I searched the forums but couldn't find anything related to my specific question. If I missed it please let me know and I will continue searching!

I'm currently using a springer prong collar for training a Belgian Mal puppy. She's 4.5 months old and up until two weeks ago, I was working with her on an only positive reinforcement training regimen (treats and praise). I had her doing some basics (sit/down/stand/stay etc). I only use the springer during training and not all the time, it's fitted correctly. RIght now training consists of a training regimen and when we walk. Of course, she is very responsive to the springer prong collar.

My question is, am I able to eventually transition to a flat collar over time with training? I made the swap in training techniques based on guidance from an old school dog trainer who trains service dogs and is coaching me through the process. She is very old school in her approach but produces very obedient and smart dogs, but they have to be on a prong collar. I've scrapped how I was training and am now solely on her method and I promised her at a minimum ~30 days. Curious on anyone's thoughts who uses prong collars regularly. Thanks in advance.

Good morning Derek,

Many more, much more able to respond to your question than I but I'll toss out some thoughts.

I work with a variant of a prong collar until I am confident the dog is tuned into commands and I feel I can trust the dog and it trusts me. But I am reluctant to use a prong collar on younger dogs.

I transition from prong to flat collar by putting on both collars and use a double head lead that will connect to both collars. When I do transition to flat collar it doesn't mean I never use a prong collar.

For example, when my 100 lb GSD male accompanies my bride on a walk, the dog is wearing a connected prong collar, as well as an unconnected flat collar. I trust my dog but love my wife. And stuff can happen in a millisecond.

Is your question influenced by not wanting to use a prong collar? For my part, I am reluctant to use a prong collar on a younger dog but that's just me. I prefer to try to reinforce bonding, and the marker training technique is very effective with young dogs in imprinting, and engendering confidence and bonding.

I need more coffee.

 Quote: Derek Ray

I'm currently using a springer prong collar for training a Belgian Mal puppy.

She's 4.5 months old and up until two weeks ago, I was working with her on an only positive reinforcement training regimen (treats and praise). I had her doing some basics (sit/down/stand/stay etc).

I only use the springer during training and not all the time, it's fitted correctly. RIght now training consists of a training regimen and when we walk. Of course, she is very responsive to the springer prong collar.

My question is, am I able to eventually transition to a flat collar over time with training?

I made the swap in training techniques based on guidance from an old school dog trainer who trains service dogs and is coaching me through the process. She is very old school in her approach but produces very obedient and smart dogs, but they have to be on a prong collar.

I've scrapped how I was training and am now solely on her method and I promised her at a minimum ~30 days.

Curious on anyone's thoughts who uses prong collars regularly. Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the Board

Some of us old-timers here used to be Pretty OLD School ("yank & crank") drill sergeant types, but even then mostly NOT on baby pups -- I do use a prong collar & an ecollar for Training my Dobermans, and during "must not fail" situations, as Mike Arnold has also mentioned ... But my personal hackles would go up if some "control freak" type of trainer should INSIST on using a PRONG while training an 18 week old puppy of mine

Just my own 2 cents worth, but now that Old School style rubs me the WRONG way -- I witnessed a very young French Bull Dog last weekend who was being "brow-beaten" at Starbucks into PERFECT OBEDIENCE on a Prong Collar, and the poor animal was clearly AFRAID to make even the smallest mistake ... It disturbed & upset me so much that I had to leave without placing a coffee order, lest I butt in with unwanted advice for the owner on that unfortunate dog's behalf (!)

I am a little reluctant to use the prong collar but having seen some of this woman's trained animals they were very well behaved. The pup is inching towards 5 months and I've scrapped all training and have stuck to mainly the prong.

Great advice as I'm working on the heel, here, and 'finish' command which is really prong collar driven. My original plan was to use treats but I linked up with this trainer before I started that. I'm debating on going back because it does look like it's more out of fear than learning, and when I take the prong off nothing seems to stick. It may be because the Mal is so young? I don't abuse it but do try to instill learning (correction for jumping on others, leave it, etc).

Again, thanks for the advice!

 Quote: Derek Ray

I am a little reluctant to use the prong collar but having seen some of this woman's trained animals they were very well behaved. The pup is inching towards 5 months and I've scrapped all training and have stuck to mainly the prong.

Great advice as I'm working on the heel, here, and 'finish' command which is really prong collar driven. My original plan was to use treats but I linked up with this trainer before I started that.

I'm debating on going back because it does look like it's more out of fear than learning, and when I take the prong off nothing seems to stick.

It may be because the Mal is so young? I don't abuse it but do try to instill learning (correction for jumping on others, leave it, etc).

Again, thanks for the advice!

Derek, your post speaks for itself, IMHO -- I would "cut my loses" with that questionable dictator, if I were you ... There is simply NO good reason to use Compulsion/Force on such a YOUNG pup, as there are much BETTER methods available nowdays.

Please check out all the FREE ARTICLES here on Leerburg that speak to Puppy Training techniques !!! I guarantee you will NOT be sorry & your DOG will be all more Well-Trained in the long run TOO

I'm also not a fan of a prong collar on an puppy or young dog. Look into marker training on LB here. Tons of excellent video and there will be a lot of good advice on marker work here also on the forum.

Thanks for the advice guys!