Where I go to train choke, prawn and other collars like that are forbidden in all classes. They prefer instead that the dogs have flat nylon buckle collars, and use only positive reinforcement. They work with the owner and dog until they find something that motivates the dog to work. For some it's food, others toys and others it's just a willingness to please.

I do however understand that some dogs need something like the choke collar, to get the message through to them that what they are doing is not right. When I first got Smudge I tried one on him but it didn't seem to offer any help, so now I use the good ol positive reinforcement with all my dogs. Treat the good ignore the bad.