltis (which can cause neck injury) is incorrect fit, incorrectly put on and/or adjusted and improper use.
All training aids have their place and all can be very useful and safe in the right hands. It should also be noted that all training aids are not appropriate for all dog/handler combinations.

No matter what training aid you use to assist in training it does nOT take the place of proper training and should nOT be used as a crutch. The goal is to have a well mannered dog that can walk on a simple collar and a loose leash and be in control.

Answer 6

I must agree with one of the other answers. Do not listen to Jen, she obviously doesn't know what she's talking about.
I do use a prong collar (with rubber tips) on my 80lb chow/shar pei cross & have for 12 years. I took her to a pet store to find something I could control her with as she is sooo strong. The choke collar, harnesses, & halti-harness didn't phase her. She still dragged me across the store. So I tried out the prong collar & to my understanding, the prongs are supposed to imitate a bite like a mother dog would use to discipline her young. It stopped her on the spot & now even my 80 year old neihbor can walk her. They should only be used with a leash & should never be left on at all times. You can hurt your dog that way because it can become inbedded. Hope some of this helps you make your decision.

Answer 7

The prong collar is designed to resemble the bite of another dog. Dogs think according to "pack dynamics" where there is always a pack leader to follow, or a pack to lead. There is never a middle ground with dogs. You are trying to establish that you are the pack leader, so this "bite" is what you're trying to get across to him. It's not supposed to be painful, but more of a quick surprise. The quicker you pull it, the less pressure and pain you actually have to enforce. Dog's rarely draw the blood of another dog in their pack, so just a quick tug to get his attention. Be sure you know how to set it up before using it. If you're on the right side of the dog, the cord is wrapped around clockwise so it wraps around the top and faces you. It would be the same with a choke chain. Be sure to place the collar at the very top of the neck where the head pivots. This is also the same with a choke chain or any training collar. For an awesome teaching aid, go on Ebay and buy Cesar Millans "The Dog Whisperer". The first season is on there for around 35 bucks. You'll learn these tricks there, and a lot about dog psychology as well. His foundation is in pack dynamics. I hope this helps.. God Bless

Answer 8

Hi Roffer v, the Pronged or the German Pinch dog training collar. This collar is especially made for dogs that are wild, unruly and difficult to control. These collars apply pressure on the protruding areas in the dog’s neck therefore it effectively catches the dog’s attention. This kind of dog training collar does not damage the dog’s windpipe. Look article: http://www.askedweb.com/askedweb/A_Guide_To_Dog_Training_Collars/
Article include a few dog testimonials.
An important thing in choosing a dog training collar is that they must cater to your needs and should not be damaging to any of the dog’s anatomy. It is also important to weigh the pros and cons of each kind of collar so that both you and your dog will be benefited from that dog training collar you have chosen. Very important get a thorough consultation with by your trainer.
Jason Homan

Answer 9

IMO you should teach the dog the meaning of the commands FIRST using praise, not compulsion. Compulsion, if necessary, comes later, when/if the dog starts 'testing his limits' and deliberately disobeying commands. Most dogs will do this to a degree, not all of them require strong corrections, either. It depends on your dog's temperament. If your dog doesn't understand "down" and you just start pushing and pulling with a prong, he is not likely to learn as fast, and isn't likely to enjoy training sessions. You need to show the dog what you're asking of him using a positive reward, which is a lot easier for the dog AND for you, especially if you are new at this. Teach him "down" and "sit" using a praise-based method, no correction collar, starting in your backyard or living room. Gradually work up to having him perform the commands in a setting with more distractions (park, neighborhood, etc). Heel work with the prong is OK- especially if your dog is already large & difficult to control on the leash. Even still, it works best if you use a reward (praise, toy, treats) to motivate the dog to maintain proper heel position. He learns that being in heel position earns him "good things" and pulling on the leash becomes a natural correction. The proper placement for the prong is up high on the neck. Snug, but not tight....it should be snug enough to stay in position without sliding down or "rotating" around the neck. You never want the "chain" part down by the throat especially if you are going to be tugging 'upwards', as this will wrench the prongs across the neck. If you are unsure, find an experienced trainer who can show you. No matter what you're working on, the position remains the same- keeping the prong high on the neck means your corrections can be "feather-light". I can deliver a prong correction to an average dog using only an upward flick of two fingers, or at most a flick of the wrist. You shouldn't need to use your whole arm to "pop" the collar as you would with a choke. As I said, if the dog understands what is being asked of him first, you shouldn't have to deliver many corrections with the prong. And depending on the dog, he/she may not even REQUIRE a prong collar. Many dogs do not- there are some dogs that can be motivated with praise & a simple buckle collar. Some dogs are softer & more biddable than others, and using a prong on a "soft" dog is overkill, IMO....it can be detrimental. Other dogs are boisterous and "hard", and the prong is a good tool to help get their attention. Be sure you fully understand the temperament of the dog you are working with before using a prong.

Answer 10

The prong collar is much more humane and safe than the choke collar. The prong collar uses an even pressure around the dog's neck, it doesn't dig in and hurt the dog unless you are yanking on it like a fool. The choke chain is far more likely to pinch the dog's neck and cause pain.
The choke collar stops the dog from pulling, the choke collar does nothing other than helps the dog to build stronger muscles in the neck so that they can continue to pull. The prong collar takes care of the problem quicker and more easily. The choke does nothing but choke.