Can you use a prong collar for training?

[BGSD]

My pup is almost 7 months old now and he's reached the point where he is very strong and heavy, thus requiring some level of control and obedience training. I currently use positive re-enforcement training (click & treat), but this methodology is proving somewhat unsuccessful when trying to teach him NOT to do certain things. I use an easy-walk harness for walking, which helps, but has not eliminated the pulling, but that's the least of my concerns right now.

My problem is that during training, he is incredibly difficult to control since all he always wants to do is play. He will also steal my equipment, run around the yard, and then destroy it.

I was wondering if a prong collar or similar equipment can be used for teaching obedience and such things, mainly for the purposes of keeping the dog under control.

I don't want to do anything that would hurt the dog in anyway or create trust issues.

[Rerun]

That is the whole POINT of a prong collar.

Maybe I am misunderstanding the question.

Have you been to obedience classes with your dog?

[mkinttrim]

My pup is almost 12 weeks so not as advanced as yours but I have already found that if I give him a decent play workout 1st, he does much better. I usually toss the tennis ball or throw a soft frisbee for about a 1/2 hr for him to blow off some steam. Then my wife and I go for about a 1/2 mile walk. We let him do his business, then comes some playtime at a different area, then comes the training!

[doggiedad]

find a trainer or enroll in a class. train and socialize
and don't become dependent on a device.

[Shaina]

I am a big supporter of using what works for your dog. My four month old (and man, I'm sure PETA and the like will tear me a new one for this!) is already being introduced to the prong collar, lightly. Some dogs respond to flat collar/chain collar corrections. Mine does not. 7 months, to me, sounds like a reasonable time to start a prong IF your dog handles corrections very well. My pup does not take it personally if we use a prong collar. She is a well bred, stable pup and understands the concept, and her spirits are NOT crushed by it in anyway. I'd recommend finding a good trainer (one that goes outside of JUST positive, because many don't) and working with what suits your dog the best.

[1der_girl]

It doesn't sound to me like this dog has ever been corrected... maybe I am mis-reading, but it sounds like very poor behavior from a teenager who NEEDS (and craves) boundries. I don't really buy into "purely positive". I don't raise my kid like that (no negitave consequence for bad behavior) and I wouldn't raise my dog like that, either.

[Shaina]

I agree. I am fine with purely positive training WHEN IT WORKS. If it is not working, you need to go outside the box. Sometimes you can't clicker train a dog out of some behaviors :3

[lizzyjo]

Ruger is 7-1/2 months old. I use a prong when training. I also use a chain when he is in the house for those moments when he isnt listening. He is so full of himself most of the time. I know what your going through. They are teenagers at this stage. I am looking forward to him getting older and more settled. good luck ..

[gsdraven]

The prong is a correction collar. IMO, you train with treats and markers (positive and negative) until you are sure the dog understands what they are being asked to do and then use a correction tool to perfect. If you start using a prong to correct before they understand what you want then you risk them not thinking and offering new behaviors in fear of being corrected for not doing it right.

[BGSD]

Originally Posted by gsdraven

The prong is a correction collar. IMO, you train with treats and markers (positive and negative) until you are sure the dog understands what they are being asked to do and then use a correction tool to perfect. If you start using a prong to correct before they understand what you want then you risk them not thinking and offering new behaviors in fear of being corrected for not doing it right.

So is it appropriate to use a prong for corrections when he's jumping on me or biting my hands excessively, considering I've tried every other alternative?

Another example would be when I'm walking him and someone passes by us. At this point he tries to jump on them, so I always have to keep him on a short leash. Would a prong correction be appropriate in this case?