Prong collars have long been a controversial tool in the dog training world. I used them in the past and saw quick results, but over time, I’ve shifted my perspective.
Today, I believe there are more effective, compassionate ways to train a dog that don’t rely on pain or fear. This post explores the pros and cons, why I no longer recommend prong collars, and what I suggest instead.
I used to think walks were non-negotiable. Rain or shine, my dogs had to be walked daily. And if they pulled, we used what we thought worked, including prong collars.
Years ago, when we adopted Bear, he was a 95lb powerhouse with zero leash manners. I remember the stress of trying to walk him with my daughter on her bike and thinking, “How will we ever make this work?”
The prong collar seemed like the answer. It helped me gain quick control, and at the time, I believed it was the most humane option available.
But the more I learned, the more my thinking changed.
Are Prong Collars Cruel?
This is one of the most searched questions out there, and the answer isn’t black and white. Prong collars aren’t inherently cruel — when used properly, they’re designed to apply even pressure around the dog’s neck rather than causing trachea damage like flat collars can. But here’s the catch:
Most people don’t use them properly.
And even when they do, prong collars rely on discomfort to stop unwanted behavior. That’s just not how I want to communicate with my dogs anymore.
Why I Stopped Recommending Prong Collars
Over the years, I’ve fostered dozens of dogs and worked through all kinds of behavior issues — reactivity, fear, leash pulling, you name it. And yes, I used prong collars with some of them in the beginning. I don’t regret those moments, they were part of my learning journey.
But I’ve also seen how much more powerful it is to build a relationship based on trust, choice, and clear communication, not pressure or pain. It might take longer, and it’s not always easy, but the results last longer and feel better for everyone involved.
Instead of reaching for a prong collar these days, I do one of two things:
- I don’t go on a walk right away. I start by sitting in the yard, working on calmness, connection, and attention.
- I use reward-based training and tools like front-clip harnesses or long lines, depending on the dog’s needs.
Walks aren’t the only way to exercise a dog. Mental stimulation, sniffy time in the backyard, enrichment games, and play can meet a dog’s needs in a more relaxed, confidence-building way.
Pros and Cons of Prong Collars
Even though I don’t recommend them anymore, I think it’s important to give a full picture, especially for anyone feeling desperate for help.
The “Good” (why people use them):
- They can stop pulling quickly
- They’re often used by balanced trainers
- They can be a last resort for strong dogs when other methods haven’t worked
The “Bad and Ugly”:
- They rely on pain or discomfort to stop behavior
- Misuse is common, which can lead to physical and emotional damage
- They don’t teach the dog what to do instead
- They can erode trust between you and your dog
What to Use Instead
There are so many tools and methods that can help you teach your dog to walk nicely on a leash, without fear or pain:
- Front-clip harnesses (we use the Ruffwear Front Range Dog Harness)
- Relationship-based games that teach attention, impulse control, and focus
One of my favorite resources is the Loose Leash Walking online course by SpiritDog Training. It’s a gentle, step-by-step program that teaches your dog how to walk politely without pulling.
➡️ Check out the SpiritDog Loose Leash Walking Course here (affiliate link)
This is a great option if you want expert guidance, especially for dogs who are leash reactive or just overly excited on walks.
And if your dog is struggling with reactivity or fear? Training games that build confidence and help them feel safe are your best path forward.
I cover a lot of these ideas in my blog and inside my Rescue Dog Confidence Training Starter Pack.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t about shaming anyone. I’ve been there. I still see prong collars online or at the park and feel that moment of, “I get why they’re using it.”
But I also know we can do better.
If you’re here because you’re struggling with your dog pulling or being reactive, you’re not alone, and you’re not failing. There are kinder, more effective ways to help your dog, even if they take a little more time.
Want help figuring out where to start? Check out these resources:
You’ve got this. Your dog just needs your patience, not punishment.
Thank you for this article devilifying prong collars. We have beautiful, stress-free walks thanks to this great tool. Wish more people would stop and educate themselves to see the value in them!
Thank you Jennifer, I agree 100%!
People who have untrained GERMAN SHEPHERDS ALWAYS ask me…”do you train dogs”?…”how much would you charge i will pay you well” ALWAYS…why you ask…well because my gsd is sooo well trained.he is off leash trained 100% I take him into public stores.around other dogs.etc and he heels.directly on my side.no matter what.out of control dogs pulling on therr leash trying to attack him.etc it doeant matter.he wont maKe a move unless approved by me..how did i do this you ask?…..well this is the formula…so get your pen and paper ready..first a WHOLE LOTTA LOVE…second A WHOLE LOTTA TIME….third MORE LOVE…..FORTH A SPRENGER CORRECTION COLLAR…without it you will never train a german shepherd manners.bigj reward training….petco training…etc etc..etc DOES NOT WORK YOU ARE WAISTING YOUR TIME.SPINNING YOUR WHEELS…when it comes to training your german shepherds.you cant do your own thing.you must follow a tried and true/proven training program.this is how the nazi’s trained them.this is how the police train them this is how the military trains them..AROUND THE WORLD…stop the stupidity.if you dont use it.you will fail in training your dog will become a nuisance and your dog will ultimately pay the sad price…….a well trained dog has a great life.sees the world ..a poorly trained dog sees the backyard sees the shelter and sees the euthanasia needle
Thank You!!! Have watched several videos by Jeff Geller and purchased a Herm Sprenger prong collar. Wasted $100 at PetSmart (clicker training ????). I have a smart medium drive 5 1/2 month old GSD male pup. Russian/West Germany working/showline. About 30% of the time he will heel/sit/stay with the choke collar but there is no real control without constant pulling on him. I’m over that. I needed to read this because I didn’t want to be too harsh but realized I must have control of him. He’s sweet smart and strong. We’re embarking on our first walk tomorrow!!
