How to Fit a Herm Sprenger Prong Collar---What Size Collar Do You Need?

Fitting a prong collar can seem like a challenge at first. First, you need to understand the sizes Herm Sprenger sells and then you need to know the ideal fit for your dog before you order a collar.
Herm Sprenger sells a 2.25mm, a 3.00mm, a 3.2mm and a 4mm collar. Most people call the 2.25 a small, the 3.00 and 3.2 a medium and the 4.00 a large.
First off, the large Herm Sprenger prong is basically useless in our opinion. It is so big that it is never needed in dog training. Even if you have a large dog you are better off add links to a medium collar to make it fit.
The 2.25 is made for small dogs, but people will often add links to it in order to make it fit larger dogs. This is fine to do, but be aware it isn't made for large dogs. This means you need to be cautious of it potentially breaking since the metal is a thinner gauge than the other sizes. If you put a 2.25 small Herm Sprenger collar on a large dog we always suggest adding a secondary backup collar just in case.
If you are considering a medium Herm Sprenger prong be aware that the 3.0 and 3.2 are slightly different. The 3.2 is a slightly thicker gauge metal and although they look pretty much identical they are different collars. Although we prefer the 3.0, either one is fine!
When fitting a prong make sure that it is snug (not tight) and can't ride too low down the neck. If a collar is too loose it can allow a dog to get their paw stuck in it which is incredibly dangerous.
As mentioned in the video, the ClicLock is much better than the quick release Herm Sprenger collar. Here is a link to our product review of the ClicLock. • Dog Trainer Reviews: H...
If you want to see the ClicLock and read reviews here is a link!
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[@ryanbeck198]

Great explanation that covered all my questions. Thank you

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Glad it was helpful Ryan! Feel free to reach out if any questions come up!

[@phaldaz]

Thanks for the video, when removing links to fit, should you do it on BOTH sides so there is equal amounts of links (or close as possible) or can you just focus all of the removal on one side? Reason why I ask is I feel the trachea guard may end up being to one side too much if I were to remove em solely on one side

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Great question! I would try and keep each side equal. If you have an odd number of links don't worry if one side has an extra link, that won't cause an issue at all.

[@phaldaz]

@@SuburbanK9DogTraining perfect, thanks for the response!

[@TakeTheRide]

You need to get close-up shots of what you're doing. People can't see that in this video. You need to redo this video. I've also never seen you mention about the placement of the color, bringing the prong collar up around the dog's jaw area, instead of leaving it down on the trachea area. They need to understand why you're doing that. Plus, do you use one with the rubber tips on it or not. You haven't mentioned that either.

[@hollyhowes8517]

Yep, this! Also, take the tags off the new collars so we can see. The tags are hindering what we can see when you are demonstrating how tight/loose the fit is.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Our goal is to shoot an update version of this video at some point with close ups of each collar. We shot this one on a whim because a few of our clients asked for it. Thanks for the feedback!

[@GamerJW235]

I have a year old lab with bad pulling issues on walks. Will 3 be ok for my pup?

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Absolutely! The 3.0 would be my go to choice in that situation.

[@77sarahsue]

Would a 3.00 collar be appropriate for a 50lb german shepherd mix who has been somewhat reactive to other dogs? We bought a 3.00 and took 2 prongs out. It does slide down some if he shakes his head, but I can't imagine going any tighter. Feels stressful because we don't want to hurt our sweet boy! We have seen other people recommending the 2.25, what are your thoughts?

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

I personally prefer a 3.0 for a midsize or larger reactive dog. In my opinion it is a safer collar. If you already have the 3.0 I would use that for sure. If you decide to go down to a 2.25 make sure to have a back up collar just in case a link bends and it pops off. That is unlikely, but it is possible.

[@fearisallie]

I have a 62 lb standard poodle with a really skinny neck - 16 inch circumference. Which one would you recommend?

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

I would do the 3.0 and just pull a couple of links out.

[@nicolem1225]

Can you do a short video with close ups of how to take the links apart, please?

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

That is a great idea Nicole! We will make one soon!

[@nicolem1225]

@SuburbanK9DogTraining thank you! I am struggling to get them off and to get the links separated to put on and take off the collar. I'm trying everything I see in videos. I may be too wimpy.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

We will work on the video you suggested, but I would watch this video and consider getting this attachment for your collar. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m16smXqrhbWkfqM This is a great product and works very well!

[@michelesteward5170]

My d ring seems to be on the wrong side? Any advice? Can you show how it's supposed to look hooked to the lead?

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

The d ring should be on the outside when the collar is on properly. When the collar seems wacky there are two main culprits. You may have put the collar on with a twist which can cause an issue. The other common issue is that if you take off one of the end links from the plate and put it on backwards the collar will be unable to be hooked up properly. Do you have a Sprenger collar? If so, is it the newer style with the center plate?

[@michelesteward5170]

@@SuburbanK9DogTraining no center plate, older herm Springer. But this helped! I had it backwards.... Fixed! And working like a charm 😀

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

That's great! I'm glad you got it fixed. This happens a lot and it makes me want to shoot a video on troubleshooting Sprenger collars.

[@aidanmontaner1616]

I got a 3.2 for my 75 pound boxer is that fine?

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

A 3.2 will be fine. I prefer the 3.0 but it isn’t worth buying a new collar if you already have a 3.2. The 3.0 is just slightly easier to operate.

[@Mastiff420]

I prefer to buy two 2.25s making it into one for my cane corsos . I prefer them smaller has got more effective pinch. Attach it with a safety clip also to my lid and normal collar

[@Infamous5ive_]

I use w 2.25 on my female pitbull her neck is a little on the small side

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

The 2.25 works great for mid size dogs like yours! We recommend using a backup collar for midsize or larger dogs on a 2.25 if they are reactive on leash. If they aren't reactive then the backup collar isn't needed nearly as much. Thanks for taking the time to drop a comment!

[@BrinleyLloyd]

When tested a month after force-based training, dogs still show a more negative, pessimistic, emotional response toward learning new tasks.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Can you link to the study you are referencing?

[@WormHome]

That’s force-based, or escape avoidance, not balanced. Balanced is never correction without direction, it becomes part of a communication system. Nobody is forcing any dogs to do anything.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

@@WormHome Well said!

[@susans7091]

Sorry, I do not want to be anywhere near someone who has a prong collar on their dog. That means bad training in my opinion.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Why do you feel like prong collars mean bad training?

[@susans7091]

@@SuburbanK9DogTraining If a dog is well trained there is absolutely no reason for such a collar.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

A lot of people use prong collars during the training process before their dog is well trained. Are you opposed to prong collars when people have a large dog that pulls on leash and they are trying to fix the leash pulling issue?

[@susans7091]

@@SuburbanK9DogTraining Keep it away from innocent people until it is trained enough not to need such a collar. I cross the road if I ever see anyone using such a collar on their dog.

[@KrisMaertens]

​@@SuburbanK9DogTrainingyes, I am against it. Most people don't know how to use the prong correctly. And you can train any dog to walk on leash not pulling without using any special tool...