choke chain harmful? - Page 2

I feel that the choke chain is more difficult to use properly than an ecollar or prong collar, since they tend to not stay high on the neck.  Most dogs have bigger necks than heads so a choke that would stay snug and high on the neck would most likely not slip over the head.  Do I make sense? Lol.
vonrivera

I think it's funny that Martingales are allowed in AKC but prongs are frowned upon - prongs are basically martingales.  I think the prongs have an image problem - they look like a medieval torture tool.  But they're easier on the dog than a traditional flat collar, particularly when starting out.

But I've seen people misuse the prong.  The best is a prong with a flexilead.

makes sense, but then most people having issue not keeping it in place s not positioning the dog in proper heel and or not holding right. it does take more skill to use right than someone with knowledge and a prong. I would teach prong usage over choke for novice anyway and be sure they dont think prong need be loose or that it is for letting the dog ten feet ahead and be able to jerk dog back when need to using it for life of dog instead of as a training tool. I hate when these things are used as crutches instead of weaning dog off them.
 

we posted same time Jeffs and I could not agree more!! 

 

I saw a lot of pinch collars this weekend at a UKC show that were camoflauged with parachute cord to make them look like normal martingale collars.  While clever i think it would interfere with the quick release of the pinch collar action. But it keep the prying eyes animal activist from what lies beneath.
Every tool has it's use but if the only tool you have is a hammer sooner or later everything starts to look like a nail. :p
Fry

For a male GSD that will be 26 inches and 85 pounds, what length of prong collar is best?

Medium 18 inches or large 20 inches?

Or extra large 22 inches? He is now on a so called 20" buckle collar set on the second hole for second smallest collar.

He will never be overweight, always lean.

Actually i always use the smallest prong link available and add more links. The biggest is for elephants not dogs i swear. Even a Neo doens't need the LARGE pinc collar.
Get the 14 mm 20. and a few extra links. The collar should fit high and snug but not biting into the skin on the dog.

I have a smaller dog so I use the smaller size.  But I've heard my trainer tell people with bigger dogs to switch to the smaller prongs as the dog advances in training.  I think it's part of the process to switch to a chain Martingale.

I put a banana around the prong when I go to training sessions at places that frown on the prong. 

Different dogs need different levels of correction. I have a terrier with a lot of drive.  He'll lunge after squirrels on a loose leash whenever he can.  If I don't see him preparing to go after the squirrel and tell him to leave it, he'll go for it - only to be self corrected with the prong.

You really want to get people at AKC and UKC events worked up?  Show up with an ecollar and a prong collar.  That's what the cops use.

Thanks for my laugh today, Jeffs.

I know you meant bandana, but I couldn't help but wonder what the AKC/UKC people thought about the banana around your dog's neck.