Prong Collars

We had a massive reaction to our photo of the prong collar on Facebook, and the fact that we don't advocate the use of them.  The dog trainers who do have chosen to tell us all how ignorant we are.  However, as much as we welcome their views and have listened to their arguments, we cannot agree with them.  We tried the collar on our own necks today, and the pain and discomfort caused with the slightest pressure was deemed too unacceptable to be used on any of our dogs, regardless of whether the dog has a tougher neck.  We have better methods that don't involve pain, and choose to stick to these, even if it makes us ignorant.

It isn't necessarily the degree of pain caused, it's the fact that pain is used as a training aid at all.  These methods are in complete opposition to the methods that we use, hence we cannot condone the use of them, regardless of timescales or the opinion that there is no other way.  There is always another way.

We hear all the labels that are given to dogs, such as the various aggressions and syndromes.  We tend to throw away the labels and text book jargon, along with the muzzles and contraptions, as dogs enter the Sanctuary, and work with the dog's mind in a holistic way.

No amount of arguing over this will change our minds as we are always looking at more progressive and natural methods that are equally effective.  And it seems that the trainers who advocate their use will not change their minds, so we have to agree to disagree.

Alan.