Official Prong Collar Advocate

**Taz_Zoee** · 05-03-2008, 05:40 PM

I am so glad you posted this Nicole. I have been meaning to ask how a prong collar should fit. We have one that Bruce had for DJ, even though I never saw him use it on him. I was thinking about trying it on Zoee, but I want it to fit properly. Can anyone tell me how it should fit? Or should I take it and Zoee somewhere for them to fit it on her?
It's great to hear how successful it was for you and Ajax. Zoee drags me to the park, barking her head off. This may be my answer as well.

She just paws the gentle leader off her nose (although, that's probably not fitted correctly either, sigh).

**NicoleLJ** · 05-03-2008, 06:09 PM

The way I was told to fit it is that it needs to rest in the same place as a show collar so just up behind the ears. Not low down the neck like most collars. And it needs to be snug enough not to slid down. Not so tight that you can't put a finger or so under but snug enough to stay up there and not slide down loose on the neck. Hope this helps.

That is how it fits Ajax.
Nicole

**K9karen** · 05-03-2008, 10:53 PM

After taking a lot of slack for using a prong on Cody, I was glad I stuck to my guns. He was so powerful, I'm lucky my arms are still attached to my shoulders. I got the correct fit, and only used a tug sparingly. because he caught on so fast too. Within a few months, he walked with a regular collar and leash. Not always a perfect gentleman of course, but it seemed that quick tugs did the trick most of the time. Anyway, sounds like you and Ajax had a great time! What a smartie pants!

**Sevaede** · 05-04-2008, 12:12 PM

One of my neighbors started using a prong collar on her puppy. My friend/other neighbor/neighbors room mate (

), also, began using a prong collar. She demonstrated it on my arm and there was absolutely no pain, discomfort, etc. I , still, probably would not use one on Spanks (she is only tiny, after all. not hard to correct on leash).

**CathyBogart** · 05-04-2008, 12:35 PM

I'm an advocate too after seeing how well it worked for my aunt's pit/viszla mix. He's a very bright, eager to please dog who gets ahead of himself sometimes. The first few times I dog-sat him were hell, and my arms were sore for days afterwards...since the prong collar came into the picture walks are a pleasure, and he definitely gets more of them now!

**lute** · 05-04-2008, 01:46 PM

I too am a strong believer in the prong collar! It made walks enjoyable with Brick and several other rescues. It's like a light goes off in their head saying "OH! I'm suppose to do it this way. Yes ma'm! Whatever you say ma'm!"

**SemaviLady** · 05-11-2008, 07:06 AM

Originally Posted by Wenisrubber

I , still, probably would not use one on Spanks (she is only tiny, after all. not hard to correct on leash).

Spanks may probably never need a stronger collar or harness than you use, but I have had communications with toy dog owners who do use mini microprongs. If they have a dog with a collapsing trachea and the dog is sometimes a handful (a chi trying to take on big dogs when on walkies, eg, a Great Dane), sometimes the collars really help settle the little dog down and the dog doesn't need to be handled roughly at all in anything like a 'correction'.

Picking up a small fiesty dog when it has annoyed a larger one, even one on leash, can be dangerous for the handler and the small dog, because the large dog may reach up to see the small dog's face again, esp if the small dog is still yapping --and the owner can get scratched or knocked down. So keeping the dog on the ground when it is an option works fine, and some do use the micro mini prongs.

**shepgirl** · 05-11-2008, 09:33 AM

Thanks for the picture SemiviLady. I had heard that they put the pups in with the livestock to let them mingle and protect.
About the prongs, yes we are definitely on the same wavelength, you just express it better than I do. I don't have the enrgy to go into long descriptive posts so I was very interested in reading yours. I think the only difference is that I have never known an owner trained dog where you seem to be familiar with them. I guess maybe each country has their own methods.

On a side note, I know what you mean about training the Anotolian. I talked one of the neighbors to attend classes and it was a riot at first. Those are STRONG dogs...lol. But, believe it or not, this guy graduated with the rest of the class, But his dog is gifted for protedting his sheep and other livestock.Aloof is a mild word for their attitude...he knows us well and will sometimes greet us with a wagging tail where as on other occasions he will act as if he can look right through us ....lol. Gorgeous dogs although I really don't think my capabilities lie with that breed .....

**Taz_Zoee** · 05-04-2008, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by NicoleLJ

The way I was told to fit it is that it needs to rest in the same place as a show collar so just up behind the ears. Not low down the neck like most collars. And it needs to be snug enough not to slid down. Not so tight that you can't put a finger or so under but snug enough to stay up there and not slide down loose on the neck. Hope this helps.

That is how it fits Ajax.
Nicole

Yes, this helps. Thank you Nicole.

I'll give it a try next week.

**cassiesmom** · 05-04-2008, 08:03 PM

Nicole and Ajax, I'm glad you had a good outing! And it sounds like you made another fan, too. Great job following all of mom's instructions. Maybe she will give you some pets for me.

***LabLoverKEB*** · 05-04-2008, 09:16 PM

Add me to the list! I MUST use a prong collar, Rita is pure muscle! Along with her muscles, she extremly agressive twards other dogs. I walk her at heel at all times, and use the prong collar for corrections. It's worked wonders with her!

**Suki Wingy** · 05-04-2008, 10:51 PM

I use the prong too, but I have found that a properly fitted choke/slip is stronger than the properly fitted prong. I use prong for everyday and the choke for obedience training.