The Best Prong Dog Collars To Help Your Pup Walk On A Leash

Prong collars are a helpful but often misunderstood training tool. They can help teach even the most stubborn pets to walk gently on a leash. When used appropriately, they are designed to put pressure on your pet, not produce pain. However, there is much to learn to get to this place when using one of your own. Below, we’ll dissect the best dog prong collars on the market today, as well as continue to learn about using these tools with our pups. By the end of this article, we hope you’ll not only be ready to train your pet with one — if it’s a good fit for them, of course — but also know exactly which version you’d like to buy.

Best Dog Prong Collars to Consider

As mentioned above, there is a lot to learn about prong collars before you’ll be ready to use one with your pet. To start, it’s important to understand that there is a widespread stigma around this product. In advertisements and media, these tools are often used to depict aggressive, uncontrollable dogs. They often represent owners who do not care about their pets as well. When in reality, this is the furthest from the truth. Prong collars are a communication tool for pets who learn best through touch instead of words. They are to be used as a command, not as a punishment.

Next, consider where your dog is at with leash walking. If they already know how to walk gently, a prong collar isn’t necessary. If they pull often and have been hard to correct with treats and verbal commands, a prong collar could be your quickest and most effective solution.

Now, think of your pet’s size. Prong collars are not for little dogs. They are for large and strong dogs only. It’s also imperative that they are sized correctly. Prong collars that are too small may hurt your pet, and they may fall off of your dog if they are too large.

Remember that prong collars are only meant to be used for short periods of time when you are walking your pet. Long, unsupervised wear sessions often lead to injuries.

Get to know a few features of prong collars, such as capped or uncapped prongs. Capped prongs are more comfortable for pets, while uncapped are slightly sharper. Neither will scratch skin if used appropriately. Look into quick-release buckles, too, which greatly ease the burden of putting prong collars on and taking them off.
And last but not least, remember that these are training tools that work for some dogs but not all. Use should be discontinued if the collar you purchase does not produce results after a few weeks. This helps to ensure you aren’t making your dog uncomfortable for no reason when other training methods could be more effective for their personality type.

Adjustable and safe prong dog collar

This prong collar has several unique features to help keep your pet comfortable and ease the training process. To start, all of the prongs are rounded to prevent injuries. They have rubber tips for added cushion, and they also come with extra rubber pieces in case a few fall off and get lost. The buckle makes the collar easy to put on and take off, and the D-rings provide a simple connection point and ensure even neck pressure. The collar has three built-in size settings, and you can adjust the fittings further by adding or removing links. The price is reasonable for such a thoughtful product as well.

• Small, medium, and large sizes are available
• Several colors to choose from
• The buckle can be removed with one hand in emergencies
• Steel material is resistant to rust
• Breed examples for each size are listed on the product page

• Needs to be dried quickly if it gets wet

Quick release prong dog collar

This prong dog collar has a quick-release button, which makes it much easier to put on and take off. It’s also helpful in emergencies, since it could be life-threatening to take 5 minutes to undo prongs in some circumstances. Sizes small through extra-large are available, and each size can be adjusted further by adding or removing links. Prongs are covered with removable rubber tips. The body of the collar is made of stainless steel, allowing for increased durability and rust-resistance compared to other similar products. You can even make your purchase a little more joyful by choosing one of the colorful patterns that Deyace has to offer.

• Average price
• Well-built design
• Weight suggestions for each size are listed on the product page
• Prongs require pliers for removable, which helps to ensure your pup won’t be able to break them off himself

• Rubber tips may fall off, but the prongs underneath are rounded and extra caps are included

Undetectable prong dog collar

This unique product helps you skip some of the judgment by hiding the prongs underneath what appears to be a regular nylon collar. It has a quick-release buckle and a sturdy D-ring for durability and pressure distribution. Extra prongs are included for size adjustment and they can also be removed to make the collar smaller. Sizes start in small through extra-large positions — just choose the version that will fit your pet or be slightly too big and adjust as needed. Several fun colors and patterns are available to click through when you make your purchase.

• Typical price point
• Rounded prongs with rubber tips
• Reinforced buckle
• Made of stainless steel

• Even though this looks like a normal collar, it can still only be used for short periods of time while your pet is on a leash

Sensitive skin dog prong collar

As great as prong collars are, they are often made with cheaper metals that dogs and humans can have skin allergies to. If your pet has shown signs of metal allergies in the past, this quality prong collar from Herm Spregner could be a good fit. It’s made entirely of Curogan metal, which has a high amount of copper in it. There is no nickel, which happens to be the most common metal allergy. The collar is professional-grade and has two o-rings for customizable leash placement. The prongs aren’t completely rounded, but they also aren’t sharp. The one-size-fits-all product can be adjusted to suit dogs with neck circumferences of 20” or smaller by adding or removing links as needed.

• German-made
• Can be polished if the color darkens over time
• Also available in 16” or 25” sizes
• Releases quickly even without a buckle

• Higher than average price
• No rubber caps for prongs

Classic dog prong collar

Prong dog collars can be effective even if they aren’t fancy, and this product from Monlida serves as proof. It’s affordably priced, comfortable for pets, and easy to use for pet owners. The prongs are covered with rubber tips. Four sizes are available to choose from, as well as versions with and without buckles. The length can be adjusted further by adding or removing links. Two o-rings are included, so you can choose to use the slip style or traditional style depending on what works best for your pup.

• Low price point
• Customizable features
• Easy to detach
• Made of stainless steel

• Extra links are not included, but universal pieces work fine

Frequently Asked Questions

Are prong dog collars safe?

Prong collars are safe when used appropriately. They should only be used for short amounts of time and only while your dog is on a leash. They should be removed if your pet shows persistence in pulling even with the collar on. It’s safer to use versions with rubber tips than bare-metal types.

Are dog prong collars humane?

Prong dog collars are humane when, again, used appropriately. The dog may feel uncomfortable when they pull, but they will be able to alleviate the feeling by correcting their behavior. They should not be in pain. And the collar should be removed if they are not responding to the pressure.

Do dog prong collars produce results for all pets?

No. Some dogs perform well with physical reminders to training, while others do much better with positive reinforcement. They work well for strong-willed dogs of large breeds, They are not safe to use with small breeds.

How can I train my pet with a prong collar?

Prong collars can be used when training your dog to walk on a leash without pulling. It should be placed directly behind your dog’s ears and below their jaw line. Provide small but firm tugs to correct behavior as needed. Remove the dog collar when you are done with your walk.

Why do prong collars have a bad reputation?

All prong collars product an uncomfortable sensation to correct behaviors. Though this is effective, it is also controversial. Prong collars can also be dangerous when they are not used correctly, which adds to the stigma behind them. Last but not least, they are to be used as a training aid. They are not a means to walk a dog on a leash who has never been trained to avoid pulling.

About the Author

Jessica is the proud owner of two dogs: an adorable dalmatian and a very active retriever mix. With all her years of experience caring for her own pups, Jessica hopes to help other dog moms and dads make the most of their time with their furry friends by finding them products that make dog ownership convenient, easy, and fun. As a mom of two, Jessica is always looking for products that are safe for her dog, her kids, and her home.

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