Is a Choke Chain an approriate way of controlling a dog?

Question

I am currently looking to rehome my 18 month old Border Terrier but am very concious of finding a good home.

One of the gentlemen I have been speaking to seems nice enough but he is insistent that the best way to control the dog is through use of a choke chain.

I personally dont agree with it but thats just my opinion. What does everyone else think and is there any vetinary evidence one way or the other.

I appreciate all your answers however the one question I still have is whether or not on the basis of wanting to use a choke chain is this person a suitable owner.

Answer 1

Choke chains aren't appropriate in my opinion. If used incorrectly, they can damage the neck and throat. There are much better options such as a gentle leader that work more effectively. Choke chains are a completely outdated way of training a dog.

If he's insistent on using it, I would say NO to adopting to him. If he's this stubborn and unwilling to try something more humane for the animal imagine how he'll be with other things. I personally prefer to adopt to people who are open to new suggestions and willing to take advice on training and controlling their animal.

Why does a border terrier even NEED a choke chain? They aren't big dogs that any grown adult couldn't handle with a regular collar and leash. Not like he's getting a rottie or mastiff...

Answer 2

I posted an answer to your earlier question which addresses the choke chain. If used as a correction tool it does not have to tighten or choke the dog. I can suggest another key ring to modify your choke chain so it will not tighten all the way and choke the dog, just enough to correct the behavior. Put the chain collar on the dog. Make sure as you stand to the right of the dog the collar loosens on it's own when you release tension on the chain. Pull the chain until it is touching the neck all the way around (best if it's high behind the ears). Make a note of which link in the chain is by the ring, this is where you will put a key chain ring. Now when you tighten the ring can go to but not past the key chain ring limiting how tight the chain can get.

Answer 3

the reason behind the choke chain, (really it's called a chain training collar) is that the choking method used is much like that used on a pup from it's mother. it's a scruffing method. dog's instinctivly know when the skin behind their necks is pulled they are doing wrong. now the problem is the people who actually turn this into a choke collar. i say it's only a choke collar when left on the dog when not training, or is being used by someone who does not know how to properly use the collar. a quick pop and release is all that should be applied. the tightness should never be applied for more than a second. it is meant to be a quick correction for the dog, not a long time correction. ask anyone whose dog pulls on a choke collar. they will continue to pull, it doesn't matter to them. but if a quick pop was used, this would get the dog's attention. if your dog is near you, walking beside or behind you correctly the collar should never choke. hope this answers your question.

Answer 4

Personally, I would never give my dog to someone who insisted on using a choke chain. She is hyperactive and still not great on a leash, so I would be terrified he would start pulling to hard and collapse her throat.

Unfortunately, even if you make him sign a contract stating he cannot use a choke chain, no one will check up on him.

I would wait for better owners to come around.

Answer 5

Choke chains are not acceptable, but the prospective new parent thinking it's a good thing doesn't neccesarily make him a bad owner. Do yourself some research, find some horror stories and convince him that choke chains are the devil. if you can't, then just find a different person who's willing to treat that dog right.

Answer 6

Okay I agreed with you, I hated the idea of a choke collar and simply refused to use one. I own a Japanese Akita (American Akita) I purchased the best harness on the market and also the best leather lead you can get. This was great until my reached seven months old. These dogs grow big and strong very quickly. I realised I could not control him. Having watched the TV Programme Dog Whisperer I realised that I was wrong in my thinking. So I then purchased a large collar for his neck. I then purchased a choke collar and put this at the top of the previous collar I bought. The reason for this is to get the choke collar at the top of my dogs neck (the weakest part of a dogs neck) I then bought a lead for the choke collar. Okay - So my dog has a harness with lead. A collar for support then a choke collar with another lead. I have found this to be awesome. I can now control my dog 100% . Choke collars really do work and they don't hurt the dog (I thought they would) I would not be without it.

Answer 7

I would say no. I personally am opposed to them as they can cause lasting damage to the trachea. If a person insists on using a method that has been proven to be damaging, I would never adopt a dog out to him. I don't like how inflexible that guy sounds.

Answer 8

He is a small breed, and their throats are easily damaged. You are WAY better off with a head collar. They are kind of like halters on a horse, only for dogs. The dog cannot escape it, it doesn't threaten the dog's well-being in any way, and it REALLY helps with a dog walk. My 8 month weimeraner refused to stop pulling, until I put one on her. She's walked at my side ever since.

Answer 9

NO, the best way to control a dog is through training. Choke chains often cause damage to a dogs esophagus.

Answer 10

no when i was training my rottweiler i thought a choke chain was the answer then when i took him to a training class the teacher said its cruel said i should use a leader leash i did it worked great i say no on a choke chain now use a leader leash it goes around the dogs. nose and back of the head good luck