Choke Collars Discussions

I was firmly set against the use of "Choke" chain collars until I got my first Beagle puppy (several years ago). While we were out walking we passed a beautiful Black Lab which seemed of particular interest to Joe and, before I knew it, he had slipped his plain leather collar and was racing down the middle of the street toward the dog that had his attention. I will never forget the fear I had that our new puppy was going to be run over and killed by a passing car. Fortunately, after he got to the Lab, he realized he had done something completely unacceptable and came running back to me. (In the middle of the street). Next day I bought a "Choke" collar which I used from then without any unpleasant results. Of course, I was always careful to put the collar on "the right way" so as not to choke my Beagle companion..

I beg to differ. I mean I feel whatever works for the individual owner and individual dog hey fine. But in my experience with dogs I would not use a slip collar of any kind. First we had a Border Collie who ran so fast I don't think her feet ever touched the ground.

She would pull on a regular collar so hard she would vomit...and keep going...daily. I just had no business having such an energetic pup so the fault was mine. Sophie pulls equally hard if not worse. In her younger days she would pull me to the ground.

She also slipped out of collars and halters. Yes that is a frightening thing. In that time though we got Callie. He walks rather calmly in comparison to the others. But by the time we added him to the family I thought a professional trainer was a good idea.

It was a terrific idea. He gave me the confidence and skills to handle both dogs. With the right mindset I could make Sophie understand she was going to hit the ground before me if she insisted on pulling too hard.

Callie can be human aggressive with strangers. For a dog of his size and strength that can be very dangerous. But the trainer taught me how to teach him to control himself. Even though he reaaaaally wants to show that man who's boss...

If I call his name with a certain tone, the hackles go down and he turns to look at me and then drop his head until the stranger passes. Just confidence and effective voice control. No we don't need a choke collar. Some dogs do though.

Have never had the need to try one and I don't like the idea of them. I have seen them in cloth and leather and that does seem more humane than chain or spike. One of my dogs is big, strong and stubborn. She was difficult to train but I didn't resort to a choker. I felt that it might make it easier for me but harder for her. It took more time and patience than I thought I had. In the end I had a well trained dog that doesn't even need a leash and her "collar" is a bandana or two hung loose around her neck. Phoebe is aggressive towards men. As I live alone in an isolated area I'm glad for that. She'll bark, growl and whine but will stand back and wait for me before approaching anyone.

I've always had big and extremely strong dogs. and this has always not been a issue, due to all my dog being walked and learning how I wanted them to walk, starting at 12 to 14 weeks of age.

Well if its worked for you then its worked for you but dont rate them myself.

If you're going down the control collar route I'd take the prong collar over a check chain every time. They're significantly safer and you can use it in a more passive way rather than having to crank the dog in an adversarial manner.

They shouldn't be allowed to be sold, they can strangle a dog if not used correctly.
I use to own Rottweiler's Doberman's & GSD's never used choke chain on them, I always used a good old fashion leather collar on them, they were all taught to walk to heel without pulling even the 5 rescue dogs (rescued ages 3 to 6 years old)
I just turned about & walked in opposite direction as soon as they tried to pull, they soon learnt they got to the park quicker if they didn't pull.

Being the old lady that I am, I can remember that at one time choke chains were the accepted thing in the obedience ring. All the Dog Training Clubs I attended used them. I never used them during normal walks, just in the ring.

Could never get over how many people had them on the wrong way round - even some people at the clubs who had the correct way explained to them numerous times just couldn't seem to get it.

I grew up in the age when ‘check chains’ was the norm and yes have used them in the past for training purposes my dogs didn’t choke or damage themselves, it only becomes a ‘choke chain’ when put on the wrong way or the dog allowed to pull into it. Any collar/harness/slip lead puts pressure on the dog if not used properly, the check chain if put on and used correctly is no different to any of the other tools. you can yank a dog off its feet or string it up and choke it by a standard solid collar, cut/scrape its nose with a halti rub it raw with a harness,the list goes on.
The purpose of ‘any’ tool is to train the dog, they weren’t intended for ‘permanent use’, only as training aid.

