Why I Choose Not to Use Prong, Choke, or Shock Collars

When people reach out for dog training, they are usually not looking for a quick trick. They are looking for help because something feels hard.

Maybe their dog pulls on the leash. Maybe they bark at other dogs. Maybe they jump, lunge, ignore cues, or get so excited that walks feel stressful. By the time many families ask for help, they feel tired, embarrassed, and frustrated.

I understand that feeling. I also understand why tools like prong collars, choke chains, and shock collars can seem tempting. They are often marketed as fast solutions, and they may appear to stop a behavior quickly.

I also know some people come to me after already trying these tools, and I never want them to feel judged. Most dog owners are doing the best they can with the information they were given. My goal is not to make anyone feel bad. It is to show that there is another way.

Because stopping a behavior in the moment is not the same as teaching your dog what to do instead.

These Tools Rely on Discomfort

Prong collars, choke chains, and shock collars are designed to reduce behavior by using discomfort, pressure, pain, or fear.

A prong collar tightens and applies pressure around the dog’s neck. A choke chain tightens when the leash is pulled. A shock collar delivers an electronic stimulation that the dog wants to avoid.

Even when people use these tools with the best intentions, the message to the dog can become: “Do this, or something unpleasant will happen.”

That is not the kind of relationship I want to build between you and your dog.

They Do Not Solve the Reason Behind the Behavior

One of my biggest concerns with these tools is that they can suppress behavior without addressing why the dog is doing it.

For example, if a dog barks and lunges at another dog because they are scared, correcting them may stop the barking in that moment. But it does not help them feel safer. In some cases, it can make the fear worse.

The dog may learn:

“Other dogs make bad things happen.”

Instead of learning:

“I can stay calm, look back at my person, and move away safely.”

That difference matters.

When we only punish the behavior we see, we may miss what the dog is trying to communicate.

There Are Better Ways to Teach

Not using prong, choke, or shock collars does not mean we ignore unwanted behavior. It does not mean dogs get to do whatever they want.

It means we teach in a way that is fair, clear, and kind.

If a dog pulls on the leash, we can teach loose-leash walking, reward check-ins, use better equipment, and build focus around distractions.

If a dog jumps on guests, we can teach calm greetings and reward four paws on the floor.

If a dog reacts to other dogs, we can work at a safe distance, reward calmer choices, and help them feel less overwhelmed over time.

The goal is not just to stop behavior. The goal is to teach your dog what to do instead.

Your Dog Is Not Being Bad

This is something I tell clients often: your dog is not trying to ruin your day.

A dog who pulls may be excited or overstimulated.A dog who barks may be scared or frustrated.A dog who jumps may be seeking connection.A dog who does not listen may not understand yet, or the environment may be too hard.

When we look at behavior this way, training becomes less about punishment and more about communication.

We can still have boundaries. We can still have expectations. But we can teach them without fear or pain.

Final Thoughts

I do not use prong collars, choke chains, or shock collars because I believe dogs deserve to learn in a way that feels safe and clear.

Training should build trust. It should help your dog feel more confident, not more worried. It should strengthen your bond, not damage it.

If you are struggling with pulling, barking, jumping, or reactivity, you do not have to choose harsh tools to make progress. There are kind, science-based ways to help your dog learn.

And if you need support, I would be happy to help you and your dog work through it step by step, at a pace that feels realistic for your everyday life.