FAQ: Canine
How do I know which type of collar is right for my dog?
We develop our products in cooperation with individuals involved in dog sports, breeders, and professional trainers to bring you innovative research and state of the art technology.
Each of our products comes with reccommendations for the best suited breeds, coat types, and weight limits.
If you need more specific guidance or are still unsure, we would be happy to connect you with your local Herm Sprenger dealer or one of our canine reps.
How do I know which Training Prong Collar is right for my dog?
In simple terms, the prong collar is a special training tool that must be handled by experts only. We like to remind dog owners that while the prong collar can act as an aid, it cannot replace professional training.
Based on these terms, we reccommend reaching out to an experienced trainer to discuss the best options for your individual dog.
Not sure who to turn to as a reliable training source? We have a growing list of Herm Sprenger certified trainers here
What are the benefits of choosing a chain collar versus a nylon collar?
A Chain Dog collar offers three main advantages over the traditional nylon collar:
1) They significantly reduce the risk of hair breakage, especially in dogs with thick, long hair
2) When it comes to large, heavy dogs, they offer a higher degree of safety due to the high breaking load
3) They are super easy to care for and don’t absorb water, thus offer nowhere for smelly odors, dirt, and bacteria to linger
What is the best way for me to care for my chain collar?
Typically, you may clean your chain collar with a mild soap.
For chains made from Stainless steel or CUROGAN, we do reccommend using a specialized metal polish every so often, such as our Diamond Paste.
For Chrom-plated chains, it is best to dry them thoroughly if they have been in contact with water.
Why is my collar staining my dog's fur?
Unfortunately, some dogs may have an allergic reaction to certain metals, causing dark temporary staining of the coat where the collar lies. If your dog has a tendency to experience staining or is known to be allergic to certain metals, we suggest trying our CUROGAN line, which is naturally a hypoallergenic option. Please note; while this particular material has hypoallergenic properties, it is not 100% guaranteed to prevent staining.
What is CUROGAN?
Amongst the multiple options we offer in our collar materials, CUROGAN is a copper-tin alloy that is 100% nickel free. This makes it a great alternative for dogs that tend to experience allergic reactions to traditional chain materials. Due to the nature of the metal, it will start out as a brighter red-tinged collar but darken over time.
What is the difference between the NeckTech Sport & Fun? What makes them unique?
Our NeckTech collars are made from strip material in a variety of metal types (Stainless Steel, CUROGAN, etc) and all of the styles can be combined with each other. Both the NeckTech Sport & Fun feature our ClicLock closure; which not only makes it easy to put on and take off, but is also extremely durable & long-lasting.
Think of it has a more modern-style prong collar, the NeckTech Sport still offers punctual correction like our traditional prong collar styles. The Fun version is more of a standard daily collar versus being a training collar.
How do I adjust the size of my NeckTech collar?
Our NeckTech dog collars are designed to be easily adjustable by either adding or removing individual elements. A flat-head screwdriver is especially helpful to easily open each link for removal. Extra elements in all metal finishes are available for purchase for this purpose.
What is the ClicLock?
First introduced in 2010, the ClicLock fastener has proven to be both a reliable and extremely safe alternative to a traditional buckle closture. Constructed out of Stainless steel, it has a guaranteed breaking load of 440 lbs.
General Collar Fitting Tips
In order to find the best size for your dog’s collar, please following the steps below:
1) Please use a fabric tape measure or a simple cord if you do not have one handy ( a rigid tape measure will not work for this)
2)Wrap your cord or fabric tape measure around your dogs neck where the collar would sit. The cord/tape measure should fit comfortably so that you have approx. 1 finger’s width underneath.
3) If you used a piece of string or cord, carefully remove it while holding it at the spot in which the end of the cord met the remainder. Measure this length for the proper fit of your collar.
Some additional notes to be aware of:
- Your show collar or regular collar (ex. Paracord) will follow the size you got when taking your dog’s general neck measurement (ex. if your dog’s neck measured 14 Inch, they would need a 14 Inch collar in these styles)
- If you are choosing a Chain collar without an assembly chain, we suggest adding approx. 2 Inches to your measurment to allow for the collar to comfortable be pull over the dog’s head
- If you are using a Chain collar that includes an assembly chain, we suggest adding approx. 3 Inches to the measurement for proper fit and use.
Tips for Proper Fit & Use of Prong Collar
Top canine trainer Tom Davis has created some helpful videos to assist you in fitting and using your prong collar **Please note; we do not recommend the use of prong collars on dogs under the age of 6-8 months old depending on the breed**:
Everything you need to know about the Herm Sprenger Prong Collar
What are the standard starting lengths for the Ultra Plus Training Prong Collars?
Each wire gauge comes in the following lengths to start:
1.5mm -> 13"
2.25mm -> 16"
3mm -> 20"
3.2mm -> 23"
4mm -> 28"
I need to purchase additional prongs but don't know what size wire gauge I need?
Perhaps you have had your collar for a while or lost the original tag, the good news is that you can follow these general guidelines to pick the correct link size for your collar:
2.25mm wire gauge -> 1 Inch long
3.2mm wire gauge -> 1.5 Inches long
4mm wire gauge -> 2 Inches long
Please note, you will want to measure the long, flat side of your prong.
If you are still unsure of the correct wire gauge, please feel free to reach out to use directly!
Can I purchase the Training Prong Collar end plates or centerplates separately?
Unfortunately, no. We do not currently sell these items on their own.
Do you have a particular prong that seems to fit more loosely than others?
Follow along with this video for a quick & easy way to resolve this issue
