Comments on: Do You Think I’m Cruel For Using A Check (choke) Chain?

By: Solitaire in the South

Solitaire in the South — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:25:37 +0000

okay…have you ever seen a dog pass out from being choked?
not nice.
OI have a Dobie, and use a halter on her.
Chokes are NOT a GOOD IDEA, FRIENDS!

By: Anon

Anon — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:48:46 +0000

How dare your dog try to have fun on his walk! You must command your dog’s every action! There must be perfect obedience! He must walk 2 steps behind you and cater to your every whim! After all you are the superior being and must be in complete control of everything as master of the pack!
That’s what I think of people who use choke chains. No you’re not cruel, but lighten up a little bit and let your dog have fun.

By: AirForce Wife [[<3]]

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:03:35 +0000

I think you are very responsible! Don’t be mean to people when they are mean to you though. That’s giving them what they want. If they ask you about it then calmly explain to them what you are doing. However if you have a toy dog then yes I absolutely think it’s cruel because the dog can be severely injured by a choke chain. Big dogs hardly feel it though. I think shock collars are worse than choke chains!!! Just make sure you are doing what is right for you and your poochy and don’t worry about other people.

By: Honeybel

Honeybel — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:33:10 +0000

I wouldn’t worry about them, they are obviously ignorant that the check chain (I too prefer that name) is a great training tool when used correctly. I am currently training my Malinois using the positive reward method but once he knows the commands I will be using a check chain to clean up his responses. I intend trialling him in the Obedience ring so if we want to succeed his responses need to clean and fast.
I personally reckon it would be far more uncomfortable for a dog to be pulling in a normal collar. At least a check is a quick jerk and release action, not prolonged. Also, when they are well trained all you need to do is virtually jiggle the chain to remind them of what is expected.

By: MyNewNic

MyNewNic — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:40:05 +0000

I’ve been involved in formal dog obedience training from back in the days when check chains were the norm and positive reinforcement wasn’t very important compared to correction.
So, I’ve trained dogs the ‘old fashioned’ way and also using more modern ways.
A check chain used correctly isn’t cruel really, and I think people are over reacting.
But I have to tell you, positive methods are better than physical correction with a check chain. I haven’t taken my check chains out of storage for years now – don’t need them if you train well.
My dogs vary between 10-30kgs so small and large and they learn not to pull etc by training in distraction free environments to learn what is expected. I use my voice as correction, not physcial means like a check chain.
I also use harnesses or haltis when out walking while my dog is still learning not to pull so that I don’t have to be trying to train them all the time – they can relax on the walk. (I use them in combination with teaching them the correct behaviour, not as an alternative to training like some people do.)
Prong collars are cruel in my opinion.

By: Mags

Mags — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:52:32 +0000

We have always used a choke chain to train our dog, and it proves effective. Once our dog learned not to pull on the lead and understood the basic commands, we stopped using the choke chain. Now we just yank on the leash with her normal collar on when she misbehaves and she gets the idea that she needs to listen and obey.
So long as it isn’t one of those scary choke chains with a bit of a barbed-wire look to it, it’s fine. And I agree, it is much better than having your dog pull you around all over the place. You are the master pack leader after all.

By: Wendy M

Wendy M — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:10:48 +0000

I agree with everyone else here. We used a prong collar with our 20 lb terrier mix when we went on walks, but only after taking training classes on how to properly use it. He had some dominance and aggression issues, and positive reinforcement was not enough to get him to behave properly and safely in public. We took him to the obedience class and after 5 minutes of a consultation with the trainer, she pulled out that collar. Scared us at first but I really don’t think we would have been able to change his attitude with only positive reinforcement.
I’ve never had people give me dirty looks for correcting my dog in public, I’m shocked that people are so rude to you!

By: KHAYOS-supprt HR1207!!!!

KHAYOS-supprt HR1207!!!! — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:34:23 +0000

I don’t know. I have mixed feelings about punishment collars. My animals are trained with positive reinforcement and I get great results with it. It takes a lot more energy and pateince though.
My parents on the other had use shock collars. *shrugs* I don’t agree with it but their dogs learned pretty damn fast with them.
I might have given you a weird look but there’s no reason to yell and be rude like that. As long as it’s being used properly…to each their own.
My JRT mix did great with positive training and clickers. He was afraid of the clicker at first but he got over it lol

By: Chimney

Chimney — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:41:01 +0000

That’s how its meant to be used. People do exactly the same thing to my Dad when we walk our dogs and the pull, he pulls back on the chain to ‘check’ the dog and people will glare at him for it or shake their head, so i glare back at them and shake my head.
Its completely right the way you’re using it, its not like you’re doing it to the dog delibrately for no reason and being cruel. Being cruel is when you drag our dog by it, continuously pull the chain on the dog for no reason, and when you have it so tight the dogs eyes are popping out of its head! Thats when id call you a prick!

By: moof

moof — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:00:37 +0000

I wouldn’t go so far as to say “cruel,” just poorly educated on the subject.
Have you ever used a choke chain on yourself? We tried it on our legs once. We didn’t jerk it hard or tighten it very much. We gave it a light, simple pop, which I imagine is identical or very similar to your “check.” And that pop STUNG. It had us dancing around the room in pain. Dogs tend to have higher pain tolerance as well as their fur coats, so the effect isn’t quite the same, but it should absolutely be considered.
A Study on Prong Collars was done in Germany:
* 100 dogs were in the study. 50 used choke and 50 used prong.
* The dogs were studied for their entire lives. As dogs died, autopsies were performed.
* Of the 50 which had chokes, 48 had injuries to the neck, trachea, or back. 2 of those were determined to be genetic. The other 46 were caused by trauma.
* Of the 50 which had prongs, 2 had injuries in the neck area, 1 was determined to be genetic. 1 was caused by trauma.http://cobankopegi.com/prong.html
An article by Pam Dennison on positive training: http://www.positivedogs.com/articles/swi…
Consider that article carefully.
EDIT: ..Okay, wait, you’re using the choke chain on a puppy? I’d say that’s rather cruel. He’s a puppy, for crying out loud. If we can relatively easily train English Mastiffs to behave without painful tools, why can’t you teach a small/medium dog as much?