Works if fitted and used properly

This product is a prong collar, or a pinch collar. Many people have misconceptions about this collar, and seem to think it is cruel.

It is much more humane than a simple choke chain collar. The dog will never strangle itself on the collar, as it can only tighten so much.

However, it does pinch the dog's skin on the neck, which makes the dog stop pulling. A dog may yelp or cry out when it pinches.

In nature, dogs are part of a social structure, and there are alpha dogs and follower dogs. The alpha dogs often use their teeth to bite other dogs on the neck, as a clear sign of who is in charge. They also use their teeth to reprimand their young.

The pinch or prong collar is supposed to simulate the teeth of the alpha dog.

If you have a small dog that pulls so much, that on the regular choke chain collar, it has pulled to the point that their is no fur and the skin is raw and bleeding, this collar will be a lifesaver. It will stop your little dog from pulling, and thus prevent damage to the dog's neck.

If you have a big dog, or a strong dog that pulls all the time, and you can't control them on a walk, then this collar will help you get control of your dog. It is effective on pit bulls and in my case, GSDs. I personally don't use them for training as I use the regular choke chain as required by the AKC. However, sometimes when I am walking several dogs (3 GSDs), I will put it on the dog that pulls the most on the walks. It seems that my dogs always want to race when we go for a walk, so the pinch collar helps me maintain control, especially when I have my child in the stroller too.

The collar is only effective when it is put on correctly. You need to make sure that it is tight, but not so tight that you can't even get it on the dog. You can remove or add links as necessary to get the proper fit. The leash attaches to the small ring that sticks up, not the bigger ring. The way it works is that when the dog pulls, the leash will tighten the area on the collar that looks like a regular choke chain. Then the prong parts will push together and pinch the skin on the dog's neck.

If used correctly, you will not make holes in the dog's neck as many people stupidly believe.

Some people choose instead to use a face halter such as Halti or Gentle Leader. Using these products, the dog seems to really hate it, and everyone who sees you and your dog knows you have no control over the dog. I personally don't use these products as I think they look terrible on the dog. Some people may mistake your dog as an aggressive animal. The pinch collar is more effective and not as obvious.

This product by Pro-Select is okay. The workmanship is not as good as a Herm Springer, but much more affordable. The smaller collars are much easier to attach, as you need to squeeze the prongs to put it together. However, there are little plastic caps on the ends of the prongs, which you need to remove from the prong that you will use to attach it together. The other caps can stay on. I noticed that this brand, the edges of the prongs are not rounded like the Herm Springer, therefore, I recommend that you use the caps.

I have one of these in the smallest prong size, and it works okay for my smaller GSD. I have a Herm Springer in the medium prong size, and that works for my long-haired GSD, but is much more difficult to put on, as the medium prongs are harder to squeeze together. I didn't get the easy link attachment.

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[updated on 2008-02-24 01:31:15]:
I have to add that the prongs push together, not into the dogs neck, but to each other, so that the skin gets pinched. It feels much like if you were to get pinched.

You should try it around your arm to see how it works.

I have seen it work well on Jack Russells, GSDs, pitbulls, Golden Retrievers, Labs, and boxers in my obedience class.

It you put it on too loose, then when the dog pulls, the collar does nothing other than push the prongs into the front of the dog's neck. I have seen some clueless pet owners in my class do this. It is not effective at all, and can injure your dog's neck.


Also, if you choose to still use a regular choke chain collar, make sure you have it on correctly as it doesn't loosen when you have it on backwards. Remember, the dog can't read, so when you put it on your dog, you should see the "P", and not the dog. Smaller links are better as they don't snag.

Lastly, do not buy any chains made in China. They do break and snap. You don't want this to happen when you are near traffic and your dog sees a cat across the street. Made in the US and Germany are the better brands.

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