Hi,
    I am currently showing a 12 month old japanese spitz but im having MAJOR problems with his gold/chrome show check chain that keep getting knotted in his fur and near on strangling him :( .
Ive tried using a half check but i just havent got any control with this and in the show ring he just keeps pulling to get to the other dogs.
My jap spitz friends have not seemed to have this problem with the fur??? maybe my boy just has a thick coat??
There is a samoyed person at ringcraft and she says they have to be specifically made but she has no info where or by whom. I went round all the stall owners at Midland counties and no one could help :(
He is a fantastic boy who is doing great in the ring, but ive now come across this huge hurdle :(
Someone has also said i need a bevelled chain or material check?? but dont know where to get one from
PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!

your chain could be too long try a shorter one that would just fit over his head so its not so loose.

Try using a cord slip instead of a chain one.

ditto Nova, try a cord check.

Is it a normal chain? I use a snake chain on my OES and it doesn't knot or catch the coat.

rolled leather on my oes ,,no knots

i use a snake chain on my malamute no probs :)

A snake chain is well worth looking at, probably best trying them at shows to see what you think:
I use a regular chain on my Bernese and a rolled leather American on my Rott, I have found that I do get very good control with the leather one, a simple fabric one or half check I dont

I have seen coat/fur saver chains advertised, they have longer bigger links so don't cause damage.

its just a normal chain???
Asked at the stalls at m counties but no one could help :(
Can anyone give me any websites where i can order one??
No its not too long just the right size but still knots in the fur
Many thanks everyone :)

fancy the rolled leather or cord, are these check collars? as i dont want a half check.
Websites would be greatly appreciated xxx

Essenjay made my rolled American leather collar. They have various sizes and types at shows in their stands but what I wanted they made for me and sent in the post. All hand made and lovely people too :-)

Here is one but do a search there are several http://www.kjkropedogleads.co.uk/price-list-slip-collars.htm you may have a problem finding a rolled leather that is supple enough for use in the ring but I expect others know better.

Another vote for Essenjay and Hessonite here, newstart. I have a shorter slip lead for my older boy and use a longer lead on the puppy.

At the risk of telling you what you already know, if the problem is control, have you got the lead high up enough, and behind/under the dog's ear? That should increase the control you have without unduly stringing him up.

I would respectfully suggest some more training if control is the main issue. I find traditional obedience classes can be great in this type of situation, as opposed to ringcraft, as you walk around in a circle doing heelwork, so the dog gets used to being moved around plenty of other dogs. If we can control big Malinois which are far, far stronger than the average human, on a thin (as in rolled 8 mm or flat 5 mm) leather half check in the ring with a 5 mm leather lead (that they could break if they wanted to), then surely it should be possible to train a much smaller dog on a half check as well. I really dislike it when people put the collar right up behind the dog's ear -that is designed for the most discomfort which is why it works better, and surely discomfort isn't what we want in the ring, but FUN. I also think it looks bad.

Used a snake chain on a Rough Collie, Beardie with no problem. expensive but well worth it.

I was going to suggest a snake chain too, I've found this link but apologies if it's not quite right, I'm on my phone!! http://www.hubintsecured.co.uk/acatalog/Ring_5_Snake_Chains_and_Choke_Collars.html. And yes there some lovely fine rolled leather slip leads or very pretty cord slip leads, I'll try to find some more links...

Many thanks for all the positive help :)

He is going through the red blooded male stage at the moment goldmali, and has gone from a fabulous boy on 1 ticket and 1 reserve at 9 months of age, performing beautifully in the show ring! to a sex crazed maniac wanting to get to bitches at 12 months!!!!!
As hes only a puppy i DONT want to be disciplining him in the ring and make him hate showing when he is such a show man in the ring, i just wish to have alittle more control on the lead when his hormones are straying to bring focus back to myself!

ps never string spitz up :) just want it as a check when his mind starts wandering, so he cant pull to get to the bitches outside the ring lol. Otherwise i suppose i could try bromide......or whatever its called pmsl

ordered one off the site you gave me nova :) many thanks xx

i've had a snake chain for   around 12 years.  not gold plated anymore lol but  still going strong.

just a quick update!!!!! ordered the cord check off line and it works great!!.........plus with the extra bit of control my boy is almost back to his perfect show self :)
Many thanks for all the helpful advise :)