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October 20, 2011

My son tried to adopt a dog from a GSD rescue and when the lady at the rescue saw my son's other dog wearing a prong collar she asked us to leave and told us she would have him banned from every rescue organization in the nation. Are prong collars really considered that bad?

Full Question:
Hi,

Today my son, daughter in law, and I went to a German Shepherd Rescue by appointment after the application had been accepted. We were there no more than ten minutes when we were literally told to leave and that they would not adopt a dog to my son and his wife. She notice that my son's poodle mix had on a prong collar (which for their dog seems to calm him when he is around other dogs). She said that prong collars have been banned from being use with the AKC and if they ever showed up anywhere or any shows using a prong collar they would be thrown down stairs and attacked. As she stormed off she said was also going to have the kids banned from every rescue in the nation. That she was going to send their information to everyone and they would never be able to adopt anywhere. It was awful, I have never experienced this kind of behavior.

The reason I believe was a discussion in regard to prong collars. I told her that I have had German Shepherds all of my life and have used prong collars and find nothing wrong with them when "used properly." I said that I would be happy to agree to disagree. I have a female 8 year old who is dog aggressive and this type of collar has been perfect for her. In fact every time I touch that collar she comes running. She knows that collar means freedom for her and we are off to either walk or take a trip or play. It has never been a negative for us.

Are prong collars really considered that bad or abusive?

Thank you for your time,
Rebecca
Cindy
Cindy Cindy's Answer:
Uninformed people many times have strong (unfounded) responses to pieces of equipment. really, there isn't anything you can do to convince these people otherwise except by showing them with your example that it's not the tools that are bad, it's how certain people use them.

ANY tool can be abusive in the wrong hands or used the wrong way.

People who are SO extreme in their responses don't realize they are actually doing more harm than good with their uninformed reactions. Instead of becoming educated, they are judging people and preventing dogs that need homes from getting them.

This woman sounds unstable, the information she gave you about being thrown down the stairs and attacked is ridiculous! You may not use prong collars at any AKC event or show, but I guarantee you many people use them in training. Banned from every rescue in the nation? Crazy talk.

I think your son should be glad he didn't get a dog from this particular person's rescue, she sounds like she needs to find a new hobby.

Cindy Rhodes

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Expert Dog Trainer Cindy Rhodes
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