Bad comments over prong collar

I use a small HS prong collar all the time. It does get tiring having people tell me to use a Halti or a harness so the dog doesn't have to wear that "mean" collar. :rolleyes:
You know,as a last resort...rather than try to cover the collar.I have been known to just tell someone to mind their own business if I'm in a good mood.If I'm in less than a good mood I give a simple :censored:OFF!!!:D;)
 
I was actually curious to see if Ashra would do well with a prong collar after reading the positive feedback from you guys, and so I bought a secret powers collar (they look great, by the way). It didn't work out very well for us, as she was always on edge and more reactive when she had it on. Pulling / correcting herself wasn't effective - it had to be a very hard correction otherwise she would not pay attention at all and after a hard correction a few seconds later she would go back to doing the same thing. I didn't like that she needed such a hard correction so often, and so I no longer use it. I was considering just taking out the prongs and keeping it as a pretty collar, but it may come in handy with the future pup.

I currently use a 2" wide thick leather flat collar with a handle on it in case I need to restrain her. I've taught her to heel and that a small tug and jingle of the leash (there's an extra metal buckle for the sound) indicates to her that she has to come back to my side. I find this more effective than either a prong or a choke (I used to use a rolled leather choke, but it has since become ineffective... I swear this girl has developed extra neck muscles over the past month).

I should add that Ashra never pulled on the leash until about 8 months old when she decided to start testing boundaries, and so her leash education more or less started new from there.
 
I was actually curious to see if Ashra would do well with a prong collar after reading the positive feedback from you guys, and so I bought a secret powers collar (they look great, by the way). It didn't work out very well for us, as she was always on edge and more reactive when she had it on. Pulling / correcting herself wasn't effective - it had to be a very hard correction otherwise she would not pay attention at all and after a hard correction a few seconds later she would go back to doing the same thing. I didn't like that she needed such a hard correction so often, and so I no longer use it. I was considering just taking out the prongs and keeping it as a pretty collar, but it may come in handy with the future pup.

I currently use a 2" wide thick leather flat collar with a handle on it in case I need to restrain her. I've taught her to heel and that a small tug and jingle of the leash (there's an extra metal buckle for the sound) indicates to her that she has to come back to my side. I find this more effective than either a prong or a choke (I used to use a rolled leather choke, but it has since become ineffective... I swear this girl has developed extra neck muscles over the past month).

I should add that Ashra never pulled on the leash until about 8 months old when she decided to start testing boundaries, and so her leash education more or less started new from there.
I have gotten really lax with Tasha. I need to get back to serious heel. She tugs a lot more now than she ust to. We have such a big yard that I don't walk with her like I should. James takes her everyday but she minds because she wants to go with him and he is so much taller than I am she seems to fall right in but she is starting to get so much bigger than I am tall that she thinks its a contest for control :bat:
 
I was actually curious to see if Ashra would do well with a prong collar after reading the positive feedback from you guys, and so I bought a secret powers collar (they look great, by the way). It didn't work out very well for us, as she was always on edge and more reactive when she had it on. Pulling / correcting herself wasn't effective - it had to be a very hard correction otherwise she would not pay attention at all and after a hard correction a few seconds later she would go back to doing the same thing. I didn't like that she needed such a hard correction so often, and so I no longer use it. I was considering just taking out the prongs and keeping it as a pretty collar, but it may come in handy with the future pup.
Was it fitted properly? Did you do any training with her on it before taking her out for a walk? It is good sometimes to take some time inside and do a light correction then treat routine so they learn the collar isn't a big deal. And just like any tool it takes time to get the best effect. That said, some dogs are just plain more reactive and will not do well with a prong.
 
Was it fitted properly? Did you do any training with her on it before taking her out for a walk? It is good sometimes to take some time inside and do a light correction then treat routine so they learn the collar isn't a big deal. And just like any tool it takes time to get the best effect. That said, some dogs are just plain more reactive and will not do well with a prong.

