What is a Prong Collar

A Prong collar (also called pinch collar) is a series of chain links with open ends turned towards the dog's neck so that, when the collar is tightened, it pinches the naturally loose skin around the dog's neck. When properly adjusted and used, it startles the dog and gives a sharp correction, but does not puncture the dog's skin, as many people believe. And while it looks painful, it's actually less harmful to the dog than a slip or choke collar. Opponents argue that pain is never a good default way in which to train animals. Some dogs are nearly oblivious to leash corrections of any kind, but the prong collar might make such dogs pay more attention than milder collar types. The advantage of the prong collar over the choke collar is that the circumference is limited so that it is impossible to compress the animal's throat. Another advantage is that any pressure on the dog's neck is spread out over a larger area than with most buckle collars, and with all choke chains.

  Correct Use of a Prong Collar 

Most people are misguided in the use of the Prong collar and how it should be worn. A majority of owners will secure the Prong collar loosely under the flat collar of the dog and believe this is the best fitting. Unfortunately, they are very wrong and can cause serious tracheal and neck problems for their dogs.

• Prong collars are ordered by size (small, medium, large and extra large. They all come in a standard length which is adjusted to fit the neck of the dog by removing or adding links to the collar.
  
• Prong collars are meant to be put on and taken off before and after daily training sessions. They should never be left on the dog all the time. That is what the flat collar is meant for.
  
• A snug fit is mandatory! Enough links need to be removed so that the collar fits snug.
  
• Positioning of the Prong collar is crucial. The collar should sit right behind the ears and up under the jaw. Not down at the shoulders.
  
• Rings on the Prong collar should be positioned ideally for training. Links should always remain under the dog's chin for more effective training.
  
• Attach the leash to the dead-ring for normal dog training. The dead-ring is when the trainer attaches the leash to both the swivel ring and the stationary ring. This will allow the Prong collar to remain the same size when training and provide less force.
  
• Attach leash to the live-ring for more stubborn dogs. The live ring is the swivel ring alone and allows the Prong collar to tighten further on the dog when training. Do not use the live-ring method of training unless you have first tried the dead-ring method.
  

When a prong collar is used in training, the handler must realize that a dog who required a level 10 correction before will now, with a prong, probably require a level 2 or level 3 correction. It means that a strong dog that had so much drive and was too much for a small person to handle is now easily controllable without a lot of effort. 

New handlers must learn to read their dogs to avoid the same level of correction with the prong that they did with a choke collar. This is unfair to the dog.

I would not recommend the use of prong collar on puppies younger than 5 months.

Great to use in obedience training as well as teaching your dog not to pull on leash.