Opinions on Prong or Shock Collars

[Kendra K. Rhoton]

Don't get me wrong... Remington is my dream dog... he really is!  But... we've been having some problems with him lately. He's always been kind of territorial of his back yard and we have mainly kept him under control for the most part these past 3 years, but lately things are getting a little out of hand. 

 

Recently, he has start charging (running full speed and barking up a storm) around the front of the house when he sees or hears someone out there. This is a problem. We always have him leashed up when he's outside mostly because we don't have a fenced in yard and also because we live around a lot of little kids and in the past Remington has ran after them to play, which pretty much scared the poo outta them... 80 lb dog running full speed at you equals scary! The problem with the charging at people or animals though, is that I'm pulled right along with him. He has hurt my shoulder, torn off one of my nails, and given me several bruises when he has these episodes. I feel it's only a matter of time before I'm going to be knocked down, or heaven forbid I lose my grip and he's lost or hit by a car. 

 

So, Dan and I are thinking about looking into a prong or shock collar to pretty much let Remington know that when he does this it's not acceptable. I've always been against this kind of stuff in the past, but at this point I don't know what else to do, and my main concern is keeping Remington as safe as possible.

What are you thoughts about prong or shock collars?  What are some other suggestions you may have to take care of the problem?

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I use a prong collar when I walk Gracie Doodle.  My DH does not.  She pulls and leads when he walks her but when I walk her she heels perfectly.  She was trained on the prong collar and like Joanne says, it is to be used gently.  We call it Gracie's Halo.  She willingly slips her head through it and is the perfect Angel when wearing it.  We never yank it and she doesn't even attempt to pull.  Just never leave it on them after the walk nor let them play with it on.  I also use the shock collar when we are off leash in open areas.  I have it set for vibrate only.  My old one had a tone but I think the vibrate is better, especially when there is a  lot of noise around.  If Gracie is heading for potential trouble or not coming when I call, I will do a quick "nick" on the vibration button and she stops what she is doing and comes right to me.  I do this only for her safety because I do not have leash control at that time.  Gracie loves to be off leash and again, when the collar is on she turns back into an Angel.  She just seems to know what is expected of her when either of these collars are on her.  But yes, you do need to know how to use them and correctly or you will just ruin your dog and possibly hurt it. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Nancie, just a quick caution. If Gracie can slip her hear through the prong collar it is too loose. It needs to be opened to take it on and off if it's to be snug enough, up and under the ear area, when you use it. I got mine with an easy release because opening and closing the regular prongs was too hard for me. If you need any info. just ask but I've posted the links to fitting and where I got my collars a number of times.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Thanks for the reminder F.  My DH has added a few links so that is the problem. DH is always the problem around here!!!  lol  I have stiff thumbs so I too will need to find an easy release because the pinching of the links is hard to do.  I will give the collar an overhaul or get a new one...Thanks!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Here's where I got mine. Nice lady and she'll help you decide.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think both prong and e-collars are fine if you use them properly. My dogs always have prong collars on when they are leashed. It just makes me feel more secure in handling two dogs although the dogs are usually fine. I also have e-collars but I only use the vibrate mode to recall Luca on occasion. I do have a DVD from Leerburg on training with e-collars but I never get to doing it.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

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[Denis and Rhonda]

Prong collars are only for extreme cases.  It's like killing a roach with a shotgun.  About 10 years ago I trained my Maltese, Diamond.  The class used choke chains.  Even back then we were told that a Prong collar was like power brakes, compared to a choke chain.  They have their place in training, but should only be used under the direction of an experienced trainer.  Also, a training aid such as a prong collar should only be used for training; a dog should never be allowed to where one around like a regular collar.  I see this all the time and worry that the dog will get hung up on a fence or shrub one day.

I am happy to say that since then I have discovered a wonderful trainer who has taught me how to train my dog, just as effectively, with reward and praise.  A good example of this has been the "Leave It" command.  That one command is so powerful when learned correctly.  When I use it you would swear that I am yanking an invisible leash...Hero's head actually jerks back.  The only training aid that I have used so far with him has been a no-slip collar.  It prevents him from wiggling out of the collar by constricting it around his neck if he pulls.  It is nylon, not chain or prongs.  It is helping a lot to get him to heal correctly.

Denis

[F, Calla & Luca]

I disagree. I think a prong is much safer and more humane than a choke collar. But of course neither collar should be left on when a dog is not on a leash.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I don't believe you can just put a prong collar on the dog and expect that he will behave in these situations.  They are only meant to be a tool to be used in conjunction with training.  Remington is going to have to be taught that this behavior is not acceptable and rewarded when he doesn't react.  That takes time and structure.  I would definitely suggest you have  a trainer help you with this....even if it's only a couple of private lessons.  He/she will show you how to use the collar to appropriately correct Remington when he gets into this state.  Good luck.

[Diane and Alma]

My neighbor uses a bright orange, remote control shock collar on her pointer when she lets her off leash at the park across the street.  She worked with a local trainer and found this was the best way to keep the dog from running off which it had done a few times from the park through the neighborhood.  This dog is incredibly sweet and very well trained however it would see something off in the distance and just take off.  Now they can be at the park and give a warning signal (a small vibration) if the dog doesn't come when called.  Again, they worked with a trainer which I think is key.  And now they can all enjoy their time at the park.

[David E]

Bottom line is you have to use whatever works and keeps your dog safe. If your dog needs some zaps to get his attention and stop him getting hit by a car, then that's the answer. Most of the shock collars these days have really low settings and even beeps and/or vibration settings. They aren't going to injure your dog unless abused and by your concern for your dogs safety in the first place, I'm sure that's not the case. 

Each dog is different. Some are stubborn and will get into trouble, some are good as gold. Do what keeps your buddy under control and keeps him safe from harm.

[Lee Seidman]

I would never use either collar. I do not believe it is a humane training method. We have two Golden Doodles that were impossible on a lead attached to their neck collar. We were told that we should try a Premier Easy Walk Harness. We purchased two and within one day the pulling was almost cured. In about a week we could walk either dog with one finger. It turned out that they dislike anything attached to their neck. They are fantastic on the Easy Walk.

Try this harness, it is guaranteed and if you are not satisfied you can return it.

http://www.petsolutions.com/C/Dog-Harnesses/I/Gentle-Leader-Easy-Wa...