I'm wondering how tight the prong collar should be around my dogs neck.Should there be some slight pressure on the dogs neck from the prongs? Should I have to occasional slip the collar back up to the top of the dogs neck, or should it be tight enought that it will always stay up? When I put the collar on my lab the prongs squeeze his neck a bit until it is on. I know this because he often swallows due to the discomfort.

Is it that the dog should not feel pressure from the prongs unless I apply it? That is of course while keeping the most snug fit that allows it to stay up near the top of his neck? You all get my drift. Thanks

I do not use a prong collar but here is an article on how to fit one. Ed has other information about them on equipment page. Look under prong collars

http://leerburg.com/fit-prong.htm

forgot link

I looked there and it doesn't include the detail that I am asking about. I went through it before writing this post

If the eyes start to bulge you know its too tight

Snug. Not strangling the dog, but also not loose.

Thanks Mike! It would be obvious if it were really tight. I'm just tring to fine tune. I'm a bit of a perfectionist.

 Quote: Peter Meaden

Should there be some slight pressure on the dogs neck from the prongs? Should I have to occasional slip the collar back up to the top of the dogs neck, or should it be tight enought that it will always stay up? get my drift.

Peter, the collar should not slide down. I have the quick-release Herm Sprenger, and I do like that there is leeway on the adjustment; it has a linked chain that a clamp attaches to and it give you a greater ability to adjust the fit versus the non quick-release.

I guess I don't see why it shouldn't slide down.... the collar is still going to do it's job.

The way I was taught to fit a prong collar was so that when you pull the ring that cinches the collar, it doesn't make the other 2 rings touch each other. Now when you administer a correction they may touch depending on the level of correction. But when fitting, you should gently pull the ring that is going to be attached to the leash and if the other 2 rings don't touch then you should be in business. IF... they do touch with medium to mild pressure on the leash ring then remove one link and try again. I shoot for medium pressure on the leash ring to bring the other 2 rings within about 2 inches of each other. And again, I don't feel that the collar needs to be tight and up high on the neck. But then again it would depend on the dog and the situation. A dog that takes a mild correction it wouldn't matter, but a dog that takes a harder correction and isn't phased I would make the collar tighter and keep it higher on the neck.

Hope that helps

Hi Peter,

I use a prong on Teagan - and as a Dobe she has a slender neck with very sleek coat. I try to ensure that the collar stays high on her neck, as that's where it works best (and is less likely to pop off).

There is a little movement up and down, but not much. It certainly doesn't move up and down more than a couple of inches at the most. I use the 'dead link', and can just about get fingers under the collar if I try.

As people have said - it's a 'snug' fit, definately not loose.

HTH

Rob

So.... I have to ask, how does a prong collar pop off?? You confusered me with that one Rob. Slender neck or not the principle of the collar is the same. It corrects when you put tension on it. If your prongs are popping off, then I would first have to ask what brand you are using and secondly have to ask how you are using it. Prong collars don't pop off. Period. I don't use mine high up on the neck and I don't see how having it high on the neck would a scat of difference. It will make a difference in the level of correction. But as far as a prong popping off that is the weirdest thing I have ever heard.