Choke chains

[saturninus]

What do you think about choke chains?

[Becky]

I don't personally care for them much. Used correctly, I don't see much wrong with them, but I know that there are better methods out there to teach a dog how to walk nicely on leash and do obedience.

I used one for a while because I thought it was the only way I would get to walk Maddi in my neighborhood (she was on the scared side). I then read a study that was done compairing chokes to prong collars. I can't remember the exact statistic, but it was something like 98% of dogs on chokes had tracheal damage. I immediatly bought a Gentle Leader head haltie, for fear of hurting my dog anymore than I may have already. It worked, but didn't help me teach my dog how to heel and she really doesn't like it.

I just use her regular flat collar now and stopped walking in the city. Neither of us were big fans of the city anyway.

[kelsiebug]

hi,
i believe that if you use the choke collar right then i have nothin against it. i have to use one on my dog lady to keep her attention and it works a good bit this is sad that my cuz tied her dog up with the choke collar and she left it there that night and it choke the dog badly!:mad: i got mad at her and took the dog to the vet myself.........

[Taeric]

I'm with them - choke chains are fine when used properly. They should only be worn while actively training dogs, and corrections should be made with quick, sharp snaps rather than hard pulls. Our pup usually does great with hers, but on rare occasions, she gets so excited that it seems like she's going to make herself pass out (a quick time out to catch her breath does wonders towards calming her down).

[Cheetah]

I don't care for the regular ones, as they are way too easy to misuse. I use a limited check collar. It has limited choking ability, and you're supposed to adjust it to where the collar fits the dog's neck perfectly when all the way closed. That way there is no choking. What is used to correct the dog is the sound of the chain.

[ChipsDad]

I don't care for the regular ones, as they are way too easy to misuse. I use a limited check collar. It has limited choking ability, and you're supposed to adjust it to where the collar fits the dog's neck perfectly when all the way closed. That way there is no choking. What is used to correct the dog is the sound of the chain.


I agree! You need the adjustable ones to stop damage or injury

[MrsRottie]

I agree with Cheetah and ChipsDad. No chokes in our house!!!

[lassie]

I use rolled leather choke collars, on my lot, stops cutting into the coat. Do use a thin metal choke when i am showing them. Would never use one other than that!

[k8tymem8ty]

there are two ways to use a choke chain in the shape of a p it is a check chain and you just give them a small pull (a check) then it releases and you do that everytime the dog pulls i think this is the best way although i think that half checks are nicer and work just as well. the other way is the chain is a 9 shape and then the more the dog pulls the tighter it gets and it chokes the dog into not pulling i dont think that this is the best way. i do think that halti's are the best way to stop your dog pulling.
hope this helps
from katey

[BratBoxers]

The only time I use any type of choke chain is my show chain for show. Regular chokes are dangerous and can damage the dogs trachea. If I need to use anything I use my pinch collar on my APBT and my head halti my my Boxer.

Most people think that they have placed the choke on correctly but have not so it doesn't release properly.

[opokki]

Choke collars are too often misused and I don't care for them mostly for this reason. I have never used them on my own dogs as I just don't feel the need to.

[Doberman's]

I personally do not like chokes, JMO, but if used correctly they are a good training tool. However there are too many people out there that have no idea how to use them right and end up hurting the dog, possibly causing permanent scar tissue in the neck.

So if used right they are good but if wrong they can really hurt a dog. My recommendation would be to take you dog to obedience classes and learn how to use it properly there.

[saturninus]

My mother uses the choke chain in dog classes. I prefer not to use them.

[lassie]

i only use a very fine one for showing, however there is a right and wrong of putting them on,;)

[retriever crazy]

True, very true, but thay are easier to use on a walk then a collar. ( they dont slip off )

[Cheetah]

There are special martingale style collars that can be used to walk dogs that can easily slip a regular collar (such as a greyhound).

[retriever crazy]

I have one of those for my lab Flip, it works great on her.
With Lilly a choke chain works better for her.

[livestrong]

I got my dog from the pound and evidently he received no training at all during his 2 yrs of life. We have gotten so that we can walk him without too much pulling except when there is a dog crossing our path. He then lunges for them. I was considering using a choke or prong or a harness. What do you think would work the best. He pulls on his regualr collar so much that he often coughs during our walk. He is a small 27 lb terrier mix.

[basi]

Used properly I don't have a problem with them though I don't use them myself apart from a semi chain for in the show ring. They are not actually called choke chains they are called check chains as that it was they are suppose to do, though people that put them on the wrong way or use them wrong think that they are suppose to chock the dog so that it stops pulling!