Reading John’s post he is ‘not using it to stop his dog pulling (quote While we were out walking we passed a beautiful Black Lab which seemed of particular interest to Joe and, before I knew it, he had slipped his plain leather collar and was racing down the middle of the street toward the dog that had his attention. I will never forget the fear I had that our new puppy was going to be run over and killed by a passing car. Next day I bought a "Choke" collar which I used from then without any unpleasant results.)

I use half check collars which are also good for stopping dogs backing out of collar when fitted properly.

As above, half check collars are good for stopping dogs backing out of their collar,

Thank you for your comments about half check collars. After reading your remarks I checked the internet for more information and have decided to try one with Pikey. About the choke collar: I was allowing a friend to walk Pikey and, sure enough, he put the collar on the wrong way. If you do this, it's obvious that something isn't right, but not everyone notices this. Thanks again for your very welcome suggestion.

There is a correct way a check restraint is put on. I have seen so many put on the wrong way around it is unbelievable.
For those who don't know the best way to see if it is put on the correct way is simple.

AS dogs should be walked on the left of the owner the method is to try out the check chain on the left wrist. The loop should be underneath so went slackened of the check is released. If the loop is on top when the check is released it does not slacken off.

So easy to try both ways to see the difference. That is for a full check restraint

I will stick to having harnesses on my 6 JRT's was walking them, can't slip out of them plus I have more control over them

I would say a harness would be best too (I like them because prince has an aversion to any form of tightness on his neck from the previous owners using a choke chain improperly.)
Also a head collar like a halti with a tether line to the normal collar is a good idea because if they do slip from one the other is still in place

I used to walk mine in harnesses until we went to training. Most trainers over here insist on normal collars although one I know who specialises in training GSD's would only train using choke collars which I objected to as I considered the tiny Tibetan Spaniel I had at the time much too small to be trained with one. The only problem I find is with my Shar-Pei who has been known to back out of her collar if for any reason its not been fastened on the right notch. Fortunately, she's got a good recall and never wanders too far away from me.

I dunno, in some cases I almost understand. There was a guy at the groomers yesterday with two grown Cane Corsos. This guy looked like a linebacker and HE was having trouble holding on to them. Callie at 100+ pounds, I know I couldn't do it.

But in that perhaps this young man wasn't wise having two such rambunctious pups? They pulled him in the door and even with choke collars it didn't seem to make much difference. Like my BC who used to pull herself to vomiting...it boils down to training.

Harness for me. I hate even the idea of hurting my dog let alone consciously doing so

The harness can also cause pain, , lots get raw under the armpits because the harness rubs , dogs do and have slipped from the harness’ as I said previously any tool we use has the potential to cause pain if not used and fitted properly.

Harness (the No Pull Debate ) http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/16_7/features/the-no-pull-debate_20782-1.html concerns are about the dogs walking differently (distribute their weight differently) even when the harness isn't attached to a lead,
There is a book by Dr. Daniel Kamen, published in 2005, that addresses this very issue. .http://www.dogbreedz.com/dog_articles/dogarticle/dog_neck_spine.htm

It doesn't apply. On my dog now and on my previous dogs, their static harnesses have been the correct fit so have never rubbed or been slipped.

It's easy to fit a harness, but any trainer will be happy to assist anyone having difficulty and will be happy to recommend the best harness for any particular dog.

Training a dog to walk on a loose lead is no more easy or difficult on a harness than it is using a collar

I got a half check collar today and have been reading up on on how to use it. It is adjustable so I can get an exact fit. I plan to try it with Pikey on our daily walk tomorrow.
I would like to go to a regular collar if only I could be assured that he would not be able to slip out of it when he passes other dogs.