I received the Herm Sprenger Prong Collar early this week. It is the chrome plated quick release model. Previously I had been using a cheap prong collar from my local pet store where I had to take apart a link and re-attach once it was around Nickie's neck. It never fit properly (couldn't get it tight enough).

Now with the new collar, it is nice and tight and rides high up on his neck like it shows on the DVD from Ed. However, because my pup is only 6 months old, he is still pretty squirmy when you try to do anything around his face or neck. I'm not even sure if I have the collar connected correctly.

As I look at the picture in the catalog on page 43, the end of the chain (at the left top side of the collar) is captured in the clamp. Then after I encircle the collar around Nickie's neck, I capture the flat piece of metal at the end of the left portion of the prongs also in the clamp. I can't figure any other way to do this. He squirms so much that it is pretty difficult to get it fastened. Am I doing something wrong (other than not having him trained to SIT STILL!!!)??

By the way, I was advised to get this new collar since I could easily get my finger pinched in the links and possibly injure myself. Well, it never happened with the old collar but guess what - on the new collar I did manage to get my finger in the clamp and now have a blood blister on the end of my index finger!! (Think I saw Nickie laughing behind my back!!)

Diane,

I have the same collar. I'm not sure how to explain this, but I put the collar around his neck, pass the chain through the ring, then attach the clamp to the end of the chain that went through the ring. That's the best explanation I can give you. See http://leerburg.com/prong.htm#quick

I solved the squirmy problem by getting a treat, in full view of my dog, putting him into a sit, putting the collar on him, then giving him the treat. I did this several times a day and after two or three days of this he sat very patiently waiting for me to put the collar on him so he could get his treat. Hope this helps.

Rich

Diane, it's like Rich explained it and the pic on the link he gave shows how it should look once attached. You don't put the end of the chain on the clasp before you put it on the dog's neck, and you don't attach the flat piece of metal to the clasp.

I guess it's the part (pass the chain thru the ring) that is causing the problem. It seems like he really has to be sitting very very still for me to try to get that short piece of chain thru the round hole in the flat piece which was how I was trying to do it originally. When I tried it that way (off of the pup) I could see how the "dead ring" and "live ring" worked. I'm at work now but when I get home later tonight, I will try it again while looking at the picture and practicing before I try it on Nickie. Also, the treat idea is excellent! Should have thought about that sooner because he is very food-motivated. I was trying to distract him with one of his chew toys so that he would not try to chew on my arm while I was fastening the collar on him. Thanks again!
By the way - this new collar works much better at getting him to walk nicely. At this point I am not using it for corrections - only for him to "self-correct" and not pull so hard while we walk.

OK - I got it figured out now - both how the prong collar goes on and how to get Nickie to stop squirming while I'm putting the collar on!

Thanks for the suggestions!

Great news that you got it figured! What finally worked for getting your boy to sit pretty while putting the collar on?

-Jim

Well, like I said yesterday, he is very food motivated. So I did like Rich Pallechio suggested and got some treats out, gave him a couple of tiny ones, left the other treats visible, then calmly proceed to fasten the prong collar around his neck. Then he gets a few more tiny treats. (He loves my home-made beef liver treats!) He is getting better and better each day in his overall behavior so I guess I am the one finally learning!

 Quote: Diane Joslin

He is getting better and better each day in his overall behavior so I guess I am the one finally learning!

Isn't that a great feeling!

Yes it is, Jan. When I get home from work I kind of hold my breath as I ask my hubby, "So, how was Nickie today?" Lately I've been hearing that he is getting so much better - he walks very nicely out to the mailbox with my husband about mid-day. Also he gets a couple of short play sessions during the day (he is crated while hubby is sleeping but alerts him when he wants out to potty - usually around noon, 3PM and 4:30PM. At 4:30 they are both "up" for the rest of the day until I get home at 6PM. He lets Nickie loose in the house (on the drag line) until we eat dinner. I feel that the time they are spending alone is a good bonding for them since I am the only one doing the training. Hubby was ready to give him up at about 3 months old but thanks to this web site, we hung in there and things are progressing nicely!

Diane, it's great to hear this good news