I just rescued a 5 month golden husky mix. It has been 4 years since I had my last beloved dog. I used a pinch collar on Chester and he and I were happy walkers for 10+ years. So as I did my research as a new dog mom, I see all the ominous warnings of the pinch collar. I exercised and walked my new buddy for 3 weeks using no prong collar. Did not work at all. Decided to use the old prong collar on a walk to the post office with Bow today ???? Bam. Barely had to use the collar; I mean BARLEY, and we got into the groove. I guess I’m an animal abuser from what I read, but I would put the care and loving I provide to my dog above 99.9% of what most humans receive.
Thanks Karen for sharing your story. I think most people are afraid to publicly admit the prong collar is a great training tool. A lot of peer pressure and uneducated people spreading rumors about a training tool they have no experience with. Yes, the prong collar can cause damage, but so can a flat collar or harness.
I’m a dog walker and deal with a lot of dogs of varying size, strength, and leash training.
I despise using harnesses because I find they ALWAYS encourage pulling. I have had 0 success teaching dogs to walk correctly using a harness…
Regular collars allow the dogs to hurt themselves if they have no leash manners, and Ive personally seen this many times — choking, damage to the neck, etc. And not to mention all that pulling also affects me — stresses my joints and feet, strains my wrists, has caused me to slip and fall in icy or muddy conditions, and makes me dread walking these problem dogs.
But pronged collars have been a saving grace for both me and the problem walkers. Dogs that I thought were a lost cause QUICKLY cease pulling and are walkable again!
It’s crazy how the internet is overwhelmed with posts claiming how dangerous these collars are when I find they have done wonders for both me and the dogs Im walking, all without hurting them. The content in this post is a breath of fresh air.
Diana, I love your story, thank you so much for sharing! We dog sat for a friends dog last week that has no leash manners, and the way he pulled on his flat collar scared me! He pulled so hard to the point of choking himself and pulling me over. So many people think the prong collar is terrible, yet the flat collar is okay?
My new rescue golden girl’s neck (just below her ears) measures 14. in. What size prong collar should I get? She is 38 lb.
You can get the standard size: https://amzn.to/2Hwnbzp. The collars are adjustable by adding/removing links.
I bought a Herm Spengler for my 3 year old 100lb. Lab. Instantly what a difference, no pulling, no zig zag walking. Very pleased with the purchase and have recommended it to other dog owners.
That’s awesome Joe! So glad it is working for your and your big pup!
Thank you for a very informative article. I want to share a story about a prong collar and how it changed my life. I rescued Shadow, a black Newfoundland, many years ago, that was when I was introduced to the prong collar in an obedience class I took with Shadow.
Shadow was a big big dog, who loved everyone and everything. He had good manners (or so I thought) and was very very love able. After I brought him home I tried to take him for walks but he would literally drag me down the street at a pretty fast pace. Being rather small in size at 5’ he darn near out weighed me so it was nearly impossible for me to stop him. I knew that I had to learn how to control him if I wanted to be able to walk him without it being a dangerous task. I signed us up for an obedience class. During the first class Shadow had his own agenda and set out to personally meet and greet every student in the class. He wouldn’t listen to me or the instructor at all. After class the instructor told me that she would bring a collar to the next class that should help with him and asked that I come a little early so she could show me how to use it. She brought to class a prong collar and instructed me how to fit it and how to use it. That collar changed the way Shadow behaved in an instant. Needless to say Shadow and I were able to participate in class and he wasn’t the class clown he was in the first class. We finished the class and we both learned so much from it. Shadow received an award at the end of the class for Most Improved. He was really a wonderful dog that I wouldn’t have enjoyed with out that collar. I whole heartedly believe the prong collar can change people’s and dogs lives.
Wow Deanna, what a great transformation story. Thank you so much for sharing. Way to go Shadow!!
