How Should You Place a Prong Collar on a Dog?
There's no denying that a prong collar seems to be very threatening. They may also seem to be uncomfortable. However, appearances can be misleading. They don't cause severe pain to the dog or cause it to suffocate in any way. Prong collars, on the other hand, are built with dogs in mind.
The prong collar has a steep learning curve which the majority of dog owners struggle to overcome. A snap or a loop is normally included in most dog collars, making them simple to put on. How can a prong collar be applied to a dog? Continue reading so we can guide you on the ins and outs of how to quickly put on a prong collar. Enjoy!
How Should You Place a Prong Collar on a Dog?
To avoid injuring your pet, make sure that the prong collar is correctly placed. It should be worn upon its neck behind its ears, with all excess links omitted so it fits tightly around the dog's neck and does not droop. A sagging collar will potentially pinch your pet's neck, causing injury. It can even lead your pet to escape from the collar entirely, causing injury as the collar scrapes its head.
Make sure it's not placed too loosely. Otherwise, the collar won't work. Behind the dog's head, secure the leash. The leash link should be oriented upwards. The prongs may be adjusted to suit your specific needs. If the collar is too loose, remove a metal prong so it holds your dog cozily.
What Is a Prong Collar?
A prong collar is made up of a set of chain links that are interconnected and have their open ends oriented towards the dog's body. It is widely used when training a dog to walk using a leash or in novice discipline. This chain is also described as a "pinch collar," thus giving it its unreasonably bad reputation.
When feedback is delivered, it adds pressure throughout the dog's neck, thus making the collar a wonderful tool for beginner training when used appropriately.
Related: How To Discipline Your Dog
Finding the Perfect Fit
Prong collars are normally sorted by length. Sizes of prong collars are labeled as small, medium, large, or in some cases, extra-large. They're all the same length and can be changed to match the dog's neck by withdrawing or attaching links to it.
How to Properly Fit a Prong Collar
A prong collar should be mounted properly to prevent hurting your pet. It can be worn behind the dog's ears, with all extra links removed, so that it wraps snugly across the dog's neck and does not droop. A sagging collar can cause damage to your pet's neck by pinching it. It can even cause the pet to become untethered from the leash, resulting in injuries when the collar scrapes the head.
Be sure it isn't too loose. Otherwise, the collar would not fit.
The Benefits Of Using a Prong Collar
The biggest benefit of using a prong collar is its ability to mimic the natural negative reinforcement associated with a mother dog’s nip on a puppy’s neck. This communicates to the puppy that what it has done is not good, thus leading to better behavior. Prong collars, when used properly, also allow you to adjust the force of the pressure so you can fine-tune the reinforcement according to your goals.
These collars can be quite useful in correcting canine aggressive or hyper behavior. Another tactic to curb negative behavior in dogs is by using calming treats. For some dogs using both tactics may have the best results.
What Is the Practical Purpose of a Prong Collar?
Prong collars are often used as obedience collars or for teaching a dog to be calm while walking. They are used by pet owners and coaches to instill discipline. The squeeze that the collar delivers will be perceived as a nip at the neck by your dog, thus acting as a form of negative reinforcement.
Related: How Often Should I Walk My Dog?
Are Prong Collars Cruel?
Training using a prong collar is a tested and established technique for training virtually any dog, big or tiny, easily and effectively. They're known as conditioning collars in many nations. That being said, in recent times, prong collar usage has been called into question. Many people believe that prong collars are inhumane and can even harm a dog.
When used appropriately by the owner, however, a good fitting prong collar is completely secure for a dog.
Are Dog Training Collars Cruel?
The short answer is no, as long as you use them properly. Training collars are meant to imitate the natural behavioral conditioning imposed by a puppy’s mother, which is a nip on the nape. As long as you are careful about the fitting and placement of the collar, then there shouldn’t be any problem for you and your dog.
How To Train Your Dog With a Prong Collar
While using the collar, the dog must recognize that the induced corrections are the result of its conduct. You don't want the dog to feel helpless or perplexed as a result of a correction. Your dog should be self-assured and knows just what you want it to do.
You will begin to communicate in a manner that the dog can simply comprehend after the guidelines have been firmly set down and the dog knows what triggers a correction, how to prevent it, and how to stop it. Not only can the dog comprehend what a correction is, but it can even learn how to avoid receiving one in the first place.
Types of Prong Collars
There are several types of prong collars, each with its distinct characteristics and uses. The types are:
Flat Collar
These collars are common since they can be basic or fashionable based on what you want. They're largely created with cloth or leather and are fastened around the dog's neck with either a buckle or a snap. This collar needs to be able to fit around two fingers between it and the dog's neck.
Martingale Collars
They make a relaxed, loose fit while also preventing the dog from escaping. They help the walker to easily handle the dog when required. There are several types of martingale collars available, each with its way of adjustment.
Gentle Leader Collar
Gentle leader collars are a type of training collars that help in training your dog to avoid excessive barking, jumping, and aggression. As the name suggests, the collar is very gentle to your dog’s body and does not damage its trachea, unlike other training collars.
Choke Collars
Choke collars are a more aggressive type of training collar that tightens around the neck of your dog rather painfully. This is because it Is made of interconnected metal chains that can press quite hard on your dog’s neck.
Training Harness
A training harness distributes pressure throughout the dog’s body, thus avoiding putting too much strain on your dog’s neck. Its primary use is in discouraging your dog from pulling. A collar will often still allow the dog to pull, whereas a training harness completely stops its forward movement.
Prong Collars Aren’t for All Types of Training
While certainly beneficial, prong collars aren’t suited for all dogs and training. Specifically, if your dog responds better to positive reinforcement training, then a prong collar isn’t necessary and you would be much better served by other methods such as clicker training. Rewarding positive behavior with some healthy treats is another effective option.
Final Thoughts
Prong collars are effective, safe, and efficient when used properly. They allow you to fast-track your dog’s training. While there certainly is bad press surrounding them, the collars are very safe to use as long as you do your due diligence so you’ll know how to properly use them.
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