Pinch collars

[Denise, Winnie, and AngelAbby]

I would like some opinions on using pinch collars. Is there anyone with experience with using them?

[theresa wood]

i use one on rudie. it doesn't hurt him. if i didn't i would not be able to walk him. he pulls so hard!

[Dennis Castiglione]

Since Nico clearly walked differently for each of us, a friend recommended a prong/pinch collar. It was literally a matter of minutes and it was working for EVERYONE. He no longer pulls on walks and a quick pop on the leash catches his attention and keeps us on an even pace. They look like midevil torture devices...but they are far more human than a choker. He's fine with it and so are we!

[LeAnn, Lucy & Rusty!!]

I think it depends on what you're trying to do... Lucy is a jumper.. jump jump jump... and a puller... I could have used the pinch collar but I chose to try the gentle walker (harness not muzzle) instead and love it. However, I am not against pinch collars.. I think they are much more humane than the choke collars.. I tried a choke collar and Lucy would pull and pull and pull all the while choking herself (*I* cried).. took it off and put on the gentle leader harness and no more pulling!! However, on my 110lb german shepherd I always had a pinch collar on him when we went for walks or to the vet.. with a dog that poweful, no matter how well trained, I needed to have some advantage!!

[Teri]

I use a prong collar on my doodle as my trainer recommended it and it's amazing. I was scared it would hurt him but I put it on my own arm and tried it out and it's not painful. Also it teaches them they way their mommy dog would with a quick "bite" to the neck. Works wonders!

[jamiegirl]

Is there an age where using the pinch or prong collar would not be safe? I have the same issues on the jumping up and pulling but I wasn't sure if we could use them with our 19 week old puppy. I am happy to see that most of the experiences with them were positive.

[Tracy Farmer]

I am very disappointed that trainers are recommending these collars. I work at an animal hospital and see injuries due to the use of these collars. How could prongs jabbing into your beloved dog's neck be o.k.? Try it on yourself attached to a leash and have someone tug on it...not pleasant. A much better option is a gentle leader harness or head collar.