Hello all, and welcome to the first of many posts! I don’t want to spend too long talking about myself (that’s what the ‘about the writer’ section is for,) so let’s jump right into today’s topic:
Prong Collars
Now, I know prong collars are a highly stigmatized tool in dog training, however I feel as though it is such due to the mass amount of misinformation and incorrect use. As someone who is Herm Sprenger Prong Collar Knowledge Certified, and has actively trained with them, I have truly seen the benefits that can come with a prong. Before I go any farther, I do want to stress that prong collars are not a tool which should be used on every dog, but we will get to that later.
If you are unfamiliar with the prong collar, often referred to as a “pinch” collar, it is a training tool which was first patented and produced by Herm Spenger in the late 1800’s. Collars with “spikes” of sorts are not a new concept in human history, however the approach taken by Herm Sprenger offered ‘prongs’ which are blunt and angled inwards. This does not allow for the prongs to puncture, stab, or jab the dog as many people believe.
The prongs work by offering a sensation that is easier felt by the dog than on a flat or choke/chain collar. This actually results in the need to use far less pressure to communicate effectively with your dog. I have seen genuine surprise on the faces of many owners when demonstrated how little pressure is needed to communicate when using a prong collar.
The prong collar also comes with a chain to connect both sides of the prong collar which allows for greater control of pressure. When attaching the leash to the chain, two rings are visible. These two rings (the live and dead ring) determine how strong of pressure is applied by the collar. When beginning training, it is recommended to attach the leash to both rings because it causes the collar to tighten less and dulls the sensation. This is an amazing feature when you compare it to a choke/chain collar, which will continue to tighten and puts pressure on the trachea.
In my experience, the prong collar is an incredible tool when used appropriately and safely. However, when used improperly or on a dog who is not compatible, it can create more problems than it solves. This usually happens when a handler or trainer uses too much pressure or uses the prong on a severely anxious/fearful dog. When using a prong, it should always be on a relatively confident dog, and always remember that intense pressure is not needed. Too much pressure can be seen as correction to a dog as opposed to what I like to refer to as direction. The prong is supposed to be seen as a “steering wheel” of sorts, not a pain compliance or punishment tool. Using it as such can create a shut down, uninterested dog, which in turn can exacerbate behaviors or seriously lengthen the training process.
Adequate and appropriate sizing is also an important factor in the effectiveness and safety of the collar. The Herm Sprenger prong collar sizes are available as follows: Small 2.25mm x 16”, Medium 3mm x 22”, 3.2mm x 23” and 3.9mm x 25″. The first measurements refer to the size of the prongs themselves, and the second measurements refer to the actual length of the collar. To ensure a proper fit, Herm Sprenger instructs users to measure the circumference of the canine’s neck and add 3 inches to know the appropriate size. The collar should sit snugly just below the canine’s ears.
As long as a trainer, owner, and/or handler can apply these aforementioned principles, and as long as the canine is compatible with the tool, I genuinely believe the prong collar can be a useful tool for training. My favorite example is a Doodle I trained by the name of Reno. My mentor and other employees informed me he was quite… energetic for lack of a better word. Reno could not keep his feet, or his teeth, off of you, you borderline had to wrestle him into a crate. Reno was a rescue, and so I was tasked with getting him polished up in hopes of finding him a home. I spent several weeks with Reno, working daily with the Prong collar, bag of treats, and clicker in hand. The turn around amazed me. Slowly the feet stayed on the ground, the mouthiness subsided, the manners got better, and he truly mellowed out quite a bit. Soon, Reno had a meet and greet with a lovely family, and his excellent manners earned him a new home, human siblings, and a lifetime of love.
If prong collar training is something you all may be interested in, I will include a link to Herm Sprenger prong collars on Amazon and put out a comprehensive guide to Obedience with the prong.
But for now, thank you all for joining me for my first post, I look forward to providing information and insight…. oh, and pet your dog for me.
Herm Sprenger Prong Collar Link Amazon: https://a.co/d/bu986Bm
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