It may be tough to teach a dog to walk on a leash properly. Some dogs are highly excitable, constantly being drawn away by the scents and moving things in their surroundings.
You’ll come across dogs that won’t respond to tugging on the leash and others who are so strong that they can just drag you along with them despite your best efforts to halt them.
If you have such a dog, you’re likely wondering what the best way to get them to walk calmly by your side is. You may have seen people using two different types of collars when walking their dogs and wondered what the difference was – prong collars and gentle leaders.
In this article, we’ll be discussing the gentle leader vs prong collar debate so you can make an informed decision about which one is right for your dog.
Gentle Leader vs Prong Collar: What’s the Difference?
The Gentle Leader is worn around your dog’s neck with the crux being a loop that goes around their snout. The leash attaches to the bottom of this loop, and when they pull on the leash, it tightens which is uncomfortable for them.
Generally, because of this discomfort, they stop pulling which gives you better control over them. They also won’t pull as much with the Gentle Leader as if they were in a regular collar.
As for the prong collar, it has metal prongs that point inward at your dog’s neck and are placed close together. When you pull on the leash for a short time, these prongs tighten up, informing your dog that the action they just completed is undesirable.
The constriction of the prongs replicates being bitten by another dog, which teaches them that a certain behavior shouldn’t be repeated. As a result, after several sessions of tugging on the prong collar when the dog pulls, they’ll connect pulling with an unpleasant consequence, thereby stopping the habit.
Gentle Leader vs Prong Collar: What Are The Benefits?
Now that we know how these two types of collars work, let’s explore the benefits of each one so you can make a more informed decision about which is right for your dog.
The Gentle Leader has several benefits that make it a popular choice among dog owners. One of the main benefits is that it doesn’t put any pressure on your dog’s neck and spine.
This is important because neck and spine injuries are common in dogs, especially small breeds, and you want to avoid putting any unnecessary pressure on these areas.
Another benefit of the Gentle Leader is that it gives you more control over your dog without having to use a lot of force. This is because, as we mentioned before, the Gentle Leader puts pressure on your dog’s snout which is an area they’re very sensitive to. So, when you tug on the leash, they’ll feel discomfort and likely stop pulling.
Lastly, the Gentle Leader is a good choice for dogs that are resistant to having things put over their head. This is because the Gentle Leader goes around their snout rather than over their head. If your dog is resistant to having things put over its head, the Gentle Leader may be a better option than the prong collar.
The prong collar also has several benefits that make it a popular choice among dog owners. One of the main benefits is that it’s very effective at getting dogs to stop pulling on the leash. This is because, as we mentioned before, the prong collar replicates being bitten by another dog and teaches them that a certain behavior shouldn’t be repeated.
Another benefit of the prong collar is that it’s less likely to slip off than a regular collar. This is because the prongs keep the collar in place and prevent it from slipping over your dog’s head.
Gentle Leader vs Prong Collar: Which One Should You Choose For Your Furry Friend?
The Gentle Leader vs prong collar debate is one that has been going on for years and there are pros and cons to both.
Ultimately, the decision of which collar to choose comes down to personal preference and what you think will work best for your dog. If you’re not sure which one to choose, we recommend consulting with a professional trainer or behaviorist who can help you make the best decision for your furry friend.