Thanks for this article. We have two dogs, both staffies, that are really bad on the leash. One just pulls excessively while the other is actually more reactive on the leash. For instance, our sweet River does so well with other dogs and people at the dog park, but once she’s on the leash she’s much more reactive. We were working with a purely positive trainer for a while, who was really great, but when it came to real-world practice out and about it was still nearly impossible for me to get my dogs’ attention with just treats when they saw something they wanted to go after, usually a squirrel but sometimes a friendly neighbor. We could tell it was simply because their want to chase after whatever they saw was stronger than their want for treats. And although I knew they were just barking and pulling because they wanted to investigate and make friends, staffies barks tend to be quite scary, which I’m sure intimidate my neighbors. Every interaction made me terrified someone would try to get our dogs kicked out of the neighborhood, especially since staffies are technically “dangerous”. I knew that if we kept at it, eventually the dogs would figure it out and be better behaved, but the fear of losing our pups made me feel we didn’t have the time to be patient.
Recently we were able to do a board and train with an old coworker of mine for a very reasonable price and she told us that she combines positive and negative reinforcements in her training. For her leash training she starts with a slip leash but if a dog is particularly difficult she’ll switch to the prong collar. She said doing this just makes the training go faster, which is helpful since she only has the dogs for a limited amount of time. The prong collar would be a way to inform the dogs that they have to pay attention to you when you say rather than when they find convenient. Initially I was not crazy about this, especially since our previous trainer was purely positive and I thought that’d be best, but her reasoning made sense to me since it was clear our dogs did not care about the treats in our hands when they saw something they wanted more.
I’m still a little nervous about it, which is why I’m doing more research on prong collars before I buy one to continue their training for when they come home. It’s especially discouraging because most articles I’m reading argue against prong collars. But after reading your points and the testimonies of other people here, I feel a little more confident that I can find a safe and humane way of using this tool when doing further training. Thanks!
Sarah, I totally understand your hesitation. But I urge you to give it a try, as you’ve read by all the comments below, the prong collar can be life changing. Have your new trainer help you make sure the fit is correct and you will be well on your way to having peaceful walks again.
We rescued a 14 month old, 80 pound, muscular, untrained male doberman and walks with him were impossible. In addition to pulling, he’d often suddenly and without notice, take off after a bird, a blowing leaf or just a mailbox post that looked appealing. As sweet as he is, I ended up on the ground numerous times and my husband was tired of having his arm yanked in the wrong direction. We tried everything, several different harnesses, chokers, e-collar… he’d refuse to allow us to even put an Easy-walker or Gentle Leader on him, we’d have to chase him and then wrestle with him before we’d even get out the door. We pull out the prong collar and he come and sits patiently for us to put it on..he’s excited knowing he’s going for a walk. I swore I’d never use a prong, they are cruel, I thought. But when it came down to either his discomfort or my injuries I agreed to try it. I think he’s smart enough to realize that he’s in control, if he doesn’t pull, his collar is comfortable for him. We’ve been using a Ray Allen Brand, the prongs go only partially around his neck/the collar. Also, we wear a 2″ wide flat collar on our Dobe with the prong so that the prong stays high on his neck where it belongs. I may look into a Herm Sprenger. Thank you for this article!
What a great story Donna, thank you for sharing. It is so much better to be able to walk your dog without the worry of being pulled to the ground! I get it, I thought the prong collar was cruel at first too, but quickly learned it’s the exact opposite. It’s cruel not to be able to walk your dog.
This has been our experience with all three of our rescued dogs as well. So happy that your tool worked out for you and your dobie.
We are the first time adoptive fur parents of a Yellow Lab Mix. Our previous 2 dogs were Chocolates so we knew what to expect in regards to energy levels and exercise needs. We were lead to believe that our Bear was leash trained. Great, checked that off the list. Ummmm not so fast. We tried for 3 weeks to loose leash train w/ the Easy Walk harness employing techniques learned w/ our last dog Jackson’s dog coach. Until Jackson was 10 or so and slowing down did he really walk loose leash style even with a Gentle Leader head collar. Every walk we took Bear was pulling me so hard no matter what I tried and sadly, I was seriously considering returning him to the shelter. I contacted a reputable local trainer who I met at a local park the next day. She introduced me to the idea of using a prong collar as a training tool which I initially had strong concerns about having never seen one in use and having just lost a dog to laryngeal damage issues. She fitted the prong collar and leashed him and literally within MINUTES he was no longer lunging or pulling even though there were loud cars, people, and other dogs coming and going around us. I was overjoyed when I was handed the leash and he did so for me as well!! I followed her to the nearest pet store and purchased a Sprenger prong collar and she fitted it properly for us and instructed me in how to apply it. This was the same store I had been in days earlier with Bear and could barely hold onto him where he was now sitting next to me at the register!!!! We praised and rewarded him and he was getting it so quickly; finally!! I have walked him w/ the prong collar here at home several times since our session and he is not pulling or lunging. My energy is much more calm and I sense his is as well. (It is really hard to stay positive and calm when your shoulder and arm are being ripped away from your body!) We look forward to walks now!! My advice would be to give it a try w/ a professional’s guidance to see if it could solve your dog’s leash pulling habit. What have you got to lose?
Thank you Melanie for sharing your story! The more we can share these real-life stories, the more people can realize that the prong collar is not cruel, but a life saving training tool. So glad you found a trainer to guide you! And by the way, love the name Bear, that’s our yellow lab’s name too 🙂