First of all my dog just wears a choker when he needs to have his lead on as the choker is always on the end of the lead and never removed.
I use a choker on my dog which does help his pulling but he doesn't come into heel whilst on the lead when told to do so. I can call him to heel when off the lead and walks nicely at heel.
I think he doesn't come into heel on lead because when he comes into heel, he has a very slack choker and he doesn't like that so i have looked into getting my dog a half check collar as when he pulls and i say heel, hopefully he will come into heel the way he does whilst off the lead as he will not have a very slack choker.
I am looking into getting a half check collar because when he pulls, the chain section will check without choking my dog and will he will know that he is pulling when he hears the sound of the chain clinking.
I am also frightened that he can back out of the choker when it is slack.

I use half check collars ...always have its impossible for a dog to slip them.

I dont like full choke chains they are frowned upon nowadays.

http://www.ultimateanimals.co.uk/acatalog/dog_leads_dog_collars_kumfi_combi_training_collar.html

>full choke chains they are frowned upon nowadays

I think they still work for some people, its amazing how fads change, be it food, leads collars or treats ;)

full choke chains they are frowned upon nowadays
Then frown on me because I've used chains for over 20 years for my dogs' safety.  They have very narrow back skulls and can backout of normal collars, a risk that I won't take.  I've had no problems with neck injuries, but then I don't choke my dogs.

I use normal buckle collars for running in the park, and half check for obedience and shows. They don't wear anything at home thanks to my little hooligan girl! :-)

If it works for you, then why change things........yes we all must move with the times, but how often do these same things go full circle

I think chokers are not encouraged because some owners used to take their dog's head off whilst using them - not very kind, also others would let the dog pull and the poor thing would be wheezing and choking and you'd end up with a damaged trachea ;)

I used choke chains with our family dogs and my first Belgians for their first year, but  used to use them too hard :(  I much prefer using a normal collar and using the clicker, stop when the dog pulls and lure it back, etc etc.

Nothing wrong with using them as if they were just a collar,  I can understand that :)

Lindsay
x

I agree, but as with everything, they need to be used correctly, a bad workman never blames his tools, springs to mind :D

Ah yes, but what is correctly? hee hee! I tend to think it's hard not to hurt the dog - also it requires good timing which the average Jo hasn't got.

I used to have it when I was 20, haven't now - too old at 44 :D

Lindsay
x

tut tut, you're meant to learn with age:rolleyes:

:D

I seem to be going backwards :P

Lindsay
x

I think chokers are not encouraged because some owners used to take their dog's head off whilst using them

Absolutely Lindsay! :D  The problem is with the handler not the equipment!  

Your comment is balanced, as always, but the usual post is that nobody must every use a choke chain because it's cruel and we are supposed to have moved on from that.

I have trained grooming clients' dogs in 2 minutes not to pull on their leads, NOT by choking the dog but my a quick flick of the chainand the noise attracts the dog's attention to me and my voice.  I find it quick and almost instant.  Most owners are as quick to train too!

I agree with Val, it's difficult to find something as 'safe' as a choke chain for dogs with narrow back skulls and strong necks. I used a choke chain on one of my boys for about a year, after he'd backed out of two different types of collars leaping about after other dogs. I've now found someone that makes leather/chain half checks but with a buckle too so it can be quickly buckled onto his neck and is also escape proof. I use this along with his halti. I find the halti great for control but need the collar too for safety. Check out item no. 4459455944  on ebay.

I have Munsters (great dogs ;) ) and they all pull. My fault for not training them properly. :) However, I now use halters. 2 Main reasons, really. I have a damaged shoulder and a back that goes into spasms for no reason. OUCH! I also had to help a puppy owner who had left the choke chains on their 2 munsters and they had managed to get the chain of one stuck in the teeth of the other Not very pleasant. Anyway, I have found that the halters are a lot easier to use than choke chains. Yes, I too will admit to using them years ago, probably incorrectly too. I use half choke chains when I'm in the show ring, but the chain isn't very big. It's just the noise that reminds the dogs to wait for me :D

choke chains have their place its almost impossible to lose a dog out of a choke chain when we need to go to the vets for instance in town we have to cross two busy roads and with two large dogs who are total country bumpkins I feel much safer if I know I,ve got full control of them
At home they just wear flat quick release collars I,ve seen and heard of too many dogs getting in trouble with a choke chain or half choke left around their necks.

After 6 years I have resorted to a 'choke' chain with my oldest dog - for my own safety.   Back in January my knee got busted because the little she-devil decided that diving accross me, spinning and tripping me at the same time was great fun (didn't even have the excuse of a person or dog to dive on) It has happened on several occasions since, without warning and too fast to stop :(    It has taken 3 months for me to recover enough to be abe to walk them for 20 minutes at a time :(   No amount of training has made any difference (GRRRR)  So last week I went out and bought a chain collar.  Carefully chosen to be the right size (links and length) and weight for the dog.  Put it on for the first time and took her out on her own.  She dived, I flicked, and bingo!! :D  suddenly I had a well-behaved, well trained pooch on the end of the lead :D  She wore it like a necklace all thru the walk and didn't even try to dive on any people or dogs she met, didn't try to dive accross me either.  She even looked up at me while walking - which is a first in itself!    I use a half-check for shows but it's never had this effect ;)   Wish I'd bought one years ago, but I so wanted to use only flat collars :rolleyes:  Seems she learned more in one session than in 6 years of lead training and rewards. 

In the house they don't wear collars, too much chance of them getting caught while playing.