should i get a prong collar for my german shepherd dog?
Shopping For Dog Training Collars
Selecting from amongst all the many dog training collars available could be puzzling however it doesn't need to be. To select the best training collar for your dog, there are several things you have to bear in mind. Training collars should be worn to train, control and safeguard your dog. They should never be utilized as a method of punishment or to harm your dog.
its 8 weeks right now that might be to early for him so ill wait if i haveto but im worried if i put one on him the prong will puncture him im not going to try and pull on it hard i just want to train my dog and everyone says get a prong collar but my dad says it will puncture him and that made me scared any advice would work please
Choice of the best style of dog training collar for your personal training goals is only the first step. Additionally you need to ensure it's the appropriate size and that you understand how to utilize it properly. Even the best collar may not be suitable if it is not used properly.
Styles of Dog Training Collars
Dog training collars include prong collars, head halters, choke collars, electronic collars. Dog harnesses and ordinary dog collars work fine for their intended purpose, however aren't viewed as "training collars" so won't be included here.
Prong collars have the appearance of a thing out of a middle ages torture chamber that would be very painful. Used properly, these are pretty humane. Prong dog training collars were originally made up of metal prongs linked to each other in chain fashion. Currently they are also obtainable made out of plastic which is favored by many. These collars control the dog by slightly "pinching" the neck when the handler pulls on the lead. If used over aggressively, they will cause pain so care is needed.
Head halters such as the Haiti and Gentle Leader halters resemble and function in a fashion similar to harnesses for horses. They work by means of directing the dogs' path. The dogs' body naturally follows the head and a harness does an extremely good job of controlling the head. Although they may look to be overly restrictive, the dog rapidly gets used to them. They are especially useful in controlling aggressive dogs.
Choke collars remain popular and are also suggested for use in many 4H dog training programs in spite of the debate surrounding their use. Utilized correctly, they are suitable dog training collars, however they are easy to misuse. If they are put on the dog improperly, if links become twisted or if excessive force is employed by the handler, they can, indeed, become instruments of torture. Personally, I ceased using choke collars a long time ago and will never go back to them. You can find so many superior dog training collars readily available.
Electronic dog collars are made to give the dog a slight shock upon command of the handler. The intensity can be modified from a slight buzz or tingle to get the dogs' interest to a more severe jolt. These shouldn't be used on little or fearful dogs and only after discussion of your situation with a reliable dog trainer. Shock collars can potentially cause harm to your dog if utilized thoughtlessly.
What ever your own personal requirements, you will discover the ideal collar from the wide range of dog training collars readily available online. Take a few minutes to browse our site and change your challenging dog into a pleasant,nicely socialized friend.
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Comments on should i get a prong collar for my german shepherd dog?
Fancy Dog Collars
Actually that is one of the best reason to start obed class with good trainer. They give you advice, show you etc.
I don’t thik you shoud need it right yet depending on what you are training to do..
Get the book my smart puppy. Talk to some trainers and look up info on german shephards
Small Dog Collars
No necessary to put a prong collar on anything. Use control and firm discipline. For example a Halti is a great tool to control a pulling dog. It’s a halter type thing around his nose, and controls his head. A prong collar will not deter a dog who is untrained no matter how hard you pull. It’s especially unnecessary on a puppy! People that rec that are the same ****** bags with ‘tough’ dogs that are out of control and give a bad name to good dogs with their huge spike collars!
Personalized Dog Collars
Look into a Herm Sprenger Prong collar. The tips of the links are rounded off and aren’t sharp, unlike the ones you buy at places like Petco and Petsmart.
You can buy them from this website:
They aren’t expensive ($15.95 – $23.95) and they are worth every penny. My family swears by these collars.
Just make sure whenever he’s wearing it he’s supervised, because it can get caught on things, and he should never wear it for extended periods of time while around the house, and should never wear it over night.
Good luck with your new puppy!
ADD:
Don’t listen to people that tell you it’s a horrible and painful way to train your dog. It shouldn’t be the the form of training, as it is only a way to make actual training easier to do, but the dog doesn’t feel pain as long as you aren’t jerking it as hard as you can. I honestly did think these things were a mean thing to put on your dog, until a professional trainer came to our house and used them on our unruly dogs and the change was like night and day. They actually paid attention to the correction. Hell now, they go into an excited frenzy whenever we touch them, because they know it’s time to go out and work.
You will still need to take him to obedience classes and train him, but the prong collar is there to make it easier.
ADD:
There is no pain involved with a prong collar! In fact, the collar is meant to recreate mom’s corrections and hurts just as much. I know it doesn’t hurt cause I’ve felt it. And you know, some dogs don’t respond to Gentle leaders. Ours didn’t.
Dog Harnesses
It won’t hurt him. It may look like a torture device, but prong collar is a great training tool. It MUST, however, be used correctly and not abused (which unfortunately it often is abused). It is not to be worn all the time, ONLY during your training sessions. You must also learn how to properly fit it and use it.
Choke collars, due to their method of “yanking,” have been known to cause back and neck injuries in dogs. A prong collar is actually much more effective than a choke collar because it requires very little force. It will not puncture him or hurt him as long as you use it responsibly.
Add:
I used a prong collar very briefly with my boxer, and also recently with my cousin’s 5 month old German Shepherd puppy who was absolutely out of control on the lead until the prong collar. Boy did she put up a fight when we were trying to get it on her! (She hasn’t been trained well, to say the least) But once she had it on my cousin was amazed at the difference. With the GSD and the boxer, I NEVER had to pull on the leash — just keep it short so that it is loose when they are in the “heel” position. That way if THEY try to tug, the collar does the work for you.
