Tools for Service Dogs

When training any dog, there are tools that can be used. When in public using these tools, I often get comments about how I’m abusing my dog. So, I wanted to explain the tools I use, the correct way to use them, and how they work.

The tool I use most often is the Sprenger Prong Collar. This collar has rounded prongs so it’s more comfortable on the dog. Prong collars should be high on the dog’s neck and tight (while still being able to fit at least two fingers under it). A correction on a prong is like a “pop”. You don’t drag a dog with a prong collar or force them to do anything. A correction on a prong feels like how a momma dog would nip her puppies if they were misbehaving, a completely natural thing for a dog to experience.

Another tool I like to use is an E-collar, another controversial tool. Some people call this a shock collar but this is not the case. There are different settings on an E-collar, one being vibration which feels like a tickle, and another being a stim. Both of these do not harm the dog, but rather, get their attention. You set the E-collar to “working level” so the stim is the lowest it can be while the dog still can recognize the tickle.

My dog loves when I pull out her tools because there are positive connotations to when she has them. It usually means we’re going to work or on a walk, and she loves both of these things.

There is nothing wrong with using tools on your dog as long as you work with a professional to use them correctly and gradually introduce them to your dog.

I also want to mention that I would never do anything to harm my dog as she is my life saver and comments of judgment around the tools I use can be harmful.

Let me know if you have any questions, and come back for weekly blogs on Wednesdays! :)