Discussion on Prong width size??

[Gilly1331]

A friend and I got into a discussion about prong collar sizes and what works better for a constant puller.

For a large approx 95lb GSD who pulls reguardless of a properly fitted prong what would be better to use reguarding size? The correction usually works but within a few more seconds the dog goes back to pulling again wreching a friends back. We are trying to figure out a better collar for her.

Smaller sized links that are closer together (front to back to the next link and width across the link) with many more links in the collar to make the collar properly fit the dogs neck?

OR

A larger sized links that are farther apart (longer prongs front to back and wider across the link) with less links in the collar that properly fits te dogs neck?

One of us thinks one and obviously the other thinks the other. Which would be more efficient to get the dog listening to the correction. Yes I know training but our friend has been trying for over a year now with her current collar and it just doesn't seem to be getting the point across to the dog.

[gsdraven]

Originally Posted by Gilly1331

The correction usually works but within a few more seconds the dog goes back to pulling again wreching a friends back. We are trying to figure out a better collar for her.

Prong size doesn't matter, this is a training issue. The prong is not a magic fix, it is a tool used to teach the dog what is expected and to correct behavior that is not acceptable. The dog is obviously ignoring the correction and isn't motivated to offer the expected behavior. So either the correction isn't hard enough or your friend's dog isn't motivated enough to mind his/her handler. It's up to your friend how the want to correct the problem (more force or more motivation) but the answer isn't changing the equipment, it's changing the approach.

That said, my preference is the smaller prong size. When I switched to the smaller prong (2.0mm) from the medium (3.0mm), I noticed a difference in the amount of effort I had to make in order correct. Response time was quicker with the smaller prong (more contact points).

[LuvMyDog_Worldwide]

Smaller prongs are more effective, but with a 43kg dog I personally wouldn't chance a 2.25mm collar, you need a 3.0mm or 3.2mm.

The correction usually works but within a few more seconds the dog goes back to pulling again

I agree with GSDRaven, this is more of a training issue. When your friend gets the dogs attention for those few seconds it's an opportunity to issue a command, get an action and give a reward. At the moment it sounds like an inconvinient interuption to the dogs pulling.

[onyx'girl]

I use the larger gauge for my longer coated dogs, Karlo and Kacie. Onyx has a shorter tight coat and she uses the smaller links.