I just got the new issue of Whole Dog Journal today and happily sat down to read it, and there was a section devoted to what to use and not to use for training your dog to not pull on the leash. The prong was on the NOT to use list, and the author was lamenting seeing so many people using prong collars on their dogs. Well, I've had great success with the prong on Henry. The auther said the prong collar is highly aversive. I don't personally see that with Henry, but then I don't use it to correct, I use it because he's calmer with it on and much less reactive to other dogs. She said people are mistaking "subdued" for "calm."

Why do you think this author is so down on the prong collar? I thought it was better than a choke collar, and Henry does great on walks with it. (He was way too reactive to other dogs with a head halter.) He seems to enjoy himself. The author advocates loose leash training (the "be a tree" method when the dog pulls, etc.).

I will admit that I gave up on the "be a tree" method after 3 months. For 3 months every day Henry and I were lucky to get to the end of the driveway in about 30 minutes. I finally got him a Flexi leash to go with his prong, gave up on the loose leash, and we've been happily walking and hiking and skating ever since. I taught him to "wait" if he gets to the end of the Flexi. He's really good about stopping and waiting for me to catch up, but most of the time he's not that far ahead. I also keep a very short leash with Henry walking beside me if we pass other dogs, children or people.

Anyway, I feel kind of ashamed about using the prong collar after reading the article. I'm the exact type of person she's lamenting about, too--using a Flexi and a prong together.

Everyone has differing opinions regarding training devices and methods....but using that collar is NOT something to be ashamed about. The prong collar is a fantastic training tool...and , in the correct hands, cannot be beat. Can't imagine how many dog's lives have been saved thru successful training with them.

Perhaps she (the writer) was concerned that it might be used to punish and not used as it is meant to  be used.

With my Labs THEY controlled their own actions via the collar....not me. If THEY pulled against it, felt it, they corrected themselves.

And I bladed everywhere with my Lab in one...he'd bring the collar TO me for our treks. Not exactly a fearful item for him!

He never took off when seeing another dog, etc and worked well with it on.....only time I used it was on roller blades and bike.

I really did nothing.HE controlled his own pulling.

ALSO...for sensitive dogs there are rubber tips to attach to each prong...how painful can THAT be??

NO training collar should be left on the unattended dog...and I see people leave those useless choke collars on all the time.

Drives me crazy!

Yogi is so little and also doesn't pull in the Puppia...but the harness would be useless if he was a strong puller.....

Anyway...what works well for you and your dog is all that matters....JMHO.

I haven't read the article, but I will say this. There is a difference between "management" and "training." A dog that requires a prong collar for control isn't trained. Perhaps one thing the author objects to is the fact that so many people use this collar for management, as a substitute for training.

"Be a tree" does work, but you have to be patient and never give in. You also should only leash the dog for training sessions, and initially you should keep those sessions short (as with any training) at a time when he isn't desperate to pee or poop, and in a place where the dog is not distracted. When you see that he is getting frustrated or losing focus, end the session by picking him up and carrying him inside, or to a place you can remove the leash. Of course it's much better to end the session before that point, and on a positive (loose leash) note, even if it is very brief at first.

This goes a lot faster if you use a clicker (if your dog is clicker savvy) because when you click for a loose leash, he knows immediately what it is you are asking of him. So the process is: 1. Be a tree 2. Click the second the leash is loose 3. Reward by moving forward

If you do not have a place where the dog can pee/poop or exercise off leash, then I would use the prong collar for these activities until he has taken care of business and burned off his excess energy, THEN replace it with a flat collar or harness and have your training session. Eventually he will learn that when the flat collar is on, loose leash is expected and you'll be able to walk, jog, whatever without pulling and without having to control/manage him with a mechanical device. Trust me, it's such a pleasure!

 I have to say that I witnessed Kim trying to control Amos BEFORE using a prong collar and she's a tiny thing who looked like she was leading a big, rambunctious colt to pasture!  She literally would have to just let him run big circles around her until he would pay attention to her again.  In Kim and Amos situation the prong collar really worked - he could have gotten away from her without her doing some training with it on him!

Ahhhhhhhh.. the age-old debate on prong collars rears its head again....   I just recently subscribed to the Whole Foods Journal, but haven't received my first copy yet, so have not seen this article.  However, I have seen BUNCHES of articles on this subject.

Even though a prong collar may look like a medieval torture device it’s actually a very humane training device. For some dogs a prong collar can make the difference between training success and failure.

Wouldn’t it be great if all dogs could be trained easily with a simple buckle collar?  But unfortunately that’s just not the case. And that's why there are different varieties of dog training collars.  There are many differences between dogs, just as there are many differences between dog handlers.  So...it makes perfect sense that training methods will also vary greatly. Many dog owners will never be able to train their dogs using an ordinary buckle collar. This is true even with the help of doggie obedience school. But this doesn’t mean the dog is a lost cause. It just means that you just haven’t found a training method that works for both you and your dog yet.

If you’re effectively communicating with your fine furry friend and she isn’t responding to your commands and corrections I feel a prong collar could be the answer. If your dog isn’t “hearing” you because she’s easily distracted you need a stronger way to get her attention. Or if she’s hearing you but choosing not to obey your commands you definitely need a stronger method of communication.

Stronger training methods don’t mean the use of brut force. Certain dogs will respond to the slightest tug on a properly fitted dog prong collar. Others will need a little more persuasion. An essential part of communicating with your dog is being able to sufficiently motivate her so that she quickly responds to your commands. And a dog prong collar is a mechanical training device that can help you do just that.

