Prong Collars?

[Jodi and Stella]

I have been using a standard "choke chain" for leash training with Stella. It really has helped with teaching her to heel. The problem is, it is breaking her hair off all around her neck. I put it on the correct way so that it goes slack if no tension is on it and she only wears it for leash training. Has anyone had any experience with the prong collars? I wonder if that would help. She is 6 months old and 28 pounds, is she too young to use one?

[Candy & Hudson]

I use a Martingdale on Hudson (a correction collar, with only a small section of chain) and I haven't had a problem with the hair ripping. This is the one my trainer recommended because of Hudsons long hair.

This is the only picture I could find:

http://www.dogtrainingadviceextra.com/dog-training-posts/dog-traini...

 

I have no advice on the prong collar as I haven't used it. Hope this helps!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

That is the same collar that my breeder sent Rooney home with and it is how she trains the pups to walk on leash.  Problem is that I can't find the next bigger size any place and the cheap imitations don't work as well.  But wonderful leash for training.

[cheryl & oliver]

Jane I have the one that I bought at petsmart last month, that is the same kind only bigger.  Did u check with your local petsmart?  I bought it on a whim, didn't know it was so good, and I really like it....Hope this helps...

[DANIELLE DARLING]

Have you tried a gentle leader?

[Shelby and Kev]

I agree with Candy and Hudson- Correction Collar

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have written about prong collars many times and there are many discussions about them. Here is just one sample writing about a dog with a sensitive trachea:

"I really do try to see what things that may be aversive to my dogs feel like. I have tried the prong collar myself and it is not painful. The dogs have never had any sore or problem from them. When they are on I don't generally have use corrections for pulling at all. If the dogs pull, the collar tightens, which is annoying but not painful so they don't pull. Then again, I did not use pet store collars but Herm Sprenger stainless steel collars that I ordered (Leashes by Design). The prongs have smooth rounded edges. I got stainless steel because chrome, even from his tag, stained Luca's fur since his chest is nearly white. I also special ordered because I needed a way to put on and remove the collars that was easier for me. I found the prongs nearly impossible to connect and disconnect. The collars were sized for my dogs. It was my trainer who introduced me to prong collars and their use. I don't know whether these collars would be appropriate for a dog with a sensitive trachea but I think they are more likely to be better than a regular collar with which I've seen dogs choking and coughing when pulling."

[Jodi and Stella]

Thanks F. When she pulls (not to much anymore) she does hack and cough and I've heard the prong collar tension is more evenly distributed and doesn't cause that. Do you think 6 months is old enough to try one?

[F, Calla & Luca]

Yes, that was about when Luca started obedience classes and shortly after that the trainer suggested the collar. I may have started it a little sooner with Calla but she was really bigger and stronger than Luca. I still use them and easily walk two dogs.

[F, Calla & Luca]

BTW, I found the prong collar much more effective than the Matingale collar.

[Linda and Murphy]

I loved the prong collar. The instructor stopped class to put one on Murphy (7 months and 70 lbs). It was an instant correction and he quit pulling trying to get to the other dogs. (this was our 2nd obedience class. We had finished puppy with another instructor.)

[Adina P]

Choke chains can do that to long haired dogs--just from hair getting caught as the chain moves for a correction.  I honestly don't think the dog notices it much and is only cosmetic.  But a prong is a reasonable alternative if you are concerned about the hair loss.  If you're using a good technique, then with practice there should be fewer and fewer corrections as Stella gets better at heeling and eventually it should be quite rare for you to need any corrections.

[Jodi and Stella]

Thanks Adina. I plan on using a training collar only until she has it down well. I think I am using a good technique, I try to have it positioned high on her neck and not keep constant tension, just little gentle reminder tugs.