Choke Chains OPINIONS

[KJJ]

[ QUOTE ]
It does depend on the dog and the trainer on occassions though as well. Some dogs just don't lke chains full stop. My dog just hates collars, won't wear one.

You could also try the 'working' kind of dog lead you use of gundogs, they're just as effective

[/ QUOTE ]You mean the slip leads? We have one that we used on the lurcher... however we found it didn't 'slip' and doesn't loosen like a chain does... so the lurcher now has a small choke chain and is brilliant in it!!

 

[GinaB]

That is probably what I mean! Lol Hmm I find Tina's loosens fine (even on her big thick neck!) Maybe Tinks wee neck is too skinny

 

[JustKickOn]

the people who hurt their animals on purpose should not have them.

those who hurt their animals because they don't know what their doing need help.

and those animals who have caring owners are the luckiest in the world!

thats what i say.

are you getting a puppy? sorry havent read all the posts, what breed?? you must get pictures!

i lent a pen to a boy in my class once, next to see the entire thing flying across the room..

in separate parts. i never did see that pen again

lol

im dangerous when im cooking, as i always use too many of the wrong ingredients

the time i made chilli con carne! that was funny lol.

anyway. good luck with your new pup!!

 

[GinaB]

*whispers* she's got a lovely RR puppy!

 

[KJJ]

[ QUOTE ]
That is probably what I mean! Lol Hmm I find Tina's loosens fine (even on her big thick neck!) Maybe Tinks wee neck is too skinny

[/ QUOTE ]Yeah perhaps... dunno?! Not been effective for us unfortunaley

 

[GinaB]

Well at least he's happy now in the chain. Tina would probably go nuts if I put her in anything else. In saying that she walks that well I don't put a lead on her anyways!

 

[KJJ]

[ QUOTE ]
the people who hurt their animals on purpose should not have them.

those who hurt their animals because they don't know what their doing need help.

and those animals who have caring owners are the luckiest in the world!

thats what i say.

are you getting a puppy? sorry havent read all the posts, what breed?? you must get pictures!

i lent a pen to a boy in my class once, next to see the entire thing flying across the room..

in separate parts. i never did see that pen again

lol

im dangerous when im cooking, as i always use too many of the wrong ingredients

the time i made chilli con carne! that was funny lol.

anyway. good luck with your new pup!!

[/ QUOTE ]LMAO!!

You mean you have missed my MANY posts about me lovely Rhodesian Ridgeback?!

You obv don't get on here much!! hehe!!

Here is my baby boy...
(Aged 22-23 weeks in these piccys)

 

[KJJ]

[ QUOTE ]
*whispers* she's got a lovely RR puppy!

[/ QUOTE ]LOL - I can't believe there is someone that hasn't been bored by my pictures of him already!! LOL!!

 

[GinaB]

Wahey gratuious Finn piccies!

 

[KJJ]

[ QUOTE ]
Wahey gratuious Finn piccies!

[/ QUOTE ]PMSL!! Any excuse!!

 

[KJJ]

[ QUOTE ]
Well at least he's happy now in the chain. Tina would probably go nuts if I put her in anything else. In saying that she walks that well I don't put a lead on her anyways!

[/ QUOTE ]Aww bless!!!

I don't have Finn on a lead when at the yard etc,,, but near roads I would just incase, espech as he's a bubba!!

 

[sojeph]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
One of JRT's and my collie will pull until they sound like they're gonna pass out in an ordinary collar. My fault really..never taught them properly as I rarely ever walk them. I now use a harness for both and neither pull at all in them. So that would be my preference..don't really like the ideas of choke chains or actually anything round their necks..

[/ QUOTE ]The harness is just something he will lean on - I don't want 6stone on my right arm!! LOL!!
[ QUOTE ]
I'm naughty, none of mine wear collars.

[/ QUOTE ]

Naughty!! Isn't that illegal Sojeph!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

I know I'm naughty but I rarely walk my dogs. If I do they have their harness on which has their tags on and they are microchipped. My rescue collie is very collar shy and my jacks always have their heads stuck in something or other and I worry about them getting caught up. They generally never leave my garden or paddock and I'm always with them if they are out of the garden area.
As for the harness, none of mine lean on it in the slightest, I've no idea why but they just don't but did like hell on their collars!

 

[KJJ]

[ QUOTE ]
I know I'm naughty but I rarely walk my dogs. If I do they have their harness on which has their tags on and they are microchipped. My rescue collie is very collar shy and my jacks always have their heads stuck in something or other and I worry about them getting caught up. They generally never leave my garden or paddock and I'm always with them if they are out of the garden area.
As for the harness, none of mine lean on it in the slightest, I've no idea why but they just don't but did like hell on their collars!

