How to Use a Pinch Collar
While the pinch collar may appear like some sort of medieval torture device, truth is, its appearance is much more scary than its effect on the dog. Also known as prong collar, a pinch collar consists of a series of links attached to each other that slightly ''pinch'' the dog's skin when the leash is pulled. Their effect is very similar to the the little pinch mother dogs give to their pups with their mouth to correct them for misbehaving.
While a pinch collar is not recommended for all dogs, this training device comes very helpful for dogs that tend to pull when they are over excited. All it takes is a small leash ''pop'' and the dog will likely be distracted from the source causing him to pull and will easily focus again on walking nicely.
As with any collar though, it needs to be used responsibly. Dogs should never be forcibly pulled by the owner when wearing a prong. Rather, the owner should only resort to slight leash jerks that will correct the unwanted behavior.
Surprisingly, in many cases, other types of ''innocent'' collars have been reported to cause serious damage when not used properly. Even a plain buckle collar has been known as causing tracheal damage to dogs. Head collars, often thought as ''gentle'' have been known to cause neck strain and injuries from the straps causing continuo friction on the delicate facial skin.
Unlike buckle collars or nylon collars, prong collars are only to be kept on during training. No dog should be ever left with a prong on unattended or during the day when not necessary. A dog with a prong on left unattended, is like asking for serious trouble. The prong could get stuck in branches or the dog may get its paw caught in it causing severe injuries.
Many people unfamiliar with the prong collar do not know how to fit it properly. It would be best if your dog trainer or the pet store personnel can fit one for your dog. Prong collars should not be worn as a normal collar, rather they should be kept up on the dog's neck, right behind its ears. Fitting the pinch collar as a normal collar will make it ineffective and useless. The collar thus, should be snug and high.
A trainer or a knowledgeable pet store staff member will be able to adjust the collar to the correct length by adding or removing links. Purchasing extra links is a savvy choice if you own a dog that is still expected to grow. Prong collars however, should never be used in young puppies.
Prong collars have two rings: the dead ring and the live ring. Owners therefore, have the choice of attaching their leash to dead or live ring. The choice does make a difference. It is best to consult with a dog trainer on which one to use. Generally, the live ring amplifies the correction, while the dead ring has a more subtle effect. Usually, the live ring is used after dogs seem not to respond much to the dead ring.
A prong collar also should never be slipped over the dog's head to put it on or take it off. This could be very dangerous as the prongs may cause serious damage to the eyes. The prong is put on by simply opening a link and then putting it back together.
It is always best to have an emergency collar on your dog when wearing a prong collar. Prong collars have the reputation of sometimes coming apart when you need them the most.
I personally believe that when used responsibly, prong collars are a very useful tool. I have trained a few dogs on it and they have brought wonderful results. Dogs seem to respond to it well and are always excited when they see the collar. They are a useful tool when other types of collars have been used with poor results.Prong collars can be life savers when dealing with dominant-aggressive dogs, but they are very useful for dogs that get easily excited. I would recommend them to dog owners that need an ''emergency brake'' and want to enjoy walks knowing their dog is under control most of the time