At what age to start with prong collar?

kitmcd · 11-06-2011, 06:09 PM

I have a 15 week old, female GSD puppy. Today I took her to walk in an Alzheimer's Walk. I was very proud of her as this was her first big, noisy event.

She was fine with the cheerleaders, the running children, the babies grabbing at her, the balloons, the DJ, the wheelchairs and skateboards.

However, the other dogs she just HAD to see! I didn't let her pull me to them, but every time another dog was in sight she pulled and pulled on her lead. On the walk itself, she was so excited she was pulling constantly. I did stop and make her sit periodically, but the pulling would soon resume.

I know she is young and maybe I shouldn't expect anything different right now. On walks at home she is learning not to pull but there are not all those distractions.

So, my question is at what age should you start with a prong collar and under what conditions do you use it?

doggiedad · 11-06-2011, 07:55 PM

don't rely on a gadget. depend on training.

Jax08 · 11-06-2011, 08:01 PM

Train her so she knows what you want. You are MONTHS away from needing a correction collar, if you even would then. There are several videos on teaching puppies to walk nicely on a leash.

Emoore · 11-06-2011, 08:07 PM

At her age, I'd use a front-connect harness like the Sense-ation harness, not a prong collar.

kitmcd · 11-06-2011, 08:14 PM

Thanks for the responses. We have been training every day and I've watched many videos and have several books. She is doing well in her home environment and even out in parking lots, stores, etc....as long as we don't meet other dogs up close. Even then with a "sit" and "easy" she does pretty well.

I was just wondering if in certain situations I might should be using something more? We will just keep on working like we have been.

I had her to a K-9 handler/trainer to evaluate. His feeling was that she was "ahead of schedule" and to just keep on what I was doing.

I had just read through some other threads about the prong collars and how much people liked them and thought that they helped...but in those threads it wasn't clear how old their dogs were.

Thanks

Gracie's My Girl · 11-06-2011, 08:37 PM

I wouldn't worry about using any kind of correction collar on a puppy or even on an older dog unless it is really needed. To solve our pulling problem, we use an Easy Walk Harness on our puppy. It is a far easier and more comfortable solution for everyone.

Anthony8858 · 11-06-2011, 09:31 PM

IMO, I think they get used to that prong collar anyway.
There are so many other ways to correct a dog, I'd get yourself fully trained, before considering a prong collar.

chelle · 11-06-2011, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitmcd

I have a 15 week old, female GSD puppy. Today I took her to walk in an Alzheimer's Walk. I was very proud of her as this was her first big, noisy event.

She was fine with the cheerleaders, the running children, the babies grabbing at her, the balloons, the DJ, the wheelchairs and skateboards.

However, the other dogs she just HAD to see! I didn't let her pull me to them, but every time another dog was in sight she pulled and pulled on her lead. On the walk itself, she was so excited she was pulling constantly. I did stop and make her sit periodically, but the pulling would soon resume.

I know she is young and maybe I shouldn't expect anything different right now. On walks at home she is learning not to pull but there are not all those distractions.

So, my question is at what age should you start with a prong collar and under what conditions do you use it?

Well to actually answer your original question

, it has been said to wait until 6 months or later.

RocketDog · 11-06-2011, 09:54 PM

Have you checked out the LAT game? If you can see the dogs first, you can try distracting her. Also, there's also just plain old stopping or turning the other way if it's feasible. No reaction.

My pup is almost 21 weeks and he walks absolutely LOVELY on a leash with just his flat collar. I just stopped moving EVERY time he started to pull. He quickly figured out it took A LONG TIME to get anywhere if he pulled. He still wants to pull with dogs but we're starting the LAT game and if all else fails I just stop. Eventually he quits pulling. Good luck!

Stosh · 11-06-2011, 09:59 PM

I started Stosh on a prong collar at 6 mos while we taking an obedience class. The collar is really helpful but you need to know how to fit and use it properly. He hasn't 'gotten used' to it per se, but he does know that the times I put it on him he needs to pay extra attention and behave. Look at leergurg.com for free videos on how to use one should you decide to try it

11-06-2011, 06:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
kitmcd Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina Posts: 192	At what age to start with prong collar? I have a 15 week old, female GSD puppy. Today I took her to walk in an Alzheimer's Walk. I was very proud of her as this was her first big, noisy event. She was fine with the cheerleaders, the running children, the babies grabbing at her, the balloons, the DJ, the wheelchairs and skateboards. However, the other dogs she just HAD to see! I didn't let her pull me to them, but every time another dog was in sight she pulled and pulled on her lead. On the walk itself, she was so excited she was pulling constantly. I did stop and make her sit periodically, but the pulling would soon resume. I know she is young and maybe I shouldn't expect anything different right now. On walks at home she is learning not to pull but there are not all those distractions. So, my question is at what age should you start with a prong collar and under what conditions do you use it?

11-06-2011, 07:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
doggiedad Crowned Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Jenkintown,Pa. Posts: 9,853	don't rely on a gadget. depend on training. __________________ "Life Without A Dog Is A Life Unfulfilled"

11-06-2011, 08:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
Emoore Crowned Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North DFW, TX Posts: 9,215	At her age, I'd use a front-connect harness like the Sense-ation harness, not a prong collar. __________________ Rocky vom Backyard- 10 years young Kopper vom Felssclucht Bach - 17 months At the Bridge: Cash van der Animal Shelter 2006-2010

11-06-2011, 08:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jax08 Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NNE PA Posts: 14,337	Train her so she knows what you want. You are MONTHS away from needing a correction collar, if you even would then. There are several videos on teaching puppies to walk nicely on a leash.

11-06-2011, 08:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
kitmcd Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina Posts: 192	Thanks for the responses. We have been training every day and I've watched many videos and have several books. She is doing well in her home environment and even out in parking lots, stores, etc....as long as we don't meet other dogs up close. Even then with a "sit" and "easy" she does pretty well. I was just wondering if in certain situations I might should be using something more? We will just keep on working like we have been. I had her to a K-9 handler/trainer to evaluate. His feeling was that she was "ahead of schedule" and to just keep on what I was doing. I had just read through some other threads about the prong collars and how much people liked them and thought that they helped...but in those threads it wasn't clear how old their dogs were. Thanks

11-06-2011, 08:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
Gracie's My Girl Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 330	I wouldn't worry about using any kind of correction collar on a puppy or even on an older dog unless it is really needed. To solve our pulling problem, we use an Easy Walk Harness on our puppy. It is a far easier and more comfortable solution for everyone.

11-06-2011, 09:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
Anthony8858 Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,314	IMO, I think they get used to that prong collar anyway. There are so many other ways to correct a dog, I'd get yourself fully trained, before considering a prong collar.

11-06-2011, 09:54 PM	#9 (permalink)
RocketDog Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 1,270	Have you checked out the LAT game? If you can see the dogs first, you can try distracting her. Also, there's also just plain old stopping or turning the other way if it's feasible. No reaction. My pup is almost 21 weeks and he walks absolutely LOVELY on a leash with just his flat collar. I just stopped moving EVERY time he started to pull. He quickly figured out it took A LONG TIME to get anywhere if he pulled. He still wants to pull with dogs but we're starting the LAT game and if all else fails I just stop. Eventually he quits pulling. Good luck!

11-06-2011, 09:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
Stosh Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: tyler texas Posts: 8,434	I started Stosh on a prong collar at 6 mos while we taking an obedience class. The collar is really helpful but you need to know how to fit and use it properly. He hasn't 'gotten used' to it per se, but he does know that the times I put it on him he needs to pay extra attention and behave. Look at leergurg.com for free videos on how to use one should you decide to try it

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