Who uses a prong collar?

It sounds as iff you're bragging about using this contraption?? [&o] Personally i would never use something that inflicts pain on my dog,and would run a mile if any trainer suggested it!

What has you're dog done so wrong that you have use one of these things on him?[&:] IMO prong collars and the like belong in the archives with shock collars etc! There are much more modern and humane ways to train dogs these days with out using fear and pain [:@]

I use one with Max, only because he's big and a really strong puller. We went through the GL and the SENSE-ation harness and the prong was the only thing left. He walks much better with it on and I don't think it causes him any pain because he never yelps. It's more like it's just a little uncomfortable if he pulls too hard.

Joyce

These are more humane because they put the pressure AROUND the neck, and not on the trachea.
 
Headhalters, for example, can cause neck injury if they run and hit the end of the leash because their head will snap sideways.
 
Choke collars get tighter and tighter and are almost barbaric even.
 
Regular flat buckle collars also damage a dog's trachea.
 
And body harnesses only make them pull harder.
 
Yes, there are martingale collars, but I heard that they didn't work.  There are also harnesses that attach the leash to the front of the harness instead of the back so that they spin around when they pull, but those seem like a good idea for small dogs that can't wear training collars.

ORIGINAL:  cairnterriers
Yes, there are martingale collars, but I heard that they didn't work. 

I can understand using a prong if the dog outweighs you, but to use one on a Cairn Terrier?  I've found that martingale collars work nicely for little dogs that like to pull. [linkreviousText=martingale&N=2]Here's a>http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441806378&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302025650&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023689&bmUID=1159066693828&itemNo=0&Ntt=martingale&In=All&reviousText=martingale&N=2]Here's a pic[/link].  It gives the correction, but it's not as severe as the prong.  How can you say they don't work if you've never even used one?  How don't they work, do they not release, do they break?  Perhaps you should talk to a trainer who knows how to use them before assuming they don't work.  I've used Martingales on Corgis, Rottweilers, APBTs, American Bulldogs, Labradors, Chow Chows, and German Shepherds and have never once had a problem. 

Well, I suppose I could try it.  But I'm afraid it won't work!!!!!!![]

And if you work with it and give it a couple weeks and it doesn't work, you can switch back to the prong collar. 

Fine.

ORIGINAL: fuzzdomestic

ORIGINAL:  cairnterriers
Yes, there are martingale collars, but I heard that they didn't work. 

I can understand using a prong if the dog outweighs you, but to use one on a Cairn Terrier?  I've found that martingale collars work nicely for little dogs that like to pull. [linkreviousText=martingale&N=2]Here's a>http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441806378&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302025650&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023689&bmUID=1159066693828&itemNo=0&Ntt=martingale&In=All&reviousText=martingale&N=2]Here's a pic[/link].  It gives the correction, but it's not as severe as the prong.  How can you say they don't work if you've never even used one?  How don't they work, do they not release, do they break?  Perhaps you should talk to a trainer who knows how to use them before assuming they don't work.  I've used Martingales on Corgis, Rottweilers, APBTs, American Bulldogs, Labradors, Chow Chows, and German Shepherds and have never once had a problem. 

Different collars work for different dogs.  I use a martingale or just a plain flat collar on one of my Parsons, but the other needs a prong.  The prong collars are not inhumane if used properly.  Any collar can be inhumane if not used in the right way.  Choke collars can pull dogs necks out or cause severe damage to their trachea if not used correctly.  Same thing with a martingale.  Whatever training device you choose, make sure to learn to use it properly.  People just don't like the way it looks, but if you really know how to use it, it won't cause any pain, but just discomfort like the martingale.

Exactly.  That's what I try to say to everybody.

Not at the moment, but I have used one on my Cardigan Corgi, Indy in the past.
 
Indy is a small, strong dog that I *can* manhandle if need be, but I'd rather have a way to remind him of the obedience he DOES know, which, as a young and stupid dog, he occasionally forgot in high-stress situations. He's very muscular and any other type of corrective collar he completely ignored. His breeder has in her contract that head collars will NOT be used on her puppies, because she feels they're a high risk for back and neck injuries, especially in a long-backed dog like a Cardi.
 
Cait

I've never even seen a prong collar anywhere over here. But frankly, I'd rather see those than choke chains. Choke chains are used often and they make me nervous. I used to use them myself until I had to pull my little corgi off the ground with one to get her out of the way of a charging, aggressive dog. I stopped using them after that. My next dog will be clicker trained. I intend to teach him from the word go that pulling doesn't get him anywhere, before he gets big enough to pull me along whether I want to come or not. The work will be worth it. I want no part with chokes or prongs, but that's a personal decision.

Yes I use prong collars; they are no more painful and dangerous used correctly than any other collar.  It depends on the use of the tool by the human on the other end of the lead. 

Toy breeds with a trach problems are safer on a prong collar.  Folks with arthritis and big dogs do quite nicely on prong collars.  Folks with muscle and other soft tissue or other skeletal based problems can continue to walk strong dogs or exuberant youngsters with a prong collar. 

A head collar may offer some of the same benefits but must be used carefully due to potential spinal issues on the part of the dog. Some dogs never tolerate a head collar.

Martingale collars which I also use (for id purposes since the dogs can't slip out of them or choke as quickly if caught on something) do not offer the same find of control that training collars (slip style) offer.  They do not seem as effective with headstrong high drive dogs.  Personally I see slip collars as the most commonly misused collar in dogs.

I have used no pull harnesses (easy walk).  I like those as well.

Use what works for you and your dogs.  Consider the situation, the type of control needed etc.  The best answer is training but at times you need to make management decisions and the tools you use are included in that decision making.

I don't use a prong and probably never will. I prefer to train without force (that's not insult - I just want willing cooperation because my dog respects and wants to work with me - I see too many people in the competition circuit slap on a prong for precision which I don't really like to see). The only time I'd use a prong, is on a rescue dog that hasn't had roper training and is a major puller - although I would still try clicker training first.
 



[blockquote]

ORIGINAL: mrv Use what works for you and your dogs.  Consider the situation, the type of control needed etc.  The best answer is training but at times you need to make management decisions and the tools you use are included in that decision making.

 
I completely agree!  I personally wouldn't use a prong but I know they can be used succesfully! I hate seeing people using them to man-handle their dogs which is partly why I keep away from them.  I also tried one with Dodger at the advice of a trainer - she told me to walk him around the park with it on and feel the difference.  Off I go, Dodger (about 7 months old) spots a dog - play bows and runs to the end of the leash to greet him.  Obviously, it didn't go well and it was very painful for him - took weeks for him to learn that it wasn't going to happen again[]
 [/blockquote]

ORIGINAL: jetty
I don't use a prong and probably never will. I prefer to train without force (that's not insult - I just want willing cooperation because my dog respects and wants to work with me - I see too many people in the competition circuit slap on a prong for precision which I don't really like to see). The only time I'd use a prong, is on a rescue dog that hasn't had roper training and is a major puller - although I would still try clicker training first.

Personally, I see that as incorrect use of the pinch collar.  Training cannot be all negative.  I always use positive reinforcement at the same time that I am using the prong collar.  I use both clicker training and praise/treats.  The dog needs to learn that "whoa, that thing doesn't feel good when I pull!" but also "hey, when I walk right here, treats appear!"  I think when used with praise, it can be a valuable training tool.