Choke Chain Collar | Are They Safe For Dog Training

UPDATED: 10 November 2021

Dog owners often use dog choke collars to train their dogs, but this is a controversial topic. Many dog trainers and animal rights activists believe that choke collars can cause harm to the dog and should not be used.

On the other side of the argument, many dog trainers and dog owners say that choke collars are an effective training tool and they have never had any problems with them before.

The Pros and Cons of a Training Collar

A good friend came around the other day with his newly adopted English Mastiff, wearing a choke chain collar – the dog not my friend.

I was a little surprised that he’d chosen a dog choke collar for what appeared to be a settled and docile dog. While Sumo was a large dog, he had a heart of gold, true to his bread.

However, my friend had been told by the previous owner that putting on a choke chain collar was the only way to control him when out walking.

I rather suspect that the issue was that the previous owner didn’t have a clue about how to handle a large 200-pound dog.

My friend had called around to refine his understanding of establishing himself as the pack leader, and confirm that the choke chain collar was not necessary – which was not!

Choke Chain Collars Can Be An Option

Some breeds of dogs can be difficult to handle, particularly large dogs.

I knew of a fellow Newfoundland owner who only weighed 62 Kilos (about 136 pounds), her dog, a male, weighed 72 (about 159 pounds).

She openly admits to using a choke chain collar for a few weeks when her dog was still a puppy. The dog soon learned the consequences of trying to pull away – and has never forgotten.

So maybe there is a case for the use of a dog choke collar if used correctly and sparingly. Maybe?

I think that you will agree with me when I say, that as dog owners, we all want the best for our pets.

However, with so many gadgets, methods, and styles of training dogs it can be hard to decide on the best and safest training collar to use.

In this article, we look at the use of choke chain collars for dogs. A lot of dog trainers use them and the internet is full of videos advocating their use.

However, there are also numerous health and behavioral risks of using choke collars.

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Are Choke Chain Collars Safe and What are the Alternatives

Choke chain collars for dogs are designed to tighten against the dog’s throat as the owner pulls – creating a choking effect and acting as a deterrent for their behavior.

I mentioned above that I know someone who felt she only had one chance to train her puppy not to pull on the leash before the puppy became a dog.

However, after we talked about the risk to her dog’s health by using a dog choke collar she said this if the situation ever arose again she would watch this video:

Prong Collars

Prong collars work in a similar way, however, have metal spikes that pinch the dog’s neck as further punishment.

As you can imagine this can cause pain for your dog. Studies have shown pulling on a lead with ANY kind of training collar is harmful to a dog’s throat – and the use of a choke or prong collar increases this harm.

The harm caused by a prong collar includes

• Inflammation and pain in the throat
• Damage to the thyroid – a gland that is located at the base of the neck
• Potential damage to the trachea, also known as the windpipe
• Neck and spinal injuries
• Increased pressure in the eyes – which in turn increases the risk of glaucoma and other eye conditions.

Are Choke Chain Collars for Dogs Effective?

Not only do choke chain collars for dogs have numerous health risks, but they can also have a negative effect on training.

As this technique causes pain for the dog, using these collars can increase fear and aggression in dogs. Although the sharp jerk will correct a behavior initially, it will not fix the root of the problem.

Using a choke collar for dogs increases the risk of aggression, injury, and fear. Not only this, but it takes away a fun, bonding experience for you and your pet.

Alternative Training Methods Can Be More Effective

Thankfully, training dogs can be a positive, fun, and rewarding experience – for the dog and its owner. There are alternative training methods that will

• Create a fun, safe learning environment for your dog
• Teach them the skills they need to behave appropriately
• Provide positive feedback for them and celebrate their successes
• Nurture and strengthen the bond between you and your dog

Tips To Encourage Great Lead Manners For Your Dog

One of the most common reasons owners decide to use a choke chain collar for dogs is to teach leash skills.

Instead, consider these top tips to safely, and use positive reinforcement to encourage your dog to walk with you.

• As always, start training in a quiet area with few distractions
• With the lead attached to their collar call your dog to you
• When your dog is by your side and the leash is slack, give your dog a treat.
• Take a few steps, if your dog comes with you, praise and give another treat.
• Continue, “checking in” every few steps and praising your dog when the lead is slack and they are by your side
• Practice regularly at home, gradually increasing the number of steps between rewards.
• As your dog perfects walking next to you up the challenge and try new, exciting environments.

You will train your dog much quicker using positive reinforcement methods.

Learn How To Stop Your Dog Pulling On The Leash

Here’s a great video, it’s less than 4 minutes long, that will teach you how to stop your dog from pulling on the leash using positive reinforcement methods.

Click here to ==> learn more about Doggy Dan The Online Dog Trainer.

In summary:

You don’t need a Choke Chain Collar for Training Dogs!

Training a dog can be time-consuming, but being done correctly creates a rewarding, lifelong bond between you and your new best friend.

Put yourself in your dog’s position – using a choke chain collar for training dogs can not only harm your pet but negatively affect your bond and training.

There is a range of positive, safe products training methods that can be used instead to help you with your dog training experience.

Alternatives to Dog Choke Collars

The Benfits of a Martingale Collar

If you are looking for a dog collar that will keep your pup safe, while still being humane and comfortable, then you should go with a Martingale Dog Collar.

The Martingale collar looks like a standard dog collar until you look closer. The design consists of two interconnected collars, connected to the lead and wrapped around your dog’s neck but they have some unique advantages for all breeds!

A dog’s collar can be the difference between life and death, so it is important to always keep an eye on your pup.

Martingale collars will stop any excited or fearful dogs from getting their heads free in new environments or around other animals – no matter how much they might try though!

Martingale collars are a much better choice for your dog than a chain collar or slip collar.

They fit looser, so it’s easy to remove when necessary and they distribute pressure evenly around the neck rather than concentrating in specific areas with metal components that could cause harm over time if applied constantly- not just while playing tug o’ war!

Whether you’re trying to avoid having a dog that pulls on their leash, teaches basic commands, or just needs something safe for walks with the pup-martingale collars might be what’s needed.

They can help keep your pooch under control and ensure safety during any adventure!

When To Use a Head Halter Collar

When you feel like your dog is on the verge of bolting out of control, you want a tool that will allow you to get a handle on the situation without any harsh treatment.

This head halter collar does just that by giving your pup a gentle, but effective correction if he starts going in the wrong direction while walking with his leash.

A head halter is a versatile tool with an easy-to-use design. It provides directional control without the hassle of having to carry additional items.

Made from soft, comfortable materials, this product will be indispensable for your adventures in town or the great outdoors!

Check out this range of Head Halter Collars on Amzon.com

Shock Collars are Not as Bad as You May Think

One effective and humane way to train your dog is a good shock collar.

Yes, believe it or not, a shock collar can be a safe and effective training tool because, like all dog training tools, it depends on the dog, and the behavior being corrected.

Shock collars are not designed to hurt or injure your dog, but rather simply create an annoying sensation so that they’ll learn behaviors quickly without causing any pain.

If you have had trouble with training methods in the past, why not give this one a try?

If you had any doubt as to which is the best dog collar for your dog in different situations talk with your vet or professional dog trainer.