How to Properly Use a Pinch Collar on a Dog

Unlike an ordinary chain slip collar, pinch collars cannot choke your dog.

Despite its threatening appearance, a "pinch" collar is a safe and humane device when you use it properly. A pinch collar mimics the correction that dogs give each other when they overstep their boundaries. This kind of collar consists of a number of metal links that terminate in blunt metal "prongs," which are sometimes rubber coated to further protect the dog's skin and fur. Because it is a "limited slip" collar, the pinch collar is actually safer than a chain slip collar if your dog tries to pull against the leash.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Pinch collar
• Leash
• Food treats

Fitting a Pinch Collar

1. Measure the circumference of the dog's neck.

2. Select a pinch collar of the appropriate size.

3. Open the collar by pinching one link and removing the prongs from the loops of another link. Place the collar around the dog's neck. The collar should not be twisted; prongs should face the dog's neck.

4. Adjust the size of the collar by adding or removing links. It should be snug against the top of the dog's neck, not loose around the dog's shoulders like a slip collar.

Using the Pinch Collar

1. Attach the leash to the "D" ring. This ring is also called the "live" ring.

2. Walk the dog as usual. When the dog pulls against the leash, pull back quickly on the leash and immediately release the tension. This "pop" correction will cause the prongs to grasp a small amount of the dog's skin and hair and tug, like a mother dog pulling at her puppies.

3. Praise the dog as it moves closer to you or stops pulling. If you have treats with you, reward the dog's good behavior with a treat. Praise and treats will reinforce the dog's appropriate behavior.

4. As training progresses, replace the "pop" corrections with gentle tugs to bring the dog in closer to you as you walk. Continue to praise and reward the dog.

5. Reduce amount of time using the pinch collar as the dog improves. Keep the pinch collar on the dog's neck as the new training collar is introduced; doing so will allow you to switch between the two as necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• When measuring the dog's neck, place the tape measure at the highest point of the dog's neck. Place it directly behind the ears and circle the neck until it emerges from under the hinge of the dog's jaw.

• Hold the tape measure so that it is snug against the dog's neck, but do not pull it tight.

• Pinch collar sizes are based on the weight of the links and the approximate circumference of the dog's neck.

• Pinch collar links are roughly "U" shaped. Each prong fits into a loop in a preceding link, like a hook and eye fastener. Pinch a link to narrow it and remove its prongs from another link.

• Place one prong of the link you are connecting into the loop of another link and pinch the link you are connecting to draw the prongs together to slip the second prong into the second loop.

• Attach the leash to both the live ring and the "O" shaped ring (the "dead" ring) to allow the dog to adjust to the collar before using it for training purposes. Attaching the leash to both rings will prevent the collar from tightening.

• Never slip a closed pinch collar over the dog's head. If the dog moves its head suddenly, the prongs might injure the dog's eye.

• Do not use a pinch collar on puppies under six months of age.

• Remove the pinch collar from the dog after training is finished to avoid accidental injury

References

• FortunateK9.com; The Prong Collar Revisited; Julia V. McDonough; 1999
• Leerburg.com; How to Fit a Prong Collar; Ed Frawley
• 8PawsUp.com; Canine Prong Collars: A General Introduction to the Prong Collar