Are choke chains appropriate for daschunds?

Question

I've tried a harness but that still doesnt seem to work. I do not intend to hurt my dog of course, i only want to walk it the right way.

Answer 1

A harness promotes pulling which is why it doesn't work. I think a prong collar would suit your needs better because it takes very little effort on your part to correct the dog when walking it, with a choke collar timing is very important and you must know how to use it for it to work effectively.
Here is a link for a micro prong collar:
http://www.leerburg.com/prong.htm#micro

ETA: I have seen too many dogs escape those halti collars to believe they are safe and with untrained Dachshund, I would not chance it.

Answer 2

They have dog halters for dogs now. Just like horse halters. They fit over the head and give the walker more control. I don't know if they make them small enough for a daschund, though.


Working with him a harness would probably be the best. You just have to keep at it. It'll probably take a few weeks. No collar or harness is automatically going to make a dog start walking the right way.

Answer 3

Choke chains are old school aversive training implements. Not recommended by trainers in the know these days, despite what that quack Milan says.

The best training technique is positive reinforcement. You only need a regular collar for that.

If you just can't teach your dog any other way, try a gentle leader.

If you do elect to go with an aversive collar (please don't), a pinch collar looks scary but is actually more humane than a choke collar. Neither should ever be worn by your dog except when you are actively training it.

Choke collars can be deadly. One day the loop of my dog's choke collar got stuck between the deck planking. She would have died if I had not been there. That was in the days when choke collars were recommended. We know so many better techniques these days.

Answer 4

Choke chains are not recommended for smaller dogs because they are prone to collapsed tracheas. You didn't mention what the problem you have walking him is. I'm assuming the problem is pulling. Have you tried an easy walker? It is a special harness where the leash hooks onto the dog's chest instead of their back. This gently and painlessly pulls them to the side whenever they try to pull. I would not recommend the nose harnesses that were mentioned in another post. They are rather severe. they are not like horse halters because horse halters do not put pressure on the nose unless the handler puts the pressure on themselves.

If they problem is not pulling then some training may be in order. This book is an excellent tool:

http://www.amazon.com/Power-Positive-Dog-Training/dp/0764536095

Answer 5

No, not really. I don't like choke chains much anyway, but they're certainly not appropriate for small dogs, especially ones that are prone to spinal problems! (as dachshunds are).

I would persevere with the harness. Dogs take a while to get used to any new leash or harness, but generally, they do get used to them. Smaller dogs are definitely better off with harnesses. A leash can be ok, but no choke chain.

Chalice

Answer 6

I also have a problem with finding a good collar/harness for my Daschund. I know with the way their chest is built,no harness would fit around that and hook together. I do know some company makes exactly what is need,they make it by the dogs measurements. The link is below,maybe you can find something,maybe I can to!
On Cesar Milan the Dog whisperer site, he has a collar that is for all dogs.Will not stab,or make out little guys choke..
I sent the link,but I think the neck of our Doxies are to small for this leash? Great site anyways.

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http://www.fullfx.com/fxstore/ezydog/index.cfm?page=product&prodId=542&showAll=true

Answer 7

I would stick with a harness. A choke chain or even a coller can cause many problems for small dogs. Such as collapsing their brething way. f anything go with a anti pull harness. a regualr harness only makes them pull more. A anti pull stops pulling. Or you can go with a halti. whcih looks like a horse halter.

Answer 8

There is no reason not to use one, but as the first answerer said, go on line and get educated on how to use one. If you put it on wrong you can kill the dog, because it won't release after you pull it.

Proper Use Of The Slip Collar



The slip collar, commonly miscalled a choke collar, is available in various styles, most people will associate the chain slip collar as the primary training collar. Slip collars are available in all types of materials from chain, cord, elastic stretch (bungee cord), fabric, flat strap, and safeties.



“Choke Chains” are not intended to choke your dog! The intent is that when the collar is tugged it will pinch the brachial nerve in the dogs neck (much like pinching the funny bone) or according to some people it is intended to simulate how a mother will nip a puppy on the neck to correct it. The Slip Collar is NOT intended to choke your dog. If your dog is choking with the use of this collar then use a different collar!



Personally I don’t care for chain or cord slip collars. They are far to often considered as the only choice and used as the first or only training collar, when a different collar would be more appropriate, safer, and much easier to use. Chain slip collars should NOT be the first choice for a training collar. NEVER use a slip collar, chain or cord, on a dog under 6 months old. NEVER EVER.



If you are going to use a slip collar; be it chain, cord, leather, or strap, learn how to use it properly before you put it on your dog. Do some reading. Watch them in use. The first consideration is size. A collar that is too large will only detract from its primary effectiveness. Measure the size of your dogs neck high on the neck, not close to the shoulders. Then add an inch or two. That will be the size you want to buy. The proper fit should just slide over the dogs head without unduly pulling on the dogs ears.



Don’t buy large thinking “they’ll grow into it”. Instead buy 4 collars, one the correct size and another 2 inches larger and 2 other types of training collars in the proper size. Use the collar which gives you the level of correction you need. There is nothing that says you have to use one collar and one collar only during training. If a collar works during training for Sit/Stay but doesn’t work during training to Heel feel free to move to another collar. Switch back and forth. There is a benefit to this in that your dog will not become collar smart.



There is only two ways to put a slip collar on. You’d think people would get it right 50% of the time by chance, this doesn’t seem to be the case. The free end which connects to the lead should be over the dogs neck not come under. The position is important, over the neck the collar immediately releases pressure when slack is given. Under the neck this is not the case.






YES. The free end which connects to the lead goes over the dogs neck.
NO. DO NOT PUT THE FREE END UNDER THE DOGS NECK




In use there should be no tension in the lead and approximately six inches of slack, the collar should be completely relaxed. Giving corrections with the slip collar should be short tugs. DON’T haul back like you’re setting a gaff in a fish. It is very easy to damage the dogs throat. DON’T let your dog run and hit the end of the lead. DON’T hold steady pressure on the lead constricting the dogs breathing. NEVER yank on the lead in anger. You can crush the dogs throat and kill them. Yes sad to say it does happen.



If the dog is hauling on the lead and choking. GET A DIFFERENT COLLAR.



The slip collar is a training collar only. It should be on your dog only when training and under your direct control. If your dog is running free and having a blast being off lead then it shouldn’t be wearing a slip collar. I have seen a dog, wearing a chain slip collar, run and jump through a brush pile. The free ring got caught in a branch effectively hanging the dog. In this instance the owner was close enough to see what had happed and immediately rescued the dog, this is not always the outcome.



Remove the slip collar as soon as you are done training. Slip collars should never be on dogs that are tied outside. The dog is not under your direct control when tied out. Remember it is easy for a dog to back out of a slip collar.



A slip collar, in all its various guises, is still just one of many training tools available to you. Don’t be afraid to try different ones. Half the fun of owning a dog is all the neat things you get to buy and try. Use the minimum tool to get the behaviour that you desire. Be realistic in what you are demanding from your dog as well.

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Answer 9

Opinions vary. I'd go with a harness with your dog.

Answer 10

Goodness, no. I don't think those little guys require it. I think your harness is the best way. Try sending him to school, that might help.