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Topic: RE: Choke Chains / Pinch Collars for: Topic: My Lab embarrassed me!!
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ccm
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posted December 22, 2003 07:19 AM
This is in relation to the post about the Lab pulling when seeing another dog...
Has anyone used a choke collar or pinch collar?
What are your experiences? Any info or advice would be helpful.
Posts: 14 | Registered: Dec 2003
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ms533
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posted December 22, 2003 07:32 AM
I had to use a pinch collar for my rottweiler, she was too strong for a choke collar. The pinch collar is not hurtfull to the dog at all, personally i think the pinch collar is alot safer than the choke collar. Just make sure you are informed properly on how to use it and make sure you get the right size for you dog. also you might want to try a gentle leader, never used one but heard very good things about it. its more like a head control, its nylon and fits over their muzzel, they can still drink pant eat bark,
Posts: 48 | From: va | Registered: Dec 2003
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GretaJack
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posted December 22, 2003 08:17 AM
I have used both pinch and chokes on all of my labs. Both are effective if you use them correctly. If you are not familar with how to use them, please contact a trainer. A tight pinch or choke will do nothing but frustrate any dog. You need to train in pop and release with these collars so the dogs are rewarded when not pulling and corrected when pulling. A pinch left tight on the dogs neck will not stop them from pulling.
Posts: 195 | From: Wisconsin | Registered: Dec 2003
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ccm
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posted December 23, 2003 08:30 AM
Ah...I see. So did you find you needed to stop them from pulling or was it just something you would normally do with any dog?
What if the trainers in my area don't like to use pinch collars?
Posts: 14 | Registered: Dec 2003
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lou3
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posted December 23, 2003 09:03 AM
i would recommend a halti or gentle leader for a puller before a choke or pinch collar. They work much better for this specific problem, chokes work great for other problems but not so fantastic for pullers.
Lou
Posts: 461 | From: uk | Registered: Nov 2003
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Dawn
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posted December 23, 2003 10:06 AM
She's already using a gentle leader. I trained my lab/shephard with a choke collar. Used appropriately they are great. His only problem was pulling. If I'm leading him, he doesn't even try to pull. He hasn't had anything but a plain leather collar on in 3-4 years. I would allow him to get ahead of me, snap the lead, he would stop and wait. At the same time I would also make my disapproving noise. Sorry can't explain it, I use it on all my animals. Eventually he got to were I could make the noise and he would instantly stop and wait.
Posts: 428 | Registered: Nov 2002
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ccm
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posted December 23, 2003 12:21 PM
Ya, already has the gentle leader on when this stuff happens...
If my local trainer can't help I am leaning toward the prong collar.
I read today that in Germany they did a study on 100 dogs, 50 with choke collars and 50 with prong collars. It was a liftime study, when the dogs passed on they examined them and found that 46 of the choke collars dogs had neck and back injuries and only 2 of the 50 prong collars dog had injuries.
Posts: 14 | Registered: Dec 2003
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Dawn
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posted December 23, 2003 12:22 PM
Yes I can see that. For some reason people are more likely to find out how to preperly use a prong collar, not sure why though. They also tend to have a faster reaction to it therefore not as much pressure on their neck.
Posts: 428 | Registered: Nov 2002
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LoriAnn
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posted December 24, 2003 04:26 AM
My golden acts 100% better on the leash when she's wearing a halti that slips over her muzzle. I highly recommend them. They take the dog a few times wearing them to get used to them though, the first couple of times I put it on her she spent most of the time trying to get it off. I just ignored her & distracted her by calling her name really enthusiastically like we were going somewhere REALLY fun. Now she doesn't bat an eye when I put it on her.
Posts: 80 | From: Indiana | Registered: Nov 2003
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bearsmom
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posted December 24, 2003 09:19 AM
We use pinch collars on our Newf/Great Pyrenees and Lab/Redbone Coonhound, and they work great! Lulu (the N/GP) NEVER pulls now. Opie (the L/RC) is still learning, but doing much, much better than with the plain nylon collar. I think the pinch collars are a lot more humane than choke chains. I've seen dogs pulling with those things, choking themselves.
