Traing using choke chain.

[JeanieK]

Has anyone taken their yorkie to an obedience class where they require choke chains?

The local Kennel club offers obedience training but he said they use choke chains. I'd like to take mine, but not sure about the choke chain.

I certainly would not use it for corrections, so what would be the purpose?

It's a kennel club. Shouldn't they know what they are doing?

[livingdustmops]

I would not attend a training school that used choke collars on a Yorkie for all the obvious reasons. I think some of these trainers only understand big dogs and don't understand what can happen to a Yorkie's trachea. Did you explain it was a Yorkie and your concerns?

[chattiesmom]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

Has anyone taken their yorkie to an obedience class where they require choke chains?

The local Kennel club offers obedience training but he said they use choke chains. I'd like to take mine, but not sure about the choke chain.

I certainly would not use it for corrections, so what would be the purpose?

It's a kennel club. Shouldn't they know what they are doing?

The instructor at the class I am going to is a high level agility trainer. She recommends the use of certain equipment that she has had success with but does not REQUIRE it.

If you are interested in taking the classes, then call and talk with the instructor. If he/she knows anything about yorkies then they will be familiar with the collapsing trachea problem.

Just because it is a "kennel club" doesn't mean that they are experienced in the training of small dogs. good luck..... keep me posted, I am really intrested.

[cekaai]

My yorkie attends training at Petco and the instructor reprimanded a dog owner that was using a choke chain on his dog she made him buy immediately a nylon collar and lead since even his lead was a chain. Even in the adult class the two rotties are in harnesses. No choke chain or chain collars. I suggest you find another place to train your yorkie because the choke chain is a clear sign that they won't be teaching positive reinforcement

[RoxyJosMom]

My daughter almost lost one or maybe both of her dogs because of a choke chain. Pru was wearing one and playing with Max. Somehow, his jaw got caught in the chain and the more he tried to get out, the tighter it got. She was screaming and trying to get them loose and thank goodness a neighbor grabbed a chain link fence cutter and got them apart. Pru's tongue was blue and her eyes were rolled back in her head and Max's jaw was cut and bleeding. His tooth was caught in a link. Needless to say, no more choke chains. They both survived the ordeal and are fine. I think choke chains are cruel, no matter what they are used for.

[Jaspermom]

I am sure the trainer will completely understand your objections to choke collars. Just say no.

[peanut]

Never no way no how would I use a choke chain on a yorkie....I was told by the vet not to use one on Max my 5 month old 50 pound GSD, He suggest the prong one because it doesn't hurt his trachea...I wouldn't even use a collar to walk a yorkie either...So I would tell them NO or find another class.....

[MinMuf1]

OMG!!! HECK NO!!! I don't want to even imagine what would happen... I was only required to use a standard lead during our training sessions - No retractibles. But, choke chain... UNSPEAKABLE!!!

[Whirlgirl]

Not a good idea with such a small dog. & they can be dangerous when used improperly even with bigger dogs.

[dizpatch]

I would never ever use a chain on a Yorkie.
I am also of the opinion that with yorkies you should use a harness for walking on a leash.
Problem with training collars even on the larger breed of dogs is that most people do not know how to properly use them and hence the name CHOKE Chain.

[alaskayorkie]

My obedience school wanted me to use a prong collar, and after discussing it with YTers I refused. I used a leather collar, and he did just fine. In retrospect, I would have used a harness instead. Yorkie necks are nothing to fool with.

I think a lot of obedience school instructors lack experience with small dogs and treat them just like they would big dogs. And not enough schools are versed in positive training techniques that use no corrections.

[caterzane]

there is no reason you would need to use a choke chain for any small dog.
We took our Lab to an obidience class a couple of years ago, and most of the people with bigger dogs used the choke chains, and most of the smaller dog owners used their own harnesses or collars, the trainer didnt have a problem with it.
I found it helpful with our lab, but there is no way i would ever put one on my yorkie. (or my beagle)

[FirstYorkie]

I agree with the above. No choke chains, especially on small dogs!

Given what we know now about the effectiveness of postive training, I seriously doubt that I would attend a class that used choke chains on any dog.

As for being told that they won't be used for corrections, choke chains automatically provide punishment: dog pulls = he gets choked. What could be more of a "correction" (punishment)?

[Chelsey]

I would NEVER use a choke chain, specially on small breeds! There are better methods of training, without using a choke chain! I just don't believe in them period!

[Dougal&Little]

I just want to put my two pennies in here. I think that any training school which says "only" choke chains is not going to be using the kind of training methods which will motivate your yorkie. When I first got Dougal (my first dog EVER) I took him along to the obedience club for training - they're recommended by the city council and I thought I was doing the right thing.

Dougal would do everything they wanted (tho he didn't heel very well) but he wasn't very enthused about it. They also suggested a choke chain for him.

I've now discovered the joy of postive (clicker) training. Dougal heels beautifully off lead and we're doing pretty well in agility. He's really motivated. I could not have done this without clicker / positive training.

I've clicker trained Dixie from the start and boy is she a wonderment!

I say find a different training club! Ask about their training methods before you commit your hard earned money!