I have used a pinch collar on my dog a few times (loaner collar) but do not feel comfortable because the collar comes apart very easily and suddenly I have no leash on my dog. Is there a trick I need to learn?

Sorry, I do not know the brand of collar but it seems to be sturdy except for the breaking apart. I have not used a stong correction either.

Thanks for your help.

Yes,

These should illustrate for you the need to ALWAYS have a backup collar on your dog when using a prong collar. A dominant dog collar is perfect for this.

http://leerburg.com/playem.htm?name=flv/ProngCollar.flv (Video)
http://leerburg.com/prong.htm#safe (article with pictures)

Edit: if it comes apart very easily, you probably haven't fit it correctly. Read this: http://leerburg.com/fit-prong.htm

In Angela's last link, there is a link on the page to the dominant dog collar that Ed recommends to everyone who uses a prong collar as a back up safety.

I've fit my GSD with a prong collar and it stays up on her neck, but I still can't tell you how many "accidents" we've had where the prong has come detached. Each time we had a safety on and I can't say how grateful you will be to have it on your dog.

Instead of buying a dominant dog collar, we bought a leather pull tab http://leerburg.com/pulltab.htm which works great with a prong collar. We attach the snap end of the pull tab to our GSDs flat collar and then attached the snap end of the leash to the O ring on the end of the leather pull tab and then also the prong collar. It's never gotten in the way of a correction with the prong and is one less line we have around her neck (since we sometimes walk her with the flat, prong and ecollar on).

We also used the pull tab in the house when she was a pup instead of a leash, because when we had her drag her leash in the house, it would get caught on the furniture and she'd get stuck on the kitchen table. The pull tab was nice because we could still grab it and correct her but didn't have to worry about tripping over her leash. As she got bigger, we eventually needed something longer to get some strength on a prong correction, so we cut one of her nylon leashes in half and let her drag that around the house, but we still use the pull tab to this day whenever we take her for a walk!

Thanks guys. I definitely like the idea of the dominant collar andd will be ordering one as soon as I measure Murphy's neck.

I also didn't realize how high up the collar is suppose to ride oh his neck.

We will get it right . . . eventually.

THanks again.

Prong collars, until recently, have been standard equiptment for guide dogs. But they are not used high on the neck by any guide dog schools I am familiar with. After the dog is trained, it is usually fitted with a small prong collar for going home with the blind partner. This is the usual collar the GD will have it's leash attached to whenever he is working from then on. Unless the dog becomes hard headed, when a medium prong collar which can be used with more force is used.

While a backup should certainly be used in many instances, I'm curious about these prong collars that keep coming unlatched. I have never had that happen- ever. Not even with my quick release ones, and not even during a few very serious corrections. Could they be too loose possibly, thus giving too much "slack" and allowing a link to pop out? What brand are those of you who have had this problem using? Some of the cheap ones are angled too far out to the sides and those are the only ones I have ever seen come apart, and they come apart because they bend. Just curious...

I have used prong collars, and have had them come apart on me. Usually in an important moment. I didn't realize, until I started watching Leerburg DVDs, that I should have had a safety collar too. It would have saved me from many uh oh moments.

I should rephrase; I have SEEN prongs come apart, and agree that there should be backup, but I, personally, have never had the problem with a properly fitted HS.