Lexxsmom

Just wondering what your opinions are regarding the use of prong collars on puppies?

The place that I train recommends either a gentle leader or a choke chain if a flat collar isn't working, but I do not like either and I have read on here that a lot of people use a prong collar.

The question is, how young is TOO young to upgrade your training supplies to something a little more serious?

VaBtrfly

TBH, I think it's a personal preference though IMO, not before 4-5 months of age. I know some will disagree with me but, I have seen many dogs started too young and the problems that can arise from doing so. Pups go through a fear impact period between 8-12 weeks and again between 6-14 months. The first fear impact period is the "make it or break it" one, so you don't want to introduce anything too harsh at that time especially. Not that a prong is harsh, it's just a bit scary for a pup, lol. As far as choke collars for puppies.... never. Of course that's only my opinion. I'd much rather see a young dog on a head collar than a choke chain. I'm sure others will be around soon to sound off on your question.
I do use a prong, I find it less harsh than a choke despite it's torturous look, lol.

Hope this helps. Take care!

dobesanddragons

Personal preference.

At our club I have seen them used on large breed rowdy puppies as young as 4 months in the classes, only if working with other collars has failed and the owner has no control. Some people refuse to use them ever. Personally, I would go by the dog itself. If you feel you guys need the prong, then find a trainer that will help you fit a prong.

If you have never used a prong before remember to work with an experienced trainer to get the right size and fit it correctly and learn how to use it. A prong collar should be self correcting and you shouldn't use harsh corrections with it on a puppy ever.

With the dog I had to use a prong collar on he didn't mind at all. It was just another collar to him, but he did respect it more than any other collar and the choking to death while walking was no longer an issue and he could focus better on what was expected of him. Some say it is power steering for dogs. I was able to train off it at a later point with training. Every dog is different. I haven't used a prong on any dogs but him simply b/c they haven't needed it. I don't find anything wrong with them when used properly.

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crxman321

I think prong Collars are alot better and safer then the reg choke. I wouldnt use one until atleast 6 months I just dont think its that Nessacery before then.

Bluefly44

I was just reading a good conversation going on about prong collars in the health section: Dog Collar Issues

I didn't see anything on age, but there is good info there. A few months ago, we started using a prong collar on our jack russell and chihuahua, as they would pull hard with the harness (like they were huskies pulling a sled) and then with the regular collars they we choke themselves, but still wouldn't stop pulling. The second they got those collars, we didn't even have to do anything - they immediately stopped pulling and walked perfectly together. It was like a miracle. I'd like to eventually go back to a regular collar when they break the habit of pulling.

Elli didn't start pulling until this week and I want to avoid any injuries by using the wrong collar when training, so I'm also interested in this topic.

jatango

When my boy started to be a handful, I tried a prong on him. He very quickly shut down on me during training sessions. The reason was probably due to my inexperience with prongs, but I decided to try and find a better solution for us. I really like Wonder's Easywalk harness. It eliminates the issue of the choke, gives more control than a flat collar, and worked much better than the prong for Wonder and me. Again, it is probably because I need instruction with the prong, but there are other tools to be investigated besides the prong.

We'll probably use it eventually, but for now I am really fond of the harness. If you want to try that concept though, go for the Sense-ible harness instead. It's a higher quality IMO and seems to perform better.

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Monica

I have used a prong on our shepherd. Didn't until she was a year old though. Her stubborn refusal to stop jumping no matter what we tried caused me to seek out an obedience trainer who suggested we try the prong. We only had to use it a couple weeks and she figured out the deal.

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Bluefly44

Perhaps you should read the conversation going on in this thread about neck and spine injuries and dog collars: Dog Collar Issues

article referred to: http://www.dogbreedz.com/dog_article...neck_spine.htm

If you think prong collars are tortuous and only for big dogs - you are mistaken. A professional trainer is the one who recommended that we use the collars to curb the pulling and it worked instantly. At first we didn't want to use them, either, but then we were properly educated about them and we changed our minds - and I'm glad we did!

Bluefly44

I thought I should also add that we only use the prong collar for walks (since it's the pulling that it corrects) - the rest of the time they have their regular collars on.

BTW - my chi is 12 pounds (NOT a purse dog) and my jack is 22 pounds - they are large for their breeds, both neutered males and like to compete for which dog is in front of the other when walking (though they are held side by side and next to us).