prong collars equal AWESOMENESS

[Armed Citizen]

At what age do you recommend to start using a prong collar?

[llombardo]

I am lucky enough to have a dog that was trained on a flat. I did have to get her a prong when I went to the GSD club..that is there rules. I did put it on her a couple times, but I never had to give a correction. I never went back to the GSD club either, mostly because of this. I finely called them back because I wanted to go there and they told me I didn't have to use a prong. I understand they are a tool and once the dog is trained they should be fine, but my biggest concern is that I see lots of dogs with them on and they are older supposedly trained dogs. Lots of people go back to using them in certain situations, which makes me believe the dog wasn't trained to begin with. How many years are they going to use the prong for?? I would also like to add that my dog turns into a different dog with the prong on, she kinda looses her spirit and mopes. I didn't like that reaction from her and since she doesn't need one I won't do that to her, but I do not past judgement on those that do use them and do so the right way.

[jocoyn]

Many people start around 6 months when the puppy is large enough and strong enough to be hard to control if you have not either trained the puppy properly from the get go or have a punk on your hands.

I think good training can eliminate the need for most dogs. I wound up with one with Beau because I was negligent in doing solid training with him (and he is also simply full of himself) because I was dealing with two other dogs - one with cancer and one with a back injury and he did not get as much attention in obedience as I should have given him. My older dog, Grim, has never needed more than a flat collar.

There is still a need to teach loose leash walking without a prong. No dog should be expected to "heel" for recreational walking for long distances....and the prong is really not designed to simply keep a dog from pulling on a long line.

To me it has its uses as a training tool and it must be fit properly and you need to learn how to give a proper correction because it can actually backfire with a dog lunging etc. because it can increase, not decrease, drive with the wrong kind of correction.

I think most folks though just fall into using the prong as "power steering" instead of a training tool.

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Originally Posted by Armed Citizen

At what age do you recommend to start using a prong collar?

I think people are ready at about 55. Patience is typically better and more well established.

[llombardo]

Originally Posted by JeanKBBMMMAAN

I think people are ready at about 55. Patience is typically better and more well established.

[jocoyn]

LOL you got THAT right! The other day Beau came FLYING into the house where my husband was typing on the sofa on his laptop. Laptop survived (phew) and husband still has his man parts (phew) but 20 years ago that would have been a big fight, a punished dog, etc. ........ He laughed and said "when are we going to be too old for this, reminde me?"

[RowdyDogs]

Originally Posted by Blanketback

Okey dokey. But you do know there are probably millions of people who use all the different devices (prongs, head collars, harnesses, what-nots) and couldn't give a hoot that their dogs aren't trained? They're just happy to be able to walk them, lol.

I think everyone realizes that but it doesn't mean we have to like it.

OP, I'm glad the prong collar is working for you. Personally, I've never had noticeably better results with a prong than with a gentle leader-type device (either harness or head collar), and I have seen them sort of "shut down" some sensitive dogs so I tend to prefer the gentle leaders. I think a lot depends on the dog and the handler's methods, so basically personal preference. Clearly your girl isn't bothered by it so I'm not criticizing, just giving my perspective.

Although, on smaller dogs I'll usually just train in a flat collar and haven't had problems teaching loose leash walking and heel with just that. I only used to use a head collar on my GSD because he is large enough (and was already when I got him) that I didn't want to risk losing him if he spotted something and tried to take off before I got him reliable leash manners and recall.

[katdog5911]

Originally Posted by Jax08

Here's my problem with "prong collars equal awesomeness"....

Your dog will become collar smart. You need to train in a positive way with rewards (whether that reward is treat, toy or release of pressure). Mine was collar smart. If the prong wasn't on her, she could care less and pull like a freight train.

So don't replace real training and building a relationship with your dog with a tool. Use the tool to train and work on proofing your dog so you won't need to always use the prong collar. I see so many dogs who are supposed to be therapy dogs that drag their owners around when the prong collar isn't on. IMO, that means your dog isn't trained...it's just collar smart.

Absolutely true. I use a prong on Stella but am continuing to work on polite walking. In the obedience class, prongs are not allowed. I use a flat collar there. In my situation, the prong is mainly to control her reactivity to other dogs or whatever. I hope maybe one day not to need the prong at all.

[jang]

I have tried everything on Sib..gentle leader..front harness..flat collar..but the prong is the only way I can control Sib..She was returned to the breeder by first owner because of her being so hard to walk...pulling..etc...Finally, with the prong she is manageable..i do not feel like I have failed in her training..This is just the ONLY way to manage this dog..jan

[Jax08]

Originally Posted by Blanketback

Okey dokey. But you do know there are probably millions of people who use all the different devices (prongs, head collars, harnesses, what-nots) and couldn't give a hoot that their dogs aren't trained? They're just happy to be able to walk them, lol.

True! And if they are happy with that, more power to them.

And I owe you an apology. I was really blunt when I said I didn't know how much plainer I could say that...I wasn't being smart or snotty...I literally didn't know how to restate it to make my point. lol