When first starting out using the prong collar, it’s important to teach your dog how to “turn the pressure off.” This is especially important for dogs who have been allowed to pull for a period of time or dogs who may object to the pressure from the collar, or who isn’t used to having any pressure on their neck.

Any sort of protest or tantrum, yelping, etc goes away once the dog learns that:

A) You’re not going to give in, and

B) That all he or she needs to do to not feel the collar is to be closer to you (something they already enjoy!)

I have had many dogs do what I often call a “crocodile roll” because they have been allowed to get away with so much, usually adolescent dogs who have strong feelings about that they want. This will pass.

Your dog is definitely NOT in pain, so long as you’re being fair and have fit the prong collar appropriately.

Refer to the “Yielding to Leash Pressure” attachment included in this lesson for written instructions. The attached video shows how you can also incorporate food rewards as well.