Friday, April 13, 2007

Woof OR Ouch?

Prong (or pinch) collars like the one in this photo are common tools used in obedience training for dogs. Although banned in some countries, they are quite popular in the United States. Some dog trainers believe that prong collars are safer than choke collars, which tighten around the dogs' neck when pulled. The spikes on prong collars are not sharp but can be very uncomfortable for the dogs if they are pulled.

This contraption reminds me of a cilice, a metal chain with spikes that is supposedly used by Opus Dei members who practice corporal mortification. If you watched the movie, The Da Vinci Code, you might remember one of the characters wearing the cilice under his robe.

What is your opinion on the use of prong collars in obedience training for dogs?

26 comments:

Annie said...

Oh, I've never seen such. I think that's absolutely horrible and I would tell the owner my opinion were I to see it personally.

Ming the Merciless said...

Annie, I saw this prong collar for the first time when I lived in Monroe, Louisiana. A friend of mine used it to train his basset hound.

One of my coworkers who volunteers as trainer for eye seeing dogs uses this contraption too. Apparently, it is a common tool used in obedience training.

Personally, I would be uncomfortable using it to train my dog.

Unknown said...

Well it might certainly work but I wouldn't use that kind of methods to train my dog !
I think there are other ways to train dogs !!!

See you

Carol E. said...

No way!!! That's repulsive!

Bel said...

NO WAY!!!!! That is so cruel.

Whoever invented it should be made to trial it (on themselves).

Poor doggy :o(

edwin s said...

No no no no no!~

My dog Henry is very excitable on a leash. He may just kill himself if I yanked too hard.

No NO NO!

Anonymous said...

Ouch!

Anonymous said...

It is blog about dogs or about New York?
Half of last 10 entries are about dogs. It is enough!
I love cats!

Fabrizio Zanelli said...

Terrible and horrible. They should be strictly prohibitted and owner that use them arrested.

www.DeltaMovies.com said...

Nice picture...but, as a long term dog worshipper (owner), I have always been adamantley oppossed to these type collars. I strongly feel they should be outlawed in this country.

B.

stilettoheights said...

OMG before I would even finish reading your post my mind started to wander to Divinci Code and the Opus Dei...

anyway, the photo...makes me sad, I wouldn't use one on a dog.

Olivier said...

les gens sont stupides et tellement cruel avec les animaux. bon post. je te souhaite un bon weekend


people are stupid and so cruel to the animals. good post. I wish you a good weekend

Shammickite said...

If a dog owner is so lazy about spending training time with his dog that he needs to stick metal prongs into the dog's neck to get him to obey.... that person doesn't deserve to have any pets at all. Maybe a prong collar round the dog owner's neck for a while would change his mind!!

angela said...

I couldn't do this to any animal...
I feel shocked and a little nauseated.
Angela

Rafe Totengco said...

OUCH! This looks cruel to me. I can't even look at this photo, it's repulsive that someone can do this to their pet that they're supposed to love! Ugh!

delightful-d said...

Yes, that is a common tool used in obedience training. A shock collar is used also. From what I understand, it doesn't take a dog very long to realize what he/she is doing wrong when using these tools. I don't feel they are cruel (they may hurt but don't draw blood) - it is just a training device.
I enjoy your site - keep up the fun and colorful posts/photos. Dogs or New York photos - I don't care ..... I am a lover of both!

Dsole said...

I've never heard of that, and I don't know if that's banned here in Spain, but I've never seen anything like this and I wouldn't like to use it, I don't like it, even i found your photo and description very interesting...

Oh Ming, my brother has just arrived from NYC and he makes me sick with thousands of amazing photos... I'm waiting impatienly to visit NY!!!
At least you bring me fresh pics each day and that's sooo great! Have a great weekened! :)

Sally said...

Oh, this distresses me. Such things have no place in my opinion. If you can't train and love your dog without hurting it, you shouldn't own one.

Jilly said...

NOT the way to train a dog. Dogs should be trained in a positive way - ie praise when he performs a task correctly. Basically dogs want to please and respond to priase.

Dogs should be trained with patience, not cruel spiked collars!

Jilly

Z said...

Ow, I don't like it.

Unknown said...

i am imagining that thingy on my neck now. errr. it's a bit, i can't explain in words now!

AinZ said...

OUCH!! seen them in the U.S. and don't like them. seems cruel.

Mandi said...

That's horrible. Looks really cruel. I think they should be banned.

kuanyin333 said...

I have to agree with 99% of the other commentors: too cruel!

Anonymous said...

Actually, prong collars aren't cruel. You can put one on your own neck or arm and give it a tug if you want to try it on yourself - you'll find that it doesn't hurt, it's a quick pinch.

When used properly, it's a very effective training tool for dogs that have problems with dog or human aggression, dogs who lunge or are excitable in specific circumstance, and aren't responsive to other methods of training.

If you're basing your "they should be banned" based on how they look in the picture, you're making a very ignorant snap judgment.

Many dogs have had their quality of lives improved because of their prong collar - the resulting improved behavior has enabled them to go on longer walks, more public places, and spend more quality time with their owners out and about.

If you all had your way, many of these dogs would spend more time in the confines of the indoors, or worse, have to be euthanized.

So much for humane!

Do your research!

Anonymous said...

I think the people saying it is cruel are being a little close minded. It does look cruel however for my VERY dominent Austrial Cattle Dog it is the only effective rute. I decided on it after trying many others and finally hiring a profesional and highly rec. trainer. I have tried all devices used on my dog on myself and compared to the slip collar/choke along it is not painful AT ALL. It wasnt even close to as bad as someone piching your arm. My dog now instead of trying to eat other dogs.