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For trainers and owners who believe in the clarity of balanced training, this presents a unique challenge. The communication provided by a prong collar is often exactly what these intelligent, thinking breeds need to understand pressure work and reinforce boundaries. But the traditional Herm Sprenger can be a nightmare on bare skin (especially during dry weather), causing redness and discomfort that shuts down a sensitive dog’s ability to learn.
For years, this was a conundrum I struggled with training my own Xolos, having to take extra care of their skin to ensure no training tools stayed on too long or bothered them. Then, I discovered the Training Collar (at the time I believe known as the Kinder Collar). This tool isn’t just a minor variation; it is a thoughtful re-imagining of the prong collar principle, specifically designed for dogs that require a gentler touch. This review is a deep dive into my experience using the Kinder Collar, specifically with hairless and emotionally sensitive dogs, and how it compares to the industry-standard Herm Sprenger.
The Anatomy of The Training Collar – Designed for Delicate Skin
The Training Collar’s magic lies in its specific engineering, which addresses the three biggest concerns with traditional prongs: skin irritation, difficulty of use, and insecure fastening.
The Rolled Prongs: A Revolution in Pressure Distribution
This is the single most important feature and the source of the collar’s (original) name.
The Design: Instead of sharp, pointed prongs that concentrate pressure on tiny, often irritating points, the Training Collar features smoothly rolled, blunted prongs.
The Effect on Skin: The rolled design disperses pressure over a wider, rounded surface area. Imagine the difference between being poked with a pen cap (traditional prong collar) versus the sensation of a poke with a finger (the Training Collar). Both provide clear sensation on bare skin, but one is a sharp poke, while the other is a firm, blunt pressure. For a hairless dog, this is the difference between a training session that causes irritation and undue discomfort and one that leaves the skin completely unmarked and the dog healthy and happy.
The Psychological Impact: The sensation is a clear, firm “touch” or “hug,” not a “pinch.” For emotionally sensitive dogs that are quick to shut down under perceived pain or harshness, this distinction is critical. It provides the necessary information without triggering a fear-based stress response.
The Solid, Non-Popping Links: Unwavering Security
The Design: Unlike the Herm Sprenger, whose links can easily pop open during use (especially after using the collar or links for a long time), the Training Collar’s links are curled in a way that makes unintentional removal almost a complete non-issue. I have been using the Training Collar for years now with my Xolos, and I have never even once had the links pop open while on a dog’s neck.
The Effect on Training: This creates an incredibly secure and consistent feel. There is no “clicking” or “popping” of links during corrections, which can be startling for a sensitive dog. The pressure is applied and released as a smooth, unified action, which feels more predictable and less chaotic to the dog.
The Safety Consideration: The trade-off is that it lacks the mechanical break-away feature of a Herm Sprenger. This makes proper fit and responsible use non-negotiable. It should be fitted snugly, high on the neck behind the ears, and should never be left on an unsupervised dog. In my professional opinion, the increased clarity and security often outweigh the break-away feature for trained handlers working with sensitive dogs on-leash.
Ease of Use: The Dexterity Lifesaver
The Design: Unlike a traditional prong collar, the Training Collar does not require you to disconnect any links in order to put the collar on your dog. Instead, put the collar on over your dog’s head like a necklace, then connect both loose O-rings on the chain to your leash clip.
The Effect on the Dog: In a traditional prong collar, the collar goes on tight and can be uncomfortable when putting on for the dog. Because the Training Collar goes on like a necklace and only becomes fitted once the leash is attached, many dogs can find it less intimidating to put on.
The Effect on the Owner: I have trained a lot of clients with mobility problems or health conditions that limit the use of their hands. Traditional prong collars often require the user to pinch the links to open and close the collar. Quick snap buckles can be added if you order the part, but applying the buckle to the collar requires the same pinching. The Training Collar only requires the gentle snap of attaching the leash to the two O-rings, making it easier to put on for dog owners with arthritis and other conditions.
Head-to-Head: Kinder Collar vs. Herm Sprenger
To be clear, the traditional prong collar (such as Herm-Sprenger and Kimberland) is still a brilliant, time-tested tool. But it is not the best tool for every dog. Here’s a direct comparison.
| Prong Collar | Training Collar | |
| Prong Design | Blunt, but concentrates pressure | Rolled, very blunt, smooth. |
| Link Security | Can pop open unintentionally depending on pressure. Links can loosen over time and become more prone to opening. | Curled rings make links unlikely to pop open during use. |
| Skin Safety | Very safe on coated dogs. May cause irritation on hairless dogs or dogs with sensitive skin. | Excellent. Unlikely to cause irritation or damage sensitive or bare skin |
| Sensation | An evenly-distributed pinch or blunt poke. | Firm but blunt pressure that should feel like a push moreso than a poke. |
| Size Availability | Available in more sizes, including a true “micro” prong for small and toy breeds from Kimberland Collars. | Available in 2.2mm and 3.0mm. Not suitable for very small dogs |
| Durability | Very high. Links can bend or loosen over time, but can be bent back into shape with pressure. | Very high. Coating on black collar can wear over time. Links are less likely to loosen over time. |
| Allergy Safety | Curogan collars make prong collar training more accessible to dogs with metal allergies. | No curogan option for dogs with metal allergies. |
| Ideal Candidate | Confident, resilient dogs with a thick coat. | Emotionally- or touch-sensitive dogs or dogs with a very short/no coat and sensitive skin |
The traditional prong collar is a powerful tool for building drive, communicating gentle feedback, and providing sharp corrections for robust dogs. The Training Collar is a communication tool for providing clear, fair, and gentle pressure to dogs who are easily overwhelmed by physical sensation, or dogs who have physical sensitivities.
Some may argue that any tool applying pressure is unkind. At Black Magic Dog Training, I believe the opposite. Unclear communication is the cruelest tool of all.
Allowing a dog to live in a state of confusion, frustration, and repeated failure is far more stressful than providing them with a clear, consistent, and fair consequence for their choices. For the intelligent, sensitive minds of primitive and hairless breeds, this clarity is not a luxury; it is a necessity.
The Training Collar fits my philosophy of kind balanced dog training perfectly. It allows me to:
- Use the lightest possible pressure to achieve communication.
- Protect the physical well-being of dogs with delicate skin.
- Respect the emotional sensitivity of dogs that are quick to shut down.
- Build trust, because the dog is not associating the handler with a painful or frightening sensation.
The Training Collar is not a “weak” prong collar. It is a refined one. It is the perfect answer for the handler who understands the psychological benefits of pressure-and-release communication but has been hesitant to use a traditional prong on a delicate dog.
It demonstrates that effective training does not require force, but rather precision, empathy, and the right tool for the individual animal. For the hairless dog, the sensitive soul, or the independent thinker who needs a little extra clarity, the Training Collar is, in my professional opinion, the most humane and effective tool of its kind. It has allowed me to help dogs I once struggled to reach, transforming confusion into partnership and frustration into focus.
Is the Training Collar the Right Tool for Your Sensitive Companion?
If you have a hairless breed, a thin-coated dog, or an emotionally sensitive dog that has not responded to other methods, the Training Collar may be the missing link in your training.
However, its effectiveness is entirely dependent on proper use. A tool is only as good as the hands that wield it.
At Black Magic Dog Training, we offer specialized sessions where we assess your dog’s needs, ensure a perfect fit for the collar, and teach you the precise mechanics of using it for clear, gentle communication.
With my clients, I integrate tools like the Training Collar as well as traditional prong collars from Kimberland Collars into a comprehensive training plan that builds engagement and reinforces good choices, creating a truly balanced dog.
I believe in full transparency, and will provide a honest assessment of whether this tool is right for your dog and ensure you are equipped to use it responsibly and effectively.
Don’t let your dog’s sensitivity be a barrier to clear communication. Contact Black Magic Dog Training today to schedule a consultation and discover if the Training Collar is the key to unlocking your partnership.
