Choke-chains: are they Cruel?

Logan, there are several "games" and techniques we use to get the dogs trained for leash walking. I will try to briefly explain some of them. I was a skeptic of these working at first, but I see it work time and time again.

The most simple one is "be a tree". As we are walking the dogs, the second they strain and pull on the leash, we stop and stoop down so the leash is horizontal from their shoulders. We then wait for them to realize they need to come check back to us. We will give them a sit or down command depending on how hyper they are. They are rewarded and then we start walking again until the next pull. It takes time and patience but they soon realizing that pulling means an end to their walk and that is considered negative. If they are good and obey a command, the walk starts again, and that is their reward. This is especially effective on shelter dogs since walks are precious for them. It can be effective if you carry treats in your pocket too.

Another thing we do is "tossing and turning". Hold a bunch of treats in one hand and the leash in the other. Always keep the dog to one side of you. Start by throwing a treat out in front of you. Walk with the dog and when he gets the treat, make a turn and call his name. Continue walking in the direction you turned and when the dog gets to your side, have your hand there and give him another treat. (We also use our mark word here, "Yes!") He sees that walking on a loose leash by your side is rewarding.

There's also another one similar to the one I just described. You have the dog on a leash and toss a treat out the length of the leash. Let the dog get it then call him to you. When he comes, grab his collar, feed him a treat and give praise. This game works for several things besides leash training. It can be helpful in teaching your dog to trust you and also to come to you when off leash. It prevents them from playing the "you can't catch me" game in public when you need them.

I've been pretty brief but those are just a few examples. It'd be a lot easier if I could demonstrate. If these exercises, along with some others, are done consistently and in the correct way, they have amazing results.

Again, I'm not criticizing any of you for using choke collars...its just other people out there.

I do not think choke chains are cruel. It does not choke the dog, and it helps you train it. Regular collars often choke the dog of it struggles. I actually like the choke chain, believe it or not.

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*Get a Grip Get an Aussie*

wolflady, (on the first page, third message *I know this is a little bit behind!*)

oh my god.... I went to that rottweiler website. who ever did that to that poor thing? the neck was got all cut!
I am using a choke chain on my dog right now too. I don't think it is causing her much problem. she seems to be sensitive with a nylon collar because her neck is all red after she wore one, so I switched to a choke chain. I guess I better be careful around those kind of collars around my dog. thanks for the tip.

Aly, thanks for the interesting info on your training techniques!
Blueruby, welcome to Pet Talk! I know, I couldn't believe that dog survived!

Choke, or check, chains are as cruel as cars or guns if the person using them is incompetent. They are legitimate tools when used with an understanding of the individual dog being handled.
Prong collars are also a tool and, in the right hands, are even better than check chains. They spread any pressure from a correction around the neck of the dog instead of concentrating the majority of the pressure on the front and at the ring. The prongs are there to spread the pressure, not to inflict injury or pain in any way.
They look, and are, savage in the wrong hands.
Maybe the time has come for legislation - there are many people that I have seen that should not be allowed to handle a dog let alone use these tools.

Carrie,
I was going to post that about the prong collars. But I couldn't remember if I really heard that. It is true. If you put a choke collar on your arm and snap it and put a prong collar on your arm and snap it the prong collar is so much more better.

I do not advocate the use of choke chains, and in the wrong hands they can be lethal! I have seen dogs with permanent damage to their windpipes, caused by over zealous or hash use of a choke chain, and in the worst possible scenario, a fractured windpipe, a dog could drop down dead! far better to use the kind equipment now on the market, gentle leaders, halti's etc, and good old fashioned training!

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Originally posted by blueruby:
I am using a choke chain on my dog right now too. I don't think it is causing her much problem. she seems to be sensitive with a nylon collar because her neck is all red after she wore one, so I switched to a choke chain. I guess I better be careful around those kind of collars around my dog. thanks for the tip.

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I'm curious as to what type of nylon collar your dog had that would leave her neck red. What it a buckle or quik-clip or the kind that is similar to the choke chain only made out of nylon?

Choke Chains are the most dangerous collars you could have a dog wear all the time!! People should know way better. My Lab, Sadie, only wears her Choke Chain when I have her on a leash. If you really love your dog, having a choke chain as a permanent collar is almost cruel!!! I wouldn't care how much a nylon buckle collar or leather collar would cost, I would NEVER, EVER put a choke chain on my dog as a permanent collar!!! The ring could very easily get cought on something, and the dog would choke to death, and die!! Whenever I see a dog with a choke chain on, I always let the owners know how dangerous it is, and that theri dog could die by getting choked to death!!!!! It makes me soooooooo mad to see people do that to their poor little dog!!! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/mad.gif http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/mad.gif http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/mad.gif

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Originally posted by carrie:

Prong collars are also a tool and, in the right hands, are even better than check chains. They spread any pressure from a correction around the neck of the dog instead of concentrating the majority of the pressure on the front and at the ring. The prongs are there to spread the pressure, not to inflict injury or pain in any way.
They look, and are, savage in the wrong hands.

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This is exactly what I wanted to say, but I couldn't find the right words.