Prong collar- at what age to start using it - Page 2

I will put a prong on as early as six months. However, for your dog in the other thread I would use an ecollar as it's less emotional.and the dog won't see it coming from you.

For those who are jumping to conclusions, I have trained up to this point using predominately positive reinforcement and have no intention of "cranking" on my dog.  

Joanro and Greyhound girl, Thank you very much. I am not comfortable using the e-collar with my pup although it has been suggested before. At this point she is only 10 months and in many ways she is a very good pup, but she can be very strong willed and there are times when I feel I need to let her know a behavior is clearly unacceptable. A verbal correction and leash correction with a flat collar doesn't get the message across. 
 

when teaching the dog you dont need it as you cannot correct the dog for what he doesnot understand yet, when the dog knows and understand the exercises but chooses to do other things you can start using corrections
 

Star, if you have done the obedience, which it sounds like you have, and you need to enforce a command which she is not picking up on because of distractions, the prong could be the way to go. Just be sure the first correction counts, but do not over do it either. Otherwise, with just "pecking" at the dog, you will be in the same boat you're in now...the dog will become desensitized and then you need to keep upping the correction...not the place you want to be in.

Thank you, Joanro. I appreciate your help. Yes, we have done the obedience and although she clearly understands everything, she is a work in progress. I will let you know how things go. Yesterday I took her to the training field where they were doing agility. I put her on a long down at the edge of the field and then we did some fun obedience and focus training exercises, rewarding with treats and/or  praise as i usually do during training. She did great with no acting out or extreme fixating on the other dogs. I had the prong collar on and although I'd prefer not to have to use it, it is there if I need it. Tonight we will go again. 

Starrchar....If the handler/owner/trainer has trained their dog and the dog knows what to do and the dog gives you "the finger"...then it's time to give an appropriate/fair correction...A fair correction is one where the dog already understands what you're asking of them but ignores you...
If you're at the point where you need something to get the dog's attention...Then I would suggest a "Prong Collar"...They are much better then a "Choke Chain"...But like any tool...It has to be used correctly or it can be used and cause more damage then it helps...
Although an E-Collar is a great tool the problem comes when people don't know or understand how to use it and they over-use it and cause more damage...With an E-Collar it's so easy to over- use it...All you have to do is push a button and turn up the heat...

 

HD, yes, you would rather the dog comply than to go into avoidance. If the dog understands the command, and when needed, the timing and degree of the correction is near perfect, the dog should comply with no issues or conflict. This is productive training, IMO.

Joanro, I am just playing devil's advocate here, I know how it works, but, what people do and have done, is training the dog to ignore the verbal command and start responding to the tactile command of the prong or E collar or whatever, I am sure you have seen it...
 

Lol, I know you know how to use the equipment properly. My post was hopefully to clarify for those who are new. :-) and yes, I have seen too many times people start yanking on their dog instead of giving the dog the opportunity to comply with a voice command first.