Adding a new canine member to the family is always a joy! However, this has its ups and downs, and you have to start training your puppy. The first few months are crucial to teach and make sure that your pup gets adjusted to its new home.
You can start using prong collars on puppies as young as four months. Most dog trainers start using it early, as soon as training starts. They are safe to use as long as it is not used for long hours.
Puppy training is always a tough task, and the way you discipline is also equally important. It is not reasonable to punish your puppies for misbehaving. If you’re wondering how to discipline a puppy in the right way, then a prong collar might just be the answer! Most trainers also swear by this product.
What Is a Prong Collar?
Prong collars are metal chains that have prongs on the inside. They are made so that the prongs hurt the area where it is placed when pulled. These prongs are safe to use and do not harm your dogs.
The prongs are placed at certain angles, which is comfortable like any other collar. However, when the dog moves violently or lunges forward against the prongs, it pinches the neck. They are used to control or maneuver violent dogs.
This is a great passive way of ensuring that your dogs do not run ahead or move in the wrong directions. Many dog trainers and professionals recommend using prong collars to teach any dogs efficiently.
At What Age Can You Use Prong Collar on a Puppy?
It is debatable at which age a prong collar can be used on a puppy. It is not recommended to put prong collars on very young pups, usually below 3 months. The consensus is that it is safe to use prong collars at four months and upwards. Many trainers choose the ages 4-6 months as the perfect age window to start using prong collars.
At this age, their necks are not fragile and can withstand the pulling of their collars. They are much stronger, and the prongs do not harm or disturb the puppies either. It is always recommended by trainers to start the use of prong collar early as they will grow accustomed to it.
They move and behave more gently, as the rough actions hurt their necks. Their habits and movements become very docile and respond well to discipline and orders.
How to Use a Prong Collar on a Puppy
Learning to fit the collar is crucial to ensure that you are not hurting your puppies. You should also make sure that you get a good prong collar and not some cheap crap that will do more harm than good.
Fitting a prong collar is easy, like any other ordinary collar. It has the same function and mechanism as other chain collars. The only extra step you must take is the placement of the collar.
Make sure that the collar sits comfortably on the neck right below the head. The collar should not rest on the lower neck area. This is the wrong position and can be an uncomfortable placement for your dog too.
How Do You Train a Puppy With a Prong Collar?
Now that you have learned how to place prong collars on your dog correctly, how do you train your dog? While it seems easy to put the collar on the dog and tug at it when it’s misbehaving, this is not the way to train your dog.
Many pet parents have difficulty even putting on the collars on their pups. The collar looks scary and is not easy going on the eyes. Most puppies and even grown dogs resist the idea of having a prong collar on them.
You will need to establish trust with your dogs. Do not use the prong collar on them when they are misbehaving. Instead, choose a neutral time even when not training, and encourage them with treats to keep on the collar.
Before you start training lessons with your dog, make sure they have a prong collar. You can put the collar on them a good few minutes before the training begins. Usually, a good 5 minutes before, you can put it on and play around. The idea is to help your dog get comfortable with the collar and make them forget about the collar.
When training, do not pull on the leash roughly. Puppies get distracted and run around, and the instinctive move is to pull back on the chain. Remember, this is not an ordinary collar, and brash actions on your part can hurt your dogs.
After any training session, it is also advised to keep the collar on for a few minutes. After each lesson, give them their favorite biscuits or treats with the collar on. You shouldn’t associate the collar with complete negativity.
What Size Is the Perfect Fit for Your Dog?
A lot of people believe that choosing a looser fit would be perfect and wouldn’t hurt their dogs. Many new pet parents and owners make this mistake. The aim is to make them feel a slight resistance, so choosing a much bigger size defeats the purpose.
You need to choose the right size for your dog to ensure that the collar works as it was intended to. Choosing a size too small will also cause a great deal of pain to your dog.
Getting the right fit actually makes it more-easier for your dog to adjust to their new collar. The right placement also plays a huge role in making the perfect fit. Allow the collar to rest right below the ears. Choose a collar that sits on the neck of your dog without falling down. A tight collar is easy to spot, as your dog will make sure you know of it.
How Long Can a Dog Wear a Prong Collar?
We have all seen a prong collar, and it looks scary and painful to wear. Do longer periods cause bruising and pain to the dogs? There are many concerns about how long a dog should wear a prong collar by many new pet owners.
While it is entirely safe to use prong collars on dogs, they are not designed to wear for long periods. They are not like the ordinary chains and collars you get from your pet store; they have hooks angled to cause slight pain when moved incorrectly.
It is not recommended to use a prong collar for more than an hour. They should be worn only when needed and taken off as quickly as possible. They are not made to be the main collar for your dogs, nor is it recommended to make them wear when going out for walks.
All You Need to Know About Prong Collars
Prong collars come in different shapes and sizes. They also vary from the different prong designs. Prong collars are available in 3 different sizes.
- For smaller pups, a 2.25 mm prong size is available. This also fits a few larger or adult dogs.
- For medium to large-sized dogs, the 3.2mm prong size would be perfect—the best for dogs up to 200 lbs.
- For heavier-set dogs or obese dogs, the 4mm prong collar would be the best comfortable choice. This might be slightly heavier and difficult to put on in comparison with the other two sizes.
Is Prong Collar Safe to Use?
Yes, a prong collar is safe to use on dogs for the purpose of training. Prolonged use of the prong collar is unsafe and not recommended. There is a chance that the hooks and prongs on the inside can cause friction on the neck, causing discomfort, extreme bruising, and even having the skin scraped off.
There are people who are of the opinion that a prong collar is a torture tool or an inhumane device to control dogs. However, this is far from the truth, and it is a good tool to help train dogs. Under proper care and cautious use, this can help trainers achieve results quickly.
Conclusion
Many loving pet owners and animal trainers use prong collars in their everyday to train dogs. However, there are cases where the negligence of pet owners injures their dogs. However, it is important to note that it does not harm the dogs when used as intended.
If you believe prong collars are the right choice for you, there are always other options. There is no specific accessory that will act as a quick training tool.
Training a new puppy or an older dog can be arduous but not impossible. Many trainers choose to start their training with a prong collar. From the first task to the end of the lesson, dogs can use prong collars as an aiding tool for their training.
Many training schools and private trainers have been using and successfully employed prong collars to train. Under the right conditions, your puppies will feel comfortable and have fun training in them.
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