Firstly it is important to understand how prong collars work. ‘Prong’ or ‘Pinch’ collars are based on the principle of applying something painful or frightening to stop an undesirable behaviour – very simply, when a dog pulls on the lead, the prongs of the collar close around the neck which can cause pain or discomfort which reduces the chance of the dog pulling on the lead again. Research has shown that aversive training techniques, like prong collars, can cause pain and distress and can compromise dog welfare.
Now while the use of a prong collar can help with a dog that behaves in an undesirable way when on a lead. It must be noted that unless the prong collar stops the dog from pulling and lurching the collar can be incredibly damaging to a dogs neck. In ideal world, the collar would act as a deterrent for the dog and no longer pull. If this isn’t the case and you will need to ensure your dog has the correct obedience training either by yourself or a professional.
You are most likely reading this because your dog pulls on the lead, is lead reactive or you can’t control your dog on lead, right? – If you are struggling, please take the time to consult a professional who can help you and your dog build a trusting and fun relationship with walks. – If you do not have the money for a trainer you can find a whole range of videos on YouTube that will guide you through variety of issues you may be facing with your dog.
We strongly believe that you shouldn’t need to use a prong collar in the long term with the correct training.