Have any of you used the prong/pinch collar to get your dog to walk with you?

Question

I have a 11 1/2 month old lab/am staff mix and she just won't walk nicely on a leash! We have tried EVERYTHING. Regular collar, gentle leader face and the gentle leader harness, telling her heel and pulling her back to us, and just plain stopping when she forges ahead of us. We treat her when she does heel nicely and right after she swallows that treat she is off and pulling again. I really don't want to use one, but I don't know what else to do. What was your experience with pinch collar?

Answer 1

With the pinch collar, (which we use in training all the time)

The dog gives themselves the correction... a regular chain will squeeze the neck choking the dog.. a pinch does just that.. it pinches the skin on the neck without fear of damaging the neck or larynx.

I am a lady that trains German Shepherds and when I get a big boy and have to walk him... on goes the pinch - it will take one time... (smiles)

Good Luck Hon
Hottttt Doggggg

Answer 2

I use one with my lab. He nearly outweighs me and gets excited to meet people on walks leaving me with very sore arms.

In cases where a dog pulls I recommend these over a choke collar, they do less damage to the throat, and don't cause the dog to want to pull more as a choke or regular can do.

Have a trainer help you fit the collar for your dog, proper fit is a must. They will also be able to give you advice on how to use it. You don't use these collars like you would a choke collar.

With my dog I am gradually working away from using it, I only use it now if I know the excitement will get the best of him, and he'll forget that I'm on the other end of the leash.

Preventing pulling by teaching a dog to walk nicely from puppyhood is always best, but using the available tools to help you teach this later is a much better option than never walking the dog. Had I gotten my lab when he was a puppy this wouldn't have been issue for us, he would have been taught from the start. But he came to me when he was about 2 years old and didn't know what a leash was.

Used correctly it is a great tool. It is not the torture device they appear to be when you first see one.

Answer 3

I dont' have a problem with any type of pinch or prong collar if it is used properly. HOWEVER, this is just another aid, just like any of the others. The problem is that the dog first has not been given sufficient reason to walk properly AND the dog has not been trained to yield to pressure. Using a pinch collar is only going to mask the problem, not fix it.
I would suggest that you go back to basics. The fact is that only using a reward system only works for some dogs. If the dog is seeing other, higher reward things elsewhere, the value of your treat is degraded. I would recommend looking into a training system that is not all positive - that there are consequences for not coming but using rewards to reinforce the behavior. Also, remember that while dogs can work temporarily for food, the biggest reason that dogs obey is because they want to ensure their place in the pack (making the leader pleased is important regardless of food). This leads me to believe that you are NOT the leader and you need to work on reestablishing this relationship and making sure that the dog is working to please you, not to please itself.
Finally, make sure that you take the time to teach the dog to yield to pressure. This means that you should be applying pressure to tell the dog it's wrong, releasing when it's right and praising. Too many people skip this part and it's fundamental.

Answer 4

I've never used a pinch collar. I use a "choke" collar. I hate the name but it works very well, and it doesn't choke them unless they are pulling drastically.

I use that chain collar with all three of my dogs, It works very well with two of them, the third just keeps pulling no matter what. We are trying to train her in other ways, and she is learning slowly but surely.

The best thing you can do is give it a try, maybe even try an obedience class or two, just so you know the best way to train her. But whatever you decide, stick with the same thing she will learn better if you are consistent.

Our first dog, we have been training since she was a puppy so she is the most well behaved, we didn't use the collar with her at first, but when we got the other two she seemed to forget a little so we thought it was best to train them all in the same manner. Now she is back to being a perfect little angel.

Answer 5

people who think of prong collars are cruel often have not got plenty adventure with dogs. Prong collars are an clever thank you to coach an excessively-unruly dogs to stop pulling. attempt and use a choker on a dogs like which you will cut back this is respiratory organs, which in accordance to me, is a tad bit crueler do no longer ya think of? I even have effectively used a prong on my collie, and it worked wonders. After fairly the 1st hour i did no longer would desire to apply it anymore! I swap it any incorrect way so the prongs are on the outdoors, so now in uncomplicated terms the sound of the chain reminds him to no longer pull. The prong collar pinches your dogs incredibly then hurts him. If a dogs is in super discomfort they yelp, bark, cry. i've got by no potential seen my dogs do any of those issues jointly as I used to prong. If each thing else fails, the prong collar is a effective restore.

Answer 6

I have just adopted a black lab that is about 8-11months old.
She has quite a bit of spirit. I have been using the prong collar on and off for 2 weeks. I have found that it is very gentle and she does mind with it on. What I do is I have her wear both collars When we start our walk and she is full of vigor she is on the pinch collar till she gets tired a bit then I switch to her normal collar. If she acts up I switch back again.
I am finding now that simply putting the collar on her neck and she knows to behave. People are very against this collar and think that it is cruel but I find it does not choke them like when they are pulling with the regular collar and gasping for breath.
I have also found that she needs allot of walking and running to get the energy out. LOL I am walking allot and we have play dates with other dogs so she can get the running out of the way. Labs learn fast but need you to be stern with them is what I have been told and am finding that consistent commands are working.

Answer 7

Pinch collars can cause major damage to a dog. Sometimes they will actually puncture through the skin, other times they simply cause internal damage that cannot be seen to their esophogas, wind pipe, etc.

For walking, don't use a harness, as these will encourage the dog to pull.

Enroll in a local obedience class, and get a good quality chain slip collar. Ask the instructor to show you the proper way to put the collar on, and how to use it effectively. Used correctly, these will not harm the dog, will not choke the dog, and the noise of the collar slipping through itself will get the dog's attention.

Also, as you are walking, talk to the dog to keep their focus on you. If they start to pull ahead, immediately turn a new direction. Don't let the dog get ahead of you at any time. If you can't change direction, then pull the dog back so their head is even with your leg. It may seem as if all you are doing is pulling back, then praise, then pull back, then praise, etc. However, the dog will learn when they pull ahead they are corrected and when they stay with you they are praised. It will take time and patience, but it will be worth it.

Answer 8

I'm a pet sitter and several of the dogs I walk use pinch collars. I prefer them over choke collars.

Here is an article about pinch collars. It is very well written and thorough.

http://www.leerburg.com/fit-prong.htm

Here is a picture of a good quality pinch collar. The collar you buy should look exactly like this one.

http://www.fordogtrainers.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=229

Please enroll your dog in obedience training. The classes are great fun. They will help you learn how to train your dog, making him better behaved and happier.

Purrs and wags,
The Cat Lady

Answer 9

Enroll in obedience class. No individual piece of equipment will train your dog, no matter what kind you try. Loose leash walking is not a remotely natural dog behavior so it does take time to fully teach, and the sooner you get started the sooner you can start enjoying your walks again.

Answer 10

No, I've never had to use anything like that. All my dogs went too the local training classes at 14 weeks. Now I have 3 great dogs that I can take anywhere as I know that they will behave.