Dog Training Collars

A resource for dog training collars

Prong Collar or Pinch Collar

Spiked dog collars are known as a prong collar or pinch collar. Spiked dog collars have a series of chain links with blunted open ends turned towards the dog’s neck so that, when the collars are tightened, they pinch the naturally loose skin around the dog’s neck. The design of the prong collar is such that it has a limited circumference, unlike slip collars, which do not have a limit on how far they can constrict on a dog’s neck. Similar to the martingale collar, any pressure from the pinch collar to the dog’s neck is spread out over a larger area than with most buckle collars and with all choke chains.
Rubber tips are occasionally placed on the ends of the prongs of spiked dog collars to protect against scratching or puncturing the skin, though it is difficult to actually puncture the skin using this type of dog training collar, because of the spreading effect, the limited constriction, and the already blunted tips. Like the slip collar, the prong collar should be placed high on the dog’s neck, just behind the ears.
Some dogs can free themselves from a pinch collar by shaking their head so that the links pop out, so some trainers use a second collar (usually a flat buckle collar) in addition to the pinch collar.
The use of the prong collar is controversial and is opposed by some animal rights groups such as PETA. The prong collar is mainly used in traditional dog training.