Training progress with the girls

Samsintentions · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 4292 Location: Texas

Yesterday I went out and purchased a new prong collar. I wanted something a little more to keep kabuki's attention and I needed a bigger one.

It worked like a charm! I popped it once. She kept her attention on me the rest of the time. Never stepped out of line in her heel, obeyed every command and I never had to pop it or put pressure on it after the first time! Surprised

If used correctly Prong collars are the way to go. I don['t particularly like choke chains, they tend to bruise the soft tissues and do damage to the esophagus and trachea.

Precious has used one before. And when we go in public like this afternoon, I use it instead of the halti now. Its less invasive, and she's way more comfortable with it, where as she had the halti on her face and it constantly irritated her.

honeybears · Super Senior Member Plus Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 3630

that is great news. I too used the prong collar with Jake, and it worked well, like you say you have to know how to use it and I was shown by my trainer the proper technique, that quick pop

MyPetTherapyDog · Senior Member Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 667

I too use prongs when necessary. What is not mentioned here and needs to be is the proper fit of them! Without proper fit, they do not work the way they were designed. The proper way to fit a prong is: To sit right behind the ears and up under the jaw line. Most people don't remove enough links to get the correct snug fit. When that happens the collar hangs down on the dogs neck which results in the collar not working the way that it was designed. I can't tell you how many people I see having their dogs wear the prong incorrectly.

I also have had good luck using Martingale Collars.

Samsintentions · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 4292 Location: Texas

Your rignt. Mine on Kabuki is a bit loose. But when engaged in training, we keep it right at the base of the head, behind the ears.

Mine was JUST bought in the photos. Granvel has to take a link out for Kabuki.

Precous' fits correctly. I tend to move her collar down a bit though. Her ears are a bit tender. She's got ear mites, and scratches at them. I've rid of the ear mites now, but she's still scratching. I'm thinking more out of habbit.

MyPetTherapyDog · Senior Member Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 667

One other thing to mention with prongs, they should ALWAYS be attached with choker for double re-inforcement. Many times I have been training dogs using prong collars and they have come apart. Especially if they are old and worn. The links become loose. If I did not have the choke attached, the dog would have bolted for the woods.

I also find when training that a 6 ft. leather leash works the best. It gives me better control than nylon.

There should be a sticky about the proper usage of prongs because they can be dangerous if not used correctly.

Samsintentions · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 4292 Location: Texas

So true! I thought I just had a hecktic time with the nylon leashes! Hmmm think I'm going to go get a leather one, and see if its any better.

Mine have not come apart yet. I tried taking a link out, and couldn't. These are the biggest ones you can buy, and man they are tough!

The girls don't mind them. They've always been taught to sit, put their heads in the collars. Same as the harness's. They sit then put their head in, and lift their paw.

DMikeM · Member Joined: 22 Mar 2005 Posts: 328 Location: Big Bear

I am afraid to use prong collars but I really need to get the boys to stop pulling on walks.
Might just have to buck up and get a set.

tuttifrutti · Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2006 10:05 pm Post subject:

Oh, I know about the big ones! We got one of those for Ranger while Snickers still lived with her other family, because they had a trainer working with Snickers who used the prong collar and showed them how, so since Snickers responded so well to it, they were going to come show us how to use it since we were having problems with heel (still don't have it down, o well) and so we ran out and bought one and got one of the big ones, lol. We could not get that thing on him since we couldn't undo the prongs very easily, and then they came over and were like "that's is VERY big" so we went and got a smaller one, much easier.

MyPetTherapyDog · Senior Member Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 667

http://www.cobankopegi.com/prong.html#Pictures

Actually, many people (myself included) buy the smaller size prong collars. They work better. (they seem to give a stronger correction actually) ( I think they are a little bit sharper. They also don't look as big and bulky and say to the world "Oh look at me, I need a big prong collar when I go out" For large breed dogs you need to buy two or three and put them together (use the middle links) Always use a choker chain to re-inforce just in case the prong collar comes apart.
Covers can be purchased to hide the prongs! This is a great idea. http://www.dog.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=100211+3M+RED&srccode=FR0401

You can also cover the prong collar with a bandana.

Samsintentions · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 4292 Location: Texas

My girls can easily break the choke chains. My theory on it is that I don't want ANYTHING that they can break. Once they know they can do it, they keep breaking them. So far they haven't broken this one. And respond to it VERY well.

When we go out. The girls usually wear a bandanna or scarf to cover them. That way its a bit more subtle to onlookers. I know some people don't approve of them, and it makes the girls look more intimidating than they all ready are.

MyPetTherapyDog · Senior Member Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 667

Sam, You attach the prong to the choke for double re-inforcement.
Its for the dogs safety.

tuttifrutti · Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 2:52 am Post subject:

When I take my babies to the pet store they wear their prong collars, well, when I take them anywhere they do, just because it seems that as soon as they get down behaving well and I wean them off, some new distraction comes along and we're back to square one, anyway, people are always like "I can't believe you use those collars on them!" Sometimes I just smile, but other times I ask if they would like to walk them without the collars and attempt to get them to heel. Most of these people have small dogs (I don't mean anything about small dog owners, that's just who it seems to be) who don't have the problem with getting dragged down the street by their dogs. (Actually, I do know someone who gets dragged down the street by their 10 lb bichon, but that's a totally different topic.) Anyway, I totally get that whole criticism thing, but those bandanas are an awesome idea. I'll have to try those next time, and see if the dogs will even be willing to leave them alone, lol.