Choke chains on any dogs.

[RachelandSadie]

I wanted to get opinions on choke chains, prong collars, and other forms of metal correcting collars on dogs of all sizes. Obviously toy breeds don't even usually walk on a regular collar due to the collapsed trachea but what are your opinions on big dogs having them on?

I keep watching dogs come in to our dog trainer (I work at a community center with many classes each night) and these people all have choke chains and prong collars on their bigger dog and since they come back with them on I guess this trainer doesn't see them as a problem. I worry about a dog trainer who doesn't teach that those are uneccessary and cruel forms of correction and punishment especially on harmless and calm dogs such as sweet miniature poodles and other medium breeds.

What do ya'll think?

[107barney]

I am against this ineffective methods of training. Any trainer approving of these methods would not be anywhere near my dogs. He obviously is outmoded and uninformed about the correct and new way of training dogs with positive behavioral interventions.

[MikaTallulah]

It depends on the dog and if the person is using the tool correctly. I used a choke collar on my golden occasionally if the was not behaving on his walks.

[IsabelleOllie]

I would never use a choke chain or prong collar on any of my dogs. ANY size dog can end up with a collapsed trachea if they pull too hard against the collar (I knew a pit bull with CT) and some dogs react very poorly to pressure around their throats.

My big dog wears a regular collar. I train him using positive methods - never harsh corrections - and I walk him with a harness just like my little dogs.

Choke collars are outdated IMO.

[Britster]

I don't like them. I don't see a reason to use 'em. They won't ever touch one of my dogs.

However, I will say that two of the dogs that I dogsit wear prong collars, per the owners request, and they have no problem putting them on and get excited doing so and when they are wearing them, they do walk nicely. I just think that other alternatives should be tried first, such as the Easy Walk or the Halti Collar, etc.

I think, just like any other tool (a crate, a squirt bottle, a citronella collar, etc), it can be misused, overused, etc.

[BanditSocks2]

My friends lab mix wears a prong/choke collar. When he just has his regular collar on he pulls like mad on his leash, but when you put the choke collar on and he behaves so much better, and usually doesn't even pull. I have no problem using it on him. That being said there are obviously people who use and abuse it.

[Ringo1]

I don't care for either but believe the prong collar to be more humane and probably cause less long-term damage than the choke collar.

We did use a prong collar on Ringo when we were going to a trainer. I wasn't crazy about it but he did show me how it worked and that it would not cause trach damage like a choke collar.

That said - I believe my using positive reinforcement and distraction techniques on our walks - worked much better than any correction collar. I would not use it again on Ringo and certainly not on a tiny dog like a yorkie.

[BanditSocks2]

Didn't say it above, but I def wouldn't use it on my yorkies Maybe I could have Nala drag one behind, it'd get rid of some of her energy!

[jerseyhairball]

they need to be used by the right trainers on the proper dogs

[Britster]

Oh I wanted to add too that I also don't have a huge problem with regular collars on small dogs. Obviously if your dog is pretty tiny, I think a harness is the way to go! But I think it's important to teach a dog not to pull anyways (harness or not) and if they're not pulling... then no harm will be done to the neck on a regular collar, IMO. But I think even an 8lb non-pulling dog can be perfectly fine on a collar. I do use a harness on 16lb Jackson most of the time because he tends to slip out of collars easily but for quick potty breaks, I use a collar.

[gemy]

Okay as an exhibitor and competitor in obedience, first for many breeds of dogs shown in the conformation ring, choke collars are what is in use. For Yorkies the kindness collar/lead is used. Both these collars need to be put on correctly and used correctly. That being very high up under the neck, just underneath the ear, both for safety and effectiveness of correction.

Prong collars started to be used, in obedience training perhaps 10-15 yrs ago, and their use, is to say the least is controversial in some circles.

I do use at times the prong collar, and it was a necessity in training my big boy when he was a pup. You do how-ever need a trainer who is experienced in the proper use and timing, to train you when and how to use this tool .

Neither choke nor prong collars should be left on the dog beyond the train/walk timeframe.

There is a time, a place, for every tool. It is up to the discrimating person, to understand how to use those tools.

[Lovetodream88]

I think they are cruel and people need to stop being lazy with dog training and take the time to train there dogs positively.

[LDMomma]

I am not in agreement with their use on any dog. Ditto for shock collars.

[Rachael1983]

I may be in the minority here but I'm not opposed to them. I've trained with them before and find them to be effective. For a small dog like a yorkie I don't think I would go this route, but see no problems with a medium to large breed.

I've trained cocker spaniels, pit bulls, labs, a cavalier K.C., beagle and a few others. All did well. I will admit that I had to use a different method with my yorkie but see no problem with choke/prong collars. It's not cruel IMHO.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by Rachael1983

I've trained cocker spaniels, pit bulls, labs, a cavalier K.C., beagle and a few others. All did well. I will admit that I had to use a different method with my yorkie but see no problem with choke/prong collars. It's not cruel IMHO.

I agree, sort of. I wouldn't call it "CRUEL"... but it can be MADE cruel. But so can a crate. So can a squirt bottle. So can a tie-out leash of the dogs that sit on them all day long. etc. etc. I'd rather see a dog, who is being exercised and trained and socialized, wearing a prong collar over a dog wearing a regular collar or a harness who is tied up all day long outside, or who sits in the house every day doing nothing.

Like I said, I'd never use them for any dog of mine, and I really hope to have a Mastiff someday and I still wouldn't plan on using one unless absolutely necessary for the safety of myself and others. So yeah, that's my thought process. *I* wouldn't use them. I wouldn't recommend them for the average person. I would never use a shock collar (I do think these are more cruel) but I'm not going to judge someone who does responsibly.