Choke chains your thoughts?

Question

if choke chains are so wrong why are they used in dog shows? and them ppl watch these shows they see how the chain goes on and how it used...but yet they can't bring them selves to put it on thier dog even though it walks them down the street. chains are a ver useful tool when working with untrained shelter dogs, that thier owner couldn't handle. i know around here thats why alot of dogs end up in shelters is because they have no basic training..they can't come, sit, stay, ect and leash training..HA i can only think of a very few dogs that i have walked that didn't try to drag ya. normal things any good owner is going to teach.
And just about every other question on here is about training in someway or another.

so i just wonder what ur thought on choke chains good or bad, why , and do u know how to use one?

i don't hear dog gasping when i use one...because well i know how to use a chain. taught by a good friend on mine at a young age who is a trainer. other ppl useing a chain wrong at the base of the neck or well just holding the chain tight yes.

I agree the name does not help it rep.

thank everyone lots of good answers.

Ive never use a halty before i may have to pick one up and see how well it works. Chain have been my training method so long and i've used the martingale (cloth) one before on small small dogs.
Never tried a prong one. I think in the wrong hands it would do more harm the a choke chain.

By the why dog training is what i want to do schooling for(when my kids are a bit more grown). and where i live we only have one full time trainer the other one is a friend of mine who only does a few classes a year. there are others but they are 40 miles away.

oh and whippet woman. u are so right. ppl would have to pay money and put time in to their dog...and so few do.

I swear some ppl think dogs train themselves!!!

Oh and yes off leash training is very important i will agree there.
however in working with shelter dogs most need a chain...some will slip a regular collar. and if no large fencing off leash training is hard to do. and the shelter i worked at most all dogs had to be on a chain for fear of slipping regular collars.
not all dogs after being brought home need a chain, and no ofcourse they should never be left on a dog, only to be used for training.

Answer 1

I agree with you that a choke chain, used skillfully, can be a very useful tool in training dogs.

There are several different tools that are useful in managing dogs. Each has pros and cons.

The choke chain has been around a long time. Dogs take to them very quickly, with little or no introduction time necessary. Used correctly, they are always loose around the dog's neck, and tightened only if the dog is trying to slip out or if a quick correction is given. If the dog is pulling and having trouble breathing, he has not been taught to heel properly, or else the handler is keeping the leash too tight.

They can be unsafe, if the dog is left alone wearing a choke chain. Dogs can hang themselves if they catch the collar on something -- a terrible, preventable tragedy. Two dogs playing can get caught in each others' choke chains, with terrifying results. And, if used abusively (hanging the dog, etc), they are cruel.

There is a modified choke chain called a martingale or cloth and chain collar that works well with tiny or very gentle dogs.

The headcollars or head halters (Gentle Leader, Halti, etc.) are getting more popular all the time. They give the owner "power steering", that is, more control over the dog. They also tend to subdue an aggressive, dominant, or powerful dog. Pulling is reduced, since when the dog pulls ahead, the head halter turns his head to the side. While not a muzzle, the handler can more easily control aggressive behavior with a head halter. Most Companion Animal Behavior Consultants and Veterinary Behavior Specialists recommend them.

However, they take careful fitting and patient introduction, since many dogs will try to scrape them off their faces until they are accustomed to them. One should never jerk a leash attached to a head halter -- neck injury could result. The same goes for tying up a dog with a head halter (or a choke chain). And, leaving one on a dog who is unattended can cause the dog to chew the head halter off and destroy it!

There are other ways of controlling a dog, such as harnesses, pinch collars, etc. Each has their drawbacks. My favorites are the choke chain and the head halters -- one or the other will work well with just about every dog there is!

And, remember, you can easily train a "naked" dog (no neckwear at all) to heel and do all other obedience exercises. It's the behavior shaping -- rewarding good behavior and correcting unwanted behavior -- that counts, not the equipment! (Of course, I'm not suggesting that you have your dog off leash in public for safety and liability reasons.)

Developing a good working relationship with your dog is the most important tool there is. As you mentioned, lots of dogs end up in shelters because no one cared enough to provide them with good training and encourage good behavior.