[/ QUOTE ]Oh hun I didn't mean for you to justify yourself - I just had an inclining it was, but if you have the tag on the harness then you are then LEGAL!! PMSL!!

 

[jackie36]

i use a dogmatic headcollar + a half check and a double ended lead. mostly the lead is slack at the headcollar, and they are walking on the half check. but should they decide to dance around like a pair of plonkers i have the control i need, as they are giant breeds.

xxx

 

[JustKickOn]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
the people who hurt their animals on purpose should not have them.

those who hurt their animals because they don't know what their doing need help.

and those animals who have caring owners are the luckiest in the world!

thats what i say.

are you getting a puppy? sorry havent read all the posts, what breed?? you must get pictures!

i lent a pen to a boy in my class once, next to see the entire thing flying across the room..

in separate parts. i never did see that pen again

lol

im dangerous when im cooking, as i always use too many of the wrong ingredients

the time i made chilli con carne! that was funny lol.

anyway. good luck with your new pup!!

[/ QUOTE ]LMAO!!

You mean you have missed my MANY posts about me lovely Rhodesian Ridgeback?!

You obv don't get on here much!! hehe!!

Here is my baby boy...
(Aged 22-23 weeks in these piccys)

[/ QUOTE ]

omg how sweet is he!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i do come on here.. but not in the all about dogs bit that much. i saw the choke chain thing when veiws the list of forums and though wonder what thats about lol.

hehe ooh both your doggies are so incredibly sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[sylvapak]

I show huskies... i only ever use choke chains in the ring as you have more control etc etc.... as for any other time we walk them in a harness or a normal collar as huskies are meant to pull... keeps them fitter!

 

[milor]

Finn seems to be a gentle sweet natured lad and it should not be too difficult to train him out of the habit of pulling when excited. I have jotted down a few ideas you might find useful.

Momentum gives a dog more force allowing them to pull harder on the lead. The first step then is to teach your dog to stop pulling whilst you're standing still. Then to stop him pulling as you take one step, then two, and so on. Simply stand still and wait for him to stop pulling, then praise him. You may not get very far at first but at this stage he need to be clear that if he pulls the walks stop

Have you ever taught your dog that walking to heel is a "nice" thing to do? Use clicker training to lure him to your leg and teach him that heel is a nice place to be. Arm yourself with some treats ( cheese works with my dogs) call him to your side 'click' as you say 'heel' then immediately praise and give him his treat - then step forward - if he pulls stop, click, give the command and praise.
Start at the beginning - if your dog jumps about madly in the house when you go to get the lead, then you need to teach him to be calm and sit nicely before putting the lead on. Excitement also increases energy and give him the ability to pull harder on the lead. Again, clicker training is excellent to teach him good behaviour.

good luck

 

[ru-fi-do]

Sorry haven't read all the post yet, but i have tried everything on my collies! They get very excited when they go out and actually are better off the lead so try and take them round fields as much as possible. I found with choke chains they just pulled against them. Halti's (face one) just irritated them and made one of the faces sore, so then i tried just a normal harness and it is great they do still pull at first but you have so uch more control over them. I also use one on my little staffy cross they are alot more comfortable in them.

 

[KJJ]

[ QUOTE ]
I show huskies... i only ever use choke chains in the ring as you have more control etc etc.... as for any other time we walk them in a harness or a normal collar as huskies are meant to pull... keeps them fitter!

[/ QUOTE ]Woooooww couldn't imagine being towed along by my dog!! LOL!! Guess it keeps you fit bracing against them though!! LOL!!

This is what I was thinking - MOST showing dogs are showed in Chokes.... so they can't be as bad as some people make out - again if used properly!!

 

[KJJ]

[ QUOTE ]
Finn seems to be a gentle sweet natured lad and it should not be too difficult to train him out of the habit of pulling when excited. I have jotted down a few ideas you might find useful.

Momentum gives a dog more force allowing them to pull harder on the lead. The first step then is to teach your dog to stop pulling whilst you're standing still. Then to stop him pulling as you take one step, then two, and so on. Simply stand still and wait for him to stop pulling, then praise him. You may not get very far at first but at this stage he need to be clear that if he pulls the walks stop

Have you ever taught your dog that walking to heel is a "nice" thing to do? Use clicker training to lure him to your leg and teach him that heel is a nice place to be. Arm yourself with some treats ( cheese works with my dogs) call him to your side 'click' as you say 'heel' then immediately praise and give him his treat - then step forward - if he pulls stop, click, give the command and praise.
Start at the beginning - if your dog jumps about madly in the house when you go to get the lead, then you need to teach him to be calm and sit nicely before putting the lead on. Excitement also increases energy and give him the ability to pull harder on the lead. Again, clicker training is excellent to teach him good behaviour.

good luck

[/ QUOTE ]Hey milor,

Thanks for this.... If I am standing still Finny ALWAYS sits - he just waits when on the lead... it's when we are walking along and he see's something that 'he must get too' that is when he pulls, I try and prempt (is that a word?!) to and ask him to 'wait' pr 'sit' but sometimes I don't have a clue what it is he is trying to get too!?, Guess that'd be his scent tracking coming into play!! LOL!!

