As an Obedience Judge at Open and Ch. Shows, my main pet peeve is seeing a handler come into my Ring with a Choke Chain on their dog!

Perhaps it is just because I am so aware of them or maybe becoming paranoid about them that I actually thought they appeared to be on the increase last year!

(Rant over)!
 

Most obedience dogs I have seen seem to be trained using check collars???

<Most obedience dogs I have seen seem to be trained using check collars??? >???????  Do you mean chokers or half check collars

Not many of the handlers I know & a lot work ticktr use chokers There are still trainers & handlers who use chokers a local GSD club will not allow the use of haltis or anything else other than a choker as that was they way they were shown how to train. I can think of one of the GSD handler who has always used chokers on their dogs but oddly enough their dogs wore a dead link one when they were in a class I was judging

I haven't used a live link choker for over 30 years I prefer to train heelwork off lead with the dog wearing a normal collar & actually never do any heelwork training on lead at all

I hate chokers & if a handler used one under the ears when I was judging my steward was instructed by me to tell the handler I classed it as a tight lead & they would be marked accordingly

Chokers rightful place is in the dustbin IMHO

Why?

I am not pro check chains (my dogs train & compete in flat buckle collars) but in Open & above all exercises are off-lead so the check chain gives no advantage and, IF correctly used, may be a helpful training tool.

i agree, guest ,i think its time the rules were changed personally!
i dont mind them as a training aid,but not as items of abuse as ive seen them used