Mom2Jax&Bay

I also will never use one. Just my opinion. I don't think it is necessary with proper training and persistance. My Jaxon was a major puller. He doesn't even think about it now. This took a few months of constant work but he is amazing now on leash. But, you have to do what is right for you and your boy. No matter what our opinions are. Good luck with what ever direction you choose.

__________________
Owned by Jaxon- Flashy Fawn docked and natural 11/21/09 and Baylee- Fawn docked and cropped (kind of) 4/07/09 Rescue

Lone Star Boxer Rescue volunteer since 2010

Katielovesleo

I don't like them. It would just associate walking and/or training as not fun thing bc of all the "pinches" she gets. Therefore she won't be excited to learn bc she will be worried on the stress and discomfort of the prong collar. I'm a crossover trainer and used to use choke chain for training, anytime I would pull it out doggie would shows clear signs of stress, ducking and trying to sneak away. But now I am a clicker trainer and use positive reinforcement so I know now that items like choke chains prong collars and shock collars are just making the dog associate the collar with the bad that comes from it.

__________________
"Dogs will be dogs; it's up to you to show them how to be dogs around people" Pat Miller

Katielovesleo

Try a Gentle Leader headcollar, that's what I use now. It has worked for me and lots of others, just be sure to watch the DVD

__________________
"Dogs will be dogs; it's up to you to show them how to be dogs around people" Pat Miller

Katielovesleo

Ok I just read your post that you don't like headcollars, oops shoulda read that first! Lol. But no I have never seen it snap the neck at all, he doesn't lunge at things though. He just has pulling problems. As for the "snap the leash" what I do for a dog that jumps on people when they meet is first start with a buddy that will assist you. Choose a distraction free environment. Tell person to walk up to dog, as soon as dog jumps up person turns back and walks away. I like to put the dog into a sit for this. Person comes back again, if dog doesn't jump up out of the sit Click and Treat! And keep working at it, it's took average of 3 minutes for both dogs I trained that had jumping up problems. If an animals behavior is positively reinforced it is much more likely it will happen again hope this helps. Try YouTube if you need a video, put in "clicker train greeting people" good luck!

__________________
"Dogs will be dogs; it's up to you to show them how to be dogs around people" Pat Miller

clarkvstewart

To each his own. At our obedience trainer a guy came in with a pit that I suspect he wanted trained to be aggressive. he had on a prong collar and trainer told him never to put it on him again. We use the chain "choke" collar.

It's purpose is to tighten the dog to a level of discomfort without hurting the dog. It immediately loosens when the dog quits resisting. Very humane.

When we started training Maggie we tied a knot in a six foot leash and placed that knot under our foot. The dog would pull on her leash until it became uncomfortable and we'd give the negative command. Done right a dog will quickly learn that he can't put pressure on the leash or he'll get choked.

After time you can simply verbally correct. If you want to get Maggie's attention you snap the leash do that it pops tight. Trainer said that is all that is needed and for those students that can't give an effective correction he sells them the training collar with voltage.


Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App

Lodalady

We use a prong collar on the Dozer at the recommendation of our trainer. I didn't like the idea, but it does keep this 75 lb puppy from pulling. I don't use any corrective action, if he pulls it pinches. He gets excited when we pull it out because he knows we are going to the pet store or the farm store, or to class. We use the collar when we are in public, and it works for us.
There is honestly no way we could have controlled him without. The alternative would be to stay home.
Dozer weighs 75 lbs, and will be a year old this week. Prior to the collar, if he wanted to greet you, he would. For those who want to train your dog without, you obviously don't have a Dozer.

BobsBoxer

digging up an old thread, for those that use the prong collar, how long before you could be done with it, or is it a case that once you put a regular flat nylon collar back on , that the dog starts pulling again, so it needs to be used pretty much indefinitely?

Georgiapeach

I was never a fan of prong collars until we got Dempsey, who's a very strong puller. His foster parents recommended the prong collar (they'd sent him to obedience school while they had him and that's what was used there), which I initially resisted. After trying the head collar, I realized that Dempsey HATED it, pulling just has hard with it on, shaking his head trying to get it off, etc. This surprised me, since my late lab did so well with one. I then tried a choke chain, which he didn't even acknowledge - lol!

I broke down and got him a prong collar, and the difference was immediate. He's actually happy to see this collar vs. the head collar when it's time to go for a walk!

Each dog is different, needing different methods for control, IMO.

__________________

winnie

I won't use the prong collar or the choke chain. I used to use the chain on my Mo, but he was a perfect walker. Actually, I could have had him walking beside me without a leash. Porter will pull, and pull and pull to the point his eyes would get bloodshot. The choke or prong would not deter him and he WOULD hurt himself. We have a gentle lead harness. He still pulls like hell but I know he isn't hurting himself. He is getting a LOT better with the obedience classes...I just don't forsee a time when I can take him out on the leash where he won't pull unless I have a treat bag full of treats.

__________________
Molly, Mom to Winston (at the bridge 12/6/12 and deeply missed) and Porter

Breezygirl

Ok... I am a trainer. And it is in my opinion that a trainer should be able to "teach" the owner how to "train" their dog affectively. ( I apologies and please prong users don't take this the wrong way this is not a hit at you)

First - A dog who is TRAINED.. should listen with or without any collar, leash, harness, and so on... And sadly I have not met many dogs who's owners used prongs, that are able to remove the collar and have a dog who listens , doesn't pull and so on.(I don't mean sit and so on I mean training associated with the collar itself)

Second- Im a HUGE believer in positive training.. and the only way that a prong would be used is if the person believed in correction based training.. and I clearly do not.

Third- I have traded training for prongs So people have come.. gave me their prongs in agreement that if we couldn't get their dogs focused and heeling without them, I would give them back... and the training was free.. if it worked they had a trained dog, a new relationship with their dog, and I could keep the prong in my "told you so bag" I have never had to return a prong to a client!!

I could go on with so much more, but I wont.. I would like to say this! .. Dogs are able to think! We live in such a busy society that prongs made some quick and easy fix's. Take time.. work with your dog, have patience and use a positive trainer and you will be amazed. Does it sometimes take longer YES !! sometimes it does... but the end result is a dog who behaves, because he knows whats expected of him, and trusts that you know what he/she needs from you. Sorry for the rant I am very passionate about this subject.

Please do your research. I guess.. I don't believe people come see me because they want a quick and easy fix. I know many prong users who have come to me because they sadly believed that the prong would correct the behaviour and then they would be able to rid themselves of the prong.... it didn't happen. Im not going to say its never happened.. I am sure it has. Anyways... there is my opinion in a nutshell :0)


p.s Front clip harnesses work amazing!! that's what I recommend while in the training process.

__________________
Mandi ... mom of fur kids.. Breeze, Bentley .. and new baby Winter