Quick Answer

Add or remove Herm Sprenger replacement links one at a time with the collar off your dog, opening each link just enough to unhook it. Recheck fit by sliding two fingers under the collar at the neck, and test the release mechanism before every walk. Never cut, bend, or force a link.

A Herm Sprenger collar that fits correctly stays high on the neck and doesn't rotate or slide. Replacement links let you fine-tune that fit without buying a whole new collar, whether you're adding length to a prong collar or adjusting a Neck-Tech.

The process is simple, but small mistakes, like opening a link too far or removing links from the wrong spot, can weaken the collar or change how it sits. This guide walks through the safe order of operations for both adding and removing links, plus the checkpoints that tell you when to stop.

Not every replacement link fits every collar. Herm Sprenger prong collars and Neck-Tech collars use different link designs, and thickness matters. For example, 3.25mm Curgoan Herm Sprenger Ultra-Plus Prong Training Dog Collar Replacement Links are made to add length to Ultra-Plus prong collars, while 4.0mm Black Stainless Herm Sprenger Ultra-Plus Prong Training Dog Collar Replacement Links serve the same purpose in a thicker gauge. Using the wrong thickness can create a loose or uneven connection.

4.0mm Black Stainless Herm Sprenger Ultra-Plus Prong Training Dog Collar Replacement Links

4.0mm Black Stainless Herm Sprenger Ultra-Plus Prong Training Dog Collar Replacement Links

For Neck-Tech collars, the links are model-specific. Herm Sprenger NeckTech Sport Extra Stainless Links (2) and Herm Sprenger NeckTech Sport Black Stainless Links (2) each add 1.25 inches (3 cm) per link and are sold in packs of two. The Herm Sprenger NeckTech Fun Extra Matte Black Stainless Links follow the same 1.25-inch rule but are finished for the Fun line. Check your collar's model name before ordering.

  • Lay the new link next to an existing link on the collar and compare thickness and shape before attaching anything.
  • If your collar model isn't printed on the strap, measure the link thickness with calipers rather than guessing.

Work on a table with good light, not on your dog. Open the link you're adding just enough to slip it through the end link of the collar, then close it so the gap disappears. For prong collars, attach the new link at the same end where the collar opens, so the release mechanism stays in the same position. For Neck-Tech collars, add links at the adjustment point rather than the middle of the chain.

After closing the link, tug it gently in opposite directions. A properly closed link won't flex or show a visible gap. If it does, you've likely opened it too wide and weakened the metal. Stop and use a fresh link rather than trying to bend it back.

  • Add one link, then recheck fit before adding a second. It's easy to overshoot and end up with a collar that hangs too low.

Removing a link follows the reverse order, but the common mistake is prying the link open with pliers. That scratches the finish and can distort the metal. Instead, use your fingers or a small flat tool to open the link just enough to unhook it, then set it aside. On prong collars, remove links from the same end you added them, keeping the center plate and release mechanism centered.

Once you've removed a link, refit the collar before removing another. The goal is a snug fit high on the neck, not the tightest possible setting. If the collar starts to sit low on the shoulders, you've removed too much.

  • Keep removed links in a small bag with the collar so you can reverse the adjustment later if your dog's coat thickens in winter.

Checkpoints That Tell You the Fit Is Right

With the collar on your dog, slide two fingers under the band at the neck. They should fit snugly but not pinch. The collar should sit just behind the ears and jaw, not down on the shoulders. Watch your dog for a minute: if they paw at the collar or shake their head repeatedly, it's too tight or a link is sitting wrong.

Test the release mechanism every time you adjust links. Open and close it fully, then tug the collar gently to confirm it holds. A collar that releases too easily during a walk is a safety issue, and one that sticks can be hard to remove in an emergency.

  • Recheck fit after the first few minutes of wear, since some dogs settle the collar into position once they move around.
  1. Match the link to your collar model: Confirm whether you have an Ultra-Plus prong collar or a Neck-Tech collar, and choose links made for that line and thickness. Wrong-model links won't close cleanly and can create a weak point.
  2. Work off the dog on a stable surface: Remove the collar and adjust links on a table where dropped pieces won't roll away. Adjusting on a moving dog risks pinching skin or losing a link.
  3. Open each link only as far as needed: Use fingers or a small flat tool to open the link just enough to hook or unhook it, then close it fully. Over-opening weakens the metal; if a link stays gapped, replace it.
  4. Add or remove one link at a time: Refit the collar after each change and check the two-finger rule before making another adjustment. One link can be the difference between a snug fit and a collar that slips.
  5. Test the release mechanism: Open and close the collar's release fully, then tug gently to confirm it holds under light pressure. A sticky or loose release is a safety problem, not a fit preference.
  • 3.25mm Curgoan Herm Sprenger Ultra-Plus Prong Training Dog Collar Replacement Links: These links are used to add length to the Herm Sprenger Ultra-Plus Prong Training Dog Collars. The blunt design is effective and easily attaches to existing links for a perfect fit. If you need a slightly larger prong collar without replacing it, these links extend the existing chain and match the blunt, safe design of the Ultra-Plus line.
  • 4.0mm Black Stainless Herm Sprenger Ultra-Plus Prong Training Dog Collar Replacement Links: These links are used to add length to the Herm Sprenger Ultra-Plus Prong Training Dog Collars. The blunt design is effective and easily attaches to existing links for a perfect fit. The thicker 4.0mm gauge suits dogs that need a sturdier collar, and the black stainless finish resists rust while matching black Ultra-Plus collars.
  • Herm Sprenger NeckTech Sport Extra Stainless Links (2): Each extra link for stainless steel Neck-Tech collars will add 1.25 inches (3 cm) to the total length of the collar. Sold in packs of 2. Extra links are made of Stainless Steel, to prevent rust or corrosion. Because each link adds a fixed 1.25 inches, you can calculate exactly how many packs you need before ordering, and the stainless steel holds up to outdoor use.
  • Herm Sprenger NeckTech Fun Extra Matte Black Stainless Links: Each extra link for stainless steel Neck-Tech collars will add 1.25 inches (3 cm) to the total length of the collar. Extra links are made of Stainless Steel, to prevent rust or corrosion. These match the matte black finish of the Neck-Tech Fun line, so your adjustment looks intentional rather than mismatched.

Adding or removing Herm Sprenger replacement links takes a few minutes and keeps your collar fitting the way it should. Match the link to your collar model, make one change at a time, and test the fit and release before every walk. If a link won't close cleanly, replace it rather than forcing it.