He will walkn the lead no probs.. however I am going to try the cheese thing tonight (If it's not too dangerous in the snow!!)

Will defo think about the clicker training with him, like you say he is a sweet natured boy and is extremely chilled.

With regards to the 'before' walkies.. again he does bounce around a little - purely because the lurcher goes mad te second he hears a chain/lead.... however they are both made to sit and wait for collars to be put on!!!

I don't think that it helps that the Lurcher pulls on the lead - so it is a bit of a comp.. I may suggest to OH that I only take out Finny on his own whilst he takes out Lurcher (Likely!!) we'll see.

Thanks guys.

I think perhaps the chain may be the way forward for now - hopefully with the treats I won't need to 'use' the choke action.

 

[KJJ]

[ QUOTE ]
i use a dogmatic headcollar + a half check and a double ended lead. mostly the lead is slack at the headcollar, and they are walking on the half check. but should they decide to dance around like a pair of plonkers i have the control i need, as they are giant breeds.

xxx

[/ QUOTE ]Ohh what is a dogmatic headcollar!?

I was considering having 2 collars, one half check and a choke... that way if he ignores the half check the choke can be used.. but think I may get confused!! LOL!!

 

[KJJ]

[ QUOTE ]
omg how sweet is he!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i do come on here.. but not in the all about dogs bit that much. i saw the choke chain thing when veiws the list of forums and though wonder what thats about lol.

hehe ooh both your doggies are so incredibly sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]Ahhh I see, well the pics are generally posted in here and the gallery!!

Thankies - I think they are handsome boys - even if Tinker looks like a girl!! *sniggers*

 

[KJJ]

[ QUOTE ]
Sorry haven't read all the post yet, but i have tried everything on my collies! They get very excited when they go out and actually are better off the lead so try and take them round fields as much as possible. I found with choke chains they just pulled against them. Halti's (face one) just irritated them and made one of the faces sore, so then i tried just a normal harness and it is great they do still pull at first but you have so uch more control over them. I also use one on my little staffy cross they are alot more comfortable in them.

[/ QUOTE ]Thanks for this.. I'm not keen on the halti, the harness we tried when he was smaller and he leans on it

... will see how he gets on with the CC. x

 

[Tinkerbee]

i used one, it worked only when using it and as soon as took it off she was a tank again

 

[KJJ]

[ QUOTE ]
i used one, it worked only when using it and as soon as took it off she was a tank again

[/ QUOTE ]Erm I assume then you would only take it off at home etc?!

Or do you mean take the pressure off?

 

[jackie36]

http://www.dogmatic.org.uk/

heres the dogmatic, they dont ride up into the eyes, unlike the halti. they are also somewhat more substatial (large dog proof lol). i use the leather type, softend with gycerine (sp).

xx

 

[jj4y]

I've not read the whole thread, but my advice would be to NOT use a choke chain, especially as your dog is still young and growing. Headcollars are a much kinder method of controlling your dog if control is an issue. I personally much prefer the gentle leader to a halti though.

 

[Mid]

My gran's dog needed one. After a few months in it he didn't pull at all. I'd reccomend them to anyone!

The one family I know who refused to use one, has the WORST behaved dog in the world. They think talking sternly is cruel xD

 

[jumbyjack]

Any sort of equipment can be cruel in the wrong hands, it's training that sorts out the pulling, I've seen plenty of people walking a dog on a normal collar, repeatedly yanking it and yelling 'heel' obviously working on the assumption that the dog automaticlly knows what it means. That sort of treatment can be much worse than a correctly used choke chain.


I would not use a flexi with a halti, too much risk of neck damage should the dog hit the end of the lead at speed.

 

[jj4y]

A check chain can be a useful piece of equipment if used in the right hands. However, corrections MUST be issued at exactly the right timing otherwise the dog will not learn what is required. They must also be put on the right way round so that they release as soon as the dog stops pulling. However, IMO they should not be used on a dog that is still growing.

It is also important to note that a dog does not learn as effectively by using punishment as it does by using positive reinforcement of the required behaviour. Punishment gives the dog no clue as to what you are actually want from the dog. Heelwork is an area of training that requires lots of work. All our dogs walk to heel both on and off the lead but thats only because we're put the time into acheiving it.