Choke chains

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goldengryffindor

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Well i have a maltese x bichon frise and we have been going to a dog obedience club, shes 16months old and pulls quite a bit when excited, and stands on hind legs. everynow and again she will do some nice heeling but then will start pulling. some people have recommended a choke chain for her and we have got one but some people think they are cruel, are they? i didnt think they were but am not sure now?
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sorry this is so long!
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I think it would be better to train her to walk to heel and not pull....

Am not totally opposed to choke chains - but I wouldn't use one on my dog - I think you need to know what you are doing before using one. I saw a man with a border collie in one who was almost strangling his dog and the dog was desperately trying to paw at it's neck to get the chain off...

If you dog pulls (I speak from experience as my puppy tends towards pulling
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) then I have found the only way to sort it is to not allow the dog to move unless it isn't pulling. So I won't walk forward if he pulls - then I make him walk around the back of me and back into heel position and then give the cue to walk on and then 'heel close' - if he pulls again I do the same - he soon gets the idea
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Check chain is the more correct term. I use one for my Tess and I walk my Tina on a slip lead which is similar, it's a loop like a check chain, but then extends into a lead. Although it is material as opposed to chain.

Never ever use them with extending leads. Get someone to show you how to use it correctly as they can be dangerous otherwise
 
The thing is molly however many times i correct her she seems to just forget a few minutes later but will keep trying. Just out of intrest GinaB howcome you should never use an seperate lead on a check chain?
 
I mean the extending/retracting sorts, not a normal lead. Sorry didn't make that clearer in my first post
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Can be dangerous as if your dog pulls out to the full length of the lead at speed and it suddenly stops giving when it reaches the end of the lead, the check chain is going to tighten very quickly around poor doggies neck!

I always walk Tess in one as she has more respect for it than in a collar, but it's never tight around her neck, it is always lying loose. As for the slip lead, they are just easier used out on the field while shooting.

I find the way Widget trains her to dog to heel the best way to train them. If they pull, just stop. Don't allow them to walk on until they have come back to heel. And use the 'heel' command firmly each time so they learn to associate the word with walking by your side. You'll soon be able to let them off the lead altogether, but when you say 'heel' they should still walk to heel.

Can you get anyone to show you the correct way to use the chain?
 
U can also try changing direction if you dont feel like standing waiting for a long length of time...some dogs are very stubborn.....basically just walk and everythime the dogs pulls ahead..change direction quickly with a tug..this will get her attention...she will soon get the idea that everytime she gets to far ahead you u tug and basically she has to follow the change of direction....when she is walking by yourside you need to praise her or offer a titbit...even though not getting a tug or having to change direction should do it....but tis nice to slip a praise or a small titbit...preferabey a one that can be consumed quickly...so she does not have to sit and munch itbefore training commences.
Also give her a comand whilst at your side ie heel.
U will need a good lead as his can hinder the training...esp exendy leads..I hate those things
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Choke chains fitted correctly are not cruel in my opinion. People yanking on leather collars because their dog has no leash-manners is damaging to the dog. I don't have choke collars, but I have had one in the past for a dog who enjoyed the dragging people around lark - he soon learned not to do this with a few gentle but firm sessions with a choke chain.
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I tried a choke/check chain on my 9 and a half stone Ridgeback puppy.... (well 8 months) ... he was a nightmare... the problem was the chain did nothing... I didn't have the strength to 'check' him back and didn't want him constantly leaning therefore tightening the collar (which incidently never really restricted) IF you do get a chain make sure you hav eit on the correct way so that it can release easily... if it is on incorrectly the 'restriction' will not release and ultimately can strangle a dog.. NEVER leave the dog tied up with a chain on either if they become tangled they can strangle themselves too.

I digress!!! Anyways I use a Canny Collar for my Finny now,.. what I like about this is that I can slip it off when he isn't pulling, the second he starts to pull or I think he may I sit him treat him and slip the 'nose' on again... when he stops pulling I treat him whilst slipping the 'nose' off....

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Once the 'nose' is slipped off it acts as a regular collar.
 
I wouldn't use one, never have and have never needed to as I've always managed to train mine to walk nicely by using the 'you start pulling and we stop walking' method. I've been shot down in flames for this one before but I think they're cruel, painful and unnecessary. I would also point out that the dog should never be let off the lead with the choke chain left on as it could get caught up and strangle the dog.
 
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I would also point out that the dog should never be let off the lead with the choke chain left on as it could get caught up and strangle the dog

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Same as with people who use nylon collars.... I never do get why anyone would use a nylon collar on a dog especially as they wouldn't even consider leaving one on a horse all day long.
 
Stell-a heels nicely, so I use a harness on her, which is better for brachiocephalic breeds anyway. I sometimes mix it up and use a regular flat collar, just so she remembers what it feels like to walk in one.

I have no idea how the new chap will walk. Having used Gentle Leaders on several large breeds (a Pit and a Cane Corso), I will more than likely use one of those if he turns out to be a puller. Obedience classes are being started the week after he arrives, though, so hopefully that'll keep things in check.

A lot of people use prong collars over here, which look awful, in my opinion.
 
Some owners are not willing to be patient and use the COMFORABLE methods for want of a better word....and when there is a large breed potentially dangerous dog on the end of the lead...that could potentially be a danger to its self/owner and others then a choke chain is when used correctly the most effective when time is of the essence.
Half check chains are absoloutley fine if people are willing to use them correctly also....however I tend to find the majority of the people that ask for advice....want a method that is instant
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and just arent willing to put in the time....is ok to use a normal family pet with an exagerated pulling problem.....but when it comes to a potential dangerous situation the most effective methods need to be used,atleast until a more comfortable methodcan be used.

