Question on minimum number of individual prongs on a properly fitted prong collar - Page 1

 

 

 

I  recently came across this image purporting to be a properly fitted prong collar on a doberman. The fit itself appear to nicely approximate the circumference of the dogs neck, but too much of the total length of the collar is made from the chain there by reducing the number of prong links on the collar ( in this example I estimate that there are about only 5-6 ). I was once told by a person who customizes herm sprenger prongs ( and sell to the public ) that there should be at least 9-10 links on a well fitted collar.DOES ANYONE HAVE AN IDEA OF THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF PRONG LINKS  A WELL FITTED COLLAR SHOULD HAVE ( or put in another way , what % of the collar's total length  should be chain and what % should be links ).

Thanks in advance.

I have used "Prong Collars" for years and have never counted the number of links that should be on a properly fitted collar...What I will tell you is if the collar is fitted too tightly then you will just be jerking the dog and not correcting him...
If you have the "Prong Collar" fitted like in the picture it would be no better then having a "Buckle Collar" on the dog that's tightened pretty tightly with no space between the collar and the dog's neck...
A "Prong Collar" gives a different feel to the dog when the dog is corrected with it...
I'd like to know what you're meaning by:
"I was once told by a person who customizes herm sprenger prongs ( and sell to the public ) that there should be at least 9-10 links on a well fitted collar"...What does customizes mean?

~Bob~

Customizes mean that she takes the HS collars and make additions to them including adding a flat quick release latch.
I have been made to understand that the prong collar fits taut in the natural indentation immediately below the dog's ear. The correction is done by a quick flick of the wrist ( not a jerking of the hand ). The flick of the wrist is effective only if the chain has to slide a very short distance to tighten the prongs. If the chain has to slide a far distance then it is obvious that ( when at rest ) the collar cannot be taut will drop down towards the base of the dogs neck.
The thing is that upon correction the chain should only slide a very short distance. My actual question is that in a taut/well fitted collar what % of the total length should be chain and what % prong links. Based on what I have been told, the example in the pic though taut appear to have too much chain ( as part of the total length ).

Would not the neck circumference of the dogs neck have a lot to do with how many links are in it, unless they cut and resize the chain.

A prong on a dobies neck or mastiff would differ greatly.  6-7 links on a small neck 10-12 on a much larger so how can there be a specific number that is correct.

The person you talked to did they say that was the number for a German Shepherd, was it for a large male or petite female.

A lot a things to consider other than just the number of links

 

Thank you, Western Rider. My thoughts exactly. The question didn't make sense to me. Different dogs have different neck sizes, so different amounts of prongs are needed. The prong size is also a factor. Smaller prongs (2.25mm), more are need to fit the dog's neck than larger prongs (4.0mm) because the smaller ones cover less distance.

ok the idea is that the MAXIMUM number of prong tips should be in contact with the dogs neck and the chain should be of minimum length, only allowing for a minimum of travel ( about 0.5 inch). In the picture , even though the chain appear to have a small travel ( to correction effect ), TOO MUCH chain is still in contact with the dogs neck( only about 10-12 prong tips are in contact with the dog's neck. ex: Currently, I have two prongs and for both of them the chain is about less than 20% of the total length of the collar when fitted taut. The 2.25 mm collar has 10 links , and thus 20 prong tips are in contact with the dog's neck; the 3.0 mm collar has 9 prongs and thus 18 tips are in contact with the dogs neck.
The question should be rephrased to read : What % of the well fitted collar's length should be chain; I am estimating about 20% at most.

There are no specific number of prongs needed to be fitted properly and to make a good...proper correction... ... ...It's not that you need any specific number of prongs...it's that you make a good...proper correction...A prong is not to kick a dog's butt...but to get the dog's attention to what you're wanting...
A prong should not be fitted too tightly...Just like when using a Choke Chain you don't have the collar fit very snugly...instead it should be fitted to have a little bit of play room...So you can make a proper correction...
If you're in doubt of how you're fitting your prong collar on your dogs then I'd refer you to your training director or someone that is experienced and know how to fit and use a prong collar...
I will tell you how I use a prong collar and that is I don't hook my leash into just "1" ring in the prong collar...instead I hook the leash into both rings...therefore it makes any correction quicker...If you want more prongs and less chain then you'd have to re-do the chain by cutting and/or re-hooking it back together...they come with standard lengths...

~Bob~

Mithuna; I have suggested to you many times to get involved with a good to great trainer. I read many of your post for the same reason i slow down as i past a car wreck. You can not tell us on one thread about the dog who does not respond to corrections [ to the point that you broke the prong collar] and on the next thread ask how to properly place/fit the collar. You have an obligation to the public to control your dog. You have an obligation to your dog to learn more about dog training. Do you not believe that having control over your dog is more important than emailing the owner of ''von haus ming'' about their next litter?

Bob

Good view, but where we differ is that more prong points than chain should be in contact with the dog's neck. Yes cutting the chain shorter and replacing the lost length with prong links is a good idea; there is someone who customizes prongs for clients.

Why reinvent the wheel? if you work with a professional trainer they will show you how to use a collar properly. If you are wrecking a collar under the supervision of a trainer, find one to show you what you are doing wrong.