If you’re going to try it, I would suggest it sooner than later, because you don’t want him learning first that he can pull as hard as he wants with his regular collar on. However, 8 weeks is probably a little TOO soon…. This website recommends starting at 14 weeks.
Dog Collars And Leads
first of, your dog either a he or she NOT it’s
second, you DO NOT need a prong collar to train GSD (or any other breed in that matter) their are a very smart breed & no need for such harshness/aggressiveness & you don’t need to use a caller if he/she is only 8 weeks old, you puppy should stay at home with you until all his vaccinations are done before going outside, you can train your pup some obedience while at home. It’s better to train young puppies at home coz of familiar surroundings.
& last but not least, if you don’t know much about GSD or any dogs training/looking after you shouldn’t own one, if your friends will say they use spikes on their dogs what you gonna put them on your dog? Get some books on gsd.
Edit:
So agree with ‘mykrodot’ well said
who ever gave thumbs down for these answers are either an idiot and/or supports animal cruelty. If you think that aggressive training will give an amazing result in dog there is something wrong with you.
Fancy Dog Collars
Personally, I wouldn’t. I would get a Gentle Leader ( a head collar) or an Easy Walk harness (a harness with a chest ring). Both help you gain control of the pet without the use of pain, and use positive reinforcement instead. I am attaching a link to the bottom of the page that will explain the benefits of each of these harnesses. Good luck!
EDITED TO ADD; These are used on Old English Mastiffs (a LOT of dog to control) with GREAT success, and trust me, Mastiffs tend to be stubborn and ONLY respond to positive reinforcement! LOL
EDITED TO ADD AGAIN; It amazes me of the number of people who support a training method that involves aversion. Why someone would rather choose a method of training that causes a definite unpleasant response, as opposed to one that gets the same point across, but gently, is beyond me. I guess it’s that “I have to be the Alpha” mentality. Dogs understand we are people, not one of them. They simply need to be taught what we desire from them in a loving gentle manner. For those who disagree… would you choke your loved one to get a point across? Dog training has really evolved over the last decade, there are now kinder, gentler, equally efficient ways to teach heeling. Twenty years ago we used choke chains, now we don’t. When you know better, you do better. Just my opinion.
Dog Harnesses
Prong collars can be an effective training tool, but they are not right for all dogs (in fact, most dogs can be more effectively trained using other training tools) and should only be used under the supervision of a professional trainer, particularly if you have not used them before. Besides, there is absolutely no reason to use a prong collar on such a young puppy. Prong collars essentially shift the balance of power, so a dog big enough to yank you around no longer has as much leverage to do so. At that age, your pup is too young to be pulling you around and won’t be for several more weeks yet. Positive training methods will get you much better results with a pup this young. I have two german shepherds, one of whom we adopted as an adult with confidence issues and a fear of strangers, both of them are very well trained and well behaved and I have never had to use a prong collar or choke chain on either one of them.
A prong collar is a training tool, not a magic wand. Prong collars won’t help you one bit if you don’t actually know how to train a dog. The best way to learn how to train your dog is to go to classes with a professional trainer. They can help you decide what tools are right for you and your dog as well as help you with any bumps in the road as you train your dog.
Small Dog Harness
*IF* you are unable to properly train w/out one…in a few MONTHS….go ahead!
Prong-collars do NOT “puncture”!
Sorry,dear old dad is an idiot.
Small Dog Collars
they dont involve pain… they say its a little shock when administered properly.. to used these collars, you must have someone show you how and fit itproperly.. on the other hand, as i was warned by everyone on this site when i asked the same question, he is far too young… i tried it on my young puppy anyway, and she was very afraid of itr, made her a different dog, almost sad… i took it off immediately… i tried it again when she was 3 months, still, not good, even though she was larger, i didnt want a fearful dog.. and i was able to train her w/o it.. even tho you have a large breed dog, i would wait till he’s 4 months at least… my puppy was able to handle correction then a bit better and wasnt afraid… and, i really only used it for walking…. if she was really really bad, i would use it, but, she barely needs it now, and its only been 2 weeks.. she still needs it while walking, but that jjust keeps her from hurting herself, really… and it will not puncture the dog… they arent sharp… if you can, get the one that it rounded off like a ball or a D on the end… i believe they are an effective training tool when used properly!
Dog Harnesses
A prong collar is A TOOL handlers use for certain dogs or behaviours. This collar is not a torture device, contrary to what people say. Used correctly it is much safer than the gentle leader. Your puppy is 8 weeks old, and a german is an eager to please breed so start training now. Find yourself a basic obedience class, you will BOTH LOVE IT! And the trainer there can help you decide if you will ever need a prong collar, but I doubt you will. GOOD LUCK!
Dog Collars And Leashes
If you bring your GSD puppy to a puppy kindergarten class and begin working on his leash manners, using a prong collar will not be necessary at all. A prong collar can be a useful tool just as a training collar or a gentle leader or no pull harness can be. However, the problem with using these training devices is that more often than not they are used incorrectly.
Personally I have chosen not to use prong collars and have had great success without them. My advice to you would be to get involved in some basic obedience classes. Most new owners simply expect their puppy or adult dog to instinctually know how to walk properly on leash. That’s not true at all!! A dog needs to be taught how to walk properly on lead just as a human child needs to learn how to properly ride a bicycle.
So get involved in some classes!! Teach your GSD how to walk properly on lead. I’m almost positive that you will find that you won’t need to consider using a prong collar at all. I’ve taught basic and advanced obedience classes for quite some time and have never felt the need to use one.
If I can help in any way, please feel free to e-mail me. Good luck!!