A dog prong collar, or any other training collar, used properly can be a very effective and safe way to train your dog. As with any training aid start with the lowest level of correction and work up from there. 

Each dog is different… just like kids. A method that worked like a charm on one dog may be wasted on another dog. But this doesn’t mean the dog is bad or un-trainable. It probably means the method that you’re applying is not a good match for your pooch.

I've used prong collars for years... I MUCH prefer them over choke collars which can easily injure a dog's trachea if used improperly.  I NEVER recommend that someone just go get one and start using it.  I always advise that they seek out someone who is familiar with the PROPER use of a prong collar and learn how to use it correctly.

 Personally, I feel that anytime we can reduce the amount of force we use on our dogs, the better off the dog (and the owner/handler) will be!  

Again...the answer lies in proper dog training methods. Whenever you are training a dog your efforts will only be as successful as your ability to form positive associations with desired and acceptable behavior AND negative associations with behaviors you wish to get rid of. In order to form positive associations with 'good' behaviors...this requires motivational training methods such as praise, toys, and treats. In order to form negative associations with 'bad' behaviors this requires corrections such as leash corrections, e-collar corrections, spray bottles, or the withholding of treats or praise.

These are my opinions... my opinions only... based on a fair amount of experience with various breeds... various temperments, etc.  I in no shape, form of fashion, expect anyone (or everyone) to agree with me. 

You know, I never used a prong collar with any of our other dogs... then Murphy came along.  I also was concerned about it hurting the dog, but I tried a choke collar, and it seemed much more inhumane and even dangerous.  Murphy responds well when he's wearing the prong collar... just putting it on him changes his behavior! 

I do understand the prong collar concerns, but used appropriately as Nora says, is effective.  Still, I look forward to the day that I don't have to use it.

Ok, I agree the prong collar is better BUT I've used chain collars my entire life (long time there folks) and never, ever hurt a dog with one of them.  I agree that in the wrong hands or if left on a dog when not training they can be very dangerous but please don't insinuate that anyone who uses these collars is "inhumane".  They have been very helpful to me in training my dogs and trust me, my dogs all have nice, healthy tracheas! 

 I agree with Nora. It depends on the dog and owner.
  When we first got Sam, we hadn't heard of a prong collar, so we got a choke chain. And it worked. We don't tighten it around his throat or anything. Just a small correction works. We rarely need to do that anymore now...the only problem he has when walking is when another off leash dog comes charging up to him. But he isn't afraid of the collar or anything, he'll happily slip his head into it on his own before we go for a walk. So it works for us.
  I think the prong collar is less worry some because it's less likely to be used inhumanely than a choke chain. I've been thinking of getting one for Sam instead of his choke collar, but those things kind of frighten me...not because it looks cruel or anything, but I don't know if I could figure out how to put it on if I tried. And I'd rather use a choke chain correctly than a prong collar incorrectly and risk hurting him. So I guess we'll have to take some sort of lesson or something to learn how to put it on before we try it.

Indeed there SHOULD come a day when the prong collar is no longer needed, and that should ALWAYS be the ultimate goal. If a dog has to continue wearing a prong collar all the time... then something hasn't been trained correctly. Initially, it is used to "manage" the dog in an effort to "train" the dog.... (you have to have any dog under control at least to SOME degree before you can train it). If... after several sessions with a prong collar... you still have to have to rely on the prong collar in order to "manage" the dog, then you are probably not using the prong collar correctly for training purposes. It is a "training collar"...not a collar to be used forever and ever. Once the dog is trained, there should be no further need for it.

Bailey was trained with a prong collar, as were all my dogs (and of my four dogs, Buster weighs the most at 14 lbs). I have no need for a prong collar anymore with any of them.

These collars are highly effective IF used correctly! In the hands of a harsh owner/handler whose intent is to hurt a dog... it can be disastrous. But I like to think that people want the best for their dogs and that is NOT their intent. I've said it lots of times before... if the intent is to hurt a dog, it can be done easily with a lightweight nylon collar... or ANY type of collar for that matter.

If a choke collar works ... then that is a personal choice each of us have to make. I personally don't care for choke collars but I'm all for whatever works for you and your furry friend! 

Mary Beth -- if the prong collar is put on correctly, there is NO WAY it can come loose!

I hope it wasn't me that made you feel incompetent. If so, I surely didn't mean to. Nor was I speaking out against the use of training collars. I was just musing about the possible reasons that the author of the article was against them. Sorry if it came out otherwise.

Everyone trains their dogs to whatever level they need for their individual lifestyle. My dogs are certainly not highly trained by most standards...they don't "heel", (have never even learned the word) they just don't pull. I am somewhat handicapped, frequently needing a cane and frequently walking 2 dogs at a time. If they pulled at all, it wouldn't take much to pull me completely over, LOL. So they are trained not to.

And I just offered my "be a tree" method in case anyone was interested. That's what worked for me. Didn't mean to insinuate it's the only way to go.

I walked Henry today at the park without the prong collar on to see if he has learned anything, and he did great! I was a little surprised. I had tried walking him without it several months ago, and he was much more reactive without it back then, but today he did great. I think the difference is that I have spent the last 6 months or so training him with the "look" command and giving him positive reinforcement every time we pass another dog walker, jogger, etc. This has truly helped him, and the prong gave me the control that I desperately needed in the beginning and throughout the training. Henry's not a big puller, fortunately, unless he is reacting to another dog, then it's lunging (but not lately).

I give thanks for the prong, I really do.

I like Whole Dog Journal a lot as well. Maybe this article is just what I needed to push me toward weaning Henry off the prong.  This is a great discussion!