Prong Collar Overview
It’s all about the bunny feet!
Congratulation on your purchase of a new Kimberland Prong collar! Understanding how to fit and adjust the collar is important for optimum performance, and may differ from other prong collars you may have used.
Fitting Your Collar: The collar is readied by opening the buckle, quick release snap, or – on standard models – disconnecting the link connected to the ‘Bunny Feet’ end of the collar. The open collar is then placed under the dog’s jaw and brought up around the neck to fasten just behind the ears. Your leash attaches to the Swivel on Original and Ultra models, or to two-welded round rings on the Duro and Kimberland 2.25mm models.
Adjusting Your Collar: To adjust the collar size, simply disconnect the last prong link from the ‘Bunny Feet’ end of the collar (see above diagram) and add or remove links until the desired fit is achieved. An unlimited number of additional links may be purchased via our website.
NOTE: While links may be disconnected in the middle of the collar, or on the crimped ‘Bunny Ears’ end, those links are designed ideally to stay in place. Disconnecting prong links there is somewhat difficult by design, therefore we don’t recommend it.
Optimum Fit: The collar should fit snug but not tight, and you should be able to just barely fit your little finger between a prong link and your dog’s skin. The collar should fit closely enough so that it does not drop down or roll around on the dog’s neck, yet should not press too firmly into the dog’s skin when used on a loose leash. The collar is designed to be custom fit to each dog. This means that as your dog grows, gains weight, or loses weight, it may need to be adjusted for a proper fit.
A New Way of Looking At An Old Training Tool!
The prong collar is perhaps the most misunderstood training device in the world. The confirmed ‘ugly duckling’ of training collars, it is sometimes feared by the average pet owner, due largely to its resemblance to some type of medieval torture device. This fear is misguided, however, since apprehension about the collar is typically rooted in misunderstanding of how it is to be properly used. Engineering, safety, and results are all on the side of this simple device. When used as part of a positive, balanced training program, it is one of the safest, most gentle training collars in use today.
THE PURPOSE OF A TRAINING COLLAR
Our canine companions come in all shapes, sizes, sensitivities and personalities, as do their owners. Thus, no training collar design is perfect for all dogs. Yet no matter what type of training collar is right for you and your dog, it should have three functions:
Help your dog choose not to pull on the leash
Increase your level of control and safety
Help you minimize corrections so that you can get on to the business of praise & rewards
ENGINEERED FOR SAFETY
The prong collar is usually made up of several interlocking steel pieces, or ‘links’, attached to a small chain loop. The loop has either a welded ring or a swivel on it to which the leash is attached. The loop also contains a round safety ring that prevents a properly fitting collar from closing down too far and choking the dog. There are several reasons why the prong collar is favored by trainers worldwide as one of the safest and most effective training collars on the market:
So little of the collar actually touches the dog. The main purpose of the prongs is to suspend most of the collar above the dog’s neck. Only the blunt ends of each prong rest on the dog’s neck, and when used in conjunction with a loose leash, no part of the collar rests on the trachea. There is no other collar on the market that is less intrusive when used with a loose leash than the prong.
Helps dogs choose to stop pulling. Many dogs pull on their buckle collars or harnesses because there is no reason not to. However, most dogs will avoid pulling against prongs, so leash pulling and/or bolting away from the owner is decreased almost immediately, without any harsh jerking by the owner.
It doesn’t pinch the dog. Although the prong collar is sometimes referred to as a ‘pinch’ collar, contrary to popular belief, it does not ‘pinch’ the dog’s skin when gently tightened. Rather, more pressure is simply applied to each blunt end, which then becomes uncomfortable to the dog, causing the dog to choose to stop pulling against it. It is only called a pinch collar due to the need to ‘pinch’ the prongs together to take the collar on and off.
Eliminates harsh leash jerking. Leash communication can be gentle and informative to your dog, without being abusive. The prong collar allows you to eliminate firm leash corrections, instead allowing the dog to investigate the leash boundary and voluntarily move back to the handler. Other ways to communicate can be made via small connections with the leash, rather than harsh, elbow-to-shoulder jerks.
FIT & SIZING
The collar is put on a dog by disconnecting the quick release snap, or – on standard models – disconnecting two of the links on the ‘bunny feet’ end of the collar from each other. The open collar is placed under the dog’s jaw and brought up around the neck to fasten just behind the ears. Your leash attaches to the flat swivel or to a round ring on the Duro and Kimberland 2.25mm models. The links should be snug but not tight, and you should be able to fit one finger comfortably between a prong and your dog’s skin. The collar should fit closely enough so that it does not drop down or roll around on the dog’s neck, yet should not press too firmly into the dog’s skin when used on a loose leash. The collar is designed to be custom fit to each dog. This means that as your dog grows, gains weight, or loses weight, it may need to be adjusted for a proper fit. To adjust the collar size, simply add or remove links at the ‘bunny feet’ end of the collar until the fit is correct.
AKC Position Statement on Training Collars
“The American Kennel Club recognizes that special training collars (including but not limited to collars with prongs, electronic collars used with transmitters, harnesses, and muzzles ) may be effective and useful management devices, when properly used, for controlling dogs that might be extremely active, difficult to control on a neck collar, or dog aggressive. These collars are also recognized as possibly useful for gaining control at the start of basic obedience training, essential education that dogs deserve and need.” - AKC, 2001 www.akc.org/rules/policy-manual
PROPER USE IS IMPORTANT
Any collar used improperly can be damaging to your dog - even seemingly benign equipment such as regular buckle collars, harnesses, and slip leads. Prong collars are no different. Supervision must always accompany the use of the prong collar. Use only when training or attending your dog; never leave the collar on overnight or whilst you are away. Young children should not be allowed to work a dog on any training collar without supervision, including prong collars. And never, ever tie your dog up to any object with a prong collar.
THOSE WHO WILL MOST BENEFIT
The prong collar can be helpful to almost any dog and handler team. Here are some common dog owners who might benefit by using a prong collar:
- People whose dogs pull constantly on the leash - People who own energetic, hard-to-control puppies
- Small people who own large dogs. - Owners whose dogs choke or gag on other collars
- Disabled people with limited strength or motion - People who walk more than one large dog at once
- Owners whose dogs’ throats are sensitive/damaged - Owners of small dogs with sensitive, frail necks
JUST ONE PART OF A BALANCED TRAINING PROGRAM
In a balanced training program, the prong collar must be used in conjunction with positive motivation, rewards, and praise in order for it to be effective and fair. Methods that the dog enjoys while learning are critical to maintaining a good relationship with your dog. Prong collars should never be used to punish a dog – they should simply be utilized to help with light consequences for incorrect choices. The prong collar can and should be used in conjunction with food, toys, play, proper communication and loose leash techniques. Without this balance, one is not educating the dog in a positive manner, and use of the collar will deteriorate into abuse.
NO COLLAR IS PERFECT FOR EVERY SITUATION
Prong collars are not the best choice for extremely aggressive dogs, extra sensitive dogs, and excessively shy or fearful dogs. Some dogs with damaged tracheas cannot even wear collars, and may need different programs altogether. Very young puppies should not be worked on prong collars, however with guidance many owners find that older puppies do very well on them.
Not every person is right for a prong collar, either. Owners who cannot learn to work on a loose leash, and those who cannot learn to be consistent and fair when giving boundaries and praise are not good candidates for prong collars. All collars need to fit the situation. Head collars, Harnesses, Buckle Collars, Martingales, Snap Collars, and other types of collars can all be better solutions than a prong collar, depending upon the situation.