ruthcatrin
Well-Known Member
Its a facet of the "purely positive" training that has taken such a dominant (I laughed as I typed that word, if you've hung around the positive only folks much you'll understand why) place in training. ANYTHING that might in ANYWAY cause the dog discomfort or that isn't totally GOOD, is considered BAD/ABUSE!!!! in their training approach. You can't even suggest NILF training infront of some of these folks without getting screamed at (and I mean that literally).
It also has to do with the fact that used incorrectly a prong IS capable of causing serious damage to a dog. It doesn't require maliciousness either unfortunately. For example: NEVER NEVER EVER leave the prong on your dog when you're not actually USING it with a leash attached to it. I don't care of its just a 5 minute car ride, or because the standard (non-quick release) style prong is a pain to get on and off the dog. Do NOT EVER leave it on the dog. If enough force is applied to the collar (such as you getting in a car accident on that 5minute quick ride, or dogs playing roughly) the prongs do not have to be sharp to puncture the skin. And so the internet is full of pictures of dogs with damaged necks due to some idiots stupidity (someone on here even said that their TRAINER TOLD THEM to leave it on the dog!). Some of the pictures I have my doubts were actually caused by prongs, but some of them I can totally see it.
However, as that article laid out, used correctly, a prong is far far less likely to cause actual damage to the dog than most any other collar or no-pull device.
It also has to do with the fact that used incorrectly a prong IS capable of causing serious damage to a dog. It doesn't require maliciousness either unfortunately. For example: NEVER NEVER EVER leave the prong on your dog when you're not actually USING it with a leash attached to it. I don't care of its just a 5 minute car ride, or because the standard (non-quick release) style prong is a pain to get on and off the dog. Do NOT EVER leave it on the dog. If enough force is applied to the collar (such as you getting in a car accident on that 5minute quick ride, or dogs playing roughly) the prongs do not have to be sharp to puncture the skin. And so the internet is full of pictures of dogs with damaged necks due to some idiots stupidity (someone on here even said that their TRAINER TOLD THEM to leave it on the dog!). Some of the pictures I have my doubts were actually caused by prongs, but some of them I can totally see it.
However, as that article laid out, used correctly, a prong is far far less likely to cause actual damage to the dog than most any other collar or no-pull device.
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