To Livestrong,
I would try a headcollar rather than a harness as that will just give him something to lean on. You have more control with headcollars as you can turn his head away and get him to focus on you.

[Dani66]

not a fan myself, don't really agree with them. they can damage muscles in the dogs neck, but put it this way if u were a dog would you want to wear one???

[sheltieluver4]

I do agree with choke chains but as Cheetah stated some are way easy to use the worng way. But they do work, I am using one with Basil now and she's taking to it well so I think I will continue using them. Once she learns to staty close to me on walks and walk with me, I switch her to her collar:)

[MegBonnie]

I don't like choke chains, they can really hurt the dog, especially if they suddenly pulled. I've never felt the need for one either, training and persistence should do the trick - and if not a little bit of maturity works wonders, you just have to be patient ;-)

[lassie]

i only use a very thin choke on my dogs when they are being shown, other than that i use a rolled leather choke on them when walking them.

[Sabledog]

i also use the martingail collar, and the halti and the gentle leader (i have all of them) plus regular mylon collars i will not use the chain choke collars for all the resons stated, they do damage to the neck muscles , and lassie i thought the show choke collars were required i could be wrong as i have never shown, but i just thought that everyone that showed had to use them.
all dogs respond to different things as with my 4 dogs, my oldest female does fine with just a plain nylon collar and the puppy does well with the halti and gentle leader, and my "middle" male dog, Riken responds to the martingail collar, and rippy the younger male works best with the gentl leader and not the halti.

[basi]

In the UK you can show your dog on whetever you like. Some are shown on semi chains, slip leads, full check chains...

[livestrong]

Hi, Thanks for that useful advice. I don't know if I've seen headcollars...is there a brand name? I've seen muzzles and harnesses.
Thanks again!

[Sabledog]

the 2 brand names of head collars are Halti collars and Gentle leaders.

[Pitguy67]

I Do Not Use Choke Chains, I Have Thought About It, But I Have Found That There Is A Possibility That It Could Hurt The Dogs Neck. I Am Not Willing To Sacrafice My Dogs Health For An Easier Walk. Truth Be Told, He Does Great On A Harness, Because It Does Stop Him From Pulling. I Would Not Suggest Using A Choke Chain.

[lassie]

No as Basi said here in the Uk any collar/lead can be used. I've never used anything other than a choke to show wih, think it stems from years ago when i had a stubborn mover!

Alot of toy breeds use little nylon collars.


Used correctly choke chains dont do any damage.

[Georgia]

It's frustrating because if you continue to read and study the subject you will get conflicting information. Along the way I've read that all the following are bad:

* choke chains
* gentle leaders
* prong collars

Also along the way I've learned the following are good:

* choke chains
* gentle leaders
* prong collars

Our dog Georgia has a weak esophogus so we can't use most collars. The one thing I am noticing from experience and from reading is that much of the problem is trying to get a "signal" to the dog. Not all dogs are the same but I'm starting to see better behavior in Georgia when we use a harness that delivers a "message" to her. With some harnesses she doesn't get any signal from us and she just pulls. Now that's not to say she always LISTENS to the signals, but you have to at least have the ability to deliver a signal.

I'm sure as long as the dog doesn't have health issues like our dog, and as long as the owner is careful and responsible that a choke chain can be used just fine. The key (as with maybe 95% of things with dog training) is the part about the owner. :)

[AnimalHouse]

Yea.. I have also heard bad on each.. Gentle leader.. Broke a dobies neck when he tried to chase a squirrel
Choke chain-hurts the neck
Pinch-Hurt the dog cause it pinches,and pokes there neck
Good stuff i have heard
Gentle leader-Works with natural insticts and works like a horse halti, it is like having power stearing over there dog
Choke Chain-If used right, the sound of the chain will help teach the dog what is right and wrong
Pinch - Works like a mothers mouth, when the puppy is bad, the mom will lightly grab the puppy,and it teaches them that what ever is being done, isnt right.. and a no no..

Soooo I guess everyone has there opinions.. And use whatever is easiest for them.. So it is hard to say what is right and what is wrong. I personally have used all of them. And gentle leader i Have used and still use on my Staffie, when he is "working" he is a therapy dog,and Service Companion, and he goes into working mode with it,and it totally relaxes him... But my Labradoodle, HATES IT.. and she has rubbed her nose RAW with it.. Soo I use the pinch on her..*Choke didnt phase her to much* And Phebe our new adidtion.. the Martin Gale doesnt phase her, the Choke, doesnt either.. And the pinch works great.. 3 at most corrections,and she is SUPER the whole walk. Sooo I guess it just depends on the person and the dog.. :-/