Yes, it was properly fitted, worn up high on her neck and I let her wear it inside for a week before taking her out with it. She had no problem with it on inside at all, and didn't have any sort of negative attitude towards wearing it (she would poke it and then poke me just like she did with any other collar when she wanted to go for a walk). The problem was once we were out on walks she was always suspicious and more likely to growl/bark at people or other dogs - that is what I meant by reactive: not to the collar itself, but to her surroundings. And seeing as I am currently in the process of training her out of leash aggression (a result of her being attacked by aggressive dogs), this was not ideal for our situation.

The second thing is that light corrections are completely ineffective and she has pulled hard and tried to drag me without a second thought. Since prong collars are supposed to be effective before the dog pulls that hard and it wasn't happening, I decided it was a bad idea to risk possible neck injury with long-term rough use.
 
I am 67 years young, and have a balance disorder. If I didn't have a prong on my Dobe (13 months old), I would fall if she reacted to something and I didn't have any means to control her. I am also hearing impaired, so do not have the ability to hear everything that would challenge my dog's behavior. I do enjoy that my dog walks calmly in the pet stores (without barking and pulling), as I watch others getting dragged down the aisles by their dogs on harnesses. :whistle:
 
I also use an E collar when exercising her at "off lead" parks. I seldom use the "nick", the vibration mode works fine for reminding her to follow commands. I guess that is also "cruel" to some, but yesterday I witness a dog attack involving 1 pit attacking a woman with 2 pits. My dog was able to continue playing and retrieving the ball, and ignore what was going on. It was a bloody sight, and just proves to me that harnesses on pits bulls does not provide control. The two people trying to separate their dogs, ended up with bloody hands and clothing. Hopefully, the dog owner of the pit who provoked the attack will not return with her dog off lead.
 
I really like this thread, I myself prefer using a prong, front lead harness or and E Collar depending the situation you are in with your dog and as well they will be accustom to each and it just reinforces your bond and training. As for the people that shun or comment about any of them. if they haven't tried them humanely their comments are just like a fart in a windstorm to me. "pardon the pun"....but hey to each their own.. i do what works for me an my furbabies
 
i've had several people think that the collar looks mean or something and i explain about the prong collar to them but this one guy was like "i would never use something like that on my pitt bull" like i was a bad owner when watson was the most behaved dog there . the prong collar is one the my favorite tools on walking dogs and training the main thing is always make sure that they are fitted properly and just ignore the stupid bad comments people give you because they don't know what they are talking about.:)
 
In the UK, there's a lot.of things about prongs, choke chains, even half check! I posted a pic of indi in her half check on facebook (recommended by breeder) and someone just about flipped out on me!!!

I explained provided you know how to effectively use one, it's a great tool in the right hands. I shouldn't have.bothered, next time I'll tell them to do their research!!
Yer I'm also from the uk and always get a lot of funny looks comments about how cruel a prong collar is etc lol
 
For me and my wife, the prong collar is like having power steering in an truck or car. They could cause damage if used improperly just like any other tool. I still use it and Cato doesn't mind it at all. A person with little tolerance should never have one. MHO


I know this is an old post Bob.. but i saw you mentioned a power chair.. I have to use one also.. i thought of using one and taking the dogs for a walk..
but a doberman i was afraid she would see a rabbit and pull me out lol.. I lost Missy rip.. but looking for another rescue that will fit my situation.. I did not try the walk with her but I may with my next girl dobie..
Betty
 
I know this is an old post Bob.. but i saw you mentioned a power chair.. I have to use one also.. i thought of using one and taking the dogs for a walk..
but a doberman i was afraid she would see a rabbit and pull me out lol.. I lost Missy rip.. but looking for another rescue that will fit my situation.. I did not try the walk with her but I may with my next girl dobie..
Betty
I don't think you will get a response from Bob,Bet.:(
If you do it won't be here on the forums.
 

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