Choke Chains For Basic Commands. Too Much?

[Kowai]

My Obedience club reccommends choke chains. However they teach everyone to use them properly and they don't tolerate any abuse with it.

Proper use is a quick tug on the chain so it tightens, and then it is immediately released in a loose position again. It is NOT to be used to choke at any point.. Its more the movement, sound and feeling of the chain. It is to be put on the dog in the correct position so it hangs loose around the neck and this is also helped by holding the leash loosely.

I was always against the chains, but I've seen at my club they are used correctly and no dog is ever hurt or traumatised by their use. I still don't use them myself though, I use a flat collar.

What I don't trust about farm stays is the fact that what happens, you don't see. How do you know your dog is being treated well? I would never expect my dogs to learn something in a week. Training takes a long time.

[Nekhbet]

I barely use check chains unless absolutely required and other methods have not gotten results. Never on a 4 month old without my supervision and unless there was few other ways.

I helped a staffy that was on a flat collar, was a steam train on a leash and nothing would help with that collar. Had him walking nicely within 5 minutes with a check chain and now even the little kids help walk him because he no longer pulls.

Time and place for everything.