Is It Cruel to Use a Choke Collar on Your Dog?

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Dog collars come in a variety of different forms, each with their own set of benefits. Though most dog collars are seen as harmless, choke collars are the subject of a great deal of controversy within the dog training community. Keep reading to learn more about what choke collars are, their pros and cons, and how to safely use one on your dog.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Choke Collars?

A choke collar is also known as a slip chain and it is a type of collar that tightens around your dog’s neck when you apply pressure by pulling on the leash. The purpose of a choke collar is to cause the dog discomfort when he pulls on the leash, effectively administering short correction – this is a type of positive punishment which can be used to reduce the frequency of an undesired behavior (in this case, pulling on the leash). Choke collars are frequently used for large and stubborn dogs who do not respond to verbal correction, though they shouldn’t be used as an everyday dollar.

If you think that a choke collar might help you gain better control over your dog during walks, take a moment to consider the pros and cons of this choice. The benefit, of course, is that your dog may learn to stop pulling on the leash because he learns to associate it with a negative consequence. On the downside, however, this type of collar can cause your dog pain and not just discomfort if you pull too hard. You should also be mindful that smaller dogs have a higher risk for collapsed trachea than larger dogs – putting a lot of pressure on the dog’s windpipe could be dangerous. If you’re considering a choke collar for your dog, think about buying one that has a feature to stop it from closing around the dog’s neck too much – a Martingale collar or a pronged collar might be a better option.

Tips for Safely Using a Choke Collar

If you’re going to use a choke collar on your dog, you need to learn how to do it safely for your dog’s protection. First off, you need to buy a collar the right size for your dog – measure the circumference around his neck and then purchase a choke chain a few inches larger so it has room to expand and contract. To place the collar on your dog, sit him down in front of you and push the chain through one of the end rings until the two end rings meet – it should form a loop that fits easily over your dog’s head. Next, slip the collar over your dog’s head and clip his leash to the end ring – the chain should slide easily as you pull on the leash. If the chain doesn’t loosen immediately after you remove pressure, you haven’t’ put it on correctly – this type of collar is intended for short correction only.

As a responsible dog owner, it is your right to make your own decision about using choke collars. If you think that your dog could benefit from this type of training, by all means, go for it. Just be sure to use the collar safely and do not leave it on your dog outside of training sessions.

Photo credit: WilleeCole Photography/Shutterstock.com

~Petguide.com