Also known as the spikes of death. No, not really, but so many people are so uneducated on this tool, that this is literally what they perceive it as.
If you buy a high-quality prong, it should not have sharp points. The purpose of this tool is NOT to prick or stab your dog. They should have machine rounded edges so they are smooth and their purpose is to provide pressure evenly around the neck.
Why do we need pressure?
The pressure allows us to physically communicate with our dog. For example, when a kid wants to get your attention they tap you on the shoulder and you turn around and say “what?” That’s a physical cue. For my dogs, I can simply apply a little bit of pressure upward and they know to sit, I apply a little pressure left, they know to go left.
We can communicate with them verbally but this is a very unnatural way of communicating for dogs, so it takes more time and effort, however a physical cue, such as pressure, is a more natural way but it has its limitations, so we use both physical and verbal cues. And you know we have all had those times that your dog may be in an environment that is a little overstimulating, and your verbal cue may fall on deaf ears, this is when having a physical cue comes in handy. You are not using it as a correction. You’re just using it as a way to capture your dog’s attention. It is for this very reason that I like to use prongs when my dogs are out in public.
In my opinion, it is so important that dog owners understand how to communicate through a leash and whatever is attached to the clip can make a big difference.
But we need to remember that not all dogs are the same. Not all dogs have had the same experiences, the same handling, the same training, or the same temperament, so not all dogs will need it to achieve your goals.
The Prong is just a tool. You should not solely rely on the prong to do the training for you. Like with any tool, it should be in conjunction with positive reinforcement.
The quality of these dog treats is second to none. I feel so good knowing I’m feeding my dog 100% grass fed beef! He deserves only the best and Patriot Pup delivers!
