Prong Collar Training: What Is a Prong Collar?

A prong collar, or pinch collar, is a type of collar used in obedience training for dogs. Professional dog trainers often use prong collars for reactive dogs or to train leash manners like loose leash walking, which involves a dog walking by its owner without pulling on its leash.

Composed of a series of metal or stainless steel links with prongs that rest against the skin of a dog’s neck, the prong collar works on the principle of aversive or negative reinforcement: When dog owners want to correct unwanted behavior, they pull on the leash connected to the collar, and the prongs push against the dog’s neck. When the dog stops pulling, a quick-release mechanism moves the prongs away from its neck.

Prong collars are a divisive training tool, with some comparing them to torture devices. If used properly, a prong collar will not puncture the dog’s skin or tighten around its neck like a choke collar or choke chain. The term “pinch collar” actually refers to the fact that owners must pinch the prongs together in order to fit the collar over the dog’s head. Despite that fact, many owners and trainers lump in prong collars with other dog training collars, like e-collars, shock collars, or gentle leader dog harnesses—all of which have their own proponents—as ineffective or cruel dog training tools.

However, proper prong collar training can correct behavior problems like lunging and also prevent injury to a dog’s trachea that often occurs with the misuse of a regular collar or flat collar.

Dog owners must follow specific steps to use a prong collar correctly. They are:

1. 1. Choose your collar correctly. Pick the right collar before you begin training sessions with a prong collar. The best dog prong collars have blunt metal ends and a center plate that evenly distributes pressure around the dog’s neck.
2. 2. Pick the right size. Most dogs use a 2.5 millimeter prong collar, but large dogs, such as German shepherds, pit bulls, and Doberman Pinschers, need the 3 millimeter collar. Prong collars are not advisable for small dogs.
3. 3. Place the collar around the dog’s neck. Pinch one side of a link to open the collar and then fasten it around your dog’s neck below the jaw and just under their ears. Close the collar by connecting the links, and position the collar’s rings behind the dog’s neck.
4. 4. Adjust the fit. The proper fit for a prong collar should be snug against the dog’s neck. If the collar is too loose, remove extra links until the fit is tight but not constrictive.
5. 5. Attach the leash. A prong collar comes with two D rings or buckles for connecting a leash. Attach your leash to the ring that gives your dog some slack while it moves; if the dog pulls too much with this arrangement, attach the leash to both rings.
6. 6. Remove the prong collar. Pinch one of the links to open the collar and remove the collar from around the dog’s neck. Your dog should wear its prong collar for no more than an hour and only when training.

Follow these tips for effective training with a prong collar:

1. 1. Take your dog for a walk. When you’re ready to train your dog with a prong collar for the first time, attach the collar and leash and take your dog outside. Decide on the length of training and destination before you head out.
2. 2. Keep your dog close. Walk with your dog by your side while holding the leash close to your side. Allow the dog to walk a foot or so ahead of you and then gently tug back on the leash. The tug tells the dog that it’s time to stop and sit.
3. 3. Repeat the pressure and release. This training technique, called “pressure and release,” teaches your dog that it should stop walking when it moves ahead of you. Use positive reinforcement—praise or a treat—and continue walking while repeating pressure and release.
4. 4. Prong collars aren’t miracle cures. A prong collar corrects a dog’s behavior at the moment, while consistent training reinforces those lessons. However, aggressive dogs or dogs with reactivity issues or other behavior problems may need additional training methods beyond the prong collar.
5. 5. Never use your prong collar for discipline. Most injuries associated with prong collars occur because of prolonged and improper use. This includes using the prong collar as punishment or as a last resort to correct unwanted dog behavior. Using a prong collar in this way creates a negative association that makes future training a challenge.

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