Do You Think I’m Cruel For Using A Check (choke) Chain?
November 10, 2009 by admin
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
I was walking my dog and he was by my side and then he pulled to go across the front of me at a bird, I “checked” him (tighten the chain for a second) and said “AHH!” and he came back into position, a lady driving by slowed down and called me a “PRICK!” then drove off.
Also this afternoon when I walked my dog I told him to sit and he dropped instead so I “checked” him and he went back into place like he was supposed too and was rewarded for doing it right.
Three other people were in the dog park with me at the time and two of them shunned me and glared at me (even though their dogs were barking and pulling them along) and only the greyhound trainer (who I know well) gave me a nod and smile.
I feel like people are being so judgmental because I use a check chain in combination with reward when training my dog.
Do you think so??
(I don’t use it as a chocker, I use it correctly)
THANKS!
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Actually, Anon, that’s exactly right. My dog MUST walk where he is supposed to, how fast he is supposed to, and listen to every command that leaves my mouth. If not, he gets corrected, by means of a choke chain.
It’s got nothing to do with having fun and lightening up. Leaving my property isn’t a time for lenience, that’s when bad things happen. Fun time is when my dog is calm and has arrived at the given destination. They get let of their leashes, and if they listen, the fun continues. The second they stop listening, they lose the privilege of running free.
I use a check chain on both my 30kg Border Collie/Staffy/GSD mix and my 15kg Jack Russel/Miniature Pinscher mix.
And no, Solitaire, I’ve never seen a dog pass out from a choke chain. It must have something to do with using the thing correctly as a tool for correction, not punishment.
A properly fitted, properly worn, properly used choke collar doesn’t choke or hurt the dog in any way, it just gets his attention. Far too many people ignorantly or cruelly misuse them, but from what you wrote, it seems as though you are using it properly, and to good effect. Train on!
for me i think your doing the right thing it makes the dog listen to you so they know not to walk ahead of you or to pull you i have a 12 week old pit bull and i get the same kind of looks your talking about but it helps a lot she wont walk ahead of me and she listens now if i don’t use it wow shes a different puppy so for me i think your doing the right thing like i said don’t listen to other people
“It doesn’t hurt that much” to you but what about when it’s around your dogs neck. To each his own in training, but I found that using a gentle leader harness works well on my dog who is a german shepherd/malamute mix. I don’t even think that this would hurt him at all.
as long as you never use it as an abusive manner it is fine. they meant for training purposes and eventually some day your dog will no longer need the choke collar. don’t worry about other people think as long as you are using it in a corrective manner, which it sounds like you are
if you are using it correctly I think it’s kinder.
We use it with our dog as it’s not heavy and uncomfortable.
He knows when we are correcting him as it’s the only time his collar is tight.
Are you correcting too sharply – is that perhaps why you’re getting comments? We’ve used ours for nine years with no comments.
no you are not be cruel that is the best way to train your dog and since you use it correctly don’t worry about other people say or do you just keep on training him sounds like you are doing a great job
You are using it correctly and the lady was WAY out of line.
That said, I think a prong collar is a better and safer training tool.
I think you are doing the right thing, far more damage is done to dogs throats when they are allowed to constantly pull than when a quick check is given in the correct manner.
No you aren’t cruel. You are training your dog. I think it is perfectly fine.
You’re teaching your dog correctly and there’s nothing wrong with that.
I do find it hard to believe that you have a jack russell mix that stands at knee length. I have a beagle/jack russell mix and my dog looks like a beagle ( tri- color) and is the size of a jack russell. Pretty much he’s just a tad bit smaller than a small beagle.
When you keep your pet in check then you don’t have problems. Just a greater pet when he/she learns everything that needs to be learned.
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?
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!
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!