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ireadbooks · 01-17-2013, 03:33 PM

Little more info on prongs, please? We had our first "grown-up" obedience class last weekend at a regional training club. As expected, Kaiser pulled, whined, play-bowed, and barked wanting to say hello to the other dogs, but calmed down with redirection and time (about five-ten minutes). We started doing exercises. Hubby, who was there to watch, left the room and the puppy lost his mind, screaming and pulling and yelping, and almost successfully dragged me down. My hands had leash burn for two days.

We have NEVER seen this separation anxiety type behavior before or heard him make such pitiful sounds. He doesn't care if we leave him home alone; no fuss, just scarfs his peanut butter kong and doesn't give us a second glance. He's fine being left in the car alone while I pump gas or run into the gas station (the only times he's left in the car alone). He might do a couple low whines if all three of us are in the car, then one of us leaves, but he doesn't lose his mind.

The trainers asked if I would like to try him on a prong, as it would give me way better control over him. I'm not opposed to a prong, but declined, because I have no idea how to use one, I had no idea what the correct fit was supposed to look like, etc. I trust that the trainers know what they're doing, but also like to research for myself and know a little about things like this, before putting my dog in the hands of someone I've only met three times. The training club has all sorts of equipment available to try; harnesses, head collars, prongs, martingales, different leash lengths, a permanent agility course, etc. so I wouldn't be out any cash for giving it a try.

So, questions. Is a prong age-appropriate for a 7 1/2 month old? I checked out the Leerburg site, so I know what a correctly fitted prong is supposed to look like now. Of course Kaiser pulls occasionally, he's a puppy in training; would the Easy Walk harness work just as well for correcting everyday pulling? I know how to put a harness on him, and no clue about a prong. Hubby won't be coming back to class for a couple weeks due to work, so no fear of another freak-out/meltdown from puppy; could we fix this problem with gradual desensitization and no prong once my husband's back in the game? Do you actually have to do anything to deliver a correction on the prong, or does it do the work for you, when the dog pulls?

01-17-2013, 03:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
ireadbooks New Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 12	Prong For 7 1/2 Month Old? Little more info on prongs, please? We had our first "grown-up" obedience class last weekend at a regional training club. As expected, Kaiser pulled, whined, play-bowed, and barked wanting to say hello to the other dogs, but calmed down with redirection and time (about five-ten minutes). We started doing exercises. Hubby, who was there to watch, left the room and the puppy lost his mind, screaming and pulling and yelping, and almost successfully dragged me down. My hands had leash burn for two days. We have NEVER seen this separation anxiety type behavior before or heard him make such pitiful sounds. He doesn't care if we leave him home alone; no fuss, just scarfs his peanut butter kong and doesn't give us a second glance. He's fine being left in the car alone while I pump gas or run into the gas station (the only times he's left in the car alone). He might do a couple low whines if all three of us are in the car, then one of us leaves, but he doesn't lose his mind. The trainers asked if I would like to try him on a prong, as it would give me way better control over him. I'm not opposed to a prong, but declined, because I have no idea how to use one, I had no idea what the correct fit was supposed to look like, etc. I trust that the trainers know what they're doing, but also like to research for myself and know a little about things like this, before putting my dog in the hands of someone I've only met three times. The training club has all sorts of equipment available to try; harnesses, head collars, prongs, martingales, different leash lengths, a permanent agility course, etc. so I wouldn't be out any cash for giving it a try. So, questions. Is a prong age-appropriate for a 7 1/2 month old? I checked out the Leerburg site, so I know what a correctly fitted prong is supposed to look like now. Of course Kaiser pulls occasionally, he's a puppy in training; would the Easy Walk harness work just as well for correcting everyday pulling? I know how to put a harness on him, and no clue about a prong. Hubby won't be coming back to class for a couple weeks due to work, so no fear of another freak-out/meltdown from puppy; could we fix this problem with gradual desensitization and no prong once my husband's back in the game? Do you actually have to do anything to deliver a correction on the prong, or does it do the work for you, when the dog pulls?