Why Every Prong Collar Needs a Backup Clip (and How to Use It Right)
If you use a prong collar, safety should be a top priority. Even the best prong collars can fail, and one common cause of failure is bending or pinching prong links when putting the collar on or taking it off. That’s why using a backup clip is essential.
What Is a Backup Clip and Why Do You Need One?
A backup clip is a secondary connection between your dog’s collar and leash. If the prong collar buckle or links come undone, the backup clip keeps your dog secure and prevents escapes.
The backup clip attaches to the D-ring on any collar your dog wears - this can be a flat collar, full slip, limited slip, martingale, or other types. It does not attach to the prong collar itself. This means it adds an independent layer of security.
How to Attach a Backup Clip Correctly
Here’s how to set it up properly:
- Make sure your dog wears a secondary collar with a D-ring.
- Attach one end of the backup clip to the D-ring on the secondary collar.
- Attach the other end of the backup clip to your leash.
- Attach your leash’s main clip to the prong collar.
This way, your leash is connected to both the prong collar and the backup clip on the secondary collar independently. If the prong collar comes undone, the backup clip will keep your dog secure.
Why Use a Backup Clip with a Prong Collar?
Repeatedly pinching or bending prong links to get the collar on and off increases the risk the collar will fail. A backup clip adds a crucial safety net that prevents your dog from slipping loose.
If you’re looking to make your prong collar even easier to use while improving safety, check out our guide on buckle attachments. They reduce wear on prong links and speed up putting your collar on and off.
How to Safely Use a Prong Collar with a Buckle Attachment →
The Risk of Not Using a Backup Clip
Prong collars rely on small links that can slip open if they are bent or pinched repeatedly when putting the collar on or taking it off. This slipping isn’t a rare fluke - it happens more often than most people realize.
Without a backup clip, if a link slips open during a walk or training session, your dog can get loose unexpectedly. That moment of escape puts your dog at risk of injury, running off, or getting into dangerous situations.
A backup clip provides a second line of security. It ensures that even if a link slips open, your dog stays safely connected to the leash.
Final Safety Tips
A backup clip is a simple, inexpensive way to make your prong collar setup safer. Make it part of your everyday routine to protect your dog from accidental escapes.
It’s a small step that makes a big difference.