Ps I actually use slip leads....none of my dogs pull....as there are large/giant breed rescues that came to me with serious behavioural problems...then one session on a choke chain is worth the remainder of their lives walks on a slip lead....which I prefer.

However each to their own and ability to use the aid in question.
ps I have seen some horrendous accidents with collars/extendy leads....snapping
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leading to dogs being knocked down and other being savaged....I suppose none are fail safe
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Star has a choke chain or what ever, but it doesn't seem to cause much pain, or make her pull that much less!
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She doesn't drag me over on the chain though so thats got to be a plus!

She looks quite cute in it though with her pink collar, and it rattles on her tag so at least we can here what she is doing!
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thanks for the info so far. i go to a dog obedience class once a week so they have shown me already but i will get them to check it. so mabye i would only need to use it for a few sessions as a reminder?
 
check chains are not cruel if used properly, however to many people think that it is a good thing to put on their dog to make it look matcho but do not have a clue on how to use it which is the most annoying thing ever. harnesses are an absolute waste of time to stop pulling as they do the opposite and encourage it as it goes round the strongest part of the body (but good for breeds that find breathing a mission) i have always used a halti on problem dogs as if you have control of their head they cannot go anywhere.however a canni or a gentle leader is just as good but works in different ways. the canni was designed to have the same outcome as a halti but to stop a dog digging at its face to get it off, a gentle leader works on pressure points on the head and the halti trightens round the nose if pulling and releases when stopped. i wouldnt use the chain as a permenant thing on your small dog as may cause discomfort, i also wouldnt use on choc labs or staffies as they are breeds that will strangle themselves with them.
 
The number of people I have seen using choke chains the wrong way round is unbelieble! The simple fact is that many people don't know how to put them on or how to use them and this is equally dangerous as using a regular collar. Any dog that pulls with any collar risks permanant damage to their neck. Personally I use a halter on my large dog as although she can walk to heel, if she see's a cat she will lunge forward and its just not safe. I'm not saying I am against the use of check/choke chains I think there are too many people using them incorrectly.
 
The number of people I have seen using choke chains the wrong way round is unbelievable! The simple fact is that many people don't know how to put them on or how to use them and this is equally dangerous as using a regular collar. Any dog that pulls with any collar risks permanant damage to their neck. Personally I use a halter on my large dog as although she can walk to heel, if she see's a cat she will lunge forward and its just not safe. I'm not saying I am against the use of check/choke chains I think there are too many people using them incorrectly.
 
I would never use one personally - I much prefer to use a halter (there are many different types that you can try as one size does not fit all) in conjection with regular training.
 
Just because you use a chain or slip lead doesn't mean your dog isn't trained. My wee dog is trained to walk to heel perfectly and wears the chain and my lab is exceedlingly well trained but is walked in a slip lead. Ease of use as well. It's easier to take a chain/slip lead off to let your dog off the lead for a while instead of leaving on a collar that can easily get caught.

There is nothing cruel about a check chain if used correctly. They are a training aid, not an instrument of torture!
 
I agree, they're not cruel if they're used properly by people who know what they are doing. And they are certainly NOT for people who have no interest in training their dog properly, that's just a silly comment, and you could say the same thing about halters.

We have been taking our lab to gundog training with a very well-known and well-respected gundog trainer, and he is an advocate of a chain used correctly, and does so to great effect. If you saw him work with the dogs on the lead, you would never say the chain is cruel.

But of course, in the wrong hands, it could be very distressing indeed.
 
If people called them by their correct name (CHECK chains)then maybe they would remember how to use them properly.The trouble is the people who sell them in pet shops haven't a clue how to use them or fit them.
I have been stunned by the number of people who haven't a clue how to even walk a dog correctly nowadays.
I've just started training classes again with my new pup (Socializing more than anything) People turn up walking their dogs on the wrong side (Are there so many left handed people nawadays?)They use halters and the dog is spending more time trying to get the things off than working,and Harnesses---don't get me started on THEM(Harnesses are for tracking dogs,sledge dogs,guide dogs and pit bull terriers..all dogs you want to go out in front or pull without hurting themselves)
Some even turn up with wide collors and thin chained leads (Ever tried a check with a chain lead--Ow!
Then there are the people who walk their dogs along a roadside footpath on those hand ripping retractable leads that are about ten foot long--no control if the dog suddenly shoots out into the road!!!--rant over
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i agree that a lot of people in pet shops dont know much but some do
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i worked in pet shops for last 3yrs
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and i would always make sure the people knew what they were doing. i never ever sold a check chain to somebody i didnt think would use it properly and if i did sell them i always asked them to show me how you use them, that way you are not insulting people if they do know. if they did it wrong then i would show them the right way and explain the danger of doing it wrong. i agree about harnesses most harnesses that would come to the till would go back on the shelf, and retractable leads??? the person that designed them well........
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halters are good but again a lot of people get the wrong size dont get the dog used to it etc etc. i always got the customer to bring in the dog size them up and show then how to put it on. (i always do it from the front so the dog can see what is going on) and then how to distract the dog by playing or giving treats. but i have also always told them to put it on the dog randomly so that the dog does not think its going out everytime it goes on
 
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