Do you believe in choke collars?

Question

I personally don't like them.

Answer 1

For training purposes, absolutely not. I have used them before, but I tend to stay with the actual material collars, some with a chain portion for better fitting.

Harnesses work better than choke collars, on a dog that pulls, anyways.

Answer 2

No. Like any other TRAINING tool, they can be useful for some dogs if used properly. But very few people who buy a choke collar use them properly. And most people don't have any intention on working towards being able to control the dog WITHOUT the choke collar. There are many far more humane and effective training options out there (martingale style collars, head halters, no pull harnesses, just plain training your dog and teaching it what you expect of it).

I have had to use choke collars as part of my job as an animal caretaker at a groomer/boarding kennel I used to work for but they were only used as slip leads. this is not how most people use them.

The thing that really upsets me is when people buy a chain choke collar to use as the dog's regular collar and leave it on the dog 24-7. This is not the purpose of a choke collar AND it's extremely dangerous for the dog!

Answer 3

For training purposes they can be useful when used correctly. I'd rather use a buckle collar if the dog will work on one, but not all dogs will respect it. A pinch collar can actually be more humane than a choke collar since it puts even pressure on the neck. In any case, never leave a choke or pinch collar on a dog when not actually training, they can be dangerous when the dog is unattended. Rule of thumb in any training: Use as little force as possible but as much as is necessary. The collar that gets results for your dog is what you should use.

Answer 4

I had bad luck with choke collars with my GSD. I switched to a prong collar and the results were instantly remarkable. My dog would choke himself pulling NO MATTER WHAT KIND OF COLLAR, until I tried the prong.. I was hesitant at fist cause of the spikes but he didnt get hurt and quit pulling. If you use a gentl but firm hand, along with some good training techniques, a proper training collar will result in happier walks for both you and your dog. He wont choke himself, it is more of a reminder that you are holding the leash, not him. Some dogs dont need them, but others do. My german shepherd is 90 lbs now, (lean, and still growing) If I didnt use a training collar on him I wouldnt be able to walk him.
He is now on a regular collar and is very responsive to heelwork, and listening in general.

Answer 5

I hate that term. The correct term is training collar. They should NEVER be used to choke the dog. Anyone purposely usiing these to choke an animal should be choked themselves. The correct use is to have it up under the dog's chin (right behind the ears) and give a sharp pop on the leash. When used properly they are an excellent training tool for dogs that don't respond to bribes (treats, toys, cuddling, etc...) or that are a bit hard headed. Used incorrectly, they are a horrible lesson to the dog that people are cruel and something to be feared. The same goes for pinch/prong collars. They are not as cruel as they look. Put one on your arm and try it yourself. It gives a pinch but it isn't bad. There are rubber caps you can buy to put on the prongs for dogs who need slightly less correction. People often put these on wrong as well. They SHOULD NOT be loose. I have added a link to how to correctly fit both prong and training collars.

They shouldn't be left on the dog after the training session or walk as they CAN get caught on something and choke the dog.

Answer 6

For me its not a matter of believing in them or not. I had a chain one but it didn't seem to work very well. I recently adopted a greyhound and they need Martingale collars. Its a brilliant idea for dogs who can back out of their collars easily. They are made of fabric like any other collar, however, they have a loop that causes the collar to tighten if the dog pulls on it. Its purpose is not to keep the dog from pulling, it prevents the dog from getting out of the collar since greyhounds have extremely narrow heads. I loved it so much that I got another one for my beagle.

Answer 7

Choke collars, no.
Well I believe they exist but I don't believe in using them on a dog...
Pinch or prong collars for training and control - absolutely yes.

Answer 8

I do not like chokers either, but I do use a prong collar. They are very safe on the neck and do not cause the damage that regular chokers do. I use the in conjunction with an electric collar and the results are excellent. Better communication between dog and handler, no stress on the dog, no loss of relationship between dog and handler. No chokers for my dog.

Answer 9

Only for control of a dog. Not for anything else. Alot of people have big dogs and its sometimes the only way to teach them to control themselves. I dont mean like wearing the choke chian will make them learn, but I mean to control them to teach them. But alot of people do not know how to use them correctly, or do but dont choose to do so, and then they have a passed out, or dead dog. I would recommend people asked their vet, or dog trainer on how to use one. I have to use one now for mu Doberman because he gets too excited and I cant control him when hes excited, so I have to use on to help because hes so big and still a puppy. Choke chains should never be yanked, pulled harshly, or to use for dragging..But what I would never use is a pinch collar, those have no purpose what-so-ever.If you cant control you dog with a collar, let alone a choke one, you really need to get some help for the dog.

Answer 10

My dog wears one, but I almost never have to pull at it. He is very good on the lead, and actually listens to my voice, in seriousness though, he's a rather large dog and if he wanted to take me for a walk around the park, he certainly could, hence him wearing a chain collar.