Question: “When can I stop using the crate or prong collar?”

A common question many owners have is: Will my dog always have to use a dog crate and prong collar?  We always make the point that owners can choose when to stop using a crate or prong collar but that the choice is best made when there are no more behavior issues to resolve. 

The best dog training results are achieved through clear boundaries and consistent expectations. Unclear boundaries and inconsistent expectations make it hard for our loyal canine companions to understand what exactly we are trying to communicate. We teach proper use of a dog crate and Herm Sprenger prong collar to train a calm attentive family dog. 

Let’s be clear though: using a dog crate, leash and prong collar is absolutely fine for the life of your dog. Our three dogs eat in their crates, nap in crates, and can easily sleep in crates.  We encourage you to read on about how to make these decisions for your own dog. 

What’s Your Dog’s Current Behavior?

If you’re still experiencing behavioral issues of any kind, you will want to keep using these tools and make your expectations even clearer. The student (your dog) needs more guidance and handholding before they’re ready to make better choices on their own!

When Can I Stop Using the Crate?

Giving up on using a dog crate is the #1 thing people report when their dog is making poor behavior choices. Dogs are den animals and putting your dog in a crate is not punishment, it’s giving them a job to do: to chill out. Teaching and reinforcing a Calm State of Mind is key to having better dog behavior out in the world full of distractions. 

If you notice a backslide in your dog’s behavior, go back to basics. If you’ve relaxed the crate naps and schedule, go back to consistent crate time. Even a dog that has not had regular crate time for months, even years, will be able to go back to crate naps. Start with short naps and increase the time over the course of a few days. Dogs never forget earlier successful crate work and can surprise owners when they enjoy relaxing in their crate.

When Can I Stop Using the Prong Collar?

All dogs we work with over the age of 16 weeks are trained using humane and effective techniques with a Herm Sprenger prong collar. Owners who at first have reluctance to the collar become big fans of proper prong collar use. They have seen their dog become much more attentive with the slight leash reminder that is a proper technique with a prong.

• Dogs often can recognize when the prong collar is on versus off and will take advantage when the collar is not worn. You may always get a better walk with a prong collar, using it forever is not only fine but we encourage it! 
• Before dropping use of the prong collar, your Structured Walk should be rock solid, your dog not pulling, and walking nicely through a variety of distractions
• In our training program, we have specific instructions on how and when to use the prong collar. When the behavioral issues have been resolved, go ahead and experiment with walks without the prong collar. Keep your expectations high for your trained dog!

The more you Use it, the Likelier you are to Lose it (Bad Behavior!)

That’s right: Use it AND lose it! Use the tools and lose the behavior. The more use of clear training tools you have at the outset, the stronger your dog’s conditioned response will be. Good choices will follow because you are shaping their behavior in comprehensive ways.