choke collars - Page 5

John,

I guess its me.  I must not realize how heavy handed some trainers are with a chain or a prong.   Those poor dogs, at whatever age.   

I've tried to explain that I dont train that way.   Maybe its because of the difference in dogs. 

I use chains as collars over canvas or leather or whatever just because I want to.  

The question was at what age?    I would say 6 months, thats my opinion.   How you use it is up to you.

Choking puppies is just idiotic.   I'm sure everyone will agree on that.

two moons,

Yes, I agree, that everyone else would agree with your last statement.  It just seems that some people want to jump into choke collars right away when things don't work for them. Those people that just jump into it, without proper knowledge, are the one that usually gets so frustrated over the fact that the dog locks up and doesn't want to do anything and take it out on the dog.. I seen that with a 3 month old female. Not good. I didn't mean to offend you at all. Just saying what I have seen on and off the farm.

John Kennedy

Shasta- of course your point makes perfect sense when dog people talk to dog people, like on this board. The point I want to make to the general public, people who are uneducated on dog training yet feel the need to comment on it, is that through the use of the collar, I assert myself as the boss. which results in good behavior. I have no qualms about balancing discipline with motivation.

My 5 and 6 year females actually rarely wear their training collars these days, it is a tool that should disappear when it is no longer needed.

Yes, of course, training collars are very easily abused but a lot of people out there (general statement, NOT name calling) assume anyone who uses one is being abusive. It goes both ways.

Years ago I used a choke for all my training and when my wonderful dog aged I discovered I had scarred not only his neck, but his trachea.  I was devastated that I had been so horribly negligent and surprised that no one warned me of the dangers of choke collars.  Unless you use it infrequently, you will be sawing away at his trachea and scarring his neck for life.

With my next dog, I trained on a roll collar exclusively, and we earned a UD with even higher scores.

Dangerous colars!!

Vickie

www.PowerHausKennels.com

If you are weak or feeble or small, and your dog is powerful, you may not, of course, be able to get away with a simple leather collar.  But force of personality goes a very long way.  My small mother when in her 60s and early 70s commanded attention and obedience even from a few big males. 

Some people, including myself never mentioned when to use a choke collar and what kind. I use a cloth collar on puppies and then, when I feel the dog is ready, move them up to a fur saver on the dead ring. Later on, if needed, move them onto a prong collar, once again the prong collar will be on the dead ring. I always use the dead ring, that is just me tho.

John Kennedy

John, 

No problem, I wasnt offended.   So much is lost with the written word as is lost in training when attempted by amatures, and I am an amature I'm sure.

Its hard to truely express thoughts and idea's with the limitations of a post here and there.  Even real time chat leaves a lot to be desired when trying to understand others and their meanings at times.   Everyone could stand a little patience and understanding.

There are people out there who are dangerous to themselves and others, including their pets.   It could be anything from fixing the car to trying to re-wireing a house, or training a dog.   They should have guidelines for selling hammers.   I dont think anyone can do anything about the fools, idiots, and morons who infest our planet.    I'm sure people do harm with choke chains.   I can't imagine yanking on a chain so hard as to cause physical damage but I know it happens.  

Powerhaus, please.....

I hope those who want to know find place's like this to ask these questions and learn something that will put them on the right path.

I have,  thanks to everyone.

I know.......   I am so full of shit.

Night everyone.

I have been training for 30 years and only in the past 5 years have I used a prong collar. None of my puppies have a prong or choke collar until they are at least 6 or 7 months old.

I used chokes for years but realized they can damage a dog's throat. The prong should fit like a flat collar and let the dog correct itself and they will.

 Some dogs need a prong and some don't. It really depends on the dog......just use common sense and go have some fun training AND when you get pissed QUIT.