I've also talked to people that use the gentle leaders, and they swear by them.
Good luck!
Posts: 90 | From: Oregon | Registered: Dec 2003
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ccm
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posted December 24, 2003 09:50 AM
Well that's good to know...
So do you switch collars from walking or working to when they are just lazing around the house?
Posts: 14 | Registered: Dec 2003
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LoriAnn
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posted December 25, 2003 07:28 AM
If you are using a pinch collar or choke chain it can be put on with their regular collars (at least the people I know that use them do this. If the dog DID get loose somehow they still have thier i.d.) then take them off after the walk. Don't ever leave them on when they are not being used, if they get hung up on something they can be dangerous. The halti that I use hooks to her regular collar & I remove it as soon as we're home.
Posts: 80 | From: Indiana | Registered: Nov 2003
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bearsmom
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posted December 28, 2003 12:10 AM
We switch collars back and forth. We don't go for walks very often because we live out in the country and the dogs have 5 acres to run around on. When we do go for walks, there's next to no likelihood of them getting away, so we don't worry about the ID issue (they're chipped, too).
Good luck!
[ December 28, 2003, 12:12 AM: Message edited by: bearsmom ]
Posts: 90 | From: Oregon | Registered: Dec 2003
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Freckles
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posted December 28, 2003 04:34 PM
Just had to send a note of agreement on the Gentle Leader's benefits. I have not been able to discontinue using it when we take her out where there are a lot of people or animals. She is such a people lover she just loses it when one of her favorite people comes around. She is getting better. Not aggressive just overly demonstrative! Sometimes when company comes and she just is beside herself I go get the leash with the Gentle Leader on it and hold it up and tell her to settle or on it goes. It is amazing she really responds...does a down or sit immediately. Just wish I didn't have to threaten her with it.... She is just over 2 and with the border collie/cattle dog ancestry she is always wanting to be in the middle of things. My trainer would not allow choke chains either.
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Lou in Texas
Posts: 122 | From: Southlake, TX | Registered: Oct 2003
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fullhouse9873
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posted December 28, 2003 07:55 PM
I use a choke chain on my dogs when we're walking - and they work great. If you're going to use them - you need to know how to use them correctly. Too many people let their dogs continuously pull on the lead - and the dog just ends up choking himself. It's people that don't know how to use the collars that give them a bad name. I also have used the halti - but I found I had more control with a choke chain. But the halti did stop from pulling. I just found it was easier to give a leash correction with the choke chain.
Posts: 247 | From: Jefferson, WI | Registered: Sep 2003
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binka_nugget
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posted January 11, 2004 01:14 AM
I have used regular nylon collars, nylon slip collars, nylon harnesses, car harnesses with a strap for me to use to help 'guide' him, anti-pull harnesses, haltis and chain slip collars. Of all those, the chain slip worked. Kai is absolutely HORRIBLE when it comes to walking. It's not pulling forward but it's the pulling backwards. He's terrified of traffic so he likes to freak out/lay down/anything he can to avoid walking. It took us 30 minutes to get up one block once. After that, I was po'ed so I tried the chain slip (aka choke chain). I also obedience train him with the chain slip as well (I do correction/praise/clicker). I do plan on getting a prong collar though (aka, pinch collar). The chain slip does the job but I want to see if the prong will help even more.
I've also read about that study in germany. I emailed our trainer (who has dealt with LOTS of dogs and I respect very much). She said that the study is all too true BUT if you know how to use the chain slip correctly, there will probably be no harm done. Although, same goes for the prong. If you put it on incorrectly, it could do some damage.
I guess I'll add my $0.02 about haltis and gentle leaders. They work great but I see them as a band-aid in training. The halti worked wonderfully for Kai but it did nothing for him when I tried putting him back on a collar. I'd rather him know not to pull because I don't like it..rather than not do it because I'm not giving him the chance.
My two don't wear collars around the house so I guess I can't answer your other question. It'd do too much damage to their coats..but I've boundary trained them not to run out.
[ January 11, 2004, 01:16 AM: Message edited by: binka_nugget ]
Posts: 23 | From: BC, Canada | Registered: Jul 2003
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