This is my comparison of the Gentle Leader Vs. Prong training collars.

I’m a dog walker who has used both of these training collars while walking dogs, as well as spent many hours researching to help you choose which collar is best for your pooch.

Both the Gentle Leader and Prong collars are designed to help your dog walk on a leash without pulling. Both have their benefits and drawbacks and picking the right one will depend on you and your dog. 

Let’s get started with an in-depth look at both the gentle leader and the prong collar.

What Is The Gentle Leader?

The Gentle Leader is a head collar used to assist and manage your dog’s behaviour.

It is designed to be non-punishing and focus on positive reinforcement. Rewards-based training is encouraged and should be fun for both you and your dog.

Using the Gentle Leader should strengthen your bond with your pooch.

How Does It Work?

The lead is attached to the head collar below the muzzle. This allows for maximum control over your dog. Where the muzzle is directed the body must follow. 

Having maximum control results in the encouragement of prompt and reliable responses from your pooch, stopping unwanted behaviour quickly without pain or an increase in aggression or excitement.

Your dog is then focused on you and allows you to give alternative commands where positive behaviour can be rewarded.

Gentle Leader Benefits

Some advantages of using the Gentle Leader include:

Interrupting your dog’s natural instinct to pull: This feature will help save your shoulder and make walking more enjoyable for both of you.

Helps some dogs remain calm: Your dog may be less likely to lunge and pull at objects (like squirrels) when they are wearing the Gentle Leader.

‘Time-out’ from training: The Gentle Leader gives you enough control to relax a bit while out on walks with your pooch. You may in time even be able to walk and chat with a friend while carrying a coffee!

Gentle Leader Drawbacks

There are some disadvantages to using the Gentle Leader, including:

Nose and Eye Pressure: If your dog pulls for an extended period of time, the gentle leader puts pressure on their nose and eyes which is uncomfortable for your pooch over long periods of time.

Not a Trainer: The gentle leader will not train your dog to stop pulling. You need to do that. The leader is a tool to assist you with your dog but without regular training sessions, as soon as you take the collar off, your dog will pull once again.

Your dog may not like it: When getting used to the gentle leader, your dog may paw at their snout in an attempt to take off the collar. Many dogs do not like having anything over their snout/face. Gradually introducing the gentle leader with high-value treats is a good way to start getting your pooch used to wearing the gentle leader.

My Experience Using A Gentle Leader

As a dog walker, I have experience using many different types of collars and leashes for dogs.

I have found that dogs that wear a Gentle Leader do not pull. There is almost always slack in the leash and I don’t have to worry about getting my arm pulled out of the socket if they see something fun they would like to chase!

That being said, most dogs do not like getting it on. They move their snout around and make me chase it up and down, left to right in order to put it on! As well, they paw at it from time to time throughout the walk and can’t wait for me to take it off when we’re back home. 

My assessment of the Gentle Leader is that it is great for discouraging pulling while on walks and dogs will put up with it because they get to go for a walk. But I don’t think it is the most comfortable for them and should be used in the short term while consistently training your pooch to walk well on a leash without the aid of a training collar. 

What Is A Prong Collar?

A prong collar is a short-term training tool used to help discourage your dog from pulling. It is made up of metal links with blunt prongs along either side.

How Does it Work?

The prongs are designed to distribute pressure evenly around the dog’s neck so that when the dog pulls, pressure is applied. When they stop pulling, the pressure goes away.

Prong Collar Benefits

Some advantages of using a prong collar include:

• Effective with teaching dogs how to walk on a leash
• Not much pressure is necessary for correction
• Easier transition to a regular collar

Prong Collar Drawbacks

Some disadvantages of using a prong collar include:

• Does not work well on dogs with thick fur
• Can hurt your dog if not used properly
• Links can break apart causing the collar to fall off your dog

My Experience Using A Prong Collar

Prior to dog walking, I did not have any experience using a prong collar. Currently, I have one client who uses a prong collar on short walks to the trail. She is off-leash otherwise.

So, admittedly, my experience is pretty limited. However, I have found the prong collar to be very effective with pulling. As in, she does not pull at all on our walk. She also does not seem to mind the collar being on or used. 

As opposed to my clients who use the Gentle Leader and paw at their snouts to get it off as soon as we’re back home, that’s not the case for the prong collar.

I had a short-term dog walking gig for a dog that used a prong collar for the full walk, and she was excited to put it on. It meant she was going for a walk! She also did not make it difficult to put it on, she was cooperative and didn’t mind it at all.

My experiences using the prong collar have been positive ones for both myself and the pooches I walk. 

That statement actually surprises me because before I ever used one, I thought they were torture collars for dogs. 

However, with proper training (for humans) they can be excellent short-term training tools to help discourage pulling.

The Verdict

If you’re wanting a training collar to help stop your dog from pulling, the prong collar is what you’re looking for.

Please keep in mind that these collars are used to correct the pulling behaviour in your dog. Once your dog has achieved the desired behaviour, ween them off of the prong collar and into a regular collar.

They are not meant for long-term everyday use.

If you’re looking to gain more control over your pooch, Gentle Leaders can provide you with more control and help calm your dog down when you know you can’t give your full attention to your dog on a walk or if you’ll be in an excitable area with a lot of distractions.

However, it won’t teach your dog proper leash behaviour.

The goal with both of these collars is to use them as a short-term training tool and ultimately have your dog walking by your side without relying on any training collars. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS