Is Your Dog’s Fur Too Thick For A Shock Collar? Here’s What To Do

Last Updated/Info Checked on October 14, 2023 by Scott

Double-coated fur of dogs such as Golden retrievers, labradors, huskies, pyrs, and border collies pose hurdles for shock collar prongs.

That’s not new. Thankfully though, brands such as SportsDog, Patpet, and Dogtra, among hundreds of others, provide long prongs with their products.

Using them could resolve the issue. However, if your dog’s fur is still too thick for a shock collar, check whether you have bought the right type of collar, then see the way you’re using the collar.

Further, you may need to change the collar, rake the transmitter like a comb, increase the intensity, shave the neck, or consider a stronger E-collar as a last resort.

Dog Fur Too Thick For A Shock Collar – 7-Step Formula

Let’s get down to your dog’s fur too thick for a shock collar issue and address your problem with a rewarding 7-step formula that will teach you the correct e-collar shock collar placement.

Step 1: Have You Bought The Right Collar?

Shock or training collars are many, such as Educator E-Collar with its stopwatch-like remote and SportDog made for hunting dogs.

You have to select a product based on your and your pet’s requirements – especially when it comes to size.

The following three-step checklist will help you get started.

Strap Size

Finding the right strap size is important, but as I said earlier, most brands come with one you could easily cut to fit your dog.

One such example is the Patpet Dog Shock Collar with a remote. It has a nylon collar you can snap off.

That’s the thing with nylon – so easily managed. Compared to this, products such as Educator E-Collar just aren’t built for small dogs.

So, you have to look for the strap size when buying a collar. Look if the one you own is nylon. Measure the dog’s neck and cut the collar accordingly.

Start from below the jaw or where the head meets the neck. The collar has to fit snuggly there.

Strap Material

As I said, nylon is super easy to work with. There are other materials as well. Biothane, for example, is hard but waterproof. You also get plastic, leather, and faux leather.

I personally prefer bungee collars because you can easily put them on your pet. But if you don’t have that, you could work with the material at your disposal.

Prong or Contact Size

You should get ¾” prongs because they are suitable for long-haired dogs like German Shepherds.

They reach the skin and transmit shocks, but since yours isn’t doing that, you should definitely check if you have them in the first place or not.

Most products do come with a dual pair of short and long prongs or contact points. Chances are you might be using the short ones meant for small or single-coat dogs.

Step 2: Are You Using The Collar In The Right Way?

The next thing to check is how you’re using the collar. In other words, from putting it on the dog’s neck to turning it on, everything matters.

Two Finger Rule

Starting with the two-finger rule, this series should help you.

• When you’re tying the collar on the dog, place two fingers between the collar and its neck.
• The fingers should slide in with minimal resistance.
• Considering the possibility that they are going in rather easily, you should tighten the collar a little bit.
• The prongs should be touching the dog’s neck. With your fingers, check that as well.

Tester Light

The tester light given with your product provides an easy way to see if the prongs are faulty.

• Take the tester light and place it on the prongs. 
• Select any level of shock and press the button on the remote.
• The lights on the tester should light up, indicating that the product’s working fine.
• You should also check the shorter prongs as a reference when the longer ones don’t trigger the light. 
• Return the product and get a replacement in case the light doesn’t turn on when you press the button.

Still, needs to be fixed?

Is the collar still not working even after going through all the processes shared? Here’s what to do.

Step 3: Change The Collar

Instead of the buckle collar, go for a strap that loops around the transmitter, such as those from Lupline or a bungee strap.

Both these alternatives are extremely handy just to snap or put on like a sweater. The lupine-like strap will help you keep the right size for your dog, and the bungee collar is all convenient.

Step 4: Rake The Transmitter Like a Comb Before Snapping

Before putting on the collar, rake it a little on the dog’s neck like a comb to ensure that the prongs dig deeper into the hair and touch the skin.

I recommend you do that even after snugly fitting the collar. Just give it a little shake or try to remove some hair with your fingers.

Step 5: Increase The Intensity or Shock Levels

Sometimes it’s not the product or the prongs that are at fault. The intensity of the shock level you’ve selected may be at odds with the functionality of the collar.

It may not phase your pet at all. In that case, the only plausible solution is to jack up the intensity level until the dog’s phased.

• Start with a low level and gradually increase it.
• Select the level below which the dog moves its head or shows some response.
• Do not worry about the level because the more you increase the levels, you reach the dog’s capacity barrier. Each dog has that barrier. Crossing it is necessary to gain control over it.
• Do not hurt the dog by randomly selecting the highest possible level because a higher level doesn’t necessarily bring obedience. It has the potential to hurt the dog physically or emotionally instead. That’s one of the reasons why shock collars have earned a bad name. It’s the misuse or mismanagement, you see.

Step 6: Shave

This may seem a little bizarre, but it is what it is. Shaving a little hair off the dog’s neck will save you from a lot of trouble if the product is not working because of all the fur.

However, you should first make sure that the prongs are working beforehand.

• Make sure your dog’s familiar with a trimmer or a shaving machine.
• You may have to spend a few hours or days to make it familiar.
• After that, trim the top long strands. Make sure you don’t go all the way down to bear the dog’s neck. You’ll have to protect the second coat because it serves as insolation.
• Use the product again. It should start working now.

Step 7: Consider a Stronger E- Collar

As a last resort, ditch your current product, return it, and go for a stronger solution for double-coated dogs.

I have a complete list of the best shock collars for double-coated dogs on my website. They include products from my favorite brands, such as SportDog, Educator E-Collra, Bousnic, and Patpet.

Is It Necessary For The Prongs To Touch The Skin Of Your Dog?

How should an e-collar fit on a dog so that its prongs touch the skin? How important is it?

For one, it is. The metal prongs won’t relay shock to the dog’s skin if it’s not in proper contact. That’s the prime reason why you aren’t getting any recall out of your dog with the shock collar because it won’t budge.

Even if the contact is secure, your pup may still choose to not respond. Situations like these make me want to weigh in more on figuring out the potential response of your pet rather than looking for the contact in the first place.

For example, you tie the collar around the dog’s neck and there’s no repsonse. Follow the steps I mentioned above and wait for a reaction. There still may not be any, in which case, you amp up the shock levels.

In most cases, I’ve seen that dogs respond to stimulation levels that are just below the levels they can’t take, given the prongs do touch the skin. Make sure you reach that level to elicit a response.

To help you further, here’s a video showing how to perfectly fit the collar on the dog:

Wrapping Up

Owners like you sometimes find it hard to phase the dog with the newly bought shock collar.

The reasons for it not working may lie in your choice of the product or the way you’ve put it on the dog.

Proper e-collar placement and following other tips in the article will make a difference.

I hope this guide about “Dog Fur Too Thick for a Shock Collar” was helpful to you.

That being said have a nice day!