Comparing Prong Collars: Which Style Fits Your K9 Training?

Prong collars have gone by many names over the years, including pinch collars, correction collar, and training collars. When used correctly, they’re fantastic dog obedience training tools. They mimic the way a K9’s mother corrects her pup’s behaviors by nipping at their necks.

The trick with pinch collars is ensuring they fit correctly and are put on your K9’s neck properly. Injuries can occur when these collars are either too tight or too loose. As industry experts, we already have a video on our YouTube channel teaching K9 trainers how to put on a pinch collar.

In addition to knowing the right way to fit your K9’s pinch collar, handlers should understand there are several different types of prong collars. Let’s dive in and do a product review of the various prong collars we offer.

The Original Prong Collar

It’s believed that a rudimentary version of the prong collar was used as far back as ancient Rome. We imagine dogs chasing chariots was likely the key motivator for Roman handlers to create the pinch collar… but don’t quote us on this. However, the modern pinch collar patent was filed by Herm Sprenger in the 1800s (and that’s still one of the world’s most trusted brands).

Herm Sprenger's original pinch collar is a martingale-style collar, meaning it has a loop that tightens as a K9 pulls forward, effectively closing the collar and pinching the dog’s neck.

Today, Herm Sprenger Custom Made Pinch Collars come in a variety of finishes, including chrome, black, stainless steel, antique, and more. The manufacturer makes a variety of sizes, and our partners at J&J Dog Supplies even created a miniature pinch collar for smaller dogs.

With so many sizes and styles out there, it’s all about finding the right fit for your dog. Trainers and handlers just need to do their research to find the right style and fit for their K9.

Herm Sprenger Neck-Tech Collars

Another version of the prong collar is the Herm Sprenger Neck-Tech Collar. These collars also come in a few different finishes and have a unique design allowing handlers to flip the collar around for use as a standard flat collar.

The prongs are hidden underneath the collar, so nobody will freak out when they see your working dog wearing a prong collar. Keep in mind that pinch collars aren’t always well-liked among people who think they’re cruel.

The downside of the Neck-Tech Collar is that they’re more difficult to adjust on the fly. So, if you’re working with two or three different K9s during a training session, this probably isn’t the collar for you because adjustments take a little bit of time and effort.

Conversely, if you need a prong collar that your working dog will wear for extended periods every day, this can be a great addition to your K9 training equipment.

Covert Pinch Collars

For a collar with the hidden-prong benefits of a Neck-Tech Collar without the downside of being difficult to adjust, consider the patented Covert Pinch Collar from Ray Allen Manufacturing.

The prongs in this collar are hidden underneath a Martingale-style T13 Mil-Spec webbing collar, so a passerby won’t give you a judging glance. Additionally, the nylon collar features a convenient VELCRO® strip, allowing K9 handles to attach police or service dog panels to the front.

This prong collar also boasts a cobra buckle, allowing handlers and trainers to quickly and easily attach, adjust, or detach the collar.

The Ray Allen Pinch Collar

Finally, we have the Ray Allen Pinch Collar. This training collar has both a slip ring and D-ring feature, so K9 handlers have a few options during training sessions. We made sure to include a durable cobra buckle so handlers can attach or detach the collar in a split second.

The one drawback of this collar is that the prongs aren’t hidden. But with chrome-plated nickel construction, you can trust this prong collar will withstand all of your training sessions. We also carry additional pinch collar links that can be added as your K9 grows.

Why Ray Allen?

Ray Allen Manufacturing is dedicated to producing the highest-quality, handmade military-grade K9 training equipment and K9 handling gear. From muzzles and leashes to bite sleeves, dog toys, wellness supplies, and more, we do it all. And we do it better than anyone else.

We’re proud to be the go-to, most trusted brand for law enforcement agencies, military units, working dog programs, and K9 handlers and trainers across the world.

With 70+ years of experience and a knowledgeable team of experts, you’re in good hands when you choose a Ray Allen product.