OK, So I dont use a prong myself, but I see so many people who do use them and have them low on the dogs neck.
I trust Ed (so much so, that the last LB order that came, without thinking, I popped on of the packing peanuts in my mouth) and all of your opinions very much. I was just trying to find out WHY exactly they should be high up on the neck. I just want to help people not hurt their dogs. Also any ideas for broaching the issue with these people??
Thanks-Kate
Lynne Barrows Webboard User Reg: 09-22-2007
Posts: 2531
Loc: S. Florida
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Hi Kate,
A prong is much more effective when it is worn high on the neck. This means that if you are using it for corrections, much less force is needed to give an effective correction.
If you are using it for pulling, the same thing applies. When the prong is worn high on the neck, most dogs will not attempt to pull much. If it's lower, where the neck is more muscular, it's not as effective, and the more the dog pulls with it in that position, the stronger those muscles become. Which means that the dog may learn to pull harder and harder even with the prong on.
The other issue is a safety one; if the prong is not snug, there's a chance that it could come apart if a strong correction is given.
Tracy Collins Webboard User Reg: 10-09-2008
Posts: 1917
Loc: St. Louis, Missouri
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Basic answer to the question is: because that's the way it works best. Like lots of things, it just works better when it fits and is worn properly.
But I don't think that a too-loose, poorly-positioned prong collar is in much danger of hurting a dog. Just my opinion. You'd have to be trying to hurt the dog to do so.
Perhaps..."Hey, I see you're using a prong collar. They are great for helping to control a dog aren't they? Have you ever heard of Leerburg.com? It's a great web site that has lots of information about using prong collars and how to get the most of of them. I've learned a lot there..."
That said, while I admire the instinct to help, it's my experience that unsolicited criticism/advice from strangers about how to raise their dog seldom lands on receptive ears.
Most all collars work better high on the neck. Even a simple leather one.
Think horse and lasso. If the lasso is high on the horses neck it's so much easier to control the animal. Down low it almost becomes a harness and the horse can put it's weight into it and pull.
The same principle works for dogs also.
Jennifer N. Hack Webboard User Reg: 07-15-2008
Posts: 109
Loc: USA
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I sometimes see people with really loose, ill fitting prong collars. Maybe they just put one on to lessen their dogs pulling, they (incorrectly) think it's more comfortable for the dog when its looser. You can tell them that when it's loose like that, the prongs are just digging into the front of their neck as the dog pulls against it. They're not meant to ever be pulled on, just short quick corrections, more of a quick pinch (aka pinch collar) than a prod. Tell them when it's too loose it actually hurts the dog more because it pokes into the front of the neck instead of being an even correction all-around.
Like the other great answers above- The higher on the neck ANY collar is, like a nylon slip collar, the more control you have of the head, which is what you want. The lower down it's more muscular and one might be putting too much force into it.
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Why so high?
#242356 - 06/03/2009 12:32 PM 
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and all of your opinions very much. I was just trying to find out WHY exactly they should be high up on the neck. I just want to help people not hurt their dogs. Also any ideas for broaching the issue with these people??
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