It seems as if there are fads and fashions in lots of different areas, and tools to control and train dogs are no exception. It will be interesting to see what is popular 5 or 10 years from now. The art and science of training dogs is constantly changing -- hopefully for the better!

Answer 2

Choke chains can be an effective training took IF used correctly and IF used under the supervision of someone experienced in the correct use of such a collar.

The truth is, many people do not know how to properly fit a choke chain, or how to use one correctly. Many dogs have wound up with permanent throat damage due to improper use. A dog will not walk nicely with a choke chain if the person does not know how to work it, and will hurt himself.

Another problem with choke chains is that people use these as the round the clock collar, even chaining the dog up with the dog tie out attached to the chain collar. Recipe for disaster...

Answer 3

I have a beagle that is an escape artist. We have tried all types of collars and harnesses but she manages to get out of them if she sees something she wants to chase. We use a choke chain on her only when she is in the yard on her chain, or if we know we are going to be walking where there is wildlife (like rabbits) that she might want to chase. She is an indoor dog so when she comes in the chain comes off. And if you crate your dog NEVER have a collar of any type on them. When we are out with her on her leash and she is under our control we use a regular collar and it is fine. So I think choke chains are fine if used properly. Just make sure that if you use one on a dog that stays outside to check it frequently. I used to work at the Humane Society and had dogs come in that were left outside and had the chain get to small for the dog and grow right into the neck.

Answer 4

I used to use a choke chain on my previous Dalmatian and it worked wonders. She was a very active dog and was very bouncy on the lead so I needed something that would stop her jumping around everywhere while walking. It's not the most humane thing but it works. She was a hand full and I found it a bit hard to control her bounciness but it worked and is a great tool.

I don't think it's good to use it while you are just going down to the shops or around the block, only for training.

Great tool and I do recommend people to use it if they have a strong or un-trained dog which they find hard to handle. Obviously if your dog does not respond to the choker collar, you are doing something wrong.

Answer 5

The choke chain is an excellent training and walking device - BUT, it alone won't train the dog. And, THAT is what she needs - training. Sign up for an obedience class or even with a one-on-one trainer (can be expensive). Once the dog has some good solid training on her, there will be no need for gimmicks or heavy-handed training devices. Forget the "halties" and harnesses - you own a strong breed that will use that harness to set her weight against and drag you along for the ride. She needs training. Get her some while she's still young! ADD: IMO anyone walking their dog with a Prong collar has an untrained dog and is advertising the fact! ADD#2: @Deli La - My Heart Looks like a - Good post - but, while I have been looking for quite sometime, I have not been able to find anything that backs up that often repeated German Study. I see it quoted repeatedly on the internet, but would like to see the actual report - if you know where it can be found. Thanks!

Answer 6

Chain collars are a great training tool. The problem is that people would have to actually learn how to use them. A dog will pull in a chain collar just as easily as any other if allowed. People are too cheap to take a class and too lazy to do the work.

Answer 7

I dont think that there is any problems with choke chains IF they are used correctly. I will say this though, if your dog is overly submissive, use another method of training but if the dog is agressive in anyway, then the choke chain will help IF you have tried other methods first. But be aware that it may cause the dog to become "mouthy". I used a choke chain on my dog after I tried other methods and now she obeys me just fine.

Answer 8

I agree choke chains are not really the best training method. How many dogs do hear gasping for air on them!!
You are right it is a lack of training and discipline as to the reason why people use them.
Also Choker chains are not used properly either. The whole idea of them is for a dog to respond to the noise of the choke chain and not the fact that you are choking them. So if you give the chain a hard snap without hurting yours dogs neck it obviously lets of a noise near the dogs ear which is what it is supposed to respond to not the choking of it.

Answer 9

I use a choke on my male newfoundland only when we walk. If I don't, he will try to pull. I do make sure the choke is on a properly and used correctly. My two females are easily walked without one, so they just use their regular collars when walking. But I find the choke most effective with Solomon, (my male). But if people use it incorrectly, I beleive it can be dangerous.

Answer 10

In the wrong hands, they can be bad. Some people shouldn't use them, and some dogs don't need them.
However, they can also be useful.
If used correctly, they are not dangerous.
I personally don't know how to use one, so I wouldn't even try unless I was taught by a professional.
It depends on the person, the dog, and the situation.