The iron maiden, thumb screws, the rack, they are all readily recognized by most as torture devices.
And if appearances alone mattered, the prong collar would be seen in no better light by most of us.
Yet you can readily walk into most pet stores in even the most animal friendly states in the country and still find these devices for sale.
Do pet stores hate dogs? Hardly.
I will admit that prong collars look like horribly cruel devices but they are no more intended to do harm to dogs than choke collars (which are actually far more dangerous in unqualified hands).
The objective behind a prong collar is to motivate positive behavior by introducing discomfort for bad behavior such as pulling.
They are not meant to inflict punishing pain for every little transgression.
Advocates of prong collars will try to sell the thought that these dog training collars simulate a mother's reprimand.
In other words, the collar feels like an adult dog's teeth around the neck of its pup when it carries its young or expresses dominance.
The theory is that this "dominant" sensation will aid in training efforts by establishing the dog's submissive role in the owner/pet relationship.
Frankly, I think that's a load of hooey and an attempt to paint a more "natural" picture on a wholly unnatural device.
Detractors will tell you that prong collars are cruel and extremely painful.
They'll tell you there are better ways to train a dog not to pull and that dog training devices such as prong and choke collars are outdated products designed to support outdated training styles.
Though I'm not an advocate against prong collars, much of that is on the money.
I just disagree with the cruel and extremely painful part.
That is to say, I don't feel that's the intended result.
The truth of the matter is that both choke and prong collars can be useful training aids in qualified hands.
The problem is in their use by owners who either haven't taken the time to learn or simply don't understand their use.
The very real results, unfortunately, can be soft tissue and tendon damage.
Effectively, without meaning to, you can cause continuing and escalating harm to an animal if you don't know the right way to use these things.
Regardless your position on prong collars, they are still sold and still used today.
As such, if you are considering purchasing one, take the time to learn its correct use.
Never slip a prong collar over a dog's head.
These devices are meant to be attached by removing a clip and then reconnecting in the same way you might remove a link from a chain of paper clips.
Should you attempt to slip the collar over a dog's head, you run a very real risk of causing eye damage should the dog suddenly jerk its head.
Prong collars are not designed to be permanent collars.
If you are using one on every walk, all the time, your dog will develop a tolerance and you'll have effectively eliminated any training value the collar may have provided.
Worse, you'll wind up doing real harm trying to get a reaction out of your pet as he won't respond anymore unless the pain is severe rather than just uncomfortable.
Only use the collar for dedicated training sessions to teach your dog to heel or not lunge, then switch back to a regular collar.
Do not leave the collar on the dog when not being walked or trained.
Recognize that a prong collar is designed to pinch rather than choke.
If you're trying to choke the life out of your dog with a prong collar, you need to relinquish the collar (and probably the dog, too).
Your objective is a short pinch when your dog pulls or bolts ahead.
Pressure should be immediately released when your dog is behaving or you'll be sending a confusing message.
Do not use a prong collar on puppies, small dogs or dogs which are particularly skittish or shy.
The results can lead to serious damage to your pet's confidence and that should never be your objective.
You want your pet to know his place in the pecking order, not to live in constant terror.
Recognize there is a better way.
At the end of the day, you are working to establish a healthy but dominant relationship with your dog.
Your goals are not to punish, inflict pain or lord over your pet mercilessly.
Rather, you want to establish an alpha position born out of respect.
Methods such as turning and walking the other way when your dog tries to forge ahead, forcing it to walk behind you or simply making it sit every time it lunges are effective methods that can be accomplished with an ordinary buckle collar.
Your vet or preferably a gentle and qualified trainer with good references should be your guide.
Prong collars can be effective tools when used properly by an experienced trainer on the right dog.
Not all dogs will benefit and some could well suffer psychological or physical harm as a result of these devices.
Make the smart decision and solicit qualified advice before even considering a prong collar.
Finally, learn patience and make time to train your dog away from distractions.
With just an ordinary collar and an ordinary leash you can train virtually any dog.
Dog training collars of any kind are simply for expediency.
Given a loving, nurturing and patient owner, virtually any dog can learn to be well behaved by a gentle but authoritative owner.
And if appearances alone mattered, the prong collar would be seen in no better light by most of us.
Yet you can readily walk into most pet stores in even the most animal friendly states in the country and still find these devices for sale.
Do pet stores hate dogs? Hardly.
I will admit that prong collars look like horribly cruel devices but they are no more intended to do harm to dogs than choke collars (which are actually far more dangerous in unqualified hands).
The objective behind a prong collar is to motivate positive behavior by introducing discomfort for bad behavior such as pulling.
They are not meant to inflict punishing pain for every little transgression.
Advocates of prong collars will try to sell the thought that these dog training collars simulate a mother's reprimand.
In other words, the collar feels like an adult dog's teeth around the neck of its pup when it carries its young or expresses dominance.
The theory is that this "dominant" sensation will aid in training efforts by establishing the dog's submissive role in the owner/pet relationship.
Frankly, I think that's a load of hooey and an attempt to paint a more "natural" picture on a wholly unnatural device.
Detractors will tell you that prong collars are cruel and extremely painful.
They'll tell you there are better ways to train a dog not to pull and that dog training devices such as prong and choke collars are outdated products designed to support outdated training styles.
Though I'm not an advocate against prong collars, much of that is on the money.
I just disagree with the cruel and extremely painful part.
That is to say, I don't feel that's the intended result.
The truth of the matter is that both choke and prong collars can be useful training aids in qualified hands.
The problem is in their use by owners who either haven't taken the time to learn or simply don't understand their use.
The very real results, unfortunately, can be soft tissue and tendon damage.
Effectively, without meaning to, you can cause continuing and escalating harm to an animal if you don't know the right way to use these things.
Regardless your position on prong collars, they are still sold and still used today.
As such, if you are considering purchasing one, take the time to learn its correct use.
Never slip a prong collar over a dog's head.
These devices are meant to be attached by removing a clip and then reconnecting in the same way you might remove a link from a chain of paper clips.
Should you attempt to slip the collar over a dog's head, you run a very real risk of causing eye damage should the dog suddenly jerk its head.
Prong collars are not designed to be permanent collars.
If you are using one on every walk, all the time, your dog will develop a tolerance and you'll have effectively eliminated any training value the collar may have provided.
Worse, you'll wind up doing real harm trying to get a reaction out of your pet as he won't respond anymore unless the pain is severe rather than just uncomfortable.
Only use the collar for dedicated training sessions to teach your dog to heel or not lunge, then switch back to a regular collar.
Do not leave the collar on the dog when not being walked or trained.
Recognize that a prong collar is designed to pinch rather than choke.
If you're trying to choke the life out of your dog with a prong collar, you need to relinquish the collar (and probably the dog, too).
Your objective is a short pinch when your dog pulls or bolts ahead.
Pressure should be immediately released when your dog is behaving or you'll be sending a confusing message.
Do not use a prong collar on puppies, small dogs or dogs which are particularly skittish or shy.
The results can lead to serious damage to your pet's confidence and that should never be your objective.
You want your pet to know his place in the pecking order, not to live in constant terror.
Recognize there is a better way.
At the end of the day, you are working to establish a healthy but dominant relationship with your dog.
Your goals are not to punish, inflict pain or lord over your pet mercilessly.
Rather, you want to establish an alpha position born out of respect.
Methods such as turning and walking the other way when your dog tries to forge ahead, forcing it to walk behind you or simply making it sit every time it lunges are effective methods that can be accomplished with an ordinary buckle collar.
Your vet or preferably a gentle and qualified trainer with good references should be your guide.
Prong collars can be effective tools when used properly by an experienced trainer on the right dog.
Not all dogs will benefit and some could well suffer psychological or physical harm as a result of these devices.
Make the smart decision and solicit qualified advice before even considering a prong collar.
Finally, learn patience and make time to train your dog away from distractions.
With just an ordinary collar and an ordinary leash you can train virtually any dog.
Dog training collars of any kind are simply for expediency.
Given a loving, nurturing and patient owner, virtually any dog can learn to be well behaved by a gentle but authoritative owner.
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