How Tight Should the Prong Collar be?

How tight should the prong collar be?

The biggest problem with new dog owners is they do not know how to put a prong collar on the dog or how to size them. In this article, we will discuss how tight should prong collar be and what are its uses.

Prong collars are designed in different sizes small, medium, large, or extra large.

Usually, recommended sizes of prong collars are two (2.0mm small) and (3.0mm medium). The length of a prong collar can be adjusted by adding more links to the collar.

Before using a prong collar first consult to a dog’s trainer. Buy a collar according to recommendations. Put the collar in your dog’s neck according to complete guidance. 

How Long Should you Use a Prong Collar?

How tight should the prong collar be?

It is a matter to understand the new dog’s owner, and how long you use a prong collar.

A prong collar is not a basic collar for your dog.

Use it only for an hour. And remove it after the end of learning activities. Do not use it more than an hour or leave your dog along a prong collar. 

Using a prong collar for a long time may hurt your dog’s neck.

Handlers or trainers should place the collar on the dog. It takes 10 to 20 minutes before they start training for that activity session.

How to Put a Prong Collar?

How tight should the prong collar be?

A prong collar is a training collar for dogs to teach them leash manners. Prong collars are used to put on and taken off after the daily training activity.

Never try to put in through the dog’s head. It might hurt dog’s eyes and head. 

If you are a dog owner, you must learn how a prong collar can be put on a dog’s neck. It can be put, under the supervision of a trainer to be effective.

Choose a Prong Collar

1. Consult 

Consult a certified dog trainer. He may likely have the experience put a prong collar to discipline a dog.

  •  Select 

Select the size of the prong collar according to your dog’s weight, skin, and neck size. Whereas, a metal collar moves around the dog’s neck.

  • Buy and put the collar on

Always buy a quality collar. It is designed to pinch the loose skin around the dog’s neck. A good quality collar will never hurt a dog’s neck

Buy a collar from a certified dog trainer. Do not buy a collar with rubber-tipped prongs. Because a rubber collar rub against the dog’s hair and causing  pain.

A prong collar should be 5 cm larger than the dog’s neck. It should not be too loose or too tight. Both cases are unacceptable.

More tightness will create instant tension on the neck causing discomfort and harm.

When you are choosing a prong collar, it is necessary to check its wire gauge according to the weight of the dog. 

The prong collar size can adjustable by adding or removing chain links.

Never put it in a dog’s neck through his head.

 Release two prongs or one buckle. Then place the collar on the upper part of a dog’s neck, right under the jaws. This procedure is the same for removing it.

Safety Measures:

Take care when you are adjusting a prong collar. Adjust it with an equal number of prongs by each side of the center plate. The center plate should be opposite to the dog’s trachea. 

These instructions will give a balanced fit.

Where Should a Prong Collar Sit on a Dog?

The correct position for a prong collar is to sit right behind the ears and under the jaw line of your dog. 

1. Position 

You should know how to fit the collar. It should sit behind the ears and under the jaws of your dog. If you place it lower than this position will hurt your dog.

2. Use of collar

Use a prong collar only for training activities. Remove it immediately after activity sessions. Use the prong collar to stop your dog from pulling on their leash.

A prong collar is not designed for dogs aged between 5 to 6 months.

Never use a prong collar also for a puppy.

3. Take off the collar

Take off the collar if you are not supervising your dog or after training sessions. A prong collar is always made with metallic chain series.  The metallic spikes of the prong collar pinch the skin of your dog.

Never use it for long time. These painful pinches may hurt your dog.

Long time use of a prong collar can also cause a serious disease of developing scar tissue, (which has no feelings or emotions). It also makes walks even more difficult.

Some dogs with damaged tracheas cannot wear prong collars.

How do I know the Prong Collar is too Loose?

The best and simple way to know the fitness of the prong collar is that. If a prong collar rotates, it means it is too loose. The force will not distribute over the whole collar.

The prong can slip down from the dog’s neck. If your prong collar slips down, it means you have not placed it in the right position or you have left it loose. You can adjust the fitting of the prong collar, by adding more links.

The right position is near to the ear and at the highest point on the neck, under the jaw line. It should fit like a choker chain. It should be snug but not too tight. 

A Prong Collar Should be Avoided If:

The most important information about not to wear a prong collar if:

  • You have a puppy or a teething dog.
  • When the age of your dog is near to 4 to 5 months.
  • Do not put it forcefully.
  • You are not teaching something to your dog.
  • Do not put it more than one to two hours in a day.

Best Category of Prong Collars for Your Dog

The best kind of prong collars for dogs. Prices are varying from size and quality.

  1. Herm SPRENGER Prong Dog Collar – Best 
  2.  Hamilton C3200 Training Collar – Best one
  3. Super Dog Prong Collar – Premium Choice 
  4. Star Mark Training Dog Collar
  5. Coastal Pet Prong Dog Collar
  6. OS Pet Dog Prong Collar
  7. Mayerzon  Dog Prong Training Collar
  8. Terrain D.O.G.

Final Thoughts:

It is necessary for beginners to keep in mind, that metallic links should be snug not too tight. Generally, you can put two fingers after you locked up the collar.

The collar should be fitted enough that it might not too tight or too loose to hurt.

 When a dog pulls on leash, moves out of position during activity session. A quick jerk of the leash resulted in force. Force is exerted on the dog’s neck through the points of contact of the prongs.

Force is also exerted in these situations when the dog is wearing a flat collar.

A correction applied to a dog on a flat collar can also be uncomfortable or even harm the dog. Use a prong steel collar, which is suitable for your dog.

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