Hello, I have been lurking around from months. I really enjoy reading all of the discussions that are here.

I was wondering if anyone has found little tiny sores around their dog's neck from the prong collar. I have been using a prong collar on my akita for a few months. He wears it all of the time and drags around a leash that is connected to it. I have tried to make sure that I have it fitted right, snug but not overly tight. He works well on the prong, but last night I noticed that all around his neck there are little scabs that are the same size as the tip of the prong. Has anyone else had this happen? What could I be doing wrong? He has an extremely high pain tolerance and there are times when correcting him that I have to act like I am trying to hit a home run to even get his attention. I have to do this maybe once a week. I have tried using the rubber tips on the prong and he ignores it completely. Today I added another link to the collar just in case I had it to tight. So, now I have to jerk to get his attention. Without the additional link I could just swing my wrist and he responded.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 Quote:

Originally posted by Tina Hill:
He wears it all of the time and drags around a leash that is connected to it.

He shouldn't be wearing it all the time or he'll get sores on his neck. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
It should be used while training only.

I find myself concerned over what you mean by "all the time".

A prong should be used for training only. that would obviously incude walking your dog on a leash. Occasionally, under supervision, you can let the dog wear the prong and drag a leash around the house so you can grab the leash and give a correction for specific un-wanted behavior.

There are a number of collars a dog can wear:

1- A prong
2- An e-collar
3- A normal choke collar
4- A fur savor
4- A leather collar
5- A no-bark collar

Pick a few and rotate them throughtout the day on your dog. If you do this he will ignore them.

Leaving the nprong on all the time is a mistake - it will get you a BAD GIRL award. :-)

Ed

Could someone please point me to what's wrong with leaving prong on all the time.... My dog is always with me.... and in public alot... I
she is always wearing 3 collars - 1) a flat.... w- tie out ring 2) choke... which is pretty much never used...and never removed works as a backup... also holds license and rabies tag 3) prong

i found the prong to be much kinder than the other collars because dog rarely strains on it.... even better than the flat.... regretted not using it earlier... found it effective because my shoulder is weak and i need to be able to reliably restrain dog if needed (she is assistance dog accompanies me everywhere)- she has had it for about 4-5months now.... and corrects herself with the pulling.... i don't have it as tight as it usually is used because it still works looser.... i cannot get dog in and out of collar easily is very painful for me to squeeze prongs into place...

the only potential problem is that she has long hair and i think it gets caught in it alot. i have not noticed any sores... neither has groomer but she felt i should switch to a slip collar (she calls it a mountain collar) - i think those are harder on if she pulls b/c she will pull until she gags

so forgive my ignorance - am i hurting dog by leaving collar on 24-7? and what are the alternatives? she has a tendency to pull

thanks

Originally posted by Ed Frawley:
There are a number of collars a dog can wear:

1- A prong
2- An e-collar
3- A normal choke collar
4- A fur savor
4- A leather collar
5- A no-bark collar

Pick a few and rotate them throughtout the day on your dog. If you do this he will ignore them.

Leaving the nprong on all the time is a mistake - it will get you a BAD GIRL award. :-)

Ed

S Sapino, this is the second warning about your displayed name. You need to fill in your first name asap.

They do make a quick release collar, that is much easier to take off and on. It has a alligator, clip, and believe me it is so much easier to put on than the ones that you have to squeeze the prongs to open the collar. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hope this has been of some help to you. The quick release ones cost a few dollars more, but they are worth it.

Joyce M. Burrows

Tina,
You have received good advise from people who know their business.
The prong collar is a training device and not intended to be left on the dog full time.

Tina,

I think many experienced people already mentioned about leaving prong on all the times. By now you should catch the message that your problem about the sores are from leaving them on at all times.

I get very concerned when you mentioned him wearing leash and drag it all the times Remember leash can get cought in the most unlikely and unthink of situation.

For one Tina, I believe you may have done this without knowing which in that case you can correct it. However if not, Oh god I wouldn't want to be your pet even if you paid me a thousand bucks an hour.

Rotating is a good idea. I wouldnt just use the prong when training though like someone mentioned. Keep it on when training and when not at different times. Don't just put it on during training or the dog will become wise to it. I would say have it off at night and have it on at different times of the day....Also check the neck for any injurys/irritations on a regular basis....
Some dogs are more sensitve than others.
Pat