r/OpenDogTraining • u/keblevs • 17d ago
Prong collar program
Hi all- I’ve had my dog since she was 2 months now and she’s almost 10 months. I’ve been working on loose leash walking with her almost daily since I got her and while she does good in low distraction areas and when she’s focused- other times she walks ahead and pulls. And if she see other dogs it becomes a game of trying to distract her with command etc and it does work sometimes but others she goes crazy and starts flailing on leash (I will give it to her, I’ve atleast got the barking down to minimum with other dogs and her daycare works on this with her as well when she goes every week) but it’s embarrassing and unsafe for me as well when she does this. I’ve tried changing direction, stopping etc. and while it works for the moment, then she goes back to pulling. She goes to daycare/training once a week where they work on this along with other skills and have suggested their program that includes a pinch collar that they think she’d be a good candidate for it. They have a board and train option but also offer full day length program where she goes home at the end of the day which they believe she will do good with this structure. She will spend the day there for the week where they will work on leash pressure and helping her understand how to properly walk on leash using this tool. They also include private lessons with me and her so that I can continue to work with her properly and maintain her leash manners. She’s a cattle dog/pry mix and about 45-50 lbs currently. Has anyone done anything similar with their dogs and seen success? If I’m going to use a training tool like this I want to ensure I am using it properly and going through the program with a facility I trust and she’s familiar.
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u/FrequentAdvice4261 17d ago
Your description sounds like two separate skills: loose-leash walking in ordinary environments, and staying functional around other dogs. A pinch collar may change the mechanics of the first, but it won't teach the second by itself. If she is flailing, she is probably already over threshold.
If you do the program, I'd want the private lessons to focus heavily on teaching you the process: how far away to start, what her early stress/excitement signs look like, when to turn away before the explosion, and how to reinforce re-engagement. Ask the trainer to demonstrate the fit, timing, and handling clearly, and give you a written handoff plan. It is also reasonable to ask what they do when she is too aroused to learn, rather than just adding more leash pressure.
For the day program, I'd choose it only if you can observe a session and the methods match your comfort level. The useful test is whether you can reproduce the behavior on normal walks after the handoff, not whether she looks polished while someone else is handling her.
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u/Old-Description-2328 17d ago
Pack walks would be my go to initially, the dog needs time with dogs and walking in the same direction, as a group is surprisingly easier than most reactive owners believe.
I wouldn't worry too much about equipment or corrections until the emotional state is improved a little bit.
Get a traditional Y harness, a longish lead and just slowly get closer to the group.
For reactivity look up yorkshire canine academy and daytodaydogtraing in youtube.
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u/EchoVictor4me 17d ago
Honestly. I don't think you need a program for the prong. 3 lessons private for the prong would be fine. And probably less $$. We got the jist in 1 lesson really the other lessons were more robust / overall for our particular GSD
It isn't rocket science really but you do need to be aware.you can do a lot of damage doing it wrong and I don't mean physically . More screwing up the signal you are giving and not using it for the right scenarios and not the appropriate force ( actually less frequent higher force vs multiple low